Montcalm and Wolfe

Preface

. The names on the titlepage stand as representative of the two nations whose final contest for the control of North America is the subject of the book. A very large amount of unpublished material has been used in its preparation, consisting for the most part of documents copied from the archives and libraries of France and England, especially from the Archives de la Marine et des Colonies, the Archives de la Guerre, and the Archives Na tionals at Paris, and the Public Record Office and the British Museum at London. The papers copied for the present work in France alone exceed six thousand folio pages of manuscript, additional and supplementary to the "Paris Documents" procured for the State of New York under the agency of Mr. Brodhead. The copies made in England form ten volumes, besides many English documents con sulted in the original manuscript. Great numbers of autograph letters, diaries, and other writings of persons engaged in the war have also been examined on this side of the Atlantic.

PREFACE.

. I owe to the kindness of the present Marquis de Montcalm the permission to copy all the letters written by his ancestor, General Montcalm, when in America, to members of his family in France. General Montcalm, from his first arrival in Canada to a few days before his death, also car ried on an active correspondence with one of his chief officers, Bourlamaque, with whom he was on terms of intimacy. These autograph letters are now preserved in a private collection. I have ex amined them, and obtained copies of the whole. They form an interesting complement to the official correspondence of the writer, and throw the most curious side-lights on the persons and events of the time. Besides manuscripts, the printed matter in the form of books, pamphlets, contemporary news papers, and other publications relating to the American part of the Seven Years' War, is varied and abundant; and I believe I may safely say that nothing in it of much consequence has es caped me.

The liberality of some of the older States of the Union, especially New York and Pennsylvania, in printing the voluminous records of their colonial history, has saved me a deal of tedious labor. The whole of this published and unpublished mass of evidence has been read and collated with extreme care, and more than common pains have

PREFACE.

. IX been taken to secure accuracy of statement. The study of books and papers, however, could not alone answer the purpose. The plan of the work was formed in early youth ; and though various causes have long delayed its execution, it has always been kept in view. Meanwhile, I have visited and examined every spot where events of any importance in connection with the contest took place, and have observed with attention such scenes and persons as might help to illus trate those I meant to describe. In short, the subject has been studied as much from life and in the open air as at the library table. These two volumes are a departure from chro nological sequence. The period between 1700 and 1748 has been passed over for a time. When this gap is filled, the series of " France and England in North America " will form a continuous history of the French occupation of the continent.

The portrait in the first volume is from a photograph of the original picture in possession of the Marquis de Montcalm ; that in the second, from a photograph of the original picture in possession of Admiral Warde. Boston, Sept. 16, 1884. Page CONTENTS.

Chapter I

1745-1755. THE COMBATANTS. England in the Eighteenth Century. — Her Political and Social Aspects. — Her Military Condition. — France. — Her Power and Importance. — Signs of Decay. — The Court, the Nobles, the Clergy, the People. — The King and Pompadour. — The Philosophers. — Germany. — Prussia. — Frederic II. — Russia. — State of Europe. — War of the Austrian Succession. — American Colonies of France and England. — Contrasted Systems and their Results. — Canada. — Its Strong Military Position. French Claims to the Continent. — British Colonies. — New England. — Virginia. — Pennsylvania. — New York. — Jealousies, Divisions, Internal Disputes, Military Weakness ... 5

Chapter II

1749-1752. CELORON DE BIENVILLE. La Galissoniere. — English Encroachment. — Mission of Ce'loron. — The Great West. — Its European Claimants. — Its Indian Population. — English Fur-Traders. — Ce'loron on the Alleghany. — His Reception. — His Difficulties. — Descent of the Ohio. — Covert Hostility. — Ascent of the Miami. — La Demoiselle. — Dark Prospects for France. — Christopher Gist. — George Croghan. — Their Western Mission. — Pickawillany. — English Ascendency. — English Dissension and Rivalry. — The Key of the Great West CONTENTS. XII Page

Chapter III

1749-1753. CONFLICT FOR THE WEST. The Five Nations. — Caugbnawaga. — Abbe' Piquet. — His Schemes. — His Journey. — Fort Frontenac. — Toronto. — Niagara. — Oswego. — Success of Piquet. — Detroit. — La Jonquiere. — His Intrigues. — His Trials. — His Death. — English Intrigues. Critical State of the West. — Pickawillany Destroyed. — Duquesne. — His Grand Enterprise 63

Chapter IV

1710-1754. CONFLICT FOR ACADIA. Acadia ceded to England. — Acadians swear Fidelity. — Halifax founded. — French Intrigue. — Acadian Priests. — Mildness of English Rule. — Covert Hostility of Acadians. — The New Oath. — Treachery of Versailles. — Indians incited to War. — Clerical Agents of Revolt. — Abbe' Le Loutre. — Acadians impelled to emigrate. — Misery of the Emigrants. — Humanity of Cornwallis and Hopson. — Fanaticism and Violence of Le Loutre. — Capture of the "St. Francois." — The English at Beaubassin. — Le Loutre drives out the Inhabitants. — Murder of Howe. — Beausejour. — Insolence of Le Loutre. — His Harshness to the Acadians. — The Boundary Commission. — Its Failure. — Approaching War 90

Chapter V

1753, 1754. WASHINGTON. The French occupy the Sources of the Ohio. — Their Sufferings. — Fort Le Bœuf. — Legardeur de Saint- Pierre. — Mission of Washington. — Robert Dinwiddie. — He opposes the French. — His Dispute with the Burgesses. — His Energy. — His Appeals for Help. — Fort Duquesne. — Deatli of Jumonville. — Washington at the Great Meadows. — Coulon de Villiers. — Fort Necessity CONTENTS. XIII Page

Chapter VI

1754, 1755. THE SIGNAL OF BATTLE. Troubles of Dinwiddie. — Gathering of the Burgesses. — Virginian Society. — Refractory Legislators. — The Quaker Assembly. — It refuses to resist the French. — Apathy of New York. — Shirley and the General Court of Massachusetts. — Short-sighted Policy. — Attitude of Royal Governors. — Indian Allies waver. — Convention at Albany. — Scheme of Union. — It fails. — Dinwiddie and Glen. — Dinwiddie calls on England for Help. — The Duke of Newcastle. — Weakness of the British Cabinet. — Attitude of France. — Mutual Dissimulation. — Both Powers send Troops to America. — Collision. — Capture of the "Alcide " and the "Lis." 162

Chapter VII

1755. BRADDOCK. Arrival of Braddock. — His Character. — Council at Alexandria. — Plan of the Campaign. — Apathy of the Colonists. — Rage of Braddock. — Franklin. — Fort Cumberland. — Composition of the Army. — Offended Friends. — The March. — The I'rench Fort. — Savage Allies. — The Captive. — Beaujeu. — He goes to meet the English. — Passage of the Monongahela. — The Surprise. — The Battle. — Rout of Braddock. — His Death. — Indian Ferocity. — Reception of the 111 News. — Weakness of Dunbar. — The Frontier abandoned 187

CHAPTER VIIL

1755-1763. REMOVAL OF THE ACADIANS. State of Acadia. — Threatened Invasion. — Peril of the English. — Their Plans. — French Forts to be attacked. — Beausejour and its Occupants. — French Treatment of the Acadians. — John Winslow. — Siege and Capture of Beause'jour. — Attitude of Acadians. — Influence of their Priests. — They refuse the Oath of Allegiance. — Their Condition and Character. — Pretended Neutrals. — Moderation of English Authorities. — The CONTENTS. Page 318 Acadians persist in their Refusal. — Enemies or Subjects ? — Choice of the Acadians. — The Consequence. — Their Removal determined. — Winslow at Grand Pre. — Conference with Mur ray. — Summons to the Inhabitants. — Their Seizure. — Their Embarkation. — Their Fate. — Their Treatment in Canada. — Misapprehension concerning them 234

Chapter IX

1755. DIESKAU. Expedition against Crown Point. — William Johnson. — Vaudreuil. — Dieskau. — Johnson and the Indians. — The Provincial Army. — Doubts and Delays. — March to Lake George. — Sunday in Camp. — Advance of Dieskau. — He changes Plan. — Marches against Johnson. — Ambush. — Rout of Provincials. — Battle of Lake George. — Rout of the French. — Rage of the Mohawks. — Peril of Dieskau. — Inaction of Johnson. — The Homeward March. — Laurels of Victory 285

Chapter X

1755, 1756. SHIRLEY. BORDER WAR. The Niagara Campaign. — Albany. — March to Oswego. — Difficulties. — The Expedition abandoned. — Shirley and Johnson. — Results of the Campaign. — The Scourge of the Border. — Trials of Washington. — Misery of the Settlers. — Horror of their Situation. — Philadelphia and the Quakers. — Disputes with the Penns. — Democracy and Feudalism. — Pennsylvanian Population. — Appeals from the Frontier. — Quarrel of Governor and Assembly. — Help refused. — Desperation of the Borderers. — Fire and Slaughter. — The Assembly alarmed. — They pass a mock Militia Law. — They are forced to yield . .

Chapter XI

1712-1756. MONTC ALM. War declared. — State of Europe. — Pompadour and Maria Theresa. — Infatuation of the French Court. — The European War. — Montcalm to command in America. — His early Life. CONTENTS. XV Page 352 — An intractable Pupil. — His Marriage. — His Family. — His Campaigns. — Preparation for America. — His Associates. — Le'vis, Bourlamaque, Bougainville. — Embarkation. — The Voy age. — Arrival. — Vaudreuil. — Forces of Canada. — Troops of the Line, Colony Troops, Militia, Indians. — The Military Situa tion. — Capture of Fort Bull. — Montcalm at Ticonderoga . .

Chapter XII

1756. OSWEGO. The new Campaign. — Untimely Change of Commanders. — Eclipse of Shirley. — Earl of Loudon. — Muster of Provincials. — New England Levies. — Winslow at Lake George. — Johnson and the Five Nations. — Bradstreet and his Boatmen. — Fight on the Onondaga. — Pestilence at Oswego. — Loudon and the Provincials. — New England Camps. — Army Chaplains. — A sudden Blow. — Montcalm attacks Oswego. — Its Fall 381

Chapter XIII

1756, 1757. PARTISAN WAR. Failure of Shirley's Plan. — Causes. — Loudon and Shirley. — Close of the Campaign. — The Western Border. — Armstrong destroys Kittanning. — The Scouts of Lake George. — War Parties from Ticonderoga. — Robert Rogers. — The Rangers. — Their Hardihood and Daring. — Disputes as to Quarters of Troops. — Expedition of Rogers. — A Desperate Bush-fight. — Enterprise of Vaudreuil. — Rigaud attacks Fort William Henry 417

Chapter XIV

1757. MONTCALM AND VAUDREUIL. The Seat of War. — Social Life at Montreal. — Familiar Correspondence of Montcalm. — His Employments. — His Impressions of Canada. — His Hospitalities. — Misunderstandings with the Governor. — Character of Vaudreuil. — His Accusations. — Frenchmen and Canadians. — Foibles of Montcalm. — The opening Campaign. — Doubts and Suspense. — Loudon's Plan. — His Character. — Fatal Delays. — Abortive Attempt against Louisbourg. — Disaster to the British Fleet CONTENTS. PAGE 474

Chapter XV

1757. FORT WILLIAM HENRY. Another Blow. — The War-song. — The Army at Ticonderoga. — Indian Allies. — The War-feast. — Treatment of Prisoners. — Cannibalism. — Surprise and Slaughter. — The War Council. — March of Levis. — The Army embarks. — Fort William Henry. — Nocturnal Scene. — Indian Funeral. — Advance upon the Fort. — General Webb. — His Difficulties. — His Weakness. — The Siege begun. — Conduct of the Indians. — The Intercepted Letter. — Desperate Position of the Besieged. — Capitulation. — Ferocity of the Indians. — Mission of Bougainville. — Murder of Wounded Men. — A Scene of Terror. — The Massacre. — Efforts of Montcalm. — The Fort burned

Introduction

. It is the nature of great events to obscure the great events that came before them. The Seven Years War in Europe is seen but dimly through revolutionary convulsions and Napoleonic tem pests ; and the same contest in America is half lost to sight behind the storm-cloud of the War of Independence. Few at this day see the mo mentous issues involved in it, or the greatness of the danger that it averted. The strife that armed all the civilized world began here. " Such was the complication of political interests," says Vol taire, " that a cannon-shot fired in America could give the signal that set Europe in a blaze." Not quite. It was not a cannon-shot, but a volley from the hunting-pieces of a few backwoodsmen, commanded by a Virginian youth, George Wash ington. To us of this day, the result of the American part of the war seems a foregone conclusion.

It was far from being so ; and very far from being so regarded by our forefathers. The numerical superiority of the British colonies was offset by organic weaknesses fatal to vigorous and united action. Nor at the outset did they, or the mother- VOL. I. —

INTRODUCTION.

. country, aim at conquering Canada, but only at pushing back her boundaries. Canada — using the name in its restricted sense — was a position of great strength ; and even when her dependencies were overcome, she could hold her own against forces far superior. Armies could reach her only by three routes, — the Lower St. Lawrence on the east, the Upper St. Lawrence on the west, and Lake Champlain on the south. The first access was guarded by a fortress almost impregnable by nature, and the second by a long chain of danger ous rapids ; while the third offered a series of points easy to defend. During this same war, Frederic of Prussia held his ground triumphantly against greater odds, though his kingdom was open on all sides to attack. It was the fatuity of Louis XV. and his Pompa dour that made the conquest of Canada possible.

Had they not broken the traditionary policy of France, allied themselves to Austria, her ancient enemy, and plunged needlessly into the European war, the whole force of the kingdom would have been turned, from the first, to the humbling of England and the defence of the French colonies. The French soldiers left dead on inglorious Conti nental battle-fields could have saved Canada, and perhaps made good her claim to the vast terri tories of the West. But there were other contingencies. The possession of Canada was a question of diplomacy as well as of war. If England conquered her, she might restore her, as she had lately restored Cape LNTRODUCTION. 3 Breton. She had an interest in keeping France alive on the American continent. More than one clear eye saw, at the middle of the last century, that the subjection of Canada would lead to a revolt of the British colonies.

So long as an active and enterprising enemy threatened their borders, they could not break with the mother country, because they needed her help. And if the arms of France had prospered in the other hemisphere ; if she had gained in Europe or Asia territories with which to buy back what she had lost in America, then, in all likelihood, Canada would have passed again into her hands. The most momentous and far-reaching question ever brought to issue on this continent was : Shall France remain here, or shall she not ? If, by diplomacy or war, she had preserved but the half, or less than the half, of her American possessions, then a barrier would have been set to the spread of the English-speaking races ; there would have been no Revolutionary War ; and for a long time, at least, no independence.

It was not a question of scanty populations strung along the banks of the St. Lawrence ; it was — or under a government of any worth it would have been — a question of the armies and generals of France. America owes much to the imbecility of Louis XV. and the ambitious vanity and personal dislikes of his mistress. The Seven Years War made England what she is. It crippled the commerce of her rival, ruined France in two continents, and blighted her as a

INTRODUCTION.

. colonial power. It gave England the control of the seas and the mastery of North America and India, made her the first of commercial nations, and prepared that vast colonial system that has planted new Englands in every quarter of the globe. And while it made England what she is, it supplied to the United States the indispensa ble condition of their greatness, if not of their national existence. Before entering on the story of the great con test, we will look at the parties to it on both sides of the Atlantic. MONTCALM AND WOLFE.