| By the
beginning of the 18th century, the French infantry was rather turgid,
and therefore foreign mercenaries fought France's wars. It was Cardinal
Richelieu who promoted the development of a regular national army. In
1640, France encamped 150 thousand units of infantry and 30 thousand
cavalry units. The outstanding creator of the French army was Michel le
Telieaux, who was promoted to the rank of military minister in 1643. He
established the rank of civil commissary, a person who would be attached
to commanding officers. Commissaries managed such things as finances,
supplies, fortifications, hospitals and military courts. In order to
provide a regular food supply for the troops, le Telieaux established
properly organized shops, which were of great importance during
strategic operations. Huge transports were one of the greatest
disadvantages of mercenary armies. Soldiers took their wives with them
just to help with the cooking and to render medical aid in case of
injury. With the establishment of field hospitals and shops, it became
possible to prohibit soldiers' wives from being with the army, so the
latter increased in mobility. Gradually, high ranking officers became
unable to choose and appoint their own junior officers. An officer's
destiny from then on depended solely on the King. A new contingent was
recruited. Le Telieaux had begun this reformation and his son, the
Marquis de Luvuas, continued it. Thus, France gained one of the
mightiest regular armies and was able to claim dominance in Europe. The
country also pursued an active colonial policy, though England was
better in this field, thanks to its fleet. |
