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Les Compagnies franches de la
Marine were originally formed in 1622 by Cardinal
Richelieu, King Louis XIII's Minister of the Marine. The Companies
of French Marines were specifically created to protect France's interests
along the sea and outside its European boundaries. Marines guarded the ports
of France, served on its warships, and were later sent as garrison troops
in North America and the Caribbean.
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| When the Ministere de la Marine (Ministry of the Marine)
was organized in 1669, the overseas colonies of French came under its
jurisdiction. It was responsible for the administration and defense
of all royal colonies, including all of Nouvelle France (the French territories
in America).
An establishment of colonial troops, distinct from the marines
serving on ships and in sea ports, was created. These were organized
as independent companies (Compagnies franches) and were under the Ministry
of the Marine. The first of these companies were sent to the West Indies
in 1674. |
| Because Cardinal Richelieu designed the marine units to
be highly mobile and adaptable to unforeseen circumstances, they were formed
into compagnies, never in battalions or larger units. This philosophy was
reflected in their official name, which in 1680 became "Les Compagnies
franches
de la Marine" or the Independent Companies of the Marines.
In 1683, three companies, each with two officers and
50 soldiers, landed in Quebec City. 32 additional companies were sent
to Canada over the next few years, the last three arriving in 1688. As with
the troops sent to the West Indies and French Guyana during the 1670's, the
companies sent to Canada formed a distinct establishment of French regular
colonial troops for New France.
Right: Uniform of a marine serving on board the warships at
Rochefort, France. from a watercolour ca.1718 (Print courtesy of René
Chartrand, Parks Canada) |
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| These Troupes de la Marine were under the Marine Department,
and so are not found in the lists of the French Army Regiments. They
were formed on a company basis, rather than by Battalion or Regiment. A
lieutenant in the Navy took the rank of Captain of a Marine Company. In
addition, the establishment called for 1 Lieutenant, 1 Ensign, 2 Sergeants,
4 Corporals, 1 Drummer, and 1 Fifer. The designated size of a Canadian company
ranged from a low of 28 men in 1722, to a high of 65 men in 1756. Actual
strength, however, was weaker than designated and during the French and Indian
War, the Seven Years War in North America, a French Marine Company seldom
fielded more than 60 men.
During the first years, the officers and men of the Compagnies
franches were all from France, but as early as 1687, officers were recruited
in Canada, when the rank of ensign was established. The same policy
was applied when second ensigns were established in 1722. The cadets
established from 1731, were recruited from the sons of the officers of the
companies. Thus the colonial officer corps in Canada was gradually staffed
by men born in the colony. Over half the officers were Canadian by the 1720's
and nearly all by 1755. In contrast, the enlisted men were brought
over from France and encouraged to settle in the colony when discharged.
While a similar policy was applied in the other colonies, it was most
successful in Canada.
Compagnies franches were the only French regular infantry
troops in Canada until 1755. The Compagnie franche took part in just about
every engagement against the enemy from 1684 to 1755. They participated in
several expeditions against the Iroquois and other Indian Nations and against
the New England Colonies.
In New France of 1755, Marine Officers were nearly all native
Canadians. Enlisted men were most often from France, but notable numbers
hailed from neighboring countries. Between 1745 and 1750, many Scots and
Irish, who had supported the House of Stuart in its attempt to regain the
British throne, fled to France and used the Marines as a way to continue
the fight in North America. These Scots and Irish recruits became regular
soldiers of the Compagnies franches de la Marine, and thus were uniformed
as Marines, their kilts and other highland gear were discarded when they
joined the Compagnies franches, and were not worn in Canada. |
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The average marine recruit was a volunteer, mostly between
the ages of 16 and 30, during the 1750's because of a manpower shortage many
older recruits were taken.
According to Peter Kalm, most men enlisted because they "were very well fed
and clothed, paid regularly, enjoyed good relations with their officers,
and were particularly well treated on discharge."
Older recruits were often sent to Fortress Louisbourg and the other major
garrisons. The teenagers and younger recruits, with less developed manual
skills, were sent to more remote outposts in the interior of nouvelle
France.
Garrisons were rotated among the posts about every two years.
Left: Well fed recruits of Compagnies franches de la Marine
du Contrecoeur arriving at Fort Niagara. (photo ca. 1998 during the F &
I War Event at Fort Niagara.) |
| The Canadian Compagnies franches de la Marine of the 18th
century gradually became masters of Indian style warfare influenced by the
increasing Canadian officer corps. and years of conflict with the Indians.
The Compagnies franches, learned to fight in the manner of the Indian,
as bush fighters, this method of fighting was unknown in Europe, but
essential to survival in New France. Because of their fighting skills,
Compagnies franches were greatly respected by both Indians and the
British.
Right: Officers of the several companies of Compagnies franches
de la Marine meeting at the French & Indian War Event at Fort Niagara.
(photo ca.1998.) |
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References:
Chartrand, René
1984 The French Soldier in Colonial America Historical Arms
Series; No. 18, Museum Restoration Service, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Hamilton, Edward P.
1967 The French Army in America, & The Musketry Drill of
1755
L'Armee Francaise en Amerique, & Exercise de L'infanterie
francoise
Historical Arms Series No. 7, Museum Restoration Service, Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada |
Information
compiled by Ryan P. Washlaski & Raymond A.
Washlaski
Copyright
2006 by Marines du Contrecoeur
Web Master: Patrick Shuey -
webmaster@marinesducontrecoeur.org
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