The growing colony increasingly struggled against the threat of Iroquois attacks. Demands were made for reinforcement of the small number of soldiers stationed in Canada. The French monarchy complied.
Six ships carrying 1,200 soldiers arrived in 1665. That winter the Carignan-Salieres Regiment, the first regular military unit to serve in Canada, attacked the Indians. Despite taking heavy casualties the Regiment stabilized the situation ensuring the survival of the French colony.
Encouraged to stay, some 450 soldiers settled in Canada after the Regiment returned to France. Among these were Gagnon and Remillard ancestors.
Gagnon Family History 