La Belle-Famille, 24 July, 1759 Niagara,

One of the books I got for Christmas 2018 was Ospreys Combat North America 1755-63 British Redcoat vs French Fusilier by Stuart Reid.
The great thing about French and Indian war battles is the small scale they were, but the outcomes were so huge in the history of both Canada and America.
British Forces
De Lanceys Light Infantry: 44th, 46th, and 4/60th light companies
44th Regiment
46th Regiment
New York Regiment
Farquhar Grenadiers made up of the grenadier companies
Mohawks

French Forces
Companies Frances de La Marine 6 companies
Militia and Amerindians

Siege of Louisbourg 1758. British assault on the Dauphin Bastion

This coming Saturday, I'm going to have a battle day with one of my reenactment mates. He wants to be the British, Ian wants to be the colonial commander so I will be the French defender.
Pictures will follow

Hamilton deploys his troops to begin assault.

The French positions. My strategy was to see how the British would conduct their attack.

The main British assault came in this area. For some reason, Alistar kept his Rangers in reserve for most of the game and used his Highlanders to do the brunt of the attack.

Once he had taken out most of the French artillery save the lone gun, he began his assault on the King's bastion.

However, my attack went better than planned. The Cannonier-Bombardier took out the Royal Artillery while the 

French regular regiments used the bayonet to clear the area with support from the sailors of the French navy. The MikMaq gave support to Le Compaigne Frances de La Marine. All in all, Wolfe's attack failed, Louisbourg continued to live! Vive La France!

1755 Campaign: Nova Scotia Part 3. The Final Attack

One of the projects I will try to work on to get back into the 18th century gamming is the Campaign to capture Fort Beausejour.
This will be a work in progress.

cannonier-bombardier training in the fort

The campaign begins in April, 1755. After a long winter, the French garrison begin to repair the walls of the fort. Local MikMaq assist in the defense by patrolling the area. Acadian farmers stop by to collect powder and shot for hunting and to report the activities of the British garrison at Fort Lawrence. (April 5, 2018)

local MikMaq take post under cover of a wood close to the fort, denying a position to the British.

another group of warriors take up position on the banks of one of the tidal streams.

the New England infantry begin their attack, with the objective to be to drive back the warriors

the local Acadians rush about to collect any supplies still left from their farms.

a group of French gunners bring up guns sent down from Quebec, landed at Fort Gaspeaur and March them overland protected by some Canadien militia.

Gorehams Rangers use the barn as cover to try and flank the French.

5/11/2018

The 43rd Regiment along with the Second Massachusetts Regiment landed with support from the Royal Artillery and colonial militia. Pushing forward, the Royal Artillery began to bombard the position held by the MikMaq and Compaigne Frances. The initial artillery volley shook the Amerindian warriors but they rallied and would not be pushed. The artillery then switched to fire on the Canadien Milice who were annihilated. The 43rd believing that they could push off the MikMaq and French colonial troops rushed across the bridge but we're halted by heated musketry. Withdrawing, the 43rd withdrew to a new trench line the militia had dug while the guns kept the French at bay.

Gorehams Rangers then led a party of militia to push forward and dig new trenches and gun emplacements. By nightfall, the French gunners were unable to fire on the militia. The trenches were pushed forward. The fort and it's defenders held off another day. 

6/2/2018

Finally the Anglo-American force was able to push through and bombard the French position. With counter battery fire, the Royal Artillery was able to knock out several French batteries and destroyed a bastion and blockhouse. 

With the English advance, the French commander asked for terms.  

Louisbourg Garrison 1744: Compagnie Frances de La Marine

drum for Le Compaigne Frances de La Marine

Private, sentry duty

private in barracks

The garrison compaigne frances was different from those in New France who did many raids. These were garrison troops. However, the Louisbourg garrison did partake in raids at Annapolis Royal in the 1740s. They were also involved in the attack at Canso in 1744. These raids compounded part of the problems with the garrison. The plunder from Canso was to have been awarded to the troops as well as the officers, but the officers kept more than their share. This was one of the grievances which the garrison had when they muntinied at Christmas, 1744.

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada

This was my family's first visit but my 8th!
We came up with our step father. Staying in a nice hotel

Soldat Compagne Frances de La Marine

Historic turkeys

King's Bastion

with a French 24lb gun

outer defenses

battery

where I had been encamped in 1995

casemates

the kids fortify themselves in the bastion

store house

Emi checks out the geese

livestock barn

Ian tries on some gear

Compagne Frances de La Marine

Cursifix

King's Chapel

Town side of the King's Bastion

French sail make

40th Regiment drum captured at Canso

Le Compagne Frances drum

Regiment de Karrer

French decleration of War

Guardroom bunks

Town gate from inside, the outside was being renovated for the winter

in the bastion

kids in the sentry box

24lb gun

 harbor facing battery

water gate

waterfront

looking back toward the main gate

one of the streets

Emi walks by