History of les Compagnies franches de la Marine en Nouvelle France
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.
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) |
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.
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.
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.) |
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
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