Frontier Soldiers of New France Volume 2

Frontier Soldiers of New France Volume 2 explores the evolution of the French colonial troops’ campaign attire and equipment adapted for North America’s demanding climate and terrain, integrating European military methods with practical adjustments for wilderness warfare. It focuses on the material culture of the Compagnies franches de la Marine in New France from 1683 to 1760, examining their specific campaign clothing, arms, and equipment. The study highlights their adaptation to the local environment and interactions with Native American cultures, including the adoption of items such as breechcloths, leggings, toboggans, snowshoes, moccasins, scalping knives and tomahawks.

The survival of New France owed much to a strategic doctrine of raiding warfare developed by Canadian colonial officers in collaboration with allied Native American tribes and the colonial militia. This groundbreaking study provides the first comprehensive survey detailing the clothing, weaponry, and equipment used by the stationed troops from 1683 to 1760 to maintain defensive pressure on New Englanders and engage hostile Native American tribes in warfare. Drawing on groundbreaking research based on archaeology, existing artifacts, and newly discovered records, this volume highlights their exceptional ability to adapt to North American conditions, including both winter and summer wilderness campaigns.

"Like the first volume, it’s beautifully produced and absolutely packed with detail, but this one takes things further into the real life of the Compagnies Franches de la Marine and other colonial troops in New France. Unlike the first volume it is not co-authored by the late Rene Chartrand, but his influence is apparent....If you enjoyed the first volume then this is for you. It’s another cracking addition to Helion’s From Reason to Revolution series(No.145 in fact), and essential for anyone interested in the French and Indian War or the colonial frontier of New France. Highly recommended." carryingsonupthedale Blog