Soldiers & Navigators of New France

Military personnel and maritime experts played essential roles in the establishment and defense of New France during the period of the Company of One Hundred Associates (1627-1663). While a formal standing military was not established until later, various soldiers, officers, and sailors contributed to the colony’s survival and expansion.

Military Organization in Early New France

During the Company of One Hundred Associates period, New France did not have a professional standing army. Defense was provided by:

  1. A small contingent of professional soldiers assigned to protect key settlements
  2. Colonial militia composed of male settlers
  3. Military personnel sent from France for specific campaigns
  4. Indigenous allies who fought alongside the French

Garrison Soldiers

Small numbers of professional soldiers were stationed at Quebec, Trois-Rivières, and later Montreal. Their primary role was to defend the settlements and trading posts.

François de Champflour

Commanded the garrison at Trois-Rivières in the late 1630s and early 1640s. He was responsible for the settlement’s defense during a period of increasing Iroquois hostility.[1]

Lambert Closse (1618-1662)

Served as Major of the Montreal garrison and is noted for his leadership in defending the settlement against Iroquois attacks. He was killed during a skirmish with Iroquois warriors in 1662.[2]

Pierre Boucher (1622-1717)

Though better known for his later role as governor of Trois-Rivières, Boucher began his career as a soldier and interpreter. He successfully defended Trois-Rivières against an Iroquois attack in 1653.[3]

Colonial Militia

Male settlers between 16 and 60 were organized into militia companies, each led by a captain selected from among the colonists. Regular training and drills were conducted, and all were expected to possess and maintain weapons.

Charles Le Moyne (1626-1685)

Initially an interpreter, Le Moyne became an influential militia leader at Montreal. His military exploits against the Iroquois earned him recognition and land grants. He was the father of the famous d’Iberville brothers, who would later distinguish themselves in French military service.[4]

Jean-Baptiste-François Deschamps de la Bouteillerie (1636-1703)

A former officer in the Carignan-Salières Regiment who became a seigneur and militia captain after retiring from regular service.[5]

Military Engineers

Jean Bourdon (1601-1668)

While primarily known as an engineer, surveyor, and cartographer, Bourdon also contributed to the colony’s defenses by designing fortifications for Quebec.[6]

Military Campaigns and Conflicts

Anglo-French Naval Conflicts (1628-1629)

David Kirke (1597-1654) and his brothers

Though English rather than French, the Kirke brothers led a naval expedition that captured Quebec in 1629, forcing the French colonists to surrender. Quebec remained under English control until 1632 when it was returned to France through the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.[7]

Admiral Claude de Razilly (1587-1635)

Led the French fleet that reclaimed Acadia from the English in 1632, reestablishing French control over Port Royal (now Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia).[8]

Iroquois Wars (1640s-1650s)

Adam Dollard des Ormeaux (1635-1660)

Led a small party of French colonists and Huron allies in the Battle of Long Sault (1660). Though Dollard and his men were killed, their stand may have disrupted Iroquois plans for a larger attack on the colony.[9]

Pierre-Esprit Radisson (1636-1710)

Captured by the Mohawk as a youth, he was adopted into the tribe but later escaped. His military exploits included several expeditions against the Iroquois before he became better known as an explorer and fur trader.[10]

Maritime Personnel and Navigators

Maritime expertise was crucial for maintaining connections between New France and the mother country, as well as for exploration and local transportation along the colony’s waterways.

Ship Captains and Navigators

Augustin Le Gardeur de Tilly (1604-1648)

A ship captain who made numerous voyages between France and Quebec, transporting supplies and settlers. He settled in New France and established an influential family.[11]

Pierre Le Gardeur de Repentigny (1606-1648)

Brother of Augustin and also a ship captain who settled in the colony. He became a merchant and was involved in the fur trade.[12]

Guillaume Couture (1618-1701)

Though better known as an interpreter and diplomat, Couture’s knowledge of Indigenous waterways made him valuable as a guide for various expeditions.[13]

Explorers and Expedition Leaders

Jean Nicollet de Belleborne (1598-1642)

An interpreter and explorer who was among the first Europeans to explore the western Great Lakes region. In 1634, he reached Green Bay in present-day Wisconsin and made contact with the Winnebago people.[14]

François Marguerie de la Haye (1612-1648)

An interpreter and explorer who lived among the Algonquin and Huron. He drowned while crossing the St. Lawrence River during a storm.[15]

Médard Chouart des Groseilliers (1618-1696)

Conducted early explorations of the western Great Lakes region alongside Pierre-Esprit Radisson. Their unauthorized trading and exploration eventually led them to help establish the Hudson’s Bay Company.[16]

Pilots and River Navigators

Abraham Martin (1589-1664)

Known as “the Scot” (l’Écossais), Martin served as a pilot on the St. Lawrence River, guiding ships through its challenging waters. The Plains of Abraham in Quebec were named after him.[17]

Olivier Letardif (1604-1665)

Served as a navigator and interpreter. He became a key figure in the Côte de Beaupré settlement and served as the local judge.[18]

Naval Infrastructure and Shipbuilding

Early Shipbuilding Efforts

The Company of One Hundred Associates recognized the importance of local shipbuilding for the colony’s communication and defense.

Jean-Baptiste Couillard (1629-1698)

Son of Guillaume Couillard, he was involved in early shipbuilding efforts at Quebec.[19]

Port Facilities

La Communauté des Habitants

After taking over the fur trade from the Company of One Hundred Associates in 1645, this organization invested in improving the port facilities at Quebec to facilitate the export of furs to France.

Military and Naval Weaponry and Equipment

Weapons Used in New France

Firearms

  • Matchlock muskets (early period)
  • Flintlock muskets and fusils (later period)
  • Pistols for officers and cavalry

Edged Weapons

  • Swords (primarily for officers)
  • Daggers and knives
  • Halberds and pikes (less common but still used)

Artillery

  • Small cannon for fort defense
  • Swivel guns for boat defense

Adaptation to North American Warfare

The traditional European style of warfare proved ineffective in the forests of North America. French soldiers and militia gradually adapted by:

  1. Adopting lighter weapons and equipment
  2. Learning woodland fighting techniques from Indigenous allies
  3. Developing irregular warfare tactics suited to forest combat
  4. Using canoes and small boats for rapid deployment

Military Alliances with Indigenous Nations

French military success heavily depended on alliances with Indigenous peoples, who provided warriors, guides, and intelligence.

Key Alliance Networks

Algonquin and Montagnais (Innu) Alliances

Established by Champlain in the early 17th century, these alliances provided the French with important allies in the St. Lawrence Valley and surrounding regions.

Huron (Wendat) Confederacy

A crucial trading partner and military ally until the dispersal of the Huron in 1649-1650 following devastating Iroquois attacks.

Abenaki Alliance

Became increasingly important in the mid-17th century as the Abenaki provided military support against both the English and Iroquois.

Military Interpreters and Liaisons

Étienne Brûlé (1592-1633)

One of the first European interpreters to live among Indigenous peoples, primarily the Huron. Though his loyalty was questioned later in his life, he played an important role in early French-Indigenous relations.[20]

Jean Nicollet de Belleborne (1598-1642)

Lived among the Nipissing and became fluent in Algonquian languages, serving as an interpreter and diplomat.[21]

Charles Le Moyne (1626-1685)

Before becoming a militia leader, Le Moyne served as an interpreter at Montreal, facilitating military communications with allied Indigenous nations.[22]

Fortifications and Defensive Structures

Major Fortifications

Fort Saint-Louis (Quebec)

The primary fortification at Quebec, initially built under Champlain and subsequently expanded. It served as both a military installation and the governor’s residence.

Fort Richelieu

Built in 1642 at the mouth of the Richelieu River to control this important water route and defend against Iroquois incursions. It was named after Cardinal Richelieu, the founder of the Company of One Hundred Associates.

Fort Trois-Rivières

Established to protect the settlement and trading post at Trois-Rivières.

Types of Defensive Structures

Palisaded Settlements

Both Montreal and Trois-Rivières were surrounded by wooden palisades during this period.

Redoubts and Blockhouses

Smaller defensive structures positioned at strategic points.

Fortified Windmills

Some windmills were constructed with defense in mind, serving as observation posts and places of refuge during attacks.

Military Governance and Leadership

Governors and Military Leaders

Charles Huault de Montmagny (1583-1653)

Governor of New France from 1636 to 1648. A Knight of Malta with military experience, he improved Quebec’s fortifications and organized its defenses against Iroquois threats.[23]

Louis d’Ailleboust de Coulonge (1612-1660)

Governor from 1648 to 1651. He implemented a more organized defensive system for the colony and negotiated with New England colonies regarding mutual defense.[24]

Jean de Lauzon (1584-1666)

Governor from 1651 to 1656. His administration was marked by increasing conflicts with the Iroquois, which he struggled to address effectively.[25]

Later Developments and Legacy

While the formal military organization of New France developed more fully after the Company of One Hundred Associates period, the defensive structures, military experiences, and maritime knowledge established during this early colonial period laid the foundation for:

  1. The Carignan-Salières Regiment (1665): The first large-scale military unit sent to New France
  2. The Troupes de la Marine: The first permanent professional military presence in the colony
  3. The development of a distinct colonial military tradition combining European and North American elements
  4. The establishment of a naval construction industry in New France

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  2. Vachon, André. “CLOSSE, RAPHAËL-LAMBERT,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

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  6. Hamelin, Jean. “BOURDON, JEAN,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

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  24. Desrosiers, Léo-Paul. “AILLEBOUST DE COULONGE ET D’ARGENTENAY, LOUIS D’,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  25. Trudel, Marcel. “LAUSON, JEAN DE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

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