"Canadian 'volunteers' uniforms" Topic
9 Posts
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30 Jul 2015 2:55 p.m. PST by Editor in Chief Bill
- Changed title from "Canadian 'volunteers' unifroms" to "Canadian 'volunteers' uniforms"
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maciek72 | 30 Jul 2015 11:11 a.m. PST |
What do we know about uniforms of Canadian companies in Burgoyne's army ? Did they accept green jackets provided by British (as on this DT painting) ? link Or did they wear a brown short jackets as descibed in Chartrand's Osprey about Loyalists ? Or did they wear something local made ? What is the currently reigning theory ? |
Supercilius Maximus | 30 Jul 2015 12:09 p.m. PST |
From what I understand, green coats were offered to both the "English" and the "French" militias at the start of the war. The former accepted them, and wore them in both Quebec and Montreal during the later stages of the American invasion of 1775-76. However, the "habitants" did not like it and asked to be allowed to keep their traditional "uniforms" which I always assumed meant the hooded woollen overgarment and the French-style bonnet (in red, white or blue) that they had worn during the SYW and before. Unfortunately, I don't have my Chartrand book on the Loyalists to hand, although I do vaguely recall something about undyed clothing being issued to the batteaux- and axe-men attached to Burgoyne's army. |
maciek72 | 30 Jul 2015 1:40 p.m. PST |
So maybe they looked like this: link |
Supercilius Maximus | 30 Jul 2015 10:39 p.m. PST |
Whilst that's a farmer, von Germann does seem to have captured a "look" that may have been widespread amongst the civilian population. The blue stripe on the capote suggests a government trade garment, probably made from blanket material. link link So-called "blanket coats" were made up for troops on both sides to counter the harsh Canadian winter:- link However, the use of the word "camisole" in Chartrand's book (a quote from a Brunswick officer, who would have been familiar with the European garment of that name), suggests something akin to the "roundabout" worn by British light infantry during the latter half of the war; a sleeveless version was called a "gilet". link If you're working in 28mm, I would suggest British light infantry figures of the 1777-78 period, with the brim trimmed down and any feather removed. Officers apparently wore red coats with dark blue facings and silver lace (which might explain how Monin came to be killed during the American attacks on the log cabins next to the Breymann Redoubt). I suspect this may have been closer to their appearance:- link |
maciek72 | 30 Jul 2015 11:35 p.m. PST |
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PVT641 | 31 Jul 2015 6:46 a.m. PST |
I have Emailed the park historian Eric Schnitzer on this in the past and his response was: 5) The French Canadian companies with Burgoyne's army – there were two – were composed of officers and draftees from Quebec and Montreal District militia regiments. They were uniformed to some degree…the problem is that some of the uniform information that we have contradicts. Brown coats/jackets or green coats/jackets with red facings. Round hats seem to have been universal. It is possible, perhaps likely, that some companies were uniformed one way and other companies the other way. A third French Canadian company was with St. Leger. |
Winston Smith | 01 Aug 2015 4:56 a.m. PST |
If you want to go with the "farmer" look, front Ranks makes a few like that in the FIW range. Heck, just about any FIW range would have them and the more manufacturers on the table the better. |
Supercilius Maximus | 01 Aug 2015 11:08 a.m. PST |
According to Chartrand, the three companies wore either red, green, or blue ribbons/tapes on their jackets and hats. |
spontoon | 01 Aug 2015 8:13 p.m. PST |
The RAFM " Settler with musket" in their Flint and Feather range strikes me as a good look for Summer. |
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