Living conditions of the soldier
The discipline was hardly oppressive, especially before 1760. The soldier could work downtown. He was to return to the district at eight o'clock in the evening. The sergeants and the assistant medical officer of service were the only heads whom it saw daily.
The pay was paid in advance for five days in times of peace, and for ten days in times of war.
It be fix since 1713 with 5 ground 6 sum of money for the fusilier of infantry, to which one retain 2 ground for the bread (1 L ½) 1 ground 4 sum of money for the mass of maintenance, 1 ground for the linen and shoe, it remain thus 1 ground 2 sum of money to pour usually, buy the meat, the condiment, the fuel.
This pay much too moderate, especially about 1755, condemned the soldier to an intolerable misery. On the way, the soldier did not receive money, but the ration of stage which cost to the king 8 grounds approximately and 1 ground 4 sums of money were versed with the mass of maintenance. They was thus 9 grounds 4 sums of money which it would have had to be given in 1740 so that the soldier did not decay.
The proof in is, that the bodies of light troops received a pay of 10 grounds per day (ordinance, February 8, 1747, quoted further).
When a soldier obtained the permission to marry, the king granted 1 ground per day and a ration bread to his wife.
In the event of disease, the soldier was neat in one of the 85 military hospitals, maintained by the system the company.