First National Battalion of Guiana
| First National Battalion of Guiana | |
|---|---|
| Premier Bataillon national de Guyane | |
| Active | 7 April 1795-1798 |
| Country | France (French Guiana) |
| Size | 480 men |
The First National Battalion of Guiana was a military unit in French Guiana active from 1795 to 1798.
History
Formation
In March 1795, the council of war of Guiana was assembled in response to Portuguese hostilities. Ships from Portuguese Para were seen around Guiana's coast, troops were disembarked in the canton of Oyspock[1]: 25–27 and the Portuguese kidnapped three citizens in said canton. The governor general Cointet proposed that a black battalion be created,[2]: 86 arguing that the 2nd Battalion of the 53rd Regiment alone could not defend the colony and that the national guard lacked training and discipline.[1]: 25–27 Cointet seeked to gain the trust of Guiana's black citizens[2]: 86 and to contain the white population by this measure, and likely did not believe that the colony was seriously threatened by the Portuguese.[1]: 25–27
The project was met with strong opposition. Multiple council members were opposed, including the ordonnateur Corio who opposed the project because it was costly and would reduce the agricultural workforce, and the geographer Mentelle. Many whites sent strong protests to Paris. The mayor of Cayenne, Lanne, was the fiercest opponent of the project, refusing to draft troops and send cash vouchers to buy equipment.[2]: 86–87
Operational history
Despite these protests, the First National Battalion of Guiana was created[1]: 25–27 on 7 April 1795. It was led by Captain Lerch and other white officers from the 53rd Regiment.[2]: 86–87
It participated in thwarting an insurrection on 27 January 1796.[2]: 103
Merge
In 1798, the First National Battalion of Guiana was merged with the 53rd Regiment into a single, separate unit.[3]: 22 It, however, still existed in practice during the Directory in the form of black companies in Guiana's single military unit and a black gendarmerie.[2]: 87
Uniform
The First National Battalion of Guiana's initial uniform was very plain. Each man had two grey linen smocks, two pairs of breeches and a straw hat. A year later, the troops were provided with a piece of blue cloth, ten pieces of Irish linen and three hundred of yellow nankeen with shoes and stockings.[3]: 22
Commanders
1795-1798 Captain Lerch[2]: 86–87
1798 Stephan[2]: 126
References
- ^ a b c d de Cointet, Noel (March 1991). "François-Maurice de Cointet de Fillain: Officier au Régiment d'Alsace Gouverneur de la Guyane Française 1766-1809" (PDF). Généalogie et Histoire de la Caraïbe.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Bénot, Yves (1997). La Guyane sous la Révolution (in French). Ibis Rouge Éditions. ISBN 978-2-911390-25-8.
- ^ a b Chartrand, René; Back, Francis (Illustrator) (27 July 1989). Napoleon's Overseas Army. London: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-0850459005.