French Flags of the U.S. Revolutionary War

Historical

Last modified: 2005-12-17 by rick wyatt
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• Use of Regimental Colors
• Regiment de Saintonge
• Regiment de Soissonois
• Regiment de Touraine

See also:

• France
• U.S. Historical flags
• United States of America

Use of Regimental Colors

France sent some dozen regiments to fight with the Americans against the British. At the time of the Revolutionary War, French troops did not as yet carry a national or royal colour; nationality was designated by a white "cravat" tied to the pike head.

French infantry regiments at the time carried one colonel's flag -- all white, and 14 "drapeaux d'ordonnance". I think all 14 were identical within the regiment, and most regiments featured the white cross.

T.F. Mills and James Dignan, 18 November 1996