Montcalm's Army from "Troupes Du Roi 1757"

These plates are from a book called "Troupes du Roi, Infanterie française et étrangère, année 1757."  This book, written in 1757, has provided a priceless window into the uniforms of French infantry during the Seven Years War.  The plates selected depict French regiments who fought with Montcalm to defend New France (Canada) from 1755 to 1760.


All photographs are courtesy of the Reunion des Musees Nationaux at http://www.photo.rmn.fr/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2CO5PC7S6ADBL&PN=6

These regiments are arranged in order of seniority, that is, from oldest raised to newest raised.  Clicking on a picture will enlarge it.

First is the Regiment La Reine, the queen's own regiment.  This regiment fought at Lake George (1755), Fort William-Henry (1757), Fort Carillon (1758) and Sainte-Foy (1760).  Read more about Regiment La Reine at http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=La_Reine_Infanterie

Next is the Regiment La Sarre.  In the picture, the soldier is fighting an enemy with his sword.  This regiment fought at Fort Oswego (1756), Fort William-Henry (1757), Fort Carillon (1758), the Plains of Abraham (1759) and Sainte-Foy (1760).  Read more about Regiment La Sarre at http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=La_Sarre_Infanterie 

This flagbearer is from Regiment Royal-Roussillon, raised in the Roussillon province with King Louis XV as its colonel.  This regiment fought at Fort William-Henry (1757), Fort Carillon (1758), the Plains of Abraham (1759) and Sainte-Foy (1760).  Read more about Regiment Royal-Roussillon at

http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Royal_Roussillon_Infanterie

 

Regiment Languedoc was raised in the Languedoc province where General Montcalm was born.  This regiment fought at Lake George (1755), Fort William-Henry (1757), Fort Carillon (1758), the Plains of Abraham (1759) and Sainte-Foy (1760).  Read more about Regiment Languedoc at http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Languedoc_Infanterie

This reclining soldier is from Regiment Guyenne which was raised in the Guyenne province.  This regiment fought at Fort William-Henry (1757), Fort Carillon (1758), the Plains of Abraham (1759) and Sainte-Foy (1760).  Read more about Regiment Guyenne at http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Guyenne_Infanterie

This soldier holding a pipe is from Regiment Berry.  Regiment Berry was originally supposed to sail to India, but was sent to Canada instead.  This regiment fought at Fort Carillon (1758) and Sainte-Foy (1760). Read more about Regiment Berry at http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Berry_Infanterie

The last of Montcalm's regular regiments is Regiment Bearn.  This illustration shows a grenadier, distinguished by his mustache.  This regiment fought at Fort Oswego (1756), Fort William-Henry (1757), Fort Carillon (1758), the Plains of Abraham (1759) and Sainte-Foy (1760).  Read more about Regiment Bearn at http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=B%C3%A9arn_Infanterie