Regiment Guyenne FAQ
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1 Regimental History
1. Where is Guyenne from, and does the name mean anything?2. When was it formed?
3. When was it disbanded?
4. How many men are in the Regiment?
5. Were there any women in the unit?
6. What flag do the colors of the flag represent?
7. What is the white scarf tied to the flag for?
8. Why do the French use a white flag - is that where the idea of the surrender flag came from?
9. Why did the French troops run away so often?
10. Who was in charge of the French Army in New France?
11. What the name of the Regimental commander?
12. What was the name of the Battalion commander of the troops here in North America?
13. What battles did the unit partake in?
14. What did the other parts of the regiment not in Canada do?
15. What happend after the trops returned to France in 1760?
2 Soldat (soldier) information
1. What was the average pay?2. Were there any other pay or benefits besides their base pay?
3. Were all the men from France, or did they come from Canada?
4. How were the soldiers punished?
5. What happened to deserters?
6. What was the typical age?
7. What was the average education level?
8. How long was an enlistment for?
9. What did they do for entertainment?
10. Did the French drink tea?
3 Uniforms and equipment
1. How can you tell who’s who when there’s no rank insignia?2. Why is the uniform red? I thought only British units wore red?
3. What did they eat while in the field?
4. How many men slept in a tent, did they get their own tents?
5. What typical equipment was carried while in the field?
6. Is wool hot? How did they manage in the summer time?
4 Tactics & weapons
1. What kind of gun did they use?2. How heavy was the musket?
3. What caliber is the musket?
4. How many times a minute could you fire a musket?
5. Why did they just stand there and shoot at each other without hiding?
6. Did they all carry swords?
7. What are cartridges made of?
8. What year was the drill based on?
Websites http://vial.jean.free.fr/new_npi/enter.htm
Answers
1 Regimental History
1. Where is Guyenne from, and does the name mean anything?
Guyenne was originally part of the ancient region of Aquitaine.2. When was it formed?
French Regiments were numbered from the order in which tey were established. This ranking determined seniority when multiple units operated together. The Regiment was formed in 1684, and was numbered 67 in 1740, 68 in 1759, and then became the 16th in 1763 when it was incorporated into the older Dauphin.3. When was it disbanded?
In 1762 under the Army reforms started by Minster Choiseul it was merged into the 16th Regiment (Dauphin) effectivly ending Guyenne's identity as a unique Regiment. Its two decimated battalions were incorporated in Regiment du Dauphin which had been incorporated in 1617. Dauphin survived the Naeloenic Wars, and was still in existance during WWI then known as the 29RI ( Regiment de Infantrie )4. How many men are in the Regiment?
The entire regiment was composed of two battallions of which only the second was deployed to Canada. The 2nd Battallion was drawn from volunteers from the 1st, and recruiting parties brought it up to full strength prior to departure. The 1st Battallion was then brought up to full strength, and deployed in garrison duties on the provinces coast.
At the start of the war in 1755 there were sixteen fusilier and one grenadier companies per battallion. Total strength on paper per battallion was 685 soldiers, and 35-40 officers. In 1755 there were an average of 39 men 2 officers per company though numbers vary based on year, prisoners, desertions, deaths, men out sick, etc.
The Ordonnance of 1 August 1755 set each battalion strength at 16 companies of fusiliers, 1 company of grenadiers and the regimental staff. The ordonnance on 17 August 1757 increased each battalion by one more fusilier company, bringing the total to 18 companies per battalion.
The ordonnance on 1st January 1755 restored for colonel and lieutenant colonel the privilege to command the two senior companies, this permission had been abolished in February 1749.
The regimental staff comprised the 1 Colonel, 1 Lt. colonel, 1 major, 1 assistant-major, 1 chaplain and 1 surgeon.
The fusilier companies consisted of 1 Captain (Company Commander), 1 lieutenant (2nd in Command), 2 sergeants ( 1 Sargeant-Major, 1 Quartermaster), 3 Corporals (Squad Leaders for the Escouade's), 3 Anspessades (Lance Corporals to assist running the Escouade's), 31 fusiliers (27 men in three escouade's of nine men each), 3 fusilers (assigned to the picket company), 1 fusiler ( doubled as the battalion gunner), and finally 1 drummer.
The grenadier company comprised 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 sub-lieutenant, 2 sergeants, 3 corporals, 3 lance corporals (ansepessades), 36 grenadiers and 1 drummer. According to the regulation the captain of grenadiers did'nt exceed 45 years old, similarly the lieutenant, sub-lieutenant and sergeants did'nt be more than 40 years old.
For further details see:Organisation de l'Infanterie Française durant la Guerre de Sept Ans
The English translation is here:
Organisation of the French Infantry during the Seven Years War
More specific information about French Infantry in general can be found in "R.D Pengles, French Infantry Regiments 1740-1762", 1982, On Military Matters
5. Were there any women in the unit?
No - unlike their British contemporaries the French Army did not permit camp followers, or the mens wives to accompany the troops when on deployment.6. What flag do the colors of the flag represent?
White cross for was the color of the House of Bourbon, the four quadrant colors were associted with the province of Guyenne.7. What is the white scarf tied to the flag for?
What indicated French nationality, was the scarf or white tie ( cravat ) which was attached under the spearhead. The use of this tie was adopted after the battle of Fleurus, in 1691. At the time many of the Colonels flags of the Dutch, the English, and Spaniards were white and similar enough to bring regrettable errors while under combat ( friendly fire ) resulting in self inflicted casualties.8. Why do the French use a white flag - is that where the idea of the surrender flag came from?
No the all white flag, with the white cross on top of it was the base color& standard of the Royal House of Bourbon the ruling family of France. When you want to surrender or parley you use the opposing forces colors.9. Why did the French troops run away so often?
Contrary to current popular opinion the French did not run away that often. Considering the entire military force in North America numbered only around 5,000 troop on average against over 17,000 English & American picking and choosing the time to fight was pretty important. If anything they were aggressive to a fault and it ultimately cost them the war.10. Who was in charge of the French Army in New France?
Depending on who you happend to ask in 1755 you would get one of two answers. Govenor Vaudril had control of the colony troops by right as his position, yet the Marquis de Montcalm was designated as the military commander by the Comte d'Argensesn who ran the ministry of the Army.This political rift caused friction throught the war.11. What the name of the Regimental commander?
12. What was the name of the Battalion commander of the troops here in North America?
Mr. Fontbonne, Brigadier de, Lieutenant-colonel du régiment de Guyenne.Mr. de Fontbonne, whom one should not confuse with Mr. de Fontbrune, aide-de-camp of the knight of Lévis, commanded the 2nd battalion of Guyenne from its arrival in Canada in 1755 till his death on the plains of Abraham in Sept 1759. Second lieutenant in 1723, lieutenant in 1724, captain in 1735, it was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in 1755.
13. What battles did the unit partake in?
Oswego, Fort William Henry, Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Niagra, Fort Bull, Quebec and Saint Foy.14. What did the other parts of the regiment not in Canada do?
The remianing units garrisoned the coasts of the home province of Guyenne for the duration of the war. They did not take part in any battles in the European theatre.15. What happend after the trops returned to France in 1760?
From Jean Vials site: Nec Pluribus ImparAfter their return in France in 1760, the regiments that had served in Canada had so hard hit by the war that they were reorganized.The ordonnance of 1 February 1761 reduced the regiments La Reine, La Sarre, Royal Roussillon, Languedoc, Guyenne, and Béarn to only 12 companies of 20 fusiliers and one company of 40 grenadiers.
2 Soldat (soldier) information
1. What was the average pay?
Pay 3-6 livre also varies2. Were there any other pay or benefits besides their base pay?
It depended on the soldat and his garrison location. In New France usually a soldat in particular a Marine was allowed to work another job on his off time to supplument his pay. Since the regular troops were not permanent colony residents they did not as a rule work a second shift in some civilain job. Speculation is that when you went to live with a habitant during the winter you probably could make some money on the side doing odd jobs for them.3. Were all the men from France, or did they come from Canada?
Where from Canada/France ? originally France, but do to loses they were allowed to recruit in Canada which they claim explained their later poor performance in the field.4. How were the soldiers punished?
5. What happened to deserters?
The punishment for desertion - assuming they were caught was death. Typically by firing squad, or hanging.6. What was the typical age?
Age 16-24 best guess7. What was the average education level?
By todays standards quite poor. Most of the typical soldiers could not read or write upon enlistment. It is assumed that some rudimentary skills would have to be developed as time went on.8. How long was an enlistment for?
enlistment varies 6 years9. What did they do for entertainment?
Gambling was commonplace and often overlooked by superiors. The main forms are dice, cards and drinking.10. Did the French drink tea?
Mostly chocolate, coffee and to a lesser extent tea all commonly exported from the French West Indies.3 Uniforms and equipment
1. How can you tell who’s who when there’s no rank insignia?
All trim for hats of all ranks was woven from either false gold or real gold for the most senior officers.Officers Gorgets were gold w/silver cipher around the neck, and had more lavish trim on their uniforms. French officers commonly had the edges of the waistcoat, button holes, and pockets edged with metallic lace that matched the hat trim. Sergeants false gold stripe around top of cuff of justacorps, Corporals false gold strip edging justacorps cuff button holes vertically arranged and with the edges frayed out on the bottom.
Soldats or privates had no trim on any part of the coat.
2. Why is the uniform red? I thought only British units wore red?
The uniforms of French troops was a white justacorp with the regimental colors indicated on the cuff, often with a matching waistcoat color. Specific 'red cuffed' regiments of which Guyenne was but one of many were individually distinguished by the the pocket flap shape, and button pattern or distinnctions all considred together. In fatigue wear or in 'undress' only the red waistcoat was worn and Guyenne troops many be mistaken for English units as a result.3. What did they eat while in the field?
Rations would typically be issued prior to a expidition and typically consisted of salted pork, fat, bread, peas, cheap wine, or and some brandy mixed with water. Spruce beer was also brewed while in the field, along with what ever else could be procured or scavanged from the local population.4. How many men slept in a tent, did they get their own tents?
8-10 men per the instruction. No they were not assigned their own individual tents.5. What typical equipment was carried while in the field?
6. Is wool hot? How did they manage in the summer time?
4 Tactics & weapons
1. What kind of gun did they use?
Typical issue in New France was the .69-.72 caliber 1747 model made by whatever armory had the contract at the time, Tulle ( Mostly marine ), St-Etienne2. How heavy was the musket?
8.2 lbs3. What caliber is the musket?
.69-724. How many times a minute could you fire a musket?
Fredrick the Great wrote in his book that his troops were drilled to fire 3-5 times a minute. Contemporary authors feel that the typicl rate of fire was 1-2 shots a minute varying by experience, and proficency of the troops firing. The goal was 4, though that rate varied based on the quality of the troops and tactical circumstances.5. Why did they just stand there and shoot at each other without hiding?
Stand up to be shot, Its the honor thing for the king you know being a real man6. Did they all carry swords?
In Europe yes, but in New France no. Grenadiers carried theirs as a symbol of their elite status.others turned in swords for hawks.7. What are cartridges made of?
Paper. The typical cartridge was a cut into rectangle rolled around a wooden former then glued on one edge and the bottom.8. What year was the drill based on?
The drill used was the 1755. There were other earlier drills used, the 1750, 1747, etc.Copyright (c) 2001-2003 by Brian Smith, all rights reserved.
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