Troupes de la marine

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The Troupes de la Marine (Troops of The Marine) were controlled by the French Minister of Marine, who was also responsible for the French navy, overseas trade, and French colonies. The Troupes de la Marine were dispatched by King Louis XIV in 1683 to replace the French regulars in New France, and were used to garrison other French colonies. The Troupes de la Marine were the only regular soldiers in New France from 1682 to about 1755 when several army battalions were dispatched to North America. The majority of the rank and file was recruited in France, although the officers were increasingly Canadian-born. Indeed, service in the Troupes de la Marine was an important source of employment and prestige for New France's elite and there was usually a waiting list for commissions in the Marine companies. Although the strength of the force varied widely over time, by the time of the French and Indian War, there were over a hundred independent companies, of approximately 50 officers and men each, serving throughout France's North American colonies.

The Troupes de la Marine were first under control of Joseph-Antoine de LaBarre, governor of New France. Their first mission was at the future site of Oswego, New York, in Iroquois country. The companies were considered colonial regulars and were well trained in both guerilla and conventional warfare.