Louisbourg in Cape Breton, Canada, was a fort erected by the French in 1720. Upon the outbreak out of King George's War in 1744, privateers were sent out from Louisbourg to harass the New England coast. Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, succeeded in raising, in 1745, a strong force of men and ships, to which all the New England States, New York and Pennsylvania contributed, either in money or supplies. An army of 3250 men was dispatched against the fort under the command of William Pepperell, of Maine. This force began the siege April the 30th. Five unsuccessful attacks were made. Finally, the French garrison becoming mutinous, the commander of Louisbourg surrendered on June the 17th. The fort was restored to the French by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. It was again captured by Shirley in 1758, during the French and Indian War. On June 2, 1758, the British appeared before this fortress with 10,000 men under Amherst, and forty-one sail under Boscawen. The fort was defended by 3080 regulars,, five ships and seven frigates. On June the 8th, in spite of surf and a spirited resistance, the British gained a foothold on the island. The outposts were soon captured and lines drawn around the citadel. The French ships were burned or captured. The garrison attempted a sortie, but was repulsed. Half the men were in hospitals. On July the 27th the fort capitulated, and the strongest point in America, and great stores, fell into the hands of the English. Research Battles of Louisbourg
Abbreviations
Warfare
Research Battles of Louisbourg