Presentation
The Canadian light infantry unit, commonly known as the Voltigeurs Canadiens (VC) is the greatest French-Canadian regiment to mark Québecian heritage. The VC was active during the War of 1812. Their honorable reputation is built on their many victories. One famous exploit is the legendary victory of Châteaugay.
The VC is an independent militia which is not directly connected with the British Army. It should be noted that only the French speakers can make a commitment in this militia.
Founded in mid-August 2013, the battalion is principally composed of French-Canadian players. However, note that any other non-Canadian french players may join. We operate exclusively in the North America. To date, we are the only active Quebec regiment in the world.
Some militiamen in training
Evolution of the regiment in the NA community
- Created in mid-August 2013.
- The Voltigeurs Canadiens joined the VIe Corps in October 2013.
- The Voltigeurs Canadiens left VIe Corps in the beginning of November 2013.
- The Voltigeurs Canadiens joined the 8th Brigade in mid-November 2013.
- The Voltigeurs Canadiens left the 8th Brigade in February 2014.
8th King's Regiment of Foot (another member of the 8th Brigade) in action
during the War of 1812. This grenadier company (in red) tries to delay an American regiment.
Emblem and Uniform
"Voici notre drapeau, notre fierté!"
"Here is our flag, our pride!"
Canadian Red Ensign
&
"Voici l'évolution de notre uniforme au fil du conflit de 1812!"
"Here is the evolution of our uniform in the course of the conflict of 1812!"
History of the regiment
Spoiler
As war loomed in the spring of 1812, Britain began to raise its military strength in North America. Most colonial forces raised to fight the Americans were English, Irish and Scottish in origin. But French Canada also served, and distinctly. On 15 April, Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost, governor of British North America and commander of its armed forces, raised a Provincial Corps of Light Infantry in Lower Canada known as the Voltigeurs Canadiens. The Voltigeurs were full-time professional soldiers, and their numbers and pay came from the province of Lower Canada. They were not part of the regular British Army, and had a distinctly "Canadian" pedigree. Their commander was Lieutenant colonel Charles-Michel de Salaberry, formerly of the 60th (Royal American) Regiment of Foot. His family had a well regarded reputation for serving the British Army, and he had served with the British against the French in the West Indies and at Walcheren. He wrote effective books on rifle drill, had fought a duel in which he sliced his rival almost in half and had a reputation as a brutal task-master among both his men and his officers. De Salaberry was one of the most experienced officers in British service during the War of 1812.
Portrait of the Lieutenant colonel
Charles-Michel d'Irumberry de Salaberry
Officer Commanding of Voltigeurs Canadiens
The Voltigeurs were officered by well-to-do members of Québec society, many related to de Salaberry, though all were treated to his fierce discipline and high standards. Commissions went to the captains and lieutenants who could fill their ranks (36 for captains, 16 for lieutenants). Despite jingoist propaganda to the contrary, the Voltigeurs had reached just over half of their 538 authorized ranks. At war's start, Fencible units would be added to their numbers for support and strength.
The Voltigeurs were initially assigned to defend the Eastern Townships. In November, they faced American Major General Dearborn and his 6000-strong force, who invaded the region from Plattsburgh. De Salaberry rushed with his forces and some First Nations allies to staunch the invasion at Lacolle. While they could not halt the invasion, days of skirmishing increased the cost and Dearborn retreated days later. The spring of 1813 saw the splitting of Voltigeur units, some of whom bolstered the defences at Kingston and others who participated in the failed assault on Sackets Harbor. But the Voltigeurs are best known for their service at the Battle of Châteaugay and the Battle of Crysler's Farm.
Morning exercise in 1813
In the fall of 1813, American strategy focused on cutting off the St. Lawrence to isolate British forces in Upper Canada, followed by a decisive attack on Montréal. The first move was by Major-General Wade Hampton, who took 4000 men from the Lake Champlain region up the Châteauguay. His goal was to cut the St. Lawrence and meet up with General Wilkinson's forces coming down the river from Sackets Harbor. Hampton was not keen on the venture or on the quality of his men, and moved slowly. De Salaberry had excellent intelligence on Hampton's movements, ordered various obstacles to be constructed to complicate the American advance, and with his forces (Voltigeurs and militia), and supported by the troops of Lieutenant-Colonel George MacDonell (Canadian born himself), led his all-Canadian force against the Americans. While primarily a series of skirmishes, the Battle of Châteauguay was a very "Canadian" victory.
Battle of Châteaugay
During the Battle of Crysler's Farm, 3 companies of the Voltigeurs served under Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison to help deflect Wilkinson's 1800-strong rearguard, sent to repulse Morrison's forces. On 11 November, the Voltigeurs were stretched across Morrison's skirmish line and were heavily wounded. The Americans advanced past them, but were routed by Morrison's mixed force.
After the war, the Voltigeurs underwent a variety of changes to their designation, but the unit found service in a series of conflicts, including as part of the 57th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the First World War, and as part of the Canadian Active Service Force in the Second World War.
Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia To conclude, here is a recapitulative video of the history of the Voltigeurs Canadiens (video in french):
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lq8YbX46RU[/youtube]
Code d'honneur of Voltigeurs Canadiens
Article I. Voltigeurs Canadiens are French-Canadian militiamen. They have to honor their origin.
Article II. Players in the militia are not obliged to be of Canadian origin. Though they must speak and understand the French Language. As all Officers give their commands in French.
Article III. Respect for the Chain of Command is required. Severe penalties may be issued for disrespect to Officers.
Article IV. Desertion during an event and/or training is liable to permanent expulsion from the Voltigeurs Canadiens .
Article V. Only the highest-ranking Voltigeurs Canadiens may grant a medal and/or promotion as a reward of a feat.
Article VI. Militia tactics, strategies, and trainings are applied in-game.They must be applied due to the fact that the regulations at official events are strict.
"Honorons nos valeurs!"
"Let us honor our values!"
Morning parade of the Voltigeurs Canadiens
Missions
1. To
gather all French members from the Napoleonic Wars community, and form them into a regiment.
2. To
become the leading regiment in North America and be recognized as fair players.
3. To
participate in the most honorable events in North America.
4. To
become an effective regiment with regard to the internal administration of the regiment and the participation/organization at the events.
"Bâtissons notre avenir!"
"Let us build our future!"
Commanded works
Joining
If you wish to join the VC, contact an officer by Steam or TeamSpeak. Once an agreement is reached, you are subject to a vocal interview on the Teamspeak Server. The applicant has to read and accept the following rules below to become an official member of the Voltigeurs Canadiens:
- Any player wishing to join the regiment must be at least 15 years of age. Exceptions may be granted to players 14 years of age on the account of them being active, involved, mature and motivated.
- The officer is always right. He is your superior and retains the right to make decisions.
- No espionage will be allowed and the act of it will be immediately followed by a permanent ban from the regiment.
- Double regimenting is permitted within the Voltigeurs Canadiens.
- The player is required to be active within the regiment. The minimum requirement is to participate in at least one event (LB, Siege, Conquest , etc.) or training each week.
- At LBs and trainings, priority speech is enabled in order to keep peace.
If the interview is successful, you receive the rank of Recruit (VC_Rec_Name) for a period of about 2 weeks. This period may vary depending on the candidates.
"Unissons-nous, tous ensemble!"
"Let us unite, all together!"
Recruitment of new militiamen
Contact us & Schedule
You can contact us through the following:
Finally, this is our weekly schedule:
- Monday: Off
- Tuesday: Off
- Wednesday: 8th Siege - 20:00 PM EST
- Thursday: Off
- Friday: Fun Event - 20:00 PM (Determined every week)
- Saturday: Illuminati's Linebattle - 8:00 PM EST
- Sunday: VC Training - 7:15 PM EST and 8th Brigade Training - 20:00 PM EST
"Nous sommes les Voltigeurs Canadiens!"
"We are the Voltigeurs Canadiens!"
The Voltigeurs Canadiens in action
Roster
OFFICERSLieutenant-colonel: LeGenD_de_Salaberry
Lieutenant: Milav
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERSSergent Cornet-major (Spécialiste): Original
Caporal-Fourrier: Minipaul
Caporal: Ulrik
SPECIALISTSAide de Camp: Élite
Aide de Camp: MaxenceIV
Sergent Cornet-major: Original
Caporal Spécialiste en langue: Emelrian
RANKERSTroupier: Aratrex
Troupier: MrMASTODONTE
Troupier: Vincauy
Milicien: LeGrosRoger
Milicien: Vortex
Milicien: Dr.Maggot
Milicien: PelletierQc
Milicien: Yannick
Milicien: JFCODY
Milicien: Nico1515
Milicien: Jeromedemers
Milicien: Jerjer
Milicien: Blanqui
Milicien: Powtmow
Milicien: Jaydeuxmains
Recrue: Squishy
Recrue: Chevreuil
Recrue: marcus
Recrue: jockeur
Recrue: Blainosdias
Recrue: Caribou_Hunter
Recrue: CaribouQc
