Louis XV's Army (2)

An illustrated history of the infanterie francaise, with detailed colour plates by Eugène Lelièpvre.

The second of two studies of the army of Louis XV. The author looks at the uniforms and equipment of French infantry. As part of the most powerful army of the time, these men fought in European campaigns such as the Seven Years War, and also in the American War of Independence.

In Louis XV's army the classification of 'French' infantry denoted troops recruited from men born and raised in France.

These regiments were called, naturally enough, infanterie francaise as opposed to the mercenary 'foreign' infantry recruited elsewhere. Making up the bulk of the army, all officers and men were to be of the Roman Catholic faith, the official state religion. Regimental recruiting parties went to towns and villages looking for likely young volunteers, inducing them to enlist with the usual promises – quick money, available women, good wines and great glory.