Nicolas in uniform!

Well yes!  If you look carefully at the photograph, it really is a soldier of the Regiment of Carignan-Salieres.  No, truly not a mannequin, but a real person you may know or should get to know!

At the A.C.A. gathering in Chambly, Quebec, the 16 August 2003, during the afternoon, participants had the opportunity  to visit the Fort of Chambly.  They were first treated the enactments of life at the beginning of New-France.  These live displays were on the exceptional grounds of this national park and presented in the context of the annual St-Louis celebrations.

Participants were the given a guided tour inside the fort with explanations of the historical and military context of the site at the end of the XVII^th century and during the XVIII^th century.

After this visit, a demonstration was provided of the appearance of a soldier of the Regiment of Carignan-Salieres.  These soldiers came from France to build fortified installations along the Richelieu River to protect settlers, especially those from Ville-Marie, from repeated attacks by the Iroquois.

The rigorously authentic reproduction of the uniform included:

• Shoes with laces

• Breeches and leggings (pants)

• Cloak (coat)

• The official hat and scarf

• A banderole with 12 powder charges (also called the 12 apostles by the soldiers of the Regiment)

• The sword and bayonnette

• The musket

You can now see what our ancestor Nicolas Choquet wore upon his arrival in New France and during his service as a soldier of the Regiment of Carignan-Salieres from 1665 to 1667.

By the way, did you recognize Mario Choquette, wearing the uniform?  Yes, it is truly Mario Choquette, from Marieville and currently living in the region of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec.  It would be interesting to know how he felt standing in his ancestor's uniform.

(From « La Choquetterie », vol 1, number 3, October 2003)

Photo album from the 2003 Reunion (in french)