La Milice de Fort-Saint Frederic

La Milice du Ft. Saint-Frederic is a living history group which portrays the life, both military and civilian, of French Canadians living in the Lake Champlain Valley of New York State.

We pride ourselves on portraying an authentic Canadien militia unit. We use all the latest research and information to create an impression that is as accutate as we possibly can.

To this end, we require that members follow certain guidelines in dress, equipment and campaign lifestyle. Those guidelines as well as information and history can be found on this site.

The Milicien also knew that His Most Cathloic Majesty, Louis XV, would supply him with all he would need to defeat the Anglais dogs, providing, of course, he did not bring adequate equipment from home. As simple farmers and tradesmen, they relied on Le Roi for their fusil (musket), soulier de boeuf (leather shoes) and wool and cotton for their clothes. Their meals often consisted of a white pea soup and bread eaten communally on the ground around the pot in which it was cooked.

Although their appearance, dress and battle tactics suggested a Sauvage (Native) influence, they considered themselves civilized Christians and better than the local natives. In fact, when on garrison, they were considered on a higher social level than troupes de la marine, who were often sent to New France rather than face gaol or worse in their homeland.

At the beginning of each campaign season la Milice would be issued from the King’s stores enough wool and cotton to make two chemise’s, brayet, mitasses, and a tuque. The color of the wool varied from year to year, but the cotton chemise’s were always white. They were also issued Soulier du Boeuf (leather shoes).

The Milicien would show up with only the bare essentials, the idea being the more one brought, the more one had to carry for hundreds of miles on campaign. They were the ultimate minimalists.