The (Royal American) regiment was intended to combine the characteristics of a colonial corps with those of a foreign legion. Swiss and German forest fighting experts, American colonists and British volunteers from other British regiments were recruited. These men were Protestants, an important consideration for fighting against the predominantly Catholic French. The officers were also recruited from Europe — not from the American colonies — and consisted of English, Scotch, Irish, Dutch, Swiss and Germans. It was the first time foreign officers were commissioned at British Army officers.
So here it is, in all of it’s hidden glory. It seems old George Washington cut his teeth working under a mercenary army formed by the British back in the early days of the colonization of America. Guys like the former Swiss Guard Henry Bouquet introduced the strategies and tactics necessary to fight in the forests of America, and guys like George Washington learned from this experience. The battles the Royal American Regiment fought against the French and Indians, are all elements of George Washington’s background and combat experience.
I also wonder how George Washington was inspired by this international fighting force? Here were men from all over the world, with unique experiences in war fighting from their country’s wars, and all contributing their expertise to these battles in early America. I can’t help but to think that George Washington would come out of that experience with some excellent ideas on how to fight. And I am sure this experience really came into play when General George Washington was battling against the British during the Revolutionary War. Interesting stuff and definitely check out all the cool stories below. –Matt
A Swiss mercenary who served Britain in America
Bouquet (wearing a hat) negotiates the treaty of 1764 with Native Americans. (Ohio Historical Society)
A Swiss mercenary who served Britain in America
by Marie-Christine Bonzom
Dec 3, 2010
A Swiss soldier in the service of the British king defeated the French to open up the way to the conquest of the American west.
In 1756 Henry Bouquet, a colonel from western Switzerland, commanded the 60th British regiment, the so-called Royal Americans, which was essentially made up of German, Dutch and Swiss mercenaries, recruited to help in the colonisation of America.
“Bouquet has played an important role in shaping Pennsylvania and the push toward the West,” Conrad Ostertag, standing on the corner of Bouquet Street in Pittsburgh, told swissinfo.ch.“He’s one of the founders of Pittsburgh, he removed the French from what will become Fort Pitt, he routed the Indians away and so, he opened the West to the British,” explained Ostertag, an active member of the local Swiss-American community.“Bouquet is a heroic figure, he was not only a very good military tactician but also a great leader able to surround himself with good officers,” added Andrew Gaerte, Education Department manager at the Fort Pitt Museum, which is to stage an exhibition about Bouquet in 2013-2014.
George Washington
Bouquet’s officers included a certain George Washington. The future founding father of the American nation and first president of the United States was, according to Gaerte, “a young and very arrogant man at this time”.“Bouquet is really annoyed with George Washington but he keeps him because Washington is a good captain.”Bouquet’s first hour of glory came in 1758. British Prime Minister William Pitt wanted to take Fort Duquesne, a French military post located close to the far frontier of what was then European-settled territory. The fort was built on a spit of land at the confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers, which meet to form the Ohio. The site was eminently strategic.“This spot was the gateway to the West, a unique access point because the Ohio flows into the Mississippi, therefore whoever controlled that confluence could control trade with the Indians and ways to settle the vast territory beyond, plus have a tremendous influence on world affairs,” explained Alan Gutchess, the director of the Fort Pitt Museum.
6,000 men
Although only second in command to the British general, John Forbes, it was Bouquet who led the operation to capture Fort Duquesne as Forbes was gravely ill. The Swiss recruited and trained German settlers and Cherokees who, supported by his own troops, advanced westwards, mapping out a route and building forts.Very soon Bouquet was leading 6,000 well-disciplined men who constituted such a formidable strike force that the French decided to raze Fort Duquesne and abandon the area. Bouquet ordered the construction of a new fort over the ashes which Forbes named Fort Pitt in honour of the British premier, and the founding of a village to be named Pittsburgh.