Gatinois Grenadiers

Grenadiers were the elite troops of any 18th Century army.  Originally trained in the use of grenades, by the American Revolution, they were elite troops.  Sometimes, grenadiers were even brigaded into separate units to increase their impact on the battlefield.

The distinguishing feature of 18th Century grenadiers was the tall cap.  Both British and French units wore caps made of bearskin.  Grenadiers also carried swords after line companies officially abandoned theirs.

It is uncertain whether the Gatinois Regiment's grenadiers continued to wear the bearskin grenadier cap.  It was a popular style for French grenadiers in the late 1750s and beyond, but was outlawed in the 1779 Regulations, which required grenadiers to wear the same cocked hat as the line companies.  Case closed?

Despite the ban, some French units (like Regiment Bourbonnais) smuggled caps across the Atlantic.  Rene Chartrand suggests (in his book Ticonderoga 1758) that, because of the availability of bearskin, these caps may have been more popular in North America.  It is also well known that units sent on campaign felt freer to modify their uniforms.  Lastly, and most importantly, bearskin caps look impressive, imposing, fearsome--all qualities that a good grenadier wishes to accentuate!  Thus Gatinois' grenadiers will continue to sport this distinctive headgear.  The Colonel (me) encourages it!

Figures from BMC.  Despite being cast in red plastic as British grenadiers, these figures are a better fit for French grenadiers.  Unfortunately they lack swords, but that is not difficult to remedy with Milliput.  A few other slight modifications were made to the original figures, including adding a plume to the grenadier cap and some work on the musket.

Figures by BMC, painted with acrylic paints.

Allies Arrive

This blog has mostly featured British and Loyalist troops opposed by American revolutionaries.  Now this trend is changing.  A treaty of alliance has been signed and His Majesty Louis XVI has sent soldiers to aid the Americans in their struggle against Britain.

More French infantrymen will be arriving in the forthcoming months.  To read more about the engineer and the role of the French Royal Engineer Corps in the American Revolution, visit https://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/01/french-engineer.html

French Engineer (Reeves)

This French engineer figure was a Christmas present.  He was manufactured and painted by Reeves International, likely some time in the 1980s.  Because a little of the paint on his hand and map had begun to flake off, I repainted those sections.  I also repainted his face to blend with the rest of my collection, and repainted the flaky gold trim on his hat.

French engineers were elite specialists who were excellent at building and capturing fortifications.  Don Troiani's book Soldiers of The American Revolution states that "Although it was Washington who decided to abandon plans against New York and seize the initiative against Cornwallis it was Rochambeau and his skilled specialist troops--especially the engineers and artillery (experienced as they were in conducting large siege operations--that ultimately led to a victorious outcome." (pg. 177)

With a French specialist now serving alongside the American forces, the question arises...where is the rest of the French army?