Osprey's Depiction of Wall Breach by the 42nd at Ticonderoga (1 Viewer)

[Fraxinus]

I am starting a new thread, so people do not miss this link. Note the absence of bearskin hats on the French Grenadiers. I believe the French Officer in Blue is Montcalm, but waistcoat is not very snazzy (lack of lace, braids, etc.), so I might be wrong. The 42nd was still equipped with swords which they used to cut their way through the abatis. Apparently, they also had to "cut" footholds and handholds to climb the entrenchment. Various older documents point to the absence of scaling ladders. Both these observation together makes me think that the entrenchment wall was relatively steep and somewhat vertical and not at a soft angle. A ditch was in front of the wall.

http://books.google.com/books?id=oj...ge#v=onepage&q=john campbell duneaves&f=false

 

[Combat]

I am starting a new thread, so people do not miss this link. Note the absence of bearskin hats on the French Grenadiers.

According to Osprey's book on Louis XV's Army:

"Officially, French grenadiers had tricorns like the rest of the men, but bearskin caps became increasingly popular during the 1750's - some army registers begin to mention them and they appeared more and more in artwork."

So it's at least possible some French grenadiers wore them. I also remember reading somewhere that there were period illustrations showing them with bearskin hats during the FIW.

 

[old tank]

HI DOUG....
Have been doing research on my family tree And found one of my
ancestors Louis Dore born 1724 was a Grenadier in de Berry Regt. arrived in
Quebec in 1757 they were to be under Gen. Montcalms orders. I have been
checking F.I.W. battles and uniforms from that era, all I can find is they had
is tricorn hats I was hoping for Bearskin hats. Hope Iam wrong.

 

[Fraxinus]

Although the bearskin hat sounds like a good idea, I am thinking the appearance of the french grenadier figures might actually be better balanced and more attractive in tricorner hats than in bearskin hats. In some of the prints I have seen of french grenadier in bearskin hats, the hat appears to be more of a "beehive" perched on the top of someone's head than anything else.

A handsome moustache will be enough for me.

 

[churchmouse1]

I don't have my sources with me, but I don't believe the French Grenadiers in North America were wearing bearskins. I think the Osprey book mentions that in the text somewhere.

Dave

 

[Combat]

I don't have my sources with me, but I don't believe the French Grenadiers in North America were wearing bearskins. I think the Osprey book mentions that in the text somewhere.

Dave

The quote from Osprey above would be somewhat to the contrary. I think it's fair to say it was not a common or official practice, but there may have been instances in which they did wear the bearskin hat. BTW: does anyone have this book. It looks fantastic for FIW information - maybe we should send a copy to John for x-mas: http://www.lordnelsons.com/bookstore/169.htm

 

[pugio]

Combat, was just on the Lord Nelson site last nite when I saw the book. I'll be in Gettysburg for the weekend in 2 weeks, and will probably buy it. Will give a review when finished....