Campaign Tentage
Tentage use is not that well documented in Canada from the standpoint of particulars about the tent like its color, dimensions, numbers issued, etc. Some period paintings show soldiers sleeping in blue and white striped tents, while others show an off white natural canvas with no stripes.
According to the "Etat Militaire" Army regulations stipulated four tents for each fusilier company, and five for the grenadier companies. Each was marked in black with the regimental and company numerals. Each company was also issued a guard picket tent for safeguarding of weapons. Whether this was like the commonly used British "bell of arms" under which muskets were stacked is open for discussion.
The typical tent used in Europe by the French in 1750 was wedge shaped with a bellback 8' w x 8'6"L x7' H with a 48" bell.
Pierre Pouchot noted in his book that in 1755 "a tent was issued for every four officers. Two tents per battalion were provided for servants and four for each company of soldiers (39 non-commissioned officers and men)" Pierre Pouchot,Memoirs On the Late Was in North America Between France and England, 1994 Ed.,page 79
From Jean Vials site: Nec Pluribus ImparAccording to the instruction on 17 February 1753, tents of infantry measured 10 pieds 4 pouces (3m 35) in length with the apse, 6 pieds (1m 95) width and 5 pieds 8 pouces (1m 84) heigh, they were sustained by two wooden forked stakes of 10 pieds and one strut of 8 pieds (2m 60) and stretched with 21 small stakes, the name of the regiment had to be black registered on the linen. These tents which were not roomy had to be able to lodge eight soldats though in practice they housed less as there was always soldats on duty, or invalids in companies.
A sergeant counted for two soldiers, one camped in the first tent and the other in the last of its company.
In the " Art de la Guerre" from Puységur an engraving shows how to accomodate nine soldiers into a tent that measured 8 pieds square excluding the apse and 7 feet (2m 27) heigh. Puységur prefered oiled linen tents, although heavier they better protected against humidity.