The siege of Louisbourg was a pivotal operation of the Seven Years' War (known in the United States as the French and Indian War) in 1758 that ended the French colonial era in Atlantic Canada and led to the subsequent British campaign to capture Quebec in 1759 and the remainder of French North America the following year. [4]
What was the significance of the Siege of Louisbourg?
The siege of Louisbourg was a pivotal operation of the Seven Years' War (known in the United States as the French and Indian War) in 1758 that ended the French colonial era in Atlantic Canada and led to the subsequent British campaign to capture Quebec in 1759 and the remainder of French North America the following year. [4]
Who captured the French fortress of Louisbourg?
Major General Jeffery Amherst was tasked with the capture of the French Fortress of Louisbourg. Brigadier General James Wolfe at the siege of Louisbourg. A map of Louisbourg during the siege. View of Louisbourg when the city was besieged by British forces in 1758.
When was Louisburg captured by the British?
Map of Louisburg, captured on 27th July 1758 from the French by a British and American force in the French and Indian War. Account of the Capture of Louisburg 1758: The Fortress of Louisburg on the Atlantic coast of Cape Breton Island was the bastion guarding the entrance to the Saint Lawrence River and access to French Canada.
Why is Louisbourg important to Canada?
The fall of Louisbourg to the British in 1758 paved the way for the capture of Québec and the end of French rule in North America. Today, Louisbourg is a national historic site and a popular tourist destination in Cape Breton. View of Louisbourg from a warship, as it would have appeared in 1744.
Why was Louisbourg important to the French?
The Fortress of Louisbourg was established by France as a critical fishing, trans-shipment and supply port for its maritime empire. As administrative capital of the French colonies of Ile Royale including Ile-St-Jean, it was home to the local government, an established military garrison and civilian population.
Why did the British need to capture Louisbourg?
Background. The British government realized that with the Fortress of Louisbourg under French control, the Royal Navy could not sail up the St. Lawrence River unmolested for an attack on Quebec.
What was Louisbourg used for?
Louisbourg became a hub of commerce, trading in manufactured goods and various materials imported from France, Quebec, the West Indies and New England.
How did Louisbourg affect the Acadians?
In 1755, Governor Charles Lawrence expelled 7,000 Acadians. Every Acadian farm was burned to the ground, families were torn apart, and hundreds died of shipwreck and disease. After the fall of Louisbourg in 1758, the Royal Navy and the British army hunted down and deported about 3,000 Acadians.
Why was it necessary to capture Louisbourg before attacking Quebec?
Explanation: The opening between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland led to the St. Lawrence, and if Louisbourg was not captured, the French could still bring in reinforcements and supplies from France, which would help Quebec during the siege.
When did the British capture Louisbourg?
The siege of Louisbourg took place in 1745 when a New England colonial force aided by a British fleet captured Louisbourg, the capital of the French province of Île-Royale (present-day Cape Breton Island) during the War of the Austrian Succession, known as King George's War in the British colonies.
Who won the battle of Louisbourg?
The siege of Louisbourg cost Amherst 172 killed and 355 wounded, while the French suffered 102 killed, 303 wounded, and the remainder taken prisoner. In addition, four French warships were burned and one captured. The victory at Louisbourg opened the way for the British to campaign up the St.
Where was the Battle of Louisbourg?
LouisbourgÎle RoyaleSiege of Louisbourg/Locations
What is Louisburg?
Louisburg is a town in Franklin County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 3,064. It is the county seat of Franklin County. The town is located approximately 29 miles northeast of the state capital, Raleigh, and located about 31 miles south of the Virginia border.
Why did the British deport the Acadians?
British deportation campaigns. Once the Acadians refused to sign an oath of allegiance to Britain, which would make them loyal to the crown, the British Lieutenant Governor, Charles Lawrence, as well as the Nova Scotia Council on July 28, 1755 made the decision to deport the Acadians.
What did the British do to the Acadians?
The British military ordered the Acadians' communities to be destroyed and homes and barns were burned down. The people were dispersed among the 13 American colonies, but many refused them and sent them on to Europe. Families were torn apart and many lost everything they owned.
Who are the Acadians and what happened to them?
Between 1755 and 1763, approximately 10,000 Acadians were deported. They were shipped to many points around the Atlantic. Large numbers were landed in the English colonies, others in France or the Caribbean. Thousands died of disease or starvation in the squalid conditions on board ship.
Why were New Englanders upset about Louisbourg?
The colonists were angry and resentful that geopolitical events far from North America had overshadowed their hard-won victory.
How did Britain acquire the colony of Acadia?
In 1621 King James I of England (VI of Scotland) awarded the lands of Acadia to Sir William Alexander for the purpose of founding the colony of Nova Scotia.
What did Britain get in the Treaty of Paris?
Under Choiseul's plan, Britain would gain all French territory east of the Mississippi, while Spain would retain Cuba in exchange for handing Florida over to Great Britain. French territories west of the Mississippi would become Spanish, along with the port of New Orleans.
What is Louisburg?
Louisburg is a town in Franklin County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 3,064. It is the county seat of Franklin County. The town is located approximately 29 miles northeast of the state capital, Raleigh, and located about 31 miles south of the Virginia border.
What was the name of the French colony that was the capital of the French colony of Île Royale?
In the 18th century, Louisbourg was a fortified town and an important strategic capital in the French colony of Île Royale (Cape Breton Island). It was the scene of two major military sieges in the Anglo-French wars for supremacy in North America.
Why did the British destroy Louisbourg?
The town’s civilians would be allowed to return to France, but soldiers and officers would be sent to England as prisoners of war. To ensure that Louisbourg would never again pose a threat — should a treaty once more return it to the French — British engineers completely destroyed the fortress.
What was the name of the French American fortress?
Louisbourg was a strategic fortress in the French American Empire (Corel Professional Photos).
Where was Louisbourg located?
Work on the fortifications began in 1719. Strategically located on the northeast tip of Île Royale, at the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Louisbourg was designed to guard the gateway to New France .
What was the purpose of Louisbourg?
In addition to its military purpose, Louisbourg became a substantial town and seaport. Little agriculture was carried out there, the cod fishery being the principal economic activity. As a base for the fishing industry, Louisbourg developed diversified shipping links. Each year the port welcomed trading vessels from France, the Caribbean, the British American colonies, Acadia and Québec. Fishermen from France and Spain — Breton, Norman and Basque — joined the fishing industry each summer. The town's settler population, drawn partly from New France and from France itself, grew to roughly 2,000 by 1740 and double that in the 1750s.
What was the significance of the fall of Louisbourg?
The fall of Louisbourg to the British in 1758 paved the way for the capture of Québec and the end of French rule in North America. Today, Louisbourg is a national historic site and a popular tourist destination in Cape Breton. Port of Louisbourg. View of Louisbourg from a warship, as it would have appeared in 1744.
How long did it take to build the fortress of Louisbourg?
The fortress, which took more than 24 years to build, was constructed by military engineers under Jean-François Verville, and later Étienne Verrier, based on designs by Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, the chief engineer of French king Louis XIV. Its walls were nearly 11 meters thick in some places, rose nine metres above a deep ditch, and were faced by the sea on three sides. They had emplacements for 148 cannon, though the full complement of guns was never installed. Additional gun emplacements around Louisbourg harbour and on Battery Island further protected the seaward approach to the town. The ground on the landward side of Louisbourg was considered to be too marshy to allow an attacking enemy to deploy heavy artillery within range of the walls. Louisbourg was thought to be impregnable.
What was the name of the battle that ended the French colonial era in Atlantic Canada?
The siege of Louisbourg was a pivotal operation of the Seven Years' War (known in the United States as the French and Indian War) in 1758 that ended the French colonial era in Atlantic Canada and led to the subsequent British campaign to capture Quebec in 1759 and the remainder of French North America the following year.
How many troops were in the 2nd Bataillon?
2nd Battalion, Regiment of Cambis — 2éme Bataillon du Régiment de Cambis (650 Troops), Battalion arriving just before the siege, based in Port-Dauphin and marched to Louisbourg due to the town being blockaded by the Royal Navy. 2nd Battalion, Regiment of Foreign Volunteers — 2éme Bataillon du Régiment des Volontaires Étrangers (660 Troops0.
What regiments were in the Louisbourg Grenadiers?
Louisbourg Grenadiers (composite, made up of grenadiers from the 22nd, 45th, and 40th regiments)
What did the French do in 1757?
As they had in 1757, the French planned to defend Louisbourg by means of a large naval build-up. However, the British blockaded the French fleet sailing from Toulon when it arrived in Cartagena, and defeated a French relief force at the Battle of Cartagena .
What was the name of the battle that took place in 1758?
Siege of Louisbourg (1758) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Battle of the French and Indian War. Not to be confused with Siege of Louisbourg (1745). This article includes a list of general references, but it remains largely unverified because it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations.
How many troops were in the French garrison?
Between 1755 and the time of the siege, the French garrison expanded from 1,200 troops to around 6,000 troops.
How many ships were in the British fleet?
The fleet consisted of 150 transport ships and 40 men-of-war. Housed in these ships were almost 14,000 soldiers, almost all of whom were regulars (with the exception of four companies of American rangers). The force was divided into three divisions: Red, commanded by James Wolfe, Blue, commanded by Charles Lawrence and White commanded by Edward Whitmore. On 2 June the British force anchored in Gabarus Bay, 3 miles (4.8 km) from Louisbourg.
How many soldiers were in the Louisburg garrison?
The garrison comprised 5 battalions of regular troops, 4,000 in number, and several companies of provincial Canadian troops. The French commander General Drucour was an experienced soldier.
What was the name of the British colony that was captured by the French and Indian War?
Follow-up to the Capture of Louisburg 1758: Cape Breton and Prince Edward’s Island became British colonies and the way opened up for General Wolfe’s attack up the Saint Lawrence and Quebec the following year.
What was the name of the fortress that was guarded by the Saint Lawrence River?
Account of the Capture of Louisburg 1758: The Fortress of Louisburg on the Atlantic coast of Cape Breton Island was the bastion guarding the entrance to the Saint Lawrence River and access to French Canada. Before the British could conquer the French colony Louisburg had to be captured.
What was the next battle of the French and Indian War?
The next battle of the French and Indian War is the Battle of Quebec. To the French and Indian War index. General Jeffery Amherst: Siege of Louisburg July 1758 in the French and Indian War: picture by Thomas Gainsborough. Battle: Capture of Louisburg 1758. War: The French and Indian War also known as the Seven Year War (1755 to 1762) ...
What happened to the French guns in the Fortress of Amherst?
Amherst’s batteries opened fire on the fortress and began to batter down the walls. On 26th July 1758 the last French gun positioned on the wall was destroyed and a breach made. Drucour was called on to surrender which with some hesitation he did.
When did Fraser's Highlanders disband?
Fraser’s Highlanders disbanded at the end of the war. Louisburg: captured from the French by the British on 27th July 1758 in the French and Indian War. Amherst camped overlooking the fortress and brought his artillery and stores ashore.
When did the British land in Louisburg?
British troops landing at the Siege of Louisburg taken on 27th July 1758 in the French and Indian War. In February 1758 Admiral Boscawen’s fleet carrying General Amherst’s army sailed from Britain, 157 ships and 11,000 soldiers. On 2nd June 1758 the fleet sailed into Gabarus Bay to the West of Louisburg.
Why was Louisbourg called the American Dunkirk?
The northern British colonies regarded Louisbourg as a menace, calling it the "American Dunkirk " due to its use as a base for privateers. There was regular, intermittent warfare between the French and the Wabanaki Confederacy on one side and the northern New England colonies on the other ( See the Northeast Coast Campaigns of 1688, 1703, 1723, 1724 ). For the French, the Fortress of Louisbourg also protected the chief entrance to Canada, as well as the nearby French fisheries. The French government had spent 25 years in fortifying it, and the cost of its defenses was reckoned at thirty million livres. Although the fortress's construction and layout was acknowledged as having superior seaward defences, a series of low rises behind them made it vulnerable to a land attack. The low rises provided attackers places to erect siege batteries. The fort's garrison was poorly paid and supplied, and its inexperienced leaders mistrusted them. The colonial attackers were also lacking in experience, but ultimately succeeded in gaining control of the surrounding defences. The defenders surrendered in the face of an imminent assault.
What was the name of the port that the British attacked in 1744?
In the summer of 1744, New Englanders' concerns of further attacks on the Northern New England increased after a French and Wabanaki force sailed from Louisbourg to the nearby British fishing port of Canso, attacking a small fort on Grassy Island and burned it to the ground, taking prisoner 50 British families. This port was used by the New England fishing fleet; however, the Canso Islands (including Grassy Island) were contested by both Britain and France.
What year did the Wabanaki fight?
During the 17th and early-18th century, the Wabanaki fought in several campaigns, including in 1688, 1703, 17 23, 1724. Many of the British military leaders of the siege of Louisbourg came from Northern New England, whose family members were killed in the raids.
Why was Louisbourg returned to France?
When the war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748, Louisbourg was returned to France in exchange for the return of Madras to Britain , and the withdrawal of French troops from the Low Countries. The decision to withdraw from Louisbourg came under fierce attacks in London from opponents of the Pelham Ministry, but it went ahead nonetheless. In 1758 the fortress was captured again by the British during the Seven Years' War, this time permanently, as Île-Royale and much of New France was ceded to Britain under the terms of the 1763 Treaty of Paris .
Why was Louisbourg important?
Louisbourg was an important bargaining chip in the peace negotiations to end the war, since it represented a major British success. Factions within the British government were opposed to returning it to the French as part of any peace agreement, but these were eventually overruled, and Louisbourg was returned, over the objections of the victorious British North Americans, to French control after the 1748 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in return for French concessions elsewhere.
What was the name of the battle that took place in 1745?
Siege of Louisbourg (1745) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jump to navigation Jump to search. 1745 battle during the War of the Austrian Succession. Not to be confused with Siege of Louisbourg (1758). Siege of Louisbourg. Part of the War of the Austrian Succession. The landing of troops from New England on the island ...
What was the name of the colony that was ceded to Great Britain in 1688?
Under the Treaty of Utrecht, which ended the War of the Spanish Succession, the French colony of Acadia had been ceded to Great Britain. The tribes of Wabanaki Confederacy, had a long history of raiding British settlements along Northern New England in present-day Maine. During the 17th and early-18th century, the Wabanaki fought in several campaigns, including in 1688, 1703, 1723, 1724. Many of the British military leaders of the siege of Louisbourg came from Northern New England, whose family members were killed in the raids.
How many men did Wolfe have to march with?
Marching with 1,220 picked men, he succeeded in his objective on June 12.
What was the name of the French fortress that was occupied by the British in 1758?
The Siege of Louisbourg lasted from June 8 to July 26, 1758, and was part of the French & Indian War (1754-1763). Located on the approaches to the St. Lawrence River, the fortress at Louisbourg was a critical part of New France's defenses. Eager to strike at Quebec, the British first attempted to take the town in 1757 but were thwarted.
Why was Louisbourg important to the French?
This decision proved controversial in Britain as it was understood that Louisbourg was critical to the defense of French holdings in North America as it controlled the approaches to the St. Lawrence River.
What did Chevalier de Drucour do to repel the British?
Aware of British intentions, the French commander at Louisbourg, Chevalier de Drucour, made preparations to repel the British landing and resist a siege. Along the shores of Gabarus Bay, entrenchments and gun emplacements were built, while five ships of the line were positioned to defend the harbor approaches.
What happened to the French ship Le Capricieux?
As the bombardment continued, a mortar shell from the battery on Lighthouse Point struck Le Célèbre in the harbor causing an explosion and setting the ship on fire. Fanned by a strong wind, the fire grew and soon consumed the two adjacent ships, Le Capricieux and L'Entreprenant. In a single stroke, Drucour had lost sixty percent of his naval strength.
Why did the British reduce Louisbourg's defenses?
Following that city's surrender in 1759, British engineers began the systematic reduction of Louisbourg's defenses to prevent it being returned to the French by any future peace treaty. Hickman, Kennedy. "French and Indian War: Siege of Louisbourg (1758).".
What happened to the ship Le Célèbre?
As the bombardment continued, a mortar shell from the battery on Lighthouse Point struck Le Célèbre in the harbor causing an explosion and setting the ship on fire. Fanned by a strong wind, the fire grew and soon consumed the two adjacent ships, Le Capricieux and L'Entreprenant.
Founding, 1713
Growth
- In addition to its military purpose, Louisbourg became a substantial town and seaport. Little agriculture was carried out there, the cod fishery being the principal economic activity. As a base for the fishing industry, Louisbourg developed diversified shipping links. Each year the port welcomed trading vessels from France, the Caribbean, the British American colonies, Acadia an…
First Siege, 1745
- In 1744, Britain was drawn into conflict with France as part of the larger War of the Austrian Succession. The Anglo-French clash would be known in the British colonies as King George’s War. Until this time, Louisbourg had not participated in any military actions, although the fortress had provided refuge for Indigenous people allied with the French who raided English settlements…
Returned to France, 1748
- Under the terms of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle of 1748, the British returned Louisbourg, and all of Île Royale, to the French, much to the disgust of the New Englanders, who considered it an act of betrayal by the British government. The new French governor, Augustine de Boschenry de Drucour, strengthened Louisbourg’s defences and increased the g...
Second Siege, 1758
- A British fleet appeared off Louisbourg in early June 1758. In command were Major-General Jeffery Amherst and Admiral Edward Boscawen. One of the senior officers was Brigadier-General James Wolfe. The second siege of Louisbourg began on 8 June when Wolfe led troops ashore at Gabarus Bay, south of Louisbourg. From that base, he successfully drove French defenders fro…
Louisbourg Today
- The modern town of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, a small fishing port, grew up at the opposite end of Louisbourg harbour from where the fortress had stood. The Fortress of Louisbourg was named a national historic site in 1928. In 1961, Parks Canadabegan a reconstruction of the fort based on a comprehensive archaeological investigation, and examination of the colony's well-preserved hist…
Overview
The siege of Louisbourg was a pivotal operation of the Seven Years' War (known in the United States as the French and Indian War) in 1758 that ended the French colonial era in Atlantic Canada and led to the subsequent British campaign to capture Quebec in 1759 and the remainder of French North America the following year.
Background
The British government realized that with the Fortress of Louisbourg under French control, the Royal Navy could not sail up the St. Lawrence River unmolested for an attack on Quebec. After an expedition against Louisbourg in 1757 led by Lord Loudon was turned back due to a strong French naval deployment, the British under the leadership of William Pitt resolved to try again with new commanders.
Order of battle
The fleet consisted of 150 transport ships and 40 men-of-war. Housed in these ships were almost 14,000 soldiers, almost all of whom were regulars (with the exception of four companies of American rangers). The force was divided into three divisions: Red, commanded by James Wolfe, Blue, commanded by Charles Lawrence and White commanded by Edward Whitmore. On 2 June th…
Siege
Weather conditions in the first week of June made any landing impossible and the British were only able to mount a bombardment of the improvised shore defences of Gabarus Bay from a frigate. However, conditions improved, and at daybreak on 8 June Amherst launched his assault using a flotilla of large boats, organized in seven divisions, each commanded by one of his brigadiers. Frenc…
Aftermath
Louisbourg had held out long enough to prevent an attack on Quebec in 1758. However the fall of the fortress led to the loss of French territory across Atlantic Canada. From Louisbourg, British forces spent the remainder of the year routing French forces and occupying French settlements in what is today New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. The second wave of the …
See also
• France in the Seven Years War
• Great Britain in the Seven Years War
• Louisburgh, County Mayo, a town named after the battle
• Military history of Nova Scotia
Bibliography
• Anderson, Fred. Crucible of War (2000) pp 250–256
• Brumwell, Stephen. Paths of Glory: The Life and Death of General James Wolfe. Hambledon Continuum, 2007 ISBN 9781847252081
• Chartrand, Rene Louisbourg 1758