| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - August 06 2007 : 11:56:56 AM
I just looked at the extended forecast for Crown Point, NY (for GE III) and the highs up there are the same as the lows where I live. I guess that means wool blankets again!
It's supposed to hit 100 this afternoon. I have been waiting for it to warm up a little so I can cut the grass. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - February 10 2008 : 1:06:49 PM
The French cotton came from India and the east. France was heavily involved in India until the battles of 1759 changed all that. And remember that the purpose of a colony is to provide raw materials for the mother country and provide an outlet for manufactured goods. So cotton fabric from the east was shipped to France then converted into manufactured goods for shipment to the colonies, namely New France. This switch from linen to cotton occurred about 1750 or so. But there was ample cotton in the British colonies. When you look at the labor it takes to produce flax, cotton seems a good option.
There as lists of items issued to milice at the start of a campaign, and that is where the usage of cotton comes from. Cotton and wool in abundance, some linen, no fustian. Hemp is another option, but not on the lists. Also, there was no local manufacture in New France. It was forbidden.
Another thing. The milice were provided with everything except their gun from the King's stores. All clothes, tuques, knives, tomahawks, fire starting equipment, snow shoes, footwear were provided. At the same time to those assembled for the campaign. It was their compensation for service since they were not paid. So they all looked very much the same. There might have been a second color issued when they ran out of the first, IF there was a second color in the stores and they wanted to get rid of it. But if everyone dresses the same, it is good. If someone is dressed differently, then he has to explain why, with an explanation that makes sense.
"white cotton muslin" shirt from Mass.
Look at this and do a "find" on cotton"
http://www.18cnewenglandlife.org/18cnel/ofsilk.htm
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| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - February 10 2008 : 09:03:51 AM
I see. I didn't know the French wore so much cotton during that time. Where did they get the cotton cloth, do you know?
As I understand it, and am still learning about this, during most of the 18th century (up until after our Revolutionary War), the small amount of raw cotton that was raised in our Southern colonies was shipped to Mother England to be woven into cloth. Our cotton industry did not begin to take off and grow until after the Revolutionary War. The importation of cotton goods from India had been banned by both England and France in the early part of the century, to protect their own wool industries. There was apparently quite a black market trade, however.
One source I have states that France finally gave up the ban and began importing cotton from India again in 1759. France certainly would not have been buying cotton cloth from England, when at war with her. So, where did they get that much cotton cloth before the ban was lifted? |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - February 08 2008 : 4:53:44 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Wilderness Woman
Why would you prefer white cotton? Lightweight linen is much cooler than cotton.
It's not what you prefer, it's what was issued to you from the King's stores. For the SYW period it was exclusively cotton. This was in contrast to the Austrian Succession period when it was primarily linen. And the only colors that are correct are white and blue. Blue may be solid, stripe, or check, but everyone would have the same color since everyone was issued the same thing for a specific campaign. So rather than try to coordinate some color for an event, everybody just wears white. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - February 08 2008 : 2:44:49 PM
Why would you prefer white cotton? Lightweight linen is much cooler than cotton. |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - February 08 2008 : 2:24:04 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Dark Woods
[quote]Originally posted by Tim Cordell
Pics of Crown Point (Ft. St. Frederic)From this past weekend. Fitz is number 33 back row center-red touque-checkered shirt.
Yeah, darn it all, I wore that checked shirt! I won't again. I sold off all my checked F&I shirts, and all my fustian, so I can't be tempted to wear them ever again. From now on, only WHITE and only COTTON!!! |
| Dark Woods |
Posted - February 08 2008 : 1:54:55 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Tim Cordell
Pics of Crown Point (Ft. St. Frederic)From this past weekend. Fitz is number 33 back row center-red touque-checkered shirt.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmcordell/sets/72157601394965022/
I have a flickr group Descriptions, Depictions, & Historical sites / artifacts http://www.flickr.com/groups/598203@N24/ that would welcome these sort of photos, photos of artifacts, etc. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - August 20 2007 : 12:47:40 PM
Ah, yes. Of course. How could I have forgotten that the mere stench of you Milice would be more than enough to keep everything that flies, walks or slithers away from you... with the exception of those Fran-say tavern wenches, who can somehow stand to be close to anything that breathes, regardless of what it looks or smells like.
[WW holds her scented linen hankie to her nose and sniffs delicately.]
MG, sorry to hear that those summers on the sea took their toll on your skin. It's a scary thing, and as one who is very fair and does not tan, I try very hard to protect mine. |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - August 20 2007 : 10:56:25 AM
Bug spray? We don't need no stinkin' bug spray! We're Milice! |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - August 20 2007 : 10:28:26 AM
Gonna use some today - headin' over the the Monadnonck area for a hike. In fact I've had surgery three times for skin cancer. Those Maine summers are killers ... ;) |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - August 20 2007 : 10:18:22 AM
Whazza matta? Ya think da sun don't shine up here in New Yawk??? You even need it in the winter if you are out in the snow and the sun is shining!
I actually got a bit burned  myself, and I even had sunscreen! Sunscreen and bug spray... never leave home without 'em, especially if you are coming to New York. |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - August 19 2007 : 11:40:17 PM
I think more squinting than grinning. My face got really blistered that weekend. Sunscreen would have been good, but that far north? Who'ed 'a thunk it? |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - August 19 2007 : 7:22:18 PM
Fitz has given me permission to post this photo. He is in the center. And just why is he smiling so broadly? He knows that his spying and trouble-stirring scheme has worked, and that the French troops will easily take the field this day from the vastly outnumbered British.
Enjoy your day, Miss-yer Lay-Fran-say! Our day will come.
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| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - August 19 2007 : 6:12:52 PM
Look at that picture of Ticonderoga from Mt. Defiance. Say you are Abercromby, and you have 15,000 men. You build earthworks across the peninsula opposite the French ones, leave 6000 there to defend them, drag cannons to the top of Mt. Defiance and shell the #$%@ out of anything that moves, then take the rest of your army and head for Montreal. The entire Troupes de Terre is now bottled up in Ticonderoga. Does Montcalm just sit there and take the shelling, while you take Fort. St. Frederick and Montreal? Not really an option. So now Montcalm is faced with attacking the British siegeworks rather than the Brits attacking his. Seems rather obvious. So what they say about Brits must be true! |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - August 19 2007 : 5:16:27 PM
No, Fitz. Private Clark was most definitely wearing breeches.
I'm glad you made the trek to the top of Mt. Defiance. Next time I am there, I want to take the little ferry across to Vermont and go to the top of Mt. Independence. It is not nearly as tall, so I don't know what the view will be like, but it is also historical and I want to see what is there. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - August 19 2007 : 5:08:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Monadnock Guide
Dunno Joyce, - that "problem" was probably the work of a French spy or agent sent in to "stir things up". Saves a lot of time and effort if you can get the Brits fighting among themselves.
Well, I am certain you are right about that, MG. I wonder that I did not think of that possibility myself. I would put nothing like that past Lay Fran-say. After all... it would fit that their lazy Latinate voluptuousness would make them prefer to do less actual fighting in battle, thereby leaving them much more time for.... er... other things.
I've heard tales about those French Taverns that went on until the wee hours of the morning. Tsk, tsk, tsk..... |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - August 19 2007 : 4:34:26 PM
quote:
Btw, my "guard" was not a Highlander. He is Pennsylvania Provincial
I thought I remembered him wearing a kilt. Was I wrong?
quote:
I am totally untrained in the finer points of French Milice dress,
At the time I was in my Marine dress. The first time I have worn it. I think I used wool that was a little too heave, but it was all that I could find.
There was some of the political fighting in the 225 Rev War events in the south which resulted in almost no Brits showing up for Cowpens. In fairness to the Brits, it was not they who started it, but one of the Continental units. They all did show up at Guilford Courthouse, and it turned out to be one of the better events ever in the south.
Next year!!!
Fort Ticonderoga from the top of Mt. Defiance.
The flags with the cross are French regimental flags of the Troupes de Terre that fought there.
Note: Click on the picture to enlarge it. |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - August 19 2007 : 4:23:15 PM
Dunno Joyce, - that "problem" was probably the work of a French spy or agent sent in to "stir things up". Saves a lot of time and effort if you can get the Brits fighting among themselves. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - August 19 2007 : 12:01:43 PM
Thank you, Rich. You are a true gentleman and a very kind one. Of course, the beauty in that photo is the Wilderness, not the Woman. Words, and even photos, simply cannot convey the feelings I have when I am in that part of my beautiful state. It is indescribable, and I wish you could have been there to experience it all.
Fitz, I am truly sorry for the wear and tear on both your feet and your shoe leather, but at least I finally managed to track you down.  Btw, my "guard" was not a Highlander. He is Pennsylvania Provincial, like myself, and a member of the 3rd Battalion Pennsylvania (aka The Augusta Regiment). He is also our Regimental Blacksmith. What better guard could I have possibly had to accompany me into enemy territory, than a big, burly blacksmith?
I am totally untrained in the finer points of French Milice dress, but to me, you looked just fine -- most dapper in your white shirt and red toque.
I have since learned that there were some behind-the-scenes political things going on amongst the British units. As typically happens among -- ahem -- men, tempers flared, testosterone levels went up, words were said, things were done. All of which resulted in a number of the British units who would have been there, going elsewhere to boycott. Too, too bad. What a shame, for they missed a great opportunity to "fight" the largest numbers of French troops I have yet seen. It would have been truly awesome to witness.
I have some great photos of a couple of the battles, Fitz. There is one that I took with my telephoto lens, that you are in, I believe. It sure looks like you, anyway. I would be very pleased to burn these to a cd for you, if you would like to PM or email me with your snailmail address. There are too many, and the files are too large, to email to you.
I felt so sorry for that poor, hapless doe who made the mistake of venturing onto the field of battle on Saturday morning. I wonder if her heart has recovered yet?
Tim and Halfbreed... perhaps another time. If you are interested.
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| halfbreed |
Posted - August 19 2007 : 12:10:39 AM
ah yes, we were encamped on the outer edge of the milice camp, in fact when we got there on thursday to sign in, we were not listed in the book. doh! after a few minutes of scrambling, we signed the proper forms and were added to the book, thats one of the many good things about being french, you are always welcome. our company street sign said "milice overflow" well that was us, and i might say we picked a very good spot. good ground....very good ground....4 wedge tents and a dining fly. what a great time.
h-b |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - August 18 2007 : 4:33:18 PM
It was indeed a fine time. After Saturday's tactical, I got dressed in my best clothes and walked over to the British camp. I didn't see anyone I recognized, so I asked a man wearing a green coat with red facings if he knew Seamus. He said he did, but Seamus didn't come. So I figured WW didn't ether (same unit, etc.) and walked back. I arrived to find that WW and her highlander bodyguard had been in the French camp looking for me. I checked the sutlers and didn't see them, so I walked back to the British camp again (and that was a long walk). I went through the camp, and no WW. So I walked back to the French camp again. I changed into my Marine clothes and joined the BS session at Louie's camp. At about that time WW and guard show up, but now I am dressed poorly (no veste), but nevertheless glad to finally see them. If she had only taken my advice and camped with the French, it would have been so much easier and saved so much shoe leather!
And also, let's not forget Halfbreed, who was also in the French camp.
Next year, Fort Ticonderoga. It going to be a big one! |
| richfed |
Posted - August 18 2007 : 1:19:32 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Wilderness Woman
OK. This is me. This photo was taken at sunset on Saturday evening. I was standing on part of the ruins of Fort St. Frederic, which are right next to the Fort Crown Point ruins. And of course, that is the beautiful Lake Champlain behind me.
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That's a beautiful picture, m'Lady ...
WW, Tim Cordell, & Fitz all there at once! Wish I was there with you ... despite the swinging of the dead cats [Fitz!!]. |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - August 16 2007 : 12:25:38 PM
Good pictures Fitz, sounds like you enjoyed it, - gonna be there next year too. Interesting thought on those kitties. |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - August 16 2007 : 10:42:35 AM
Thought I would post a few pictures.
Looking across the Champlain Bridge into Vermont. That is the spot where in 1609 Samuel Champlain and two of his soldiers fired their matchlocks at the Iroquois on behalf of their Algonquin allies and started a chain of events leading up to the French and Indian War.
Fort Crown Point
The surrounding mountains. I can see how Michael Mann thought the mountains around Asheville looked like these.
You can't swing a dead cat by the tail without hitting something historic up there!!!
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| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - August 16 2007 : 10:07:45 AM
I sent you a PM with some info. |
| halfbreed |
Posted - August 16 2007 : 06:58:47 AM
fitz,
pass along the email if you would. send it PM if you whish.
mdmoore4@verizon.net
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