Work on Louisbourg's fortifications usually ceased each year around the end of November. From then until the following spring, soldiers were employed by the contractor or engineer in charge of construction or by the garrison officers to carry out other tasks. As many as two-thirds of the troops spent the winter away from Louisbourg, gathering building materials for the next construction season or cutting firewood. Since the cold, damp climate resulted in the consumption of great quantities of firewood and the government was expected to supply fuel to those soldiers actually in the barracks, the military authorities were eager to have as many men as possible away during the winter months.
No additional clothing was supplied to the soldiers for winter use, and they had only regular shoes as protection for their feet. Through contact with the local Micmac population, however, the soldiers adopted moccasins made from animal hides and snowshoes for easier travel through deep snow. To expedite their passage over frozen surfaces, the men attached ice creepers to their shoes. The woollen uniforms were warm, but once wet it was a long time before they were dry enough to wear again.
Since the nearest good firewood was several kilometres away, arrangements had to be made for hauling it back to the fortress. Cutting the wood was a laborious task with only the bow saw, axe and other hand tools to accomplish the job. The soldiers did not object to being away from Louisbourg, however, since during the winter months they were not only earning money, but were also able to escape much military discipline. They built cabins in the woods and periodically returned to the fortress to pick up their rations.
Courtesy: Parks Canada, National Film Board of Canada
