COMPAGNIE FRANCHE DE FORT TOULOUSE
TROUPES DE LA MARINE
1 JANUARY 2001
INTRODUCTION
This handbook is intended to provide a guide to French Colonial Marine operations as they might have been practiced in mid-eighteenth century America, and modified for use by reenactors. As such, it consists of a combination of material extracted from the Ordonnance du Roi de 6 Mai 1755 (as reprinted in Edward P. Hamilton's The French Army in America, and in J.A. Houlding's French Arms Drill of the 18th Century),; and earlier French manual exercises; and this researcher's experience of working with similar tactical doctrine from Britain and Prussia. Additionally a couple other works were consulted, and these are listed in the bibliography.
There are two things which make this a challenging time and organization to recreate. First, the French documentation which is readily available to Americans is fairly scarce and what exists may not be consistent. Second, we are dealing with a military force on the frontier of empire, which was liable to have priorities and procedures which could, at times, be quite different from those of the Army and Navy in continental France.
On the first point, in order to reconstruct the French manual exercise of 1755, one must go to Hamilton's book for the correct phraseology of the commands, and explanations, because Houlding's book, which shows the illustrations, will leave the reenactor with incorrect sequences and commands. Also, a platoon exercise (i.e., combat firing sequence) is not to be found.
Second, the corps depicted by reenactors at Fort Toulouse would have had little in common with the peacetime parade-ground troops back home. Part of the Troupes de la Marine, the garrison was a Compagnie Franche - literally "free company" (i.e., independent company - not part of a battalion) - policing the frontier. Apparently the enlisted soldiers received little or no training at the depot prior to deployment to America. Upon arrival their uniforms were probably modified to accommodate the climate and the need to patrol in woodlands. Encumbrances such as hangers, spontoons, etc. were laid aside in favor of tomahawks. Tactical training was most certainly modified to account for "Indian-style" fighting and individual marksmanship - at least in the petite guerre role. It must not be forgotten, however, that Marines trading conventional volleys with Gage's advance guard were critical to the French victory over Braddock at the Monongahela, and that independent Marine companies were used to form two regular battalions which fought alongside the Army in Canada.
The following material is arranged by topic, and walks the reenactor through the various military evolutions, providing:
FORMING UP
Official French doctrine at the time prescribed formations of three ranks. However, few reenactment units will have the personnel to man three ranks. Additionally, today, as in the 18th Century, one finds that rear rank muskets pose safety problems in three-rank formations. Therefore, if there are at least four soldiers on parade, then two ranks can be formed. If there are less than four, or some other circumstance dictates, then one rank will suffice. (Note that for reenactment purposes a "company" - independent firing unit - usually consists of a minimum of eight musket-firing personnel in two ranks.) Normally the officier will inform the sergent of the time of the parade, the purpose, and any items of equipment necessary. The sergent will relay this to the men and, prior to the appointed time, will sound a whistle (or order assemblée beaten), to call out the parade. The men will take their places in the ranks at either close or open order, as directed by the sergent:
À l'ordre serré, formez deux rangs!
Ah lordruh ser-ray, for-may doo rong!
At close order, form two ranks
or
À l'ordre ouvert, formez deux rangs!
Ah lordruh oou-vair, for-may doo rong!
At open order, form two ranks
[Note that if only one rank is formed, the command is "formez un rang"]
Upon the above order to fall in, the "right marker" takes his place as directed by the sergent. This will be the right flank of the front rank. All other men fall in on him. At close order, the proper distance is found by touching the left arm of the man to your right with your right elbow, when your right hand is on your hip. At open order the distance is found by the outstretched right arm instead of the elbow. The rear rank men should be one arm's length distance behind their file leader (i.e., front rank man). Each man finds his proper distance individually as he falls in, and immediately drops his right arm to the side and assumes the position of the soldier under arms (i.e., standing at attention with the fusil at the left shoulder position). Note that, unless performing the manual exercise, troops were expected to fall in with "small leather stalls over their hammers, their pan covers open, and their cock springs eased." [from original French text in Houlding, p. 38]
When the troops have fallen in the sergent orders:
Prenez garde À vous!
Pray-nay guard ah voo!
Take the position of attention
At which time the soldiers stand to attention with fusils at the left shoulder (if armed).
The sergent then orders:
Alignez!
Ah-leen-ay!
Dress
The men place their arms to touch the right-hand man and look to the right, correcting the dress of the rank and covering their file leaders. They keep their heads and arms or elbows in place until the sergent commands:
Fixe!
Feeks!
Eyes front
at which time they drop their arms to the side and snap head and eyes to the front. When the sergent has counted the men and is satisfied that they are in good order, he takes up a position three steps to the front center of the parade, facing the same direction as the troops. This lets the officier know that all is ready. The officier comes to the front of the parade by the right flank and faces the sergent. Salutes are exchanged and the officier orders:
Rapportez!
Rap-port-ay!
Report
The sergent reports the number of men on parade and notes who is absent. The officier orders:
Prenez votre poste!
Pray-nay vot-ruh post!
Take your post
Salutes are exchanged and the sergent moves to his place in the formation, while the officier does a rightabout face and assumes command of the compagnie.
THE MANUAL EXERCISE
The Maniement des Artnes (or Handling of Arms) was performed in the 18th century as a means of teaching new soldiers three things: (1) the long loading sequence, where each step of loading and firing is prompted by command; (2) basic handling of the weapon for other purposes; and, (3) facing movements. In all armies this consisted of a sequenced routine of about 35 to 40 commands. With bayonets fixed, the firelock was normally referred to as an "arme" instead of a 'fusil" [see footnote from original text, in Houlding, p. 52] but apparently there were exceptions to this. The exercise was done with wooden "flints" and without actual loading, as the procedure was being taught, and not the actual execution. A pre-exercise inspection was an integrel part of the routine, as seen below. Certain movements have been deleted, as will be explained, and additions have been made to account for necessary maneuvers outside the context of the exercise.
[The following procedure is employed to conduct an overall inspection (including a weapon safety inspection) prior to any firing exercise or tactical demonstration.]
The troops are formed up, and the sergent makes his report to the officier. The sergent takes his post, and the officier orders:
Ouvrez les rangs!
Oou-vray lay rahng!
Open the ranks
At this, the sergent orders the rear rank to face to the right-about, march three steps forward, and face to the right-about again, as follows:
Dernier rang, demi-tour À droit!
Dare-nee-ay rahng, demee-tour ah drwot!
Rear rank, right-about face
Avancez trois pas, marche!
Ah-vahn-say trwah pah, marsh!
Advance three steps, march
Demi-tour À droit!
Demee-tour ah drwot!
Right-about face
The officier then orders the whole compagnie:
Ouvrez les files À gauche!
Oou-vray lay feel ah gohsh!
Open the files to the left
The men take up open order by extending the right arm to touch the left shoulder of the man to the right. They hold this position until the sergent checks the dress and commands:
Fixe!
Feeks!
Eyes front
The troops begin in the position of "Soldat portant le fusil" [No. 1] (position of a soldier under arms), i.e., at attention with fusil at the left shoulder, heels about four inches apart. At the commander's discretion, a demonstrator may be posted in front of the unit. Notations below of [No. 1 etc.] are links to illustrations.
The officier orders:
1. Passez le fusil du côté...! *
2. Mettez la bayonette au bout du canon!
3. Mettez la baguette dans le canon!
4. & 5. [omitted, as frontier Marines do not carry hangers]
When these movements are complete, the officier inspects the arms and equipment of the troops by passing in front and behind each rank. As the officier comes to each soldier, the man will grasp the ramrod between the thumb and 1st finger, and raise it 3 inches, letting it fall immediately, then carrying his right hand to the cartridge case, he will raise the cover. This inspection will show that the arms are not loaded and that the cartridge case is well filled. When the officier has passed, the soldier drops his right hand to his side. When the inspection is complete, the officier returns to his position and orders:
6. Joignez la main droite À vos armes!
7. Remettez la baguette en son lieu!
8. Remettez la bayonette en son lieu!
9. Joignez la main droite À vos armes!
10. Portez le fusil!
The officier then orders:
1. Préparez vous À faire l'Exercice!
At which the men check their alignment and place the musket at half-cock, frizzen closed, and return to attention. The Manual Exercise continues as below:
2. Passez le fusil du côte ...! *
3. Mettez la bayonette au bout du canon!
4. Portez vos armes!
5. À droite! [Droite!]
6. À gauche! [Gauche!]
7. Demi-tour À droite!
8. Demi-tour À droite!
[Note: Evidently a "left about" was no longer included by 1755.]
9. Haut les armes!
10. Appretéz vos armes!
11. En joue!
12. Feu!
13. Mettez le chien en son repos!
14. Prenez la cartouche!
15. Déchirez la avec les dents!
16. Amorcez!
17. Fermez le bassinet!
18. Passez vos armes du côté...! *
19. Mettez la cartouche dans le canon!
20. Tirez la baguette!
21. Bourrez!
22. Remettez la baguette en son lieu!
23. Portez vos armes!
24. Présentez vos armes !
25. Portez vos armes!
26. Passez vos armes du côté... ! *
27. Remenez la bayonene en son lieu!
28. Joignez la main droite À vos armes!
29. Portez le fusil!
30. Passez la platine sous le bras gauche!
31. Portez le fusil!
32. Renversez le fusil!
33. Portez le fusil!
34. Portez Vanne au bras!
35. Portez le fusil!
36. Reposez-vous sur le fusil!
37. Posez le fusil a terre!
38. Reprenez le fusil!
39. Ponez le fusil!
LES AUTRE MOUVEMENS
This section deals with les autre mouvemens (the other movements) of soldiers on parade, usually covered under a Maniement des Armes. They are not in the 1755 Manual Exercise.
1. Demi-touri gauche!
2. Chargez vos bayonettes!
3. Portez le fusil sur votre épaule!
4. Portez le fusil dans votre main droite!
5. Avancez vos armes!
[The "advance" position is holding the musket in the right hand with the barrel vertical against the body, the thumb and forefinger grasping the trigger guard. This position is shown in the Hamilton book with an officer holding a fusee.]
MARCHING MANEUVERS
Marching maneuvers are generally ordered by the officier in formal situations, and on the approach march toward the battlefield. Since few reenactment units are large enough to have a full complement of subordinate officers, and there is much to do, it will be normally useful for the officier to hand off the conduct of specific marching and firing commands to the sergent during tactical deployment and combat. Thus, while the sergent attends to these details, the officier can deal with: 1. the enemy situation, 2. orders from higher command, and, 3. giving "mission-type" orders to the sergent for employment of the unit.
During the 18th Century, most French marching maneuvers were actually performed at the ordinary march pace (au pas ordinaire), that is, 60 steps per minute - "slow march". The other speeds were the doubled pace (au pas redoubli), i.e., 120 steps per minute - "quick march"; and charging pace (au pas accilire), or 140 steps per minute - an easy jog. Another option was the small step (au pas petit) - that is, a half-step, also performed at 60 steps per minute.
Each marching order consists of a preparatory command and a command of execution. The preparatory command will alert the soldier as to what he will do next, and the command of execution (usually "marche") will signal when to do it.
The major marching maneuvers are the oblique march, the wheel and the flanking turn. The oblique march involves the entire formation stepping diagonally to the front at 45 degrees in the ordered direction. The troops are brought back to a straight forward advance by an "avant" command. The oblique march can be performed at 60 or 120 steps per minute, as ordered.
The wheel involves the entire line turning like a gate, with the pivot man being the gatepost. All men in each rank look out to the outside man (who looks in) in order to keep proper dress during the wheel. At the same time, all men touch the next man to the inside, in order to keep the wheel tight. Remember "feel in, look out." When the wheel has reached the desired new direction, the commander orders avant, and the first rank picks up a half step in the new direction. When all following ranks have closed up and dressed, the commander orders marche, and a full pace is picked up.
The flanking turn involves all men in a formation turning simultaneously to the new direction. This is performed by the command of execution being given on the foot of the same direction as the desired turn. Each man then steps forward with the opposite foot and pivots in the new direction on the foot of the new direction. He then steps off in the new direction on the opposite foot. This is more difficult to say than it is to perform.
From the halt, any one of the following commands may be given:
En avant, au pas ordinaire, marche!
On ah-valint, oh pahz or-deen-air, marsh!
To the front, at the ordinary (slow) pace, march
En avant, au pas petit, marche!
On ah-vahnt, oh pah puh-tee, marsh!
To the front, at the small pace (half-step), march
Tournez droite, au pas ordinaire, marche!
Tour-nay drwot, oh pahz or-deen-air, marsh!
Right wheel, at the ordinary (slow) pace, march
Tournez gauche, au pas ordinaire, marche!
Tour-nay gohsh, oh pahz or-deen-air, marsh!
Left wheel, at the ordinary (slow) pace, march
En avant, au pas redoublé, marche!
On ah-vahnt, oh pah ray-doo-blay, marsh!
To the front, at the quick pace, march
Tournez droite, au pas redoublé, marche!
Tour-nay drwot, oh pah ray-doo-blay, marsh!
Right wheel, at the quick pace, march
Tournez gauche, au pas redoublé, marche!
Tour-nay gohsh, oh pah ray-doo-blay, marsh!
Left wheel, at the quick pace, march
From the march, the following orders may be given:
Tournez droite, marche! - En avant! - Marche!
Tour-nay drwot, marsh! - On ah-vant! - Marsh!
Right wheel, march - Front - March
Tournez gauche, marche! - En avant! - Marche!
Tour-nay gohsh, marsh! - On ah-vant! - Marsh!
Left wheel, march - Front - March
Par le flanc droite, marche!
Par luh flonk drwot, marsh!
To the right flank, march
Par le flanc gauche, marche!
Par luh flonk gohsh, marsh!
To the left flank, march
À l'oblique droite, marche!
Ah lo-bleek drwot, marsh!
To the right oblique, march
À l'oblique gauche, marche!
Ah lo-bleek gohsh, marsh!
To the left oblique, march
Guidez À droite!
Ghee-day ah drwot!
Guide right [bear right to avoid an obstacle]
Guidez À gauche!
Ghee-day ah gohsh!
Guide left [bear left to avoid an obstacle]
Au pas petit, marche!
Oh pah puh-tee, marsh!
At the small pace (half-step), march
Tête À droite!
Tet ah drwot!
Eyes right [snap head and eyes to the right to render honors (except right file men)]
Troops recover from "eyes right" by the command "Fixe!" (Eyes front).
Au pas accéléré, marche!
Oh pahz ak-sell-air-ay, marsh!
At the charging pace, march
Note: troops recover from the charge by giving any other slower march order.
Rompez le pas!
Rhom-pay luh pah!
Break step [i.e., "no cadence", is used for long marches and crossing bridges.]
Compagnie, halte!
Kom-pan-ee, halt!
Company, halt [Any size unit may be substituted for company, as appropriate.]
Note: The correct method of halting is as follows: When the word "halte" is spoken, the foot that is in the air completes its step and the other foot comes forward to join it. This is essentially the way it is done in modem armies, and this is documented as being in use in the 18th century.
Comments on wheeling commands: In 1755, the French Army had only recently adopted cadenced marching. While this innovation theoretically allowed them the same speed of maneuver as the Prussians, they continued to use their obsolete method of marching with ranks widely separated instead of closed up. When a unit changed direction, the ranks were closed and a quarter wheel ordered. The ranks were opened again for marching. This cumbersome method is even less useful to reenactment units, which do not have hundreds of men deployed in a battalion line. The operative wheeling procedure at the time was evidently to order a quart de conversion (i.e., as found in Cassell's New French Dictionary, "Faire une conversion, (Mil.) to wheel round; ...quart de conversion, (Mil.) wheel of the quarter circle.") Therefore, if this phrase is to be used to actually order a right wheel, then it would have to be rendered thusly: "Faites une quart de conversion À droite - marche." This is quite a mouthful and, by definition, prescribes only a 90 degree turn, without latitude for finer adjustments. Therefore, in the above section on marching maneuvers, the alternative order for wheeling has been substituted, according to Cassell's, i.e., "wheel, v.i. ...tourner... ; (Mil.) faire une conversion. Left wheel! tournez gauche! Right wheel! tournez droite!" This has the advantages of being much less awkward to say, and allowing for a wheel of any degree (by ordering "avant" at the desired new direction).
THE PLATOON EXERCISE
The Platoon Exercise is the combat loading and firing sequence which is geared for speed, and allows for positive control of the firing line with a minimum of prompts from commanders. The object is to have a controlled rate of fire in order to meet tactical requirements and monitor the expenditure of ammunition. The command prompts will ensure that the firing line completes major movements of the weapons at the same time. The object in volley firing is not to have everyone load and fire as quickly as they can, but in a group. The platoon exercise begins with the troops in the position "Soldatportant lefusil":
1. Chargez vos fusils - amorcez!
The troops bring their weapons to the priming position (butt snug under the right armpit, muzzle at the height of the hat, hammer stall on), then half-cock, handle cartridge, tear cartridge, prime, and shut the pan, ending up with the right hand on the frizzen.
2. Passez vos fusils!
The troops cast about, bringing the weapon to the loading position close in on the left side and vertical, charge with cartridge, discard the paper, and tap the barrel to help the powder down, ending up with the right hand "saluting" the muzzle. Rammers are not used during tactical demonstrations or reenactment battles for safety reasons.
3. Haut vos fusils!
Weapons are brought to the poise position, from which the troops can be ordered to either continue the firing sequence, or go to the "shoulder."
4. Apprêtez!
The hammer stall is removed and the piece cocked.
5. En joue!
Weapons are directed at the target and held parallel with the rest of the weapons in the firing line. Each man holds his head up, and not down on the stock.
6. Feu!
Note: Better volleys are produced when the commander prompts the soldiers by having them fire on a count of three - " Un, deux, feu!" - as they will be better prepared to pull the trigger on time, and they will avoid automatically pulling the trigger at the next sound they hear after "En joue!".
After pulling the trigger, each man automatically returns to the priming position without prompting, and puts on the hammer stall. From this position the troops can be ordered to prime and load again, or to shoulder their firelocks.
Normally, during combat, the officier will identify targets to the sergent, and turn over the loading and firing commands to him. The officier would usually tell the sergent:
Commensez le feu!
Ko-mahn-say luh foo!
Commence firing
Cessez le feu!
Sess-ay luh foo!
Cease fire
NOTE FOR TWO RANK FIRING: Firing using the Platoon Exercise in two ranks may be done with both ranks standing, or with the Front Rank kneeling. When both ranks fire standing, the Rear Rank covers its file leaders until the order to cock (Apprˆtez!), at which time they each take a small step to the right in order that their firelocks clear the Front Rank men. The Rear Rank cocks after stepping over, and on the command to present (En joue!) they step forward with the left foot into firing position. After the command to fire (Feu!) the Rear Rank men immediately cover their file leaders. When firing with the Front Rank kneeling, the same procedure is used, except that when the order to cock is given, the Front Rank men kneel before cocking. They immediately rise to the priming position after the command to fire is executed.
EXTENDED ORDER OPERATIONS
In keeping with our image as a frontier outpost, it is proper that the Compagnie Franche du Fort Toulouse be proficient in "la petite guerre," or irregular operations, as chasseurs (literally, "hunters") when operating independently or with Indian allies; and also fighting as infanterie légére (light infantry) when part of a regular force. The following commands are useful for irregular warfare:
Portez votre fusil dans votre main droite!
Por-tay vaht-rah fuzee sir vaht-rah malm drwot!
Carry your firelock in your right hand [i.e., the "trail" position]
À l'ordre dispersé, marche!
Ah lordruh dis-pair-say, marsh!
At extended order, march
Engagez comme les sauvages!
On-gay-jay kaum lay saw-vahj!
Engage like the savages [i.e., fight like the Indians]
Note: This is a "creative" form of extended order operations, best described by Colonel Henry Bouquet, who remarked of the Indians that "They seldom expose their persons to danger, and depend entirely upon their dexterity in concealing themselves during an engagement, never appearing openly, unless they have struck their enemies with terror."
Bouquet summed up the tactics of the Indians as follows:
"The first, that their general maxim is to surround their enemy."
"The second, that they fight scattered, and never in a compact body."
"The third, that they never stand their ground when attacked, but immediately give way to return to the charge."
Troops are returned to normal order from extended operations by the command:
Reformez vos rangs À droite! [or "À gauche"]
Ray-for-may voh rahng ah drwot!
Reform your ranks to the right [troops move to open order formation on the right flank]
PROCEDURE FOR LIGHT INFANTRY OPERATIONS (INFANTERIE
LéGÈRE)
In spite of the constant background of "la petite guerre," the decisive actions of the French & Indian War were all conventional battles or sieges, fought much the same as in Europe. As opposed to chasseur tactics above, which emphasize raid warfare and independent operations, light infantry (infanterie légére) maneuvers were performed as part of a larger conventional force. Light units could be used in mass as rapidly moving groups to converge on the flanks of an enemy and engage with conventional fire tactics. As most Army units moved very slowly and used cumbersome evolutions, Marine units would be admirably suited to perform rapid maneuvers in this manner because of their experience and normal mode of operations.
Also, in either offensive or defensive situations, conventional forces had to deploy from column of march or camp into "line of battle." Then it was the mission of light forces to screen the advance, retreat, or deployment of line forces so that they could avoid being surprised and could accomplish their maneuvers unhindered by enemy action. Thus, light forces in covering operations did not seek "decisive" engagement as did the line of battle, but simply to either delay the enemy, or scout the advance of the main force.
Generally, light infantry maneuvers are performed at the pas redoublé march rate (i.e., 120 steps per minute) - not at a run, because order was still more important than speed. Light infantry routinely form up at open order (À l' ordre ouvert) and march in column with weapons at the position of advance (Avancez vos armes). When deployed into line, weapons are carried at the trail position (Portez votre fusil dans votre main droite). Officers take post where they can best direct the action - usually to the rear of the firing line. Loading is done individually and as quickly as possible, with the musket held at the trail position to indicate that loading is complete. For light operations, because the front and rear ranks have occasion to change positions, they are named premier rang (first rank) and deuxieme rang (second rank), regardless of which one is actually in front.
LIGHT INFANTRY COVERING 0PERATIONS
Extending the Compagnie
1. À l'ordre dispersé À la droite (3) pas, marche!
2. Serrez les files À gauche, marche!
3. À l'ordre dispersé À la gauche (3) pas, marche!
4. Serrez les files À droit, marche!
5. À l'ordre dispersé de la centre (3) pas, marche!
6. Serrez les files de la centre (3) pas, marche!
Firing on the Spot
When standing in one position, a light infantry unit in extended order can conduct fire against the enemy using the technique known as firing on the spot. This is not volley fire, but independent fire by individual men aiming at targets (fighting À la debandade , i.e., as skirmishers) - a practice which some French theorists said was more in accord with "the genius of the French Nation," and which observers noted as being more effective than French volley fire.
In extended order, the front rank (premier rang, i.e., first rank) man fires and then steps behind the rear rank (deuxieme rang, i.e., second rank) man. When the first rank man is pouring powder down the barrel he signals the other man that he is ready and that it is all right to fire. The two file members thus cover each other and one is always loaded as they switch positions. As stated, this is not volley fire by command. To start or stop independent fire, the officer or NCO orders:
Commensez le feu!
Ko-mahn-say luh foo!
Commence firing
Cessez le jeu!
Sess-ay luh foo!
Cease fire
Firing Advancing
Commensez le feu, avancez!
Ko-mahn-say luh foo, ah-vahn-say!
Commence firing, advance
Firing Retreating
Commensez le feu, reculez!
Ko-mahn-say luh foo, ray-cool-ay!
Commence firing, retreat
POST-BATTLE INSPECTION
After firing for demonstration or a tactical exercise, the company is inspected by the designated
safety officer of the unit or the event staff. Normally the unit officier will inspect. The
troops begin in the usual two rank formation with fusils at the shoulder. The officier
orders:
Ouvrez les rangs!
Oou-vray lay rahng!
Open the ranks
At this, the sergent orders the rear rank to face to the right-about, march three steps forward, and face to the right-about again as follows:
Dernier rang, demi-tour À droit!
Dare-nee-ay rahng, demee-tour ah drwot!
Rear rank, right-about face
Avancez trois pas, marche!
Ah-valm-say trwah pah, marsh!
Advance three steps, march
Demi-tour À droit!
Demee-tour ah drwot!
Right-about face
The officier then orders:
Ouvrez les files À gauche!
Oou-vray lay feel ah gohsh!
Open the files to the left
The men take up open order by extending the right arm to touch the left shoulder of the man to the right. The sergent checks the dress and commands:
Fixe!
(Feeks!)
Eyes front
The officier orders:
Ouvrez vos bassinets!
Ou-vray voh bah-see-nay!
Open your pans
The officier troops the line to assure that no powder remains in the pans and orders:
Fermez vos bassinets!
Fair-may voh bah-see-nay!
Shut your pans
The troops shut their pans simultaneously and the officier orders:
Passez la platine sous le bras gauche!
Pass-ay la plah-teen sue luh bra gohsh!
Place your lock under your left arm (i.e., secure your firelock)
The troops go to the "secure" position, dumping any powder remaining in the barrel, then the officier orders:
Portez vos armes!
Poor-tay vohz arm!
Shoulder your arms
Mettez vos baguettes dans vos canons!
Met-ay voh bag-ette dahn voh ka-non!
Place your rammer in the barrel
Each soldier immediately brings his musket down from the left shoulder to the loading position by his left side, draws his rammer, and places it in the barrel - the end suspended about one foot out of the muzzle.
The officier troops the line, and as he passes each man, the man "pings" the rammer against the breech end - a metallic ring indicating that no powder is caked in the barrel. Next is ordered:
Remettez vos baguettes!
Ray-met-ay voh bag-ette!
Return your rammers
Ponez vos fusils!
Poor-tay voh fuzee!
Shoulder your firelocks
When the inspection is complete, the officier posts to the front of the parade and orders:
Serrez les files!
Sehr-ay lay feel!
Close the files
The men close files to the right.
Serrez les rangs!
Sehr-ay lay raling!
Close the ranks
The troops are then ready for dismissal to other duties. If out of sight of-the public, the first order of business should be cleaning of the weapons. If this is at the end of the first day during a two- day event, locks should be disassembled during cleaning.
FEU DE JOIE
The Feu de Joie (fire of joy, or "running fire") is fired as a form of celebration or salute for victory on the battlefield, or in honor of the King's birthday, or other formal occasion. It consists of a line of troops firing one after another in sequence from one flank (usually right) to the other - giving an impression not unlike a kid running along a picket fence with a stick. After the troops are lined up and loaded with muskets at the shoulder, the officer commanding orders:
1. Priparez À feu le Feu de Joie!
2. Haut vos fusils!
Weapons are brought to the poise position.
3. Apprêtez!
The hammer stall is removed and the piece cocked.
4. Enjoue!
Weapons are held at a 45-degree angle up from the shoulder. Each man holds his head up, and not down on the stock.
5. Feu!
Starting from the right (or left) flank [as directed], the first man on the flank fires. The second and each succeeding man pulls his trigger as soon as he sees the cock go forward on his neighbors musket (instead of waiting for the musket to actually go off). After firing the muskets are held in the firing position until all have completed firing and the officer orders the next position.
DISMISSAL
Troops are dismissed from the normal two-rank formation with weapons at the shoulder. The officier is at the center front of the formation, and makes any comments on the compagnie activities. The officier then orders:
Sergent, postez!
Sar-jahn, pohs-tay!
Sergeant, post
The sergent takes post between the officier and the troops, salutes are exchanged, and instructions passed. The officier departs by the right flank of the unit, and the sergent does an about turn to face the troops, and passes on any instructions to the troops. The sergent then orders:
Rompez les rangs!
Rhorn-pay lay rahng!
Break ranks (i.e., fall out)
sergent: "Vive..." [raises hat]
troops: "le Roi!"
sergent: "Vive..." [raises hat]
troops: "le Roi!"
sergent: "Vive..." [raises hat]
troops: "le Roi!
The troops then execute an immediate right about face and are thus dismissed. Note that the troops do not raise their hats during this drill, only the sergent - to prompt their cheer. The troops are expected to be controlling their muskets.
L'EXERCICE DE LA PIECE
The following Exercice de la Piece (X-air-cease dee la Pee-ess), or Exercise of the Piece, is a modification of National Park Service procedure, adapted for the garrison carriage gun at Fort Toulouse. As in other firing demonstrations,safety must be the first priority.
Les servants du cannon normally number six, as follows (positions noted when looking from the rear of the gun toward the muzzle):
No. 1 Chef de la Piece - Gun Commander - gun captain, commands the detachment. (posted to the center rear of the gun)
No. 2 Canonnier - Spongeman - handles the sponge and rammer. (posted to the right of the muzzle)
No. 3 Canonnier - Loader - handles the worm and loads the cartridges. (posted to the left of the muzzle)
No. 4 Canonnier - Ventsman - tends the vent, picks and primes. (posted to the left of the breech)
No. 5 Canonnier - Firer - handles the linstock or portfire to fire the piece. (posted to the right of the breech)
No. 6 Canonnier - Ammunition Server ("powder monkey") - passes cartridges to the Loader. (posted at the magazine, or ammunition chest to the left rear of the gun)
PROCEDURE:
1. Détachement, Postez!
The gun crew takes positions as described above, all facing forward at attention, with No. 2 (Spongeman) holding the rammer and No. 3 (Loader) holding the worm.
2. Bouchez la lumiere!
No. 4 (Ventsman) places his thumb over the vent hole, pressing down to seal off the hole. He will maintain this position throughout the loading procedure, not releasing until ordered to "prime."
3. Fouillez le canon!
No. 3 (Loader) inserts the worm into the muzzle with his right hand palm up at the worm itself, and his left hand palm up farther on the shaft. He then shoves the worm all the way to the breech end in one move. Next he turns the worm one and one-half turns and withdraws it - placing it beside the carriage and returning to his position.
4. écouvillonnez!
No. 2 (Spongeman) places the sponge in the muzzle with both hands, palms up, then turns to the rear, facing No. 4 and smoothly drives the sponge to the breech end in one motion with the right hand. He turns the sponge one and one-half turns and withdraws it, holding the rammer end up.
5. Prenez la gargousse!
No. 6 (Ammunition Server) opens the ammunition chest or comes from the magazine and removes one round, placing it in the leather haversack and bringing it forward to No. 3 (Loader), who takes the cartridge and holds it in his right hand (palm up) at the muzzle.
6. Mettez la gargousse dans le canon!
No. 3 (Loader) places the cartridge with his left hand into the muzzle. He then steps back to his position, facing forward.
7. Réfoulez!
No. 2 (Spongeman) brings the rammer head to the muzzle and rams the cartridge home in one smooth move. He then withdraws the rammer and returns to his position, facing forward.
8. Amorcez!
No. 4 (Ventsman) draws the vent pick from his belt, inserts it in the vent, and pricks the cartridge. He then replaces the pick and draws a priming cartridge from his haversack. He primes the vent with the cartridge, making sure that there is powder on the top of the breech. Then he cups the palm of his left hand over the vent to keep the powder from blowing away. (Alternatively he places a quill filled with powder in the vent hole.)
9. Préparez À feu!
No. 1 (Gun Commander) ensures that the gun muzzle path is clear of crew members and spectators. No. 5 (Firer) lights the slow match from the candle lantern.
10. Feu!
No. 5 (Firer) swings the linstock in a graceful arc from his right to left, placing the glowing match on the vent - which ignites the cartridge.
The procedure then continues as from step number 2 until the demonstration is complete. At that time steps 2, 3, and 4 are repeated once more, and the piece is secured as below:
11. Habillez le canon!
No. 3 and No. 4 replace the vent apron, while No.2 replaces the tompion. The worm and rammer are placed on the carriage, and the crew stands at attention.
12. Rompez les rangs!
The crew gives three cheers of "Vive le Roi!" executes a right about face, and falls out.
MISFIRE PROCEDURE:
When the priming charge ignites and the charge does not fire, the following procedure will be followed:
1. The crew will remain at their posts.
2. The commander will announce "Misfire!"
3. He will explain to the public what has happened, and that there will be another attempt to fire the gun.
4. After waiting 3 to 5 minutes, the commander orders No. 4 to re-prick the charge and re-prime the vent.
5. No. 1 orders "Preparez À feu!" and No. 5 takes his position with the linstock.
6. No. 1 orders "Feu!" and No. 5 touches the match to the vent.
7. If the piece fails to fire a total of three times in succession, the following procedure is used:
a) No. 1 dismisses the spectators.
b) Water is poured down the vent and down the muzzle.
c) After 5 minutes the charge is extracted with the worm.
d) The bore is re-wormed, sponged and dried before attempting to reload.
Note: The rammer and worm are kept out of the muzzle during misfires. The worm is only applied after the bore has soaked in water for 5 minutes. All personnel and spectators are kept clear of the muzzle area until the charge has been removed.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Cassell's New French-English, English-French Dictionary (New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1910/1936). Cassell's provides English translations of practical French military terms.
2. Hamilton, Edward. The French Army in America (Bloomfield, Ont.: Museum Restoration Service, 1967).
3. Houlding, J.A. French Arms Drill of the 18th Century (Bloomfield, Ont.: Museum Restoration Service, 1988). This is the only popular reprint of French drill material which is widely available today.
4. Hughes, Major General B. P. Firepower, Weapons Effectiveness on the Battlefield, 1630-1850 (New York: Sarpedon, 1997). The definitive study of small arms and artillery employment during the musket era.
5. Nosworthy, Brent. The Anatomy of Victory - Battle Tactics 1689-1763 (New York: Hippocrene Books, 1990). This work is exhaustive in its treatment of European higher tactics during the first half of the century. Some of it is applicable on lower levels as well.
