The French & Indian War, or the Seven Years' War
I have always been drawn to the first world war, the one that began in a remote glen in southwestern Pennsylvania in 1754 and by its end changed the look of the world in 1763. It sets up the American War of Independence, the decades of war between Britain and France -- in many ways, the modern age itself. For twenty years I attended as a vendor the annual seminar of the Braddock Road Preservation Association, and it educated and entertained me with some of the best scholars in the field. On this page I will offer new books and classics, dvds and audiobooks, and any other worthy items of the 18th century that relate to the "wilderness war."
Louisbourg 1758: Wolfe's First Siege
Louisbourg 1758: Wolfe's First Siege
Louisbourg represented a major threat to Anglo-American plans to invade Canada. Bypassing it would leave an immensely powerful enemy base astride the Anglo-American lines of communication - Louisbourg had to be taken. Faced with strong beach defences and rough weather, it took six days to land the troops, and it was only due to a stroke of daring on the part of a young brigadier named James Wolfe, who managed to turn the French beach position, that this was achieved. The story is largely based on firsthand accounts from the journals of several participants, including French Governor Drucour's, whose excellent account has never been published.
René Chartrand was born in Montréal. A senior curator with Canada's National Historic Sites for nearly three decades, he is now a freelance writer and historical consultant. He has written numerous articles and books including over 30 Osprey titles. He lives in Gatineau, Québec, with his wife and two sons.Patrice Courcelle was born in France in 1950 and has been a professional illustrator for some 20 years. Entirely self-taught, his dramatic and lucid style has won him widespread admiration in the field of military illustration. Patrice lives a few miles from the battlefield of Waterloo with his wife and son.
CONTENTS
Origins of the Campaign
Opposing Plans
Naval Operations 1756-57
Opposing Commanders (British & French)
Opposing Armies (British & French)
The Siege of 1758
Naval and Military Preparations
The siege day-by-day
The Landing
Taking Lighthouse Point
Bombardments Begins
Wolfe takes Green Hill
the French Sally
Artillery Duels
French Ships Damaged
Breaches and Fires
The Surrender and Cambis' Regiment "Mutiny"
Aftermath
The Fortress of Louisbourg Today
Chronology
Index