French Military Presence in the Caribbean (Late 1600s)
In the later 17th century, France maintained a growing military presence in the Caribbean to protect its colonial interests, particularly in places like Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Saint Lucia. While full regimental lists are scarce, several key units and types of forces were active:
🛡️ Regular Regiments
- Compagnies Franches de la Marine
These were the backbone of French colonial military forces. Formed in the 1680s, they were stationed across New France and the Caribbean. Though not full regiments, these independent companies operated like light infantry and garrison troops.- Deployed to Martinique, Saint-Domingue, and Guadeloupe
- Often reinforced by naval detachments and local militia
- Regiment de Normandie
Elements of this regiment were occasionally rotated through Caribbean posts, especially during periods of conflict with the English or Dutch.
⚔️ Colonial Militias and Irregulars
- Milices Coloniales
These were locally raised militias composed of settlers and free men of color. They were crucial in defending plantations and settlements.- Often led by French officers but adapted to local terrain and guerrilla tactics
- Privateers and Corsairs
Though not formal regiments, French privateers operated with tacit royal support and were sometimes integrated into colonial defense strategies.
🏰 Fortification Garrisons
- French engineers and troops manned key forts such as:
- Fort Saint-Louis (Martinique)
- Fort Royal (Guadeloupe)
- Fort Dauphin (Saint-Domingue)
👤 Notable Figures
- Jean-Baptiste Labat, a Dominican friar and chronicler, documented French military and colonial life in the Caribbean around 1694–1705. His accounts mention the presence of regular troops, militias, and naval detachments in Martinique and Guadeloupe.
🎨 Uniform Colors of French Colonial Forces
🟦 Compagnies Franches de la Marine
These were the primary regular troops in the colonies—light infantry with naval ties but land-based duties.
- Justaucorps (coat): Gris-blanc (grayish white), collarless, with blue cuffs and lining
- Waistcoat, breeches, stockings: Royal blue
- Buttons: Brass
- Hat: Black felt tricorne with gold trim and a black cockade fixed by a brass button
- Shoes: Black leather with brass buckles
- Cravat and shirt: White, with lace for officers
- Gaiters: White duck cloth, thigh-high, strapped below the knee
Corporals had yellow wool lace on cuffs; sergeants wore gold lace trim. Drummers wore blue coats with red cuffs and white chain-on-crimson livery lace.
🏞️ Colonial Militias (Milices Coloniales)
Militia dress was far less standardized, often blending civilian wear with military accents.
- Coats: Often brown, blue, or gray—locally sourced wool or linen
- Facings: Variable; some units adopted red or blue cuffs and lapels
- Headgear: Tricornes or brimmed hats, sometimes with cockades
- Weapons: Flintlock muskets, hatchets, and occasionally swords (more for show than use)
Militia units were pragmatic—uniformity was secondary to function. You might depict them with mixed gear, patched coats, and regional flair (e.g., Caribbean linen shirts, straw hats for heat).
⚔️ Regiment de Normandie (Occasional Deployments)
While not permanently stationed, elements of this regiment rotated through Caribbean posts.
- Coat: Gris-blanc with red facings (cuffs, lapels, and lining)
- Waistcoat and breeches: Often red or white
- Hat: Black tricorne with white trim
- Distinctive feature: Regiment-specific lace patterns and button arrangements
British forces in the Caribbean during the late 17th century were a mix of regular army units, colonial militias, and naval detachments—each with their own quirks and visual signatures.
British Military Forces in the Caribbean (Late 1600s)
🛡️ Regular Army Units
Britain didn’t maintain large standing regiments in the Caribbean early on, but several units rotated through or were raised locally:
- Independent Companies of Foot
These were small garrison units sent to colonies like Jamaica, Barbados, and the Leeward Islands. They weren’t full regiments but functioned similarly to the French Compagnies Franches.- Often wore red coats with blue or green facings
- Breeches and waistcoats varied—white, buff, or gray depending on supply
- Officers had lace trim and cockades; enlisted men were more utilitarian
- Regiments Raised for Specific Campaigns
During conflicts with Spain or France, Britain raised temporary regiments for Caribbean expeditions. These included:- Sir Tobias Bridge’s Regiment (stationed in Barbados)
- Sir Henry Morgan’s forces (semi-official privateers turned militia)
⚔️ Colonial Militias
- Militia Forces in Jamaica, Barbados, and the Leeward Islands
These were locally raised and often included planters, freedmen, and indentured servants.- Uniforms were inconsistent—often civilian coats dyed red or brown
- Muskets, cutlasses, and pikes were common
- Officers might wear red coats with gold trim, but rank-and-file were often indistinguishable from settlers
⚓ Naval Detachments
- Royal Navy Marines and Sailors
Naval forces played a huge role in Caribbean defense and raids.- Marines wore red coats with white facings by the late 1600s
- Sailors had no formal uniform but often wore blue jackets, striped shirts, and canvas trousers
🎨 Uniform Color Logic for British Forces
| Unit Type | Coat Color | Facings | Breeches | Hat Style |
| Independent Companies | Red | Blue/Green | Buff/Gray | Black tricorne |
| Colonial Militia | Brown/Red | Variable | Local mix | Brimmed hats |
| Royal Marines | Red | White | Buff | Tricorne |
| Naval Sailors | Blue/Gray | None | Canvas | Knitted caps |
The Spanish—masters of fortification, bureaucracy, and the art of defending vast colonial holdings with lean garrisons and layered authority. In the late 17th-century Caribbean, their forces were a mix of hardened veterans, local militias, and naval detachments, all woven into a defensive web centered around key ports like Havana, Cartagena de Indias, and Santo Domingo.
Spanish Forces in the Caribbean (Late 1600s)
🛡️ Regular Troops
- Tercios
Though the classic Spanish tercios were fading by the late 1600s, their legacy endured in colonial deployments.- Uniforms: Typically brown or gray coats, with red or yellow facings
- Headgear: Broad-brimmed hats or early tricorne variants
- Weapons: Muskets, swords, and pikes—though pikes were increasingly ceremonial
- Presidial Troops
These were garrison soldiers stationed in fortified towns (presidios), especially in Havana and Cartagena.- Often wore undyed wool coats (gray or brown), with minimal trim
- More functional than flashy—designed for tropical wear and long service
⚔️ Colonial Militias
- Milicias Urbanas and Milicias Provinciales
Raised from local settlers, freedmen, and mixed-race populations.- Uniforms: Highly variable—often civilian clothing with military accents
- Officers might wear red or blue coats with gold trim
- Indigenous and Afro-Caribbean auxiliaries were common, often in native dress or simplified uniforms
⚓ Naval Forces
- Armada de Barlovento
Spain’s Caribbean fleet, tasked with defending trade routes and suppressing piracy.- Sailors: No formal uniform, but blue jackets and canvas trousers were common
- Marines: Red or brown coats with white trim, depending on supply
🎨 Uniform Color Logic for Spanish Forces
| Unit Type | Coat Color | Facings | Breeches | Headgear |
| Tercios | Brown/Gray | Red/Yellow | Buff | Broad-brimmed hat |
| Presidial Troops | Gray/Brown | Minimal | Local mix | Tricorne variant |
| Colonial Militias | Civilian | Variable | Mixed | Straw hats, caps |
| Naval Marines | Red/Brown | White | Canvas | Knitted caps |
The Dutch carved out strategic footholds across the region, not through overwhelming military force, but with fortified trade hubs, agile militias, and the muscle of the Dutch West India Company (WIC).
Dutch Forces in the Caribbean (Late 1600s)
🏝️ Colonial Holdings
- Curaçao (main naval and trade base)
- Aruba, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Martin
- Suriname, Berbice, Essequibo, Demerara (on the South American coast)
These were commercial outposts first, military bastions second—but they were well-defended when needed.
🛡️ Military Forces
⚔️ WIC Troops (Dutch West India Company)
- Not formal regiments, but company-hired soldiers and marines
- Often wore blue-gray or brown coats, with orange or red facings
- Breeches: Buff or gray
- Headgear: Broad-brimmed hats or early tricorne variants
- Weapons: Muskets, swords, and boarding axes (especially for naval detachments)
These troops defended forts, escorted trade convoys, and supported local militias. Curaçao’s Fort Amsterdam was a key stronghold.
🏞️ Colonial Militias
- Raised from settlers, freedmen, and local populations
- Uniforms were non-standard—often civilian coats dyed brown, blue, or gray
- Officers might wear orange sashes or cockades to signal Dutch allegiance
- Indigenous and Afro-Caribbean auxiliaries were common, often in simplified gear or native dress
⚓ Naval Forces
- Dutch marines and sailors were pragmatic and lightly uniformed
- Sailors: Blue jackets, striped shirts, canvas trousers
- Marines: Brown or blue coats with orange trim, depending on supply
🎨 Uniform Color Logic for Dutch Caribbean Forces
| Unit Type | Coat Color | Facings | Breeches | Headgear |
| WIC Troops | Blue/Brown | Orange/Red | Buff/Gray | Tricorne/Brimmed |
| Colonial Militias | Civilian | Variable | Mixed | Straw hats/caps |
| Naval Marines | Brown/Blue | Orange | Canvas | Knitted caps |
Sailor Differentiation (Late 17th Century)
| Nation | Coat Details | Headgear | Accent Colors | Gear Hints |
| 🇫🇷 French | Blue with brass buttons | Black tricorne or brimmed | Royal blue, white | Cravat, gaiters, lace for officers |
| 🇬🇧 British | Blue or red mix | Black tricorne, cockade | Buff, white | Canvas haversack, cutlass |
| 🇪🇸 Spanish | Brown or blue | Broad-brimmed hat | Red, yellow | Sash, crossbelt, minimal lace |
| 🇳🇱 Dutch | Blue-gray or brown | Tricorne or knitted cap | Orange, red | Orange cockade, striped shirt |
🎨 Paint Modulation Tips
- Use weathering and sun-fade effects to simulate tropical wear—especially on canvas trousers and hats.
- Accent with national colors subtly: cockades, cuffs, or sashes can signal allegiance without breaking immersion.
- For mixed crews (privateers, smugglers, or port workers), lean into patchwork gear, barefoot figures, and tool belts.
Canvas trousers worn by sailors in the late 17th century were typically undyed or natural-colored, meaning they ranged from:
- Off-white
- Beige
- Light tan
- Pale gray
These tones came from the raw hemp or flax fibers used to make canvas, which was prized for its durability and resistance to saltwater wear. Bright dyes were rare for working garments, and the natural hues helped hide grime and wear over time.
Some sailors—especially pirates or privateers—coated their canvas trousers with tar or oil for waterproofing, which darkened them to a brownish-black or charcoal gray over time. That’s a great detail to modulate in your terrain storytelling or figure painting—fresh recruits in pale canvas, veterans in weathered, tar-stained gear.