History Browser

The tradition of raising the May pole in front of the Militia captain's house, which began in the era of New France, went on in French Canada until the middle of the 19th century.

These men show the sort of clothing that Canadian militiamen would have worn on service during the first half of the 18th century. At centre is a Militia captain, identified by the sword he carries and the gilt gorget he wears around his neck. This officer is also equipped to fight, with a powder horn and musket. The other three figures are common soldiers, armed with muskets and wearing the style of coat known as a capot. Reconstruction by Francis Back. (Parks Canada)

De Jordy de Cabanac was an officer in the Compagnies franches de la Marine. This painting shows him as he would have appeared around 1720, wearing the white cross that marks him as a member of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis. (Library and Archives Canada C-010540)

The ‘cat of nine tails’ was a whip used to flog soldiers. This one was used in the British 83rd Regiment of Foot. The length of the wooden stick was 43cm (1' 5"), its tails 53cm (1' 9"), and it weighed 141,75 g. (5 ounces). (Library of the Canadian Department of National Defence)

These Amerindian warriors show some of the variations of appearance to be seen in the first half of the 18th century. Despite their adoption of many European weapons and articles of clothing, the first nations preserved a resolutely Amerindian look by integrating all this with their tattoos and body paint. The central figure is a chief. Reconstruction by David Rickman. (Canadian Department of National Defence)

This drummer wears the livery of the King of France. His clothing style dates him between 1716 and 1730. Reconstruction by Michel Pétard. (Parks Canada)

Swiss and Irish troops in French service generally wore red uniforms. When the régiment suisse de Karrer was raised for service in the French colonies by the Ministère de la Marine in 1719, it followed this tradition. This is the uniform worn by the unit when it was first posted to Louisbourg in 1722. Reconstruction by Michel Pétard. (Parks Canada)

Both of these men wear the grey-white coat of France with the blue facings of the Troupes de la Marine. The sergeant (left) is distinguished by gold laced buttonholes on his coat cuffs, and he carries a halbard - a weapon particular to his rank. The common soldier is armed with a musket, sword and bayonet, and his cartridge pouch is decorated with an anchor. Reconstruction by Michel Pétard. (Parks Canada)