Surviving the Canadian Climate: British Winter Uniforms Posted January 20, 2017 Friedrich von Germann sketched this British soldier dressed for the Canadian winter in 1778. As depicted in von Germann’s drawing, British soldiers donned blanket coats, wool leggings, and fur-trimmed “Canadian caps” to keep warm in wintertime. When the men of the 8th Regiment arrived at Michilimackinac in 1774, they, like the rest of the British army posted in Canada, found themselves in a remote wilderness with pleasant, temperate summers and harsh, bitter winters. The Canadian winter climate was significantly cooler than what most soldiers were accustomed to in Britain. Fortunately, several uniform pieces allowed these men to live and even fight in the coldest of Canadian winters. With the lapels buttoned over, collar turned up, and tails let down, a soldier’s regimental coat helped protect him from the cold. Blue wool leggings further protected his legs. (more…)
Which Flag Flew Over Michilimackinac? Posted December 4, 2015 In the late 18th century, Michilimackinac served as an important economic, diplomatic, and military center for the British government. Although one of the most remote outposts of the British empire, Michilimackinac held the key to British influence in the Great Lakes, and it seems only logical to assume that the British projected this regional power by flying a flag over their fort on the Straits of Mackinac. The Red Ensign served as the flag of the British Royal Navy until 1864. Today, it is the flag of the British merchant fleet. In a September 1774 letter to Lt. Col. Samuel Cleaveland of the Royal Artillery, newly-arrived Capt. Arent DePeyster made a rare reference to a flag when he requested a “large Ensign” be sent to Michilimackinac. For many years, historians assumed that DePeyster was referring to the Red Ensign, which served as the flag of the Royal Navy in the 18th century. However, reviewing the entire letter reveals a bit more ambiguity in DePeyster’s request: Sir- I was informed by my predecessor that the Colours of this Garrison belonged to a Master of a Vessel of whom he had borrowed them to hoist upon particular occasions. They are at length demanded by the owner, by which means the Garrison remains without Colours which are absolutely necessary to return the compliments of tribes of Indians when they come on matters of any consequence to the Government. They serve to display a certain necessary dignity, therefore I am informed by the standing orders of this post that the Commanding Officer of the Artillery [Cleaveland] is to be applied to for Colours when wanted. I take the liberty of troubling you upon this occasion and shall be glad to have a good large Ensign sent as early in the spring as possible. (more…)
2015 Archaeology Field Season in Review Posted October 16, 2015 The field season at Michilimackinac is over and as we dive into the winter lab work routine, there is time to reflect on what we learned this summer. Of course the most notable find of the summer was the intact rosary . We will devote some time this winter to trying to answer some of the questions it raised. Why does it have “extra” beads – is it a Brigittine rosary or are they for some other devotion? Was it made in France? How costly would it have been? Other questions will have to wait for further excavation next season. The rosary was found in the tenth-of-a-foot level above an as-yet-unidentified clay feature. The clay is surrounded by cobbles and a plank. It extends into an adjacent quad, which was partially excavated this summer. (more…)
