Nova Scotia Archives

Acadian Heartland

Records of the Deportation and Le Grand Dérangement, 1714-1768


JOURNAL OF COLONEL JOHN WINSLOW. 189

WHITEHALL JULY 29TH, 1755.      
 
      Extract of a Letter from Lievt Governor Lawrence to Sir Thomas Robinson Dated Halifax June 28th.  
      I have the Honour to acquaint you that the French Fort at Beausejour Surrendered to Lievt Col Monckton the 16th Inst and the Next Day a Small Fort upon the River Gaspereau running into the Bay Verte. Where the French had their Principal Magazine for Supplying the French Inhabitants and Indians. In these Forts were found a great Quantity of Provissions & Stores of all kinds, of which Colo Monckton has not had time to transmit a Particular account. I Inclose you the Terms of Capitulation. Notwithstanding the Fort at Beausejour had Twenty Six pieces of Cannon Mounted they Surrendered, after Four Days Bombardment, before we had even Mounted a Single Cannon upon our Batteries Our loss upon this Occasion is very inconsiderable, not above Twenty killed and as many Wounded. Major Preble of the Irregulars is Slightly wounded in the Shoulder. Ensign Tongue, of Major General Warburtons Regiment acting as Sub engineer received a Shott in his thigh as he was taking a Survey of the Ground for the Trenches & Batteries to be raised against the Fort, and Ensign Hay of Col Hopsons, who had been taken Prisoner by the Indians in going alone from our Fort to the Camp, was Killed by one of our Shells in the French Fort which fell throh a sort of Casement, & also Killed three French officers and Wounded two more. At Col Moncktons first arrivaI, The French had a large number of Inhabitants & Indians, 450 of which were posted at a Blockhouse which they had on their Side of the River Messaquash to defend the Pass of the River Here they had thrown up a Strong breastwork of Timber for covering their Men and had Cannon Mounted on the Blockhouse. at this place they made a Stand for about an Hour, but were forced by our Troops leaving their Blockhouse, and the Pass of the River clear for our People, who Marched without further interruption to the Ground intended for their Incampment, as we had not Men enoh to invest the Fort intirely, Several got away: and when the Fort Surrendered, there remained 150 Regulars & about 300 Inhabitants, Several of which with their officers were wounded. We dont yet exactly know the Numbers that were Killed in the Fort, but we believe their loss has not been trifling, as several lay half buried upon the Parade, Col Monckton has new named the Fort & Called it Fort Cumberland. He gives the Troops under his Command great Praise for their good behavior and the Spirit & Resolution with which they acted on this Occasion. Col Monckton is Proceeding to the Fort on St. Johns river, which I flatter myself will give him very little Trouble, as their main Strength which was Beausejour is gone: he has likewise my orders to leave a Garrison in that Fort, as it is an infinitely better one than ours, as well for Situation as for Strength. The deserted French Inhabitants are deli-  



Selections NSHS II ~ Brown NSHS III ~ Winslow NSHS IV ~ Winslow
               

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