The French Artillery by A.S. Matthews Member of the Army Historical Research. In the early days of the French Army, the French artillery personnel consisted of independent companies serving under the authority of the Guard Maitre des Arbaletriers. By the 17^th century this office had been replaced by that of Grand Maitre de 1 Artillerie. The first permanent artillery units were formed in 1668, when six companies of canonniers were formed, six more being added soon afterwards. On 4^th February 1671, Louis XIV created as a guard for the artillery, the regiment called Regiment des Fusiliers du Roi, Kings Fusiliers, who were armed with fusils and bayonets, the first corps so armed. The regiment consisted off four companies of 100 men each, the first company being canonniers, the second Sapeurs  the third and fourth ouvriers en fer en bois, workers or artificers in iron and wood. Read more in the Tradition Magazine no.51