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Report/Rapport © Parks Canada / Parcs Canada REPORT 2005-73 THE
CHRONOLOGY OF HISTORICAL EVENTS BY ERIC KRAUSE KRAUSE HOUSE INFO-RESEARCH SOLUTIONS
December 31, 2005 1745 - 1748 1745
PLAN DE LA VILLE DU PORT DE LOUISBOURG DE SES BATTERIES AVEC SA PERSPECTIVE OU L'ON VOIT LES ourages de fortiffications faittes par les Anglois pour lattaque de la Place et de Ses Batteries PLAN de la Batterie de L'Jsle de l'entrée Veu de la Batterie de Lisle De L'ENTRÉE du costé du port
Vaisseaux [destinis?] pour Lattaque de Lisle de L'Entrée
PLAN DU PORT ET DE LA VILLE DE LOUISBOURG AVEC ses Batteries et sa Perspective ou est réprésenté les Batteries faites par les Anglais pour l'attaque de la dite ville VEÜE DU LA VILLE DE LOÜISBOURG
Batterie de lisle de l'entrée [de 29 canons?]
PLAN du port et de la Ville de LOUISBOURG avec ses batteries et sa perspective Ou est representé les Batteries faites par les anglais pour l'attaque de la dite Ville VEÜE DE LA VILLE DE LOUISBOURG
... L. Batterie de L'Isle et entrée du Port Batterie de Lisle de l'entrée de 29 canons Batterie de lisle de lentrée dont le plan est marqué par une lettre L
PLAN DE LOUISBOURG DANS LISLE ROYALLE
Batterie de l'Isle de l'entrée
Plan du port et de la Ville de Louisbourg avec les attaques de anglais
J. Batterie de lisle
N/A [Port de Louisbourg et Isle Royale]
... M ... On the Island Battery mounted with 30 Cannons
Visscher, Nikoaas PLAN des Fortifications de la VILLE de LOUISBOURG dans I'lsle de CAP-BRETON
Batterie de 28 p. de canon dans une Isle à l'Entrée du Port ... Batterie de Fascines élevée par les Anglais pres du Fanal vis-a-vis la Batterie de LIsle. C'est de cette Batterie que les Anglais sur ent feu, de leurs Canons & de leurs Mortiers, avec tant de fiovur, que les Francais furent obligée de prendre la fiate & de se jetter dans l'eau jusqu au menton pour se fauver
PLAN des fortifications de la VILLE de LOUISBOURG dans l'Isle de CAP-BRETON. PLAN van de fortificatien der stad LOUIS-BORG op het Eiland Caap Breton.
Batterie de 28 p. de Canon dans une Isle à l'Entrée du Port Batterie de Fascines élevée par les Anglais pres du Fanal vis-à-vis la Batterie de l'Isle. C'est de cette Batterie que les Anglais furent feu de leurs Canons & de leurs Mortiers, avec tant de fuveu, que les Francais furent obligés de prendre la fuite & de se jetter dans l'eau jusqu au menton pour se sauver
Ordre de Combat de l'Escadre Angloise dans Le Port de Louisbourg ... Attaque Generale de Terre ...
Estat des soldats, habitants, matelots et pecheurs qui Estoient au Commencement du siege dans La ville de Louisbourg ...
Soldats .................................... 90 } habitans,
matelots et
} .......... 228
... La Batterie de l'Isle de l'Entrée défend le Port, et battant à fleur d'eau, ne permet pas qu'il y puisse entrer de Bâtiment sans être coulé à fond. Elle est placée vis-à-vis la Tour de la Lanterne, qui est de l'autre côté sur la Grand'terre. Cette Batterie est de trente-six canons, du calibre de 24 livrres de balle ...
Raport du Nommé Girard La Croix de ce qui S'est passé d'Interessant a Louisbourg avant et pendant Le Siege de cette place qui S'est rendue au Roy d'Angleterre par Capitulation Le 28. Juin 1745 ... cependant on portoit toujours des vivres et du bois a la grande batterie Et a L'Islet ...
Raport du Nommé Girard La Croix de ce qui S'est passé d'Interessant a Louisbourg avant et pendant Le Siege de cette place qui S'est rendue au Roy d'Angleterre par Capitulation Le 28. Juin 1745 ... a 8. heures du matin ils ont fait leurs desscentes a terre a la pointe platte ...
Raport du Nommé Girard La Croix de ce qui S'est passé d'Interessant a Louisbourg avant et pendant Le Siege de cette place qui S'est rendue au Roy d'Angleterre par Capitulation Le 28. Juin 1745 ... Les Capitaines ont été placer autour des murs ... M. Dailleboust Commandoit L'Islet ...
Raport du Nommé Girard La Croix de ce qui S'est passé d'Interessant a Louisbourg avant et pendant Le Siege de cette place qui S'est rendue au Roy d'Angleterre par Capitulation Le 28. Juin 1745 ... L'Isle tiroit Egalement Sur a grande Batterie et la Bombardoit avec un mortier ...
Raport du Nommé Girard La Croix de ce qui S'est passé d'Interessant a Louisbourg avant et pendant Le Siege de cette place qui S'est rendue au Roy d'Angleterre par Capitulation Le 28. Juin 1745 ... il est arrivée un petit navire basque qui est entré de Vent de N.E.; La flotte angloise au Large; quand il a été a LEntrée du port L'Islet la laissé Et en Suitte L'Islet a tiré a force Sur le grande Batterie ...
Raport du Nommé Girard La Croix de ce qui S'est passé d'Interessant a Louisbourg avant et pendant Le Siege de cette place qui S'est rendue au Roy d'Angleterre par Capitulation Le 28. Juin 1745 ... ils ont dechargé des canons Et munitions pour La Tour ou ils ont Commencé un fort, Selon que M Dailleboust L'a Envoyé dire a la Ville ... faire un fort ... contre La tour du Costé du Nord ... L'Islet tiroit toujours dessus ...
... La nuit au 6. au 7. Nous [eumes?] Une alarme Generalle, de Lisle de Lentrée, L'ennemy Voulant Enlever Cette Batterie, Sembarqua au nombre de 400; Sur 35. Barges; 800 Les Autres qui Venoient derriere, devoient Les Soutenir, la nuit etoit trés obscure, et faisont une petite le Brume, Ces premieres, furent metre pied a terre. Les uns a la pointe a peletier, Les autres vis a vis les Corps des Casernes, et Le Surplus au debarquement de lad Isle, L'ennemy en debarquant Commenca a Crier, trouvera, pas trois fois, ils attacherent même, auviroit douse Echelles, aux embrasures, afin de Lescale a des, mais Mr. Daillebout qui Commandoit a cette Batterie, Les Recul amerveiller, Les Cannons et La mousqueterie de Ceux de lisle, fut Servy aumieux, Toutes Les Barges, excepte un, ou deux, furent toutes Brissées, ou Coullier a fond; Le feu Fut continuel depuis Environ Minuit, Jusques a trois heures du matin, Le d Sr. Daillebout, ainsy, que les Srs. Duchambon son Lieutenant, Et Eurry de Laperelle Son Enseigne, etoient Les premieres, a monter sur Les embrasures, et faire feu Sur les ennemis pour montrer, L'example a leurs Soldats, et aux autres qui etoient avec ceux a La d Batterie, Les Soldats firent même plusieurs fois descendre leurs officiers desd. embrasures, leurs alleguant qu'ils ne devoient pas ainsy Senposer, qu'ils n'avoient quales Commander, et qu'ils enviendroit aBout, a La fin L'ennemy fret Contirant de demander Quarter, Les huit Cents, qui de voient soutenis Les premieres, n'oserent pas apreche, et Sen furent, on fit 119 prisonniers, plusieures Blesser sont mortes, La même journee, et L'ennemy a Eu plus de 250 de tués, noyes, ou de Blesser ... Le Ennemi , Ayant toujours Continuer Leurs traveaux a La tour de La Lenterne, maigre le feu Continuel de Bombes, et de Canon de La Batterie de Lisle de Lentrée, il fut decidé quil etois necessaire des Blinder Les Casernes, et Les Bullangerie de la Isle, Ce que J'ordonnay, et les Bois manquant pour Cet ouvrage, Le magasin du Sr. Daccaratte, fut desmoly, pour Cela ...
Raport du Nommé Girard La Croix de ce qui S'est passé d'Interessant a Louisbourg avant et pendant Le Siege de cette place qui S'est rendue au Roy d'Angleterre par Capitulation Le 28. Juin 1745 ... Vent de S.O. nuit fort obscure, Nous avons entendu vers Les 11. heures du Soir tirer du Canon et grandes ducharges de mousqueterie a L'Isle aux Chevres c'estoient Les anglois qui alloient attaque ce fort bien resolus de monter a L'assaut 50. hommes ont monté dans le fort avant que nos gens S'en Soient aperçus, un de ces angloisSauta au pav illon pour L'ainener mais il ne put le faire, nos troupes ont Empeché qu'il n'en montat davantage elles ont fait feu depuis 11. heures du Soir Jusques au jour, ils ont brisé et Coulé a fond une grande partie des barges qui Servoient a transporter Les anglois a LIslet et tiré 3. ou 400 hommes nous n'en avons pu en Savoir Le nombre au juste, nous avons en deux hommes trés dans cette action, Les anglois nous ont dit qu'ils avoient apris par Le S. Broadstreet qui etoit cy devant a Canso qu'il n'y avoit que des Enfans a L'Islet et que Les Soldats anglois militiers S'estoient presentés les premiers pour monter a L'assaut avec ordre duqu'ils SAe Seroient Emparés de ce fort, de tire un Coup de Canon Les officiers estoient derriere les barges habilles en matelot, ils pouvoient estre en tout 800. hommes pour L'assaut M. Dailleboust qui Commandoit alors a L'Islet avoit 300 hommes avec Luy C'est par un Canot de peché de ce fort que nous avons apris cette Nouvelle Et que L'Islet etoit Bordé de Berges et d'Echelles et de Corps mort anglois, Cest par le meme Canot que nous avons apris qu'on y avoit 90. prisonniers qu'on a loté Chercher avec deux Chaloupes dans le nombre desquels il y avoit 16. ou 16. blessés qui ont été envoyés a L'hopital et Les autres en prison et aux fern ...
Relation du Siege de Louisbourg et de Sa Capitulation ... La premiere s'est passée à la batterie de l Islot de l'entrée. Les Ennemis voulant surprendre cette batterie firent partie durant la nuit 500 hommes de la batterie Royale dans 36 barges du grands canots. Comme la nuit étoit fort obscure et la mer calme, il avoit eu le temps de descendre au nombre de 150. et de poser 12. echelles sur les merlons Mais Mr. Daillebout Capitaine qui y commandoit et qui Se promenoit sur la platte forme les ayant perçus se conduirit sibien et fit un feu Si vif qu'il coutée à fond les barges avec les troupes qui étoient dedans, et tua ou fit prisonnier tous ceux qui étoient descendut, Ensorte que du de la chemens de 500 hommes il ne lui ne echappa pas in Seul. Il n'avoit dans som porte que 228. hommes Soldats ou habitants ...
... Pour réussir, ils tenterent de nous surprendre la batterie de l'entrée: un Détachement d'environ cinq cens hommes s'y étant transporté pendant la nuit du six au sept, fut taillé en piéces par le sieur Daillebourt, Capitaine de Compagnie, qui y commandoit, & qui tira sur eux à mitraille; plus de trois cens resterent sur la place, & il n'y eut de sauvés que ceux qui demanderent quartier, les blessés furent transférés dans nos hôpitaux. Nous fîmes en cette occasion cent dix-neuf prisonniers, et n'eûmes que trois hommes de tués ou blissés; mais nous perdîmes un Canonier, qui fut fort regretté ... Voulant à quel prix que ce fût s'emparer de labatterie de l'entrée, les Assaillans commençoient à construire un Fort vis-à-vis cette batterie pour la dominer ...
Raport du Nommé Girard La Croix de ce qui S'est passé d'Interessant a Louisbourg avant et pendant Le Siege de cette place qui S'est rendue au Roy d'Angleterre par Capitulation Le 28. Juin 1745 ... on a Envoyé des balles a LIslet n'y ayant plus ou y auroit esté tres Embarrassé Se Le Jour n'estoit pas Venu Suivant Le Raport qui nous en a été fait on a Emmanché plusieurs piquois pour Servir en Car d'assant ...
Raport du Nommé Girard La Croix de ce qui S'est passé d'Interessant a Louisbourg avant et pendant Le Siege de cette place qui S'est rendue au Roy d'Angleterre par Capitulation Le 28. Juin 1745 ... Le canot destiné pour aller et venir est arrivé de LIslet a la Ville a la pointe du jour pour Informer M. Duchambon que M. Daillebout estoit malade ce Canot est resté toute la Journée a la Ville, M Degannes S'est disposé pour aller Relever M. Dailleboust avec Sa Compagnie cet Echange S'est fait La nuit et M. Daillebout et Sa Compagnie Sont arrives La meme nuit et a pris La place de M Degannes a la piece de la grave ...
Raport du Nommé Girard La Croix de ce qui S'est passé d'Interessant a Louisbourg avant et pendant Le Siege de cette place qui S'est rendue au Roy d'Angleterre par Capitulation Le 28. Juin 1745 ... 17. Juin La tour a tiré a force Sur L'Islet et LIslet a tiré de Sur La tour et Envoyé des Bombes qui ont Egueulé deux Canons aux Anglois ...
... Le 21. La Batterie, que les Ennemis ont Etably a Latour de La Lenterne, de 7. Canons, et dun mortier, a Commencé a tirer, Sur Celle de Lisle de Lentrée, avec des Boullets, de 18. et un mortier de 12. pouces pesant 180t, et Le feu de la d. Batterie napas cessé de tirer Jusques a La Redition de la place, malgre Le feu Continuel de Celle de Lisle ...
Raport du Nommé Girard La Croix de ce qui S'est passé d'Interessant a Louisbourg avant et pendant Le Siege de cette place qui S'est rendue au Roy d'Angleterre par Capitulation Le 28. Juin 1745 ... on dressa la Capitulation ... on Envoya Sur le Champ avertir a LIslet que la Ville etoit rendue , Les Soldats anglois prirent possession de L'Islet et M. Degannes S'en revint assez mal Content de cette manoeuvre, Ainsy qu'il l'a fait paroistre ....
... que la reddition & l'exécution de chaque partie des choses ci-dessus mentionnées, seroient faites & accomplies aussi-tôt qu'il seroit possible: Que pour sureté de leur exécution, la batterie de l'Isle, ou l'une des batteries de la Ville, seroit délivrée avec toute l'artillerie & les munitions de guerre, aux trouppes de S. Maj. Brit. avant six heures du soir ... ...
... Les ennemis etablirent une batterie ... de huit canon et une de mortier au bas de la tour de la Lanterne qui battait La batterie de L'Isle de Lentrée, de Sorte que la boulangerie et les Cazernes etoient criblée de Corps et presque ruinée, mon fils fit blinder ces battiments, mais les bombes et les boulets faitoient toujours le progrés, parceque les batteries de Lennemi etoit disposée de facon que nous ni pourions y apposer que 4. Canons et deux mortiers. on a remis a l'Enemie cette Batterie par la Capitulation ...
... Je donné ordre a Ceux du port, de Se Renger a La Batterie Royalle, et a Celle de Lisle de L'entrée aux Signau qui ic Lieux Ses données ... l'ennemis, faisant plusieurs mouvent au fond de la baye, et a Latour de La Lenterne, Mr Vallé Lieutenant de La compagnie des Canoniers, Vint mavertir, qui L'ennemy pourrois faire ces mouvements, a loccasion de plusieurs Canons de 18 et de 24, qui avoient été mis au Carenage, pour servir de Corps morts, depuis Environ Six ans que parmis Ces Canons, il y en avoit plusieurs, en Estat de Servir, qu'il avoit Informer, Les Gouverneur de Cydevant, plusieurs fort, que L'enemy pourroit bien Les transporter a La tour, Etablir une Batterie, pour Battre Lisle de Lentrée ...
City& Harbour of LOUISBURG with that part of Gabarus Bay wherein in the New England Forces landed and their Encampment during the Siege of 1745
Island Battery
A Plan of the City & Harbour of LOUISBURG; shewing that part of GABARUS BAY in which the English landed, also their Encampment during the siege in 1745.
Island Battery
A PLAN of the CITY and HARBOUR of LOUISBURG in which are pointed out the principal places mentionned in the Account of the Siege of that Fortress by the NEW ENGLANDERS in 1745.
Island Battery
Plan of the City and Fortress of LOUISBOURG Surrendered to his Britanick Majesty, by Capitulation the 17 of June, 1745. To Lieut. Gen'l Pepperel and Commodore Warren after 55 days Blockade and 42 days open Trenches
Entré du Port Island Battery
Plan of the City and Fortress of LOUISBOURG Surrendered to his Britanick Majesty, by Capitulation the 17 of June, 1745. To Lieut. Gen'l Pepperel and Commodore Warren after 55 days Blockade and 42 days open Trenches
Island Battery
Louisburg City Drawn by Geo. Follings A.D. 1745.
PLAN of the TOWN and FORTRESS of LOUISBOURG on the ISLAND CAPE BRETON Surrender'd ye 16th June 1745 after a Siege of 42 days to the Honble Peter Warren Esqr Comm in Chief of all his Majesty's Ships in North America & the Honble Wm Pepperell Esqu Lieut Genl of His Majesty's New England Forces Rais'd by his Excel.y Governours Shirley for this Expedition. Taken & Drawn after the Siege by John Henry Bastide , Chief Engineer for Nova Scotia II. The Grand Battery Cross the Harbour ...
Island Battery Thirty 24 Poundrs French calibers
SIEGE OF LOUISBOURG. 1745.
... M. Island Battery (French).
As the Surrender of the City of Louisburgh on Cape Breton, is at present the Subject of most Conversations, we hope the following Draught will be acceptable to our Readers, as it may serve to give them an Idea of the Situation and Strength of the Place, and render the News from thence more Intelligible.
The Island Battery, at the Harbour's Mouth, 28 Guns, --- Pounders A Fascine Battery erected by the English near the Light-House, opposite to the Island-Battery, and not quite a half a Mile from it. From this battery our People play'd so successfully upon the Island-Battery, both with their Cannon and Mortar, that the Enemy abandoned it with the utmost Precipitation, and ran up to their Necks in Water, to secure themselves
PLAN of the Harbour and Fortifications Of Louisbourg on Cape-Breton, with the Sailors SONG on taking of them.
The Island Battery, at the Harbour's Mouth, 28 Guns, --- Pounders A Fascine Battery erected by the English near the Light-House, opposite to the Island-Battery, and not quite a half a Mile from it. From this battery our People play'd so successfully upon the Island-Battery, both with their Cannon and Mortar, that the Enemy abandoned it with the utmost Precipitation, and ran up to their Necks in Water, to secure themselves; The Center of the Town; The Light-House
A Plan of Cape Breton, &c Fort Louisbourgh. &c
The Island Battery of of 30 Guns
A PLAN OF THE HARBOUR AND FORTIFICATIOions OF LOUISBOURG. The Harbour Survey d by Capt. Phi: Durell The Fortifications by Capt. Will: Heny. Bastide Anno 1745
... P Island Battery 33 Ambrasures ... The Island Battery has 31 Forty Two Poundrs ... West part of Green Island and the East end of the Island Battery in one
Plan of the HARBOUR and FORTIFICATIONS of LOUISBOURG The Harbour Survey'd by Capt Phil: Durell The Town & Fortifications by I. H. Bastide Engineer for Nova Scotia
... K. Goat Island and Battery Goat Island West part of Green Island and the East end of the Island Battery in one
Louisbourg
A PLAN & SURVEY of the Town and Harbour of Louisbourg the harbour by Capt. Durell & the Town & Batteries by Capt. Bastide Engineer
ISLAND BATTERY
A PLAN OF LOUISBOUGH HARBOUR by Capt Philip Durell Iune the 17th: 1745
... G Island Battery Ambrasures in the Island battery 36 ... Most of the above mention'd guns are Forty two Pounders
N/A [Taking of Louisbourg]
A Prospect of the City of Lewisbourg also the Harbours and Garrisons on the Island of Gaspey or Cape-Breton in North America. ~ Surrendered to the New England Land Troops on the 17 June after a Siege of 48 days ~ [?] General Pepperril Esqr Commander of the land troops ~ And Commodore Petr. Warren Esqr Commander of His Majesties Fleet there to Guard ye Coast
The Island battery 30 Odd guns
Plan of Louisbourg in Cape Breton, when it was taken by the English, in the Year 1745
The Island Battery in which is 34 embrasures not above 28 guns mounted 24 & 42 pounders
A PLAN of the CITY, and FORTIFICATIONS, of LOUISBOURG; from a Survey made by RICHARD GRIDLEY. Lieut. Coll. of the Train of Artillery in 1745. This important Fortress was taken on the 17th. of June 1745, after a Siege of 49 Days by Nine Regiments that were Raised & Equipped in 50 Days in New England and commanded by Sr Willm. Pepperill, assisted by a Fleet under the Command of Commoradore Warren, with the loss of 101 Men killed, and 30 that died by Sickness. This Place was afterward restored to the French by the Treasty of Aix la Chapel. A PLAN of the CITY and HARBOUR of LOUISBOURG, with the French Batteries that defended it, and those of the English, shewing that part of GABARUS BAY, in which they Landed, and the Ground on which they Encamped during the Siege in 1745
Island Battery of 30. 28 Pounders. In Attempting to take this Battery May 26 the English had 60 Men Killed and Drownded, and [?6?] taken Prisoner English Battery Erected June 11 by which the Island Battery was Demolished
... The Fortifications round the Town of large Extent greatly out of repair, and Lyable to be Attack'd at Several different places with Advantage ... And their Island Battery at the Entrence of the Harbour laid them under the disadvantage of taking one whole Company to defend it ... Erecting four Batteries of Cannon besides Mortars ... The forth was at the Light-house, and properly Situated in Case any Ships might attempt coming into the Harbour; and with which we could always bring between 40, and 50 Guns to bear against such as were fairly enter'd. There was one addition only to my Plan, to which I did object before we Saild from New England and us'd all the means in my power to desswade them from it; but to no purpose, they were determin'd to attack the jsland Battery by night with Boats, and accordingly did, by which 130 Men were made prisoners and 81 kill'd, with no other advatage on our Side, but the wounding one French Officer and Two Soldiers ...
1745 ... A Computation of the French FISHERY ... This Louisbourg is a Harbour ... It ... has a small Town ... and on the West Side of the Entrance, (which is North and South) upon an Island, another of Twenty-Eight Twenty-four-pounders, called the Island Battery ...
... and that as I am Informed by Cap. Durell, who is now here that the 40 Gun Ship especially with the Assistance of a Bomb Vessel moor'd together over against the outward Flanker of the Island Battery, from whence the Enemy can bring no more than five Guns bear against the Ships would Silence that Battery also, in which Case the Harbour would be Disarm'd of its chief strength & left very much exposed to our Ships ...
... but if the weather will not permit their landing in the above place, let them proceed along the shore till they come to a long Range of Rocks that goes towards the Island, at the End of which is a Passage where the shallops go through, let them go in there and follow the Ledge of Rocks right back again , then they will land right against the East gate ... N.B. The full complement of the Troops is 700 out of which deductions must be made of 50 for each of the two Batteries, viz. the Royal and Island Batteries
INSTRUCTIONS given by WILLIAM SHIRLEY, Governor of Massachusetts, to WILLIAM EPPERELL, Lieutenant General of the forces raised in New-England, for an expedition against the French settlements on the Island of Cape Breton. ... If it be impracticable to think of surprising the town, and you resolve on the surprise of the grand battery, and also of the island battery ...In this case the grand battery is to be attacked as before directed, if the night should so favourably concur as to incline you to order an attack of the island battery also, (which would be an affair of the utmost consequence to us to carry,) you must let this be attempted by a number of whale boats; who must land a party of three hundred men, on the back of the island, or in a little well known beachy cove at the south-easterly point, just within the breaking point of rocks, which runs off; from either of which places, in a very calm time they may enter successfully, and if so, immediately order a bomb, &c. there to play on the town, and garrison the battery, with as many men as you can spare, and will be wanted there to fight the guns, in case any enemy should approach afterwards by sea ...
Superbe off
Lewisbourg Sir The Account you give us, of taking the Grand Battery, gives me, and all my Captains, who are now with me, great joy, as wee hope it a happy beginning, to your future Success. By the Enemys not defending it, I apprehend their stand will be, in the Town, which I cant think, they will be able to support it, and if wee cou'd once get possession, of the Island Battery, nothing from Sea, of the Enemys, cou'd gett in, and they must Starve in the town, If you intend to attack, that, and our Boats, and Men, can be usefull, and the weather will permitt, you'l please to lot me know ...
Superbe off
Lewisbourg Comre Warren's Plan of Operation, May 4th ... A Plan, of
Operation, for the Speedy Reduction of the Town, and Garrison of Lewishourg,
Propos'd by Peter Warren Esq:, Commander in Chief, of his Majesty's Ships, and
Vessells etc., to Lieutenant General Peperell, Commander in Chief of all the
American Troops, and to his Council of Officers, and to all the Captains of his
Majesty's Ships of warr, Employ'd upon this Expedition, for their Opinions and
Approbation. Every Seaman,
a Musquet, Pair of Pistols Hand Grenade, Quick Match, and Cutlash. If about an hour, or two before the attack, of the Island Battery, a feint was to be made, by the Troops, on shore, (if not thought prudent effectually so to do) as if they Intended, to storm the town, in Several places, it wou'd greatly take off the attention of the Enemy, from the Island Battery, and probably be the means, of their drawing off some of their Troops from thence; shou'd the forces succeed, in their attack upon the Island Battery, and shou'd not the Troops on Shore, think proper to storm the town, or if they fail of Success; if they did, 1 wou'd than propose to go into the Harbour, with all his Majesty's Ships, and all the Country Vessells, except two, or three, of the small Arm'd ones, and about one third of the Schooners, and Sloops, who shou'd be left in Chapareux Bay, and who with the French Prize there, wou'd be sufficient to secure a Retreat to Cancoa, let what will happen, but I'm of opinion, that is not in the least to be apprehended, or Provided for. If any of the Ships, shou'd be in danger of Sinking, by the Enetnys Shott, they shou'd in that case Run, or Hawl ashore as near the Grand Battery as possible, (not to he in the way of the Battery's fire upon the town, nor in the Line of direction of any of its Cannon) in order to save their Guns, Arms, Ammunition and Provisions. In going in, all the small Vessells, should have no great Guns, shou'd keep of the Starboard side of the Ships of warr, and Run into the North: East: Harbour and land every man on the side of the Royal Battery in order to go round to joyn the General, and the Troops.' The Arm'd Sloop, and a Brigg, or two, shou'd be appointed, to secure all the Boats, and Vessells in the Harbour, near the town, and to send as many Boats, as they can procure on board the Ships of [warr?l and the Country Armd Vessells, to lie on the off side from the Town Batterys, ready to land men, from every Ship if it shou'd be thought necessary. When I propose to go in, I wou'd hoist a Red Flagg, at the Foretop Gallant Masthead, about an hour before that, all our Troops from the Royal Battery, except a proper number, to manage the Guns there, against the Enemy, shou'd march to joyn the General, and Army, who shou'd when I hoist the Red Flagg, attack the town, in such places, as not to be annoy'd by the Shott, which our Ships shou'd fire, at the Enemys Batterys in the town. The Officer at the Grand Battery, shou'd be directed, to be very carefull, in firing at the Enemy, that he does not Hull any of our own Ships, that may lie between that Battery, and the town, and if wee shou'd land Men, from the Ships, to joyn the Troops, on the attack ashore, the word shou'd be -------. 1 wou'd further propose, in order to the Generals knowing, when I think wee can get in, to hoist a Dutch Flagg, at the Foretop Gallant Masthead, at about - hours before wee Expected to get into the Harbour. The Season of the year advancing a pace, that the Enemy, may expect Provisions, and Succours, from France, makes it highly necessary, that wee shou'd take some Vigorous measures, for the Sudden Reduction of Lewisbourg, these are the most so that occurs to me. As I wou'd be farr from being Obstinate in my opinion, I shall always be very ready, to joyn in any other plan, that may be thought more Conducive to the attaining the end, for which wee are all come here, which will be the greatest acquisition, to our Country, in general, to the Northern Collonys in particular, and an Ever1 lasting honour, to every person contributing thereto. I shall be greatly pleas'd with your Candid Opinions, upon this plan. I shou'd be glad to be inform'd of the following Quere's, if possible. Whether you have any Deserters, from the Enemy, that may be rely'd on, or whether you have had any from you to them. What number of men, and Guns, in the Town, and Island Battery, what Regular, and what not. What number of Cannon, they can, bring to play upon the Ship's from the town, if the island Battery shou'd be taken. What Quantity of Powder or Ammunition, they have what number of Mortars or how many Shells. How many Women, Children, and Old Men, utfitt to Bear Arms. What Quantity of Provisions, they have, Is the Enemys Communication by Land.. Entirely cutt off, by our Troops. How high is the Wall, that goes along the water side, in the Harbour, or is there any ditch. How near can the Ships come to the Town Batterys. P Warren
... Hereupon Col. Bradstreet was ordered with a Detachment to take Possession of the Battery; on whose March there, a Party sallied from the City and were marching after him, upon Notice of which, Col. Waldo's Regiment being the first in Readiness, was order'd to march so as to get the said Sally betwixt the two Fires of Col. Bradstreet's Party and his Regiment, or cut off their Retreat to the Town. But upon their Appearance the Sally retreated; during this Interval both the Town and Island Battery kept a continual Fire upon the Grand Battery, with Design either to demolish it, or deter our People from possessing it, but this was without Effect; for by 6 o'Clock in the Evening Col. Waldo had Garrison'd it with six Companies of his Regiment, where they sustain'd the Enemy's Fire of Cannon and Mortars all that Night, and the next Day, being the 3d of May ...
... Thursday-2 … This morning there Being A few Men Near the Grand Battery … and took Possession … and now Seeing they could not Recover it again They Minded to Destroy it and began to Thow Balls and bombs both from the Town and I-land Battry …
... Thursday, 2. The French perceiving the English flag hoisted up [at the Royal Battery], fired shot and bombs from the island battery ...
... May 3 ... The Distance from the Grand Battery to the Island Battery is Four Thousand Eight Hundred Feet. This Battery commands the whole Harbour from the Entrance between the Light-House Point and the Island Battery. Two Flanks of Two Guns each point from thence against the Town, and a Line of Ten Guns against the Island Battery, the Remainder to the North-East Part of the Harbour. By the Fire from hence, during the Siege, the Citadel and Houses in the Town suffered very much, as also the Barracks at the Island Battery. The Towers of this Battery were something damaged, One Man killed, and a few wounded by the Enemy's Canon, which fired very briskly upon it, as did also their Mortars from the Town and Island Battery, especially at the Beginning. ...
... 3d of May … The Distance from the Grand Battery to the Island Battery is 4800 Feet. This Battery commands the whole Harbour from the entrance between the Light House Point and the Island Battry. Two Flanks of two Guns each point from hemce against the Town, and a Line of ten Guns against the Island Battery, the remainder to the N: East part of the Harbour. By the fire from hence during the Siege, the Citadel and Houses in the Town suffered very much as also the Barracks at the Island Battery: The Towers of this Battery were something damaged one man killed, and a few wounded by the Enemy’s Cannon, which fired very briskly upon it, as did also their Mortars, from the Town and Island Battery, especially at the beginning …
Sir Superbe off Lewisbourg the 4th: May 1745. I have this day, laid the above Plan, before the Captains of the Squadron, under my Command, who are of opinion with me, that the assistance propos'd shou'd be given, for the attack of the Island Battery when the general thinks proper, to undertake it, and the Weather will permitt; But they think with me, that they can't advise, going into the Harbour, with the Ships, 'till the Island Battery is taken, and the Quere's contain'd in the said Plan of Operation, can be in some measure resolv'd, or made known to us, which wee hope you'l use your endeavour to do, as soon, and as authentick as possible, and that you will let us know, in what Shape besides that of Cruizing (to prevent the Introduction of Succours, or Provisions into the Garrison), wee can be usefull, with the Ship's, towards the Reduction of Lewisbourg, and they with me, do assure you, wee will give you all the assistance, in our power, upon all occasions, and that wee are
Sir J Calmady
Extract of a Letter from an Officer on board the Massachusetts, off Louisburg, dated May 4. ... This Invasion of ours was so unexpected to them, that they left all their live Stock abroad, which our People are daily picking up. They have got all the Armourers in the Army and Fleet to punch or drill the Plugs out of the Touch-Holes. They got 3 clear the first Day, and on the 3d Instant, and part of the Night, the Island Battery and Royal Battery, kept firing Guns and Bombs at the Grand Battery, but to no Effect ...
… 4 Saterday … Afterwards this day the Enemie Shot but Little Wee had but two Cannons from the Town and one and Twenty Bombs from the I-land Battry
Sat. May 4. ... The enemy played on the G. Battery & their canon from the town ...
... Sabathday ye 5 of May ... Several ataks were Designed against ye Island Battre Broved unsucsesfull ...
Monday, 6. ... Our grand battery, having several guns drilled, fired smartly against the city and island battery ...
... And now Seeing the Terms was not Complied with We Gave a Great Shout and Began to fire Upon the town Again. A great number Enlisted to make a trial for the Isalnd Battry but Did'nt go the Night Appointed ...
... 7: ... This Night a danger to attempt the Island Battery Surf too high and day light came on ----
... Tuesday, 7. ... We, on the other hand, having several guns drilled, fired smartly against the city and island battery, and every gun did execution ...
Abt 800 men sett out fr. Cabb. [Gabarus Bay] in whale boats to attack the Island Batt. ... but daylight coming on they did not attempt it. The surf was large & dang. landing ...
... Sent all our boats ashore to join land forces in attacking island battery. Sea too high to land, so forced to return.
... 8: Preparing to Attack the Island Battery but did not proceed ...
... Wednesday, 8. The grand battery fired all day against the island battery and city, with good effect ...
Sat. May 4. ... Preparing to attack the Isl. Batt. but did not proceed ...
… Thursday 9 … We have made, Three Attempts to take the Island Battry but Have been Disappointed …
... 9: Attempt upon the Island Battery but did not proceed --- ...
... Thurs Day the 9 Good weather – the Night before Last our Men Maid an atemt to Tak the Iseland Batterry but it Was to Late for theire Design So Returnd Back This Day Smart firein one Both Sids – and I Came to the Battery …
Th. May 9. Foggy. Wd. S. .... Another attack on Island Batt. but did not proceed ...
Thursday, 9. ... Our grand battery, having twenty guns drilled, and their carriages repaired, fired smartly against the city and island battery. We saw several shots go through the roofs of three houses; as also several chimneys, and the ambeseers of the batteries knocked down ...
... 10: ... Whale boats carried across the land the Land [sic] to the Grand Battery in order to Attack the Island Battery but did not proceed a party of Commodore Warren's men with them ...
Fr. May 10. ... Another att. on Isl. Batt. but did not proceed ...
Sunday, 12. Not one gun fired from the island battery this day ...
Camp before Louisburg, 12 May 1745 Commodore Warren has had two hundred marines and sailors ashore for three days past in order to attack the Island battery, but something or other has always prevented its accomplishment, so the Commodore has ordered them all aboard and gone on board himself not a little dissatisfied.
.. - That they had several Times attempted to land in order to attack the Island Battery, but were prevented by the boisterousness of the Sea. However, that they intended to attack it the 12th in the Evening. - That it was the general Opinion that the Town could not hold out many Days longer. - That a Day or 2 after our Men had taken Possession of the Grand Battery, the French sent 300 Men in Boats to retake it, but were beat off by a handful of our Men and obliged to return to the Town. - That upon the Approach of the Massachusetts Frigate within two Miles of the Island Battery, the French sunk and burnt several of their Vessels. - And, that our People keep a continual firing upon the Town from the Grand Battery. ...
--- We have also Advice that the Island Battery (which a Party had been twice before to attack and returned, not caring to risque the Boats, by Reason of the Weather and Surff of the Sea which rendered it impracticable to land at that Time) was on the 12th Instant at Night, Wind and Weather permitting, to be attempted, for which the necessary Disposition of Men, &c. was ready; of which it is to be hoped we shall soon have a good Account, after which, it is the Opinion of the Officers there, the Dispute will be short, as our Boats already pass from Chappearouge Bay into Louisbourg in the Night frequently, without any Manner of Interruption from any of the Enemy's Batteries ...
...I have been for four days with the General in the Camp, and several Councils of War held where I had the honour to be present at some of them it was once agreed to attempt to Storm the Town before the making any Breach, which I must own I was greatly for, & beleiv'd it would do, but upon a grat Number of the Men & Officers Shewing a great Dislik to that Plan, it was dropt for that of the Island Battery, which pleas'd them very well & indeed the Weather prov'd such that neither of these Schemes could be executed the Night proposed ... Our Boats pass in & out of Louisbourg Harbour in the Night without any Interuption from the Island or any other Batteries of the Enemy ...
... and if the New England Troops should succeed in their Attack of the Royal Battery by Land, as I hope they may, & the Ships should take the Island Battery, which I have been informed by gentlemen of the Sea is verty practicable with three large Ships, after the Royal Battery is taken ...
Sunday, 12. ... Not one gun fired from the island battery this day ...
Monday, 13. At three o'clock this afternoon, a large French snow came round the light-house ...Though our grand battery and other battery fired at her, yet she kept close aboard the island battery and the city, till she grounded against the King's Gate ... The city and island battery fired as fast as possible against the grand battery till the snow grounded. At night we got a large schooner, filled with combustibles, put a small sail on her, and carried her between the island battery and the city. So soon as the fire took the train, the French fired from the city and island battery against the schooner, and the grand battery, no less than thirty shot ...
Thursday, 16. ... but not a gun was heard from the island battery ...
... I hear the Commodore Does not think it Prudent to try any more for the I-land Battry, but Says that if the help Comes that He Expects Very Shortly He'll go Directly into the Harbour. Upon which the General has Determined to Let the Matters Rest for the Present ... Our men found a Number of Cannon Sunk in the water Near the Light-House, I understand the French were A Going to build A Fort there to Defend the Harbour (Which I think is almost Impregnable now) But our Men are Endeavouring to get 'em Up to Use them against the I-land Battry ...
Friday, 17. ... the island battery threw three bombs against the grand battery ...
… 18 Saterday … There being Several Attempts made to take I-land Battry (as I’ve before Mentioned) it was Generally tho’t The Officers were Afraid to go – And the Night before Last Capt [Joshua] Pierce had a Commission to go and men in great Numbers Appear’d to go with him (Several of Capt [Joseph] Millers etc.) I Remember he said while he was at Our Tent that He’d never Return till he’d made a Thorough Trial and Accordingly went up to the Grand Battery to set out. But they were forbid by the General. …
Superbe off Lewisbourg the 18 May 1745 Sir Herewith I
send you, a Copy, of Orders, which I intend to Issue out, to all my Squadron,
and hope it will meet your approbation, and that you will appoint a Committee of
your Council, to come to the propos'd Consultation, of Land, and Sea Officers,
in order to consider, and determine, upon the properest plan of operation,
against the Enemy, when the Two Ships of warr joyns us from Boston. If wee fail
in all these attempts give me leave to assure you if at a General Council it
shall be thought practicable and adviseable to go in against the Town and
Batterys with all our Naval Force of every kind I shall be very ready and
willing to do it, and will make the best Disposition I can to obtain the wisli'd
for Success.
Sunday, 19. ... yet the island battery did not fire a gun for several days; and the last shells they threw were half filled with bran; from whence we might reasonably conjecture, that they grew short of powder ...
To his Excellency Gov. Shirley. Camp, before Louisbourg, May 20, 1745. ... A French snow got into Louisbourg, some days ago, in the thick weather, she kept so close in with the eastern shore, that she was not discovered at the grand battery, till she had got round the light house point, we gave her all the fire we could from that battery immediately; but the enemy from the town and island battery, firing furiously on us there, to favour her entry,she got into anchor under the walls of the town ...
... 21: ... Another Attempt to attack the Island Battery but fell thro ...
Tuesday, 21. ... neither had the island battery fired a gun for several days ...
... Order'd to Carry Boats from our Landing place to the Grand Battry which was three Mile. which was the Hardest Service I've Ever Undergone in all my Life. (and So Said they all) but having a Prospect thereby to take the I-land Battry made Us Chearfully Endure our burden ...
Wed. May 22. ... An attack on Island Batt. intended, but failed ...
Superb off
Lewisbourg the Sir the prisoners
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Your To send the
plan for the Island Battery
... Thursday, 23. ... This day a great number of our men were busily employed in furnishing near fifty of our whale boats with paddles, ladders, &c.; and, about twelve o'clock, 500 men of the land army and marines embarked from on board the man-of-war, with a view of making them-selves masters of the island battery; but at that time there arose such a prodigious fog, that they could not see where to land, notwithstanding they were in the nut of the shore. When it began to clear up, they were obliged to draw off, though at that time there were but fourteen men in the island battery.
... 23d: Fine Fairweather this morning ... our men fited again for the Island Battery ...
... Thurs-Day the 23 Pleasant Day – this Night about Eight hundred of us went to Tak the Iseland [Island Battery] But our head officer Being a Couard we Rowd a Bout all Night and Never Landed – So Every man to his Tent we heard after ward that there was but 130 men of the French one the Iland that Night …
... 23: ... Another attempt on the Island Battery under Colonel [Arthur] Noble and Colonel [John] Gorham fell thru -- The Commodore sent 200 men Ashore to Assist ...
... Thursday 23 ... many atemps we have had For Taken ye Island Battre & Prove all abortive This night Colo Noble was ye over Seear of ye atack Soldiers Saild all Round ye Island but no Colo Boble To be Found For wantof an offercer ye Soldiers Return'd ...
Thursday, 23. ... This day a great number of our men were busily employed in furnishing near fifty of our whale boats with paddles, ladders, &c.; and, about twelve o'clock, 500 men of the land army and marines embarked from on board the man-of-war, with a view of making themselves masters of the island battery; but at that time there arose such a prodigious fog, that they could not see where to land, notwithstanding they were in the nut of the shore. When it began to clear up, they were obliged to draw off, though at that time there were but fourteen men in the island battery ......
Th. May 23. ... An attack on Isl. Batt. intended this night but failed ...
Superbe, off Louisbourg, the 26th May, 1745 ... Pray how came the island battery not to be attacked: please let me know ...
Lords Day May 26. Wd. S. W. Warm weathr. A.M. Cooll evening & foggy. This nt. an attack was made by [400] of our men commandd by Capt. [Edward?] Brooks on the Island Battery & were repulsed with ye loss of abt. 60 men killed & 112 captivated several of whom were wounded. In tghis action our men were undr much disadvantage. The surf runing high their arms, many of ym, were wett in the landing; the enemy having some intimation of their coming were well prepared to receice them, having yr canon charged with langrage which yr discharged on our Boats before yr could land & put them into much disorder & keept back a great part of those yt shd have landed, whereby those few that were landed were dispirited, & so, as many as could, after a firing of abt. an hour or two got off the Island & bro't to the camp the sorrowful news of yr defeat. By the sudden splitting of a bomb in our great morter it was unhappily broke this night, which added much to our heaviness. Now things look't something dark - but yet few or none discouraged ...
... This night we Made an Attempt for the Iland Battry. and wee have great Reason to be humble'd before God. who did not go before us to Prosper us but we were Smitten. Many were Kill'd, Some taken (A) Others Drowned, (b) Many, Wounded, (c) There appear'd A Great Concern the next morning thro'out The army Even in their Countenances for we Could not tell how many we had Lost. but Did Expect it to be a great Number. (A. Wee found in the Citty when it was Surrend'red into our hands One hundred and Sixteen Men that was taken At the I-land Battry. There was also three, if I Mistake not, that Died of wounds that they'd Receiv'd altho They Liv'd Some time. So the whole was 1-19). (b. One (Among the many) that was wounded was Nathaniell Redington Belonging to Goshen Listed Under Capt [Joseph] Miller He Receiv'd a Muskett Ball thro the flesh of his thigh but not Like to be mortal). (C: This I had from Mr. J -- Winchel who was an Eye Witness. That Just by them, there was a Boat Cut Asunder and all the men Drowned and although They Cried for help, in Such a Moving Manner As Lord Save Us Lord have Mercy on Us -- Dear Friends Come and help Us, etc. and tho they were in oar's Reach of 'em yet their own Boat. But it Did not Sink 'em. Nor Did they wound any of their Men He went ashore att the Light house Point and tarried til Morning where they found elevern (Drove Up) Dead Upon Shore and many was oblig'd to have their Limbs taken off, etc. and Said He; I would'ent be in the Dangers I was then in not one minnit for the whole world).
... 26 ... This Evening our men got Ready to go to the Island Battery being again Dark wether I got in Readiness, to give them a Salute on this Side Also at 12 at Night they Began the Attack and I gaue them what Diuertion I could with Round and Grape Shott ---
... After several Attempts to make an attach on the Island Battery with Boats by night a Detachment of about 400 men made an Attach on that Battery May 26th in the Night but were repulsed, with the Loss of about 60 and 116 Taken prisoners ...
... 26: ... This night an Attack was made upon the Island Battery by ----[about 400] men were repulsed with about 60 men killed and 112 taken. The Great Mortar Split ...
... Sabath Day the 26 … Smart firin to Day we Sopose to Tak the Iland Battery this Night and they went and they Landed A Bout 12 of the Clock at Night and the firin was as it ware a Continewall Blasé for A Bou 2 hours and Our Men that Was taken was 123 the French Say that they Kild 80 more …
... After many fruitless preparations for an Attack on the Island Battery, it was attempted on the 26th of May at night by a party of 400 Men, but from the Strength of the Olace, and the advantage the Enemy had of being under cover and our men exposed in open Boats, which a Musquett Ball would sink, the Surf running very high, and their not being thoroughly acquainted with the best place of landing, they were repulsed, with the loss of about Sixty killed and drowned and a hundred and Sixteen taken prisoners ...
... Sabathday May ye 26, 1745 This was a Fair Day: a Company of Volentiers Inlisted For another atack upon ye Island Battre all Tho there had ben 4 or 5 atempts For it Before & all Proved unsuscesFull; & Providence Seem'd not to Favour it; yet Some People ware Injaged To Try once more & This night Put it in Practis But now Providence Seemed Remarkable To Frown upon ye affair; our People ware Discovered by Those at ye Island Battre; Before they got on Shore: & ye Franch being Prepared with there Cannon Pointed Down To Strike ye Boats Just befor they Came on Shore Loaded with Chain & Parttridge Shot: & a great number of men with Small arms. as Soon as our People Came in Sight: with all ye Fury & Resolution Posable they Fired upon ym & Cut of whole boat Loads of ym: but in Spite of all their Fire, 4 or 5 boat Loads got on ye Island & Ingaged ym for near an houre by Firing grate numbers of Snall arms upon ym not above 3 or 4 Rods apart & by ye Light of their Fire Saw well To Shuty & Doutless Kill'd many many of them other boats grte number of them dehind not haveing a Pilat ware not able to git on Shore. Tried For a Long Time & in ye very heat of there Fire they Found yt they ware not able To Land Returned those of ym yt ware able as Fast as they Could To Land again -- Those yt had got on ye Island as many of ym as Cou'd git boats made yebest of there way of but many Left behind yt there was no boats for; So ware obliged To Fall into ye hands of there Enimies many Taken many kill'd & many Drownd & wounded ye number yet I Do not know it is Since Thought yt there is 150 in all ...
... Att ye Camp CapeBreton June: 4th 1745 ... what we have Lost in ye army I Fear is near 200 But I hope yt many of ym are in ye City; yt ware Taken att ye Islan Battre ...
... May 26 ... After many fruitless Preparations for an Attack on the Island Battery, it was attempted on the 26th of May, at Night, by a Party of Four Hundred Men. But, from the Strength of the Place, and the Advantage the Enemy had of being under Cover, and our Men exposed on open Boats, which a Musquet-ball would sink, the Surf running very high, and their not being thoroughly acquainted with the best Place of landing, they were repulsed, with the Loss of about Sixty kill'd and drowned, and an Hundred and Sixteen taken Prisoners ...
Camp, May 28th, 1745 ... That in this time we have made five unsuccessful attempts upon the island battery, in the last of which we lost about 189 men, and many of our boats were shot to pieces, and many of our men drowned before they could land ...
Monday, 27. ... At twelve o'clock our whale-boats were well fixed with ladders; and two hundred men at least, if not more, attempted to scale the walls of the island battery. The French discovered the same; and as soon as our boats came near to shore, the French fired their large cannon loaded with landgrage, which destroyed several of our boats as well as our men. Those that actually landed fought till sunrise, and then called for quarter. Out of the number that went to the island battery, 154 of our men were missing. By two that deserted from the French, we were informed that 118 of our men were taken and carried prisoners into the city; so that in that bold attempt we lost only six and thirty men. The French who were at that time in the battery, were between 300 and 400.
Monday May 27. ... 2 Men woundd. at Isl. Batt. br't to ye hospital. - ...
Superbe, off Louisbourg, the 29th May, 1745 ... Every body willallow, that the going in with the ships, before the taking the island battery, or reducing the circular or any other of the town batteries, will be a bold attempt where there is no retreat; it i9s therefore worthy of Englishmen; if the island battery was taken, it would be a much more reasonable one; but what can be, should be done, for the honor of his Majesty's arms. What is the reason, that though, many preparations have been made for attacking the island battery, no attempt has yet been made? The fault is somewhere, and time will discover it. The difficulty that attends a communication with you and the shipos, occasioned by fogs, gives me the greatest concern. I have now three days in fog ...
Camp, June 1st, 1745 ... The battery near the light house, Col. Gorham informs me, is almost completed, that there are three embrazures facing the island battery, and six facing the sea ...
Superbe, off Louisbourg, the 1st June, 1745. ... for God's sake, Sir, hasten the battery at the light house; I am told it will be of great service, in annoying the island one, the pilots and Mr. Loring thinking it impracticable for the ships to go til that battery can be silenced; if ships can lie against it, they shall. I long much to confer with you about it ...
Saturday, June 1. ... The Island battery did not fire a gun for several days together, and the city but a few ...
Sunday, 2. ... Last night we raised a great part of a new battery at the light-house. Two hundred men were at work upon it. The French at the island battery, when they saw it in the morning, were not only surprised, but so incensed at the progress our men had made, that they fired as fast as possible with their bombs and cannon upon them, and obliged them to draw off.One flanker of this battery fronts the sea, and the other is directly opposite to the island battery; so that we can sweep the platform of the island battery, and command all the shipping that goes in or comes out ...
Lords Day June 2 ... A battery order'd to be erected at the Lighthouse to annoy Island Battery, & any shipping of the enemy that might come into the harbour. C[apt.] Bush sent to land carrages for ye canon there ...
Superbe, Off Lewisbourg, the 3d June 1745 I sent Mr Louring in last night to hurry the landing of the cannon from Bush, and I long much to see them play on the Island Battery, as I believe it will have a good effect, both in annoying that and preventing any vessells getting in that may escape us by fogs or any other accidents ...
Boston, June 3, 1745 ... it shall be thought not adviseable for the ships to enter the harbour, weh I should think could not have been a question in the least had the Island Battery been taken ...
Camp, June 5th , 1745 ... Last night a French soldier deserted from the garrison to us, who informs me as folls, that there are in the town of Louisbourg and Island Battery 3,600 men that bear arms, 7 or 800 of weh are soldiers ... that 116 of our men were taken prisoners at the attack of the Island Battery ...
As the cape breton Expedition is at present the Subject of most Conversations, we hope the following Draught (rough as it is, for want of good Engravers here) will be acceptable to our Readers; as it may serve to give them an Idea of the Strength and Situation of the Town now besieged by our Forces, and render the News we receive from thence more intelligible. PLAN of the Town and Harbour of LOUISBURGH. 1. The Island Battery, at the Mouth of the Harbour, mounting 34 Guns, Pounders. This Battery can rake Ships fore and aft before they come to the Harbour's Mouth, and take them in the Side as they are passing in. ...
... Thurs Day the 6 fair Weather – this Day the gons is Drawn for the Lite house Batter the Nomber of the Gon is 10 (6 Plased to the Iseland Bat erre 4 to the See) Very Smart firin one our Sid But Little one theirs …
At a consultation held on board his Majesty's ship Superb, off Louisbourg, the 7th of June, 1745 ... The question being put, whether with the naval force we have now here, it is practicable, and advisable to go into the harbour of Louisbourg, and attack the town and fortresses, without the island battery being first taken, considering the assistance proposed to be given by the land forces, by General Pepperell's plan, dated the 26th of May last. After having examined the pilots, and the draughts of the harbour, and considering the distance the ships must lie from several batteries, and that there is no material damage done to any of them by our troops, and the difficulty of bringing our ships to pass, and after they are brought to pass, they must then leave the island battery, consisting of thirty-five, twenty-four, and thirty-eight pounders in their rear, and in case they do not succeed in their attempt on the town, the little probability of the ships ever getting out again. We therefore are unanimously of opinion that it is not practicable, or adviseable to attack the town, without the island battery first being taken. The question then being put, whether the island batterat may is to be attacked, and in what manner? It was resolved, after having examined the pilots, already on board his Majesty's ships, who declare that they do not know how near ships can be carried to the battery, therefore decline taking charge of them; that if proper pilots can be found who will take charge, and anchor the ships within half a cable's length of the island battery, so as not to exposed to the fire of the town, and further, if the General will supply us with proper officers, and five hundred men in the whale boats, to be sent on board the Commodore, and to land when he shall think proper to attack the island battery under the protection of the ships that have been a battering, we will then use our endeavours to attempt it as soon as the wind and weather will permit ...
Camp, June 8th, 1745 ... Your favours per Col. M'Donald, I received, with a copy of the opinion of the Commanders of his Majesty's ships of the squadron relating to attacking the town and island battery; since the experience we have had of the strength of the island battery, with the great difficulty of landing, and the reason we have to think the enemy will be still transporting themselves there, I cannot think it adviseable to attempt it again in whale boats, which a few musket balls will sink. The circumstances of the army do not allow of our coming into more vigorous measures at present than were proposed in our plan of May 25th ... If you continue in the opinion, that it is not adviseable to go in with the ships, we shall continue to make what further progress we can with our batteries, hope very soon to have our battery near the light house completed, to annoy the island battery, and if some of your ships should attack it on the outside, itmight be attended with good success, and at all events, your ships would be sure of a retreat. We have pilots that will undertake to anchor the ships near it, if you should think fit ...
... Monday June 10: a Fair Day ... a man Kill'd this Day from ye Island battre att ye light House Battre Shot through with a Cannon bawl This Day began To Fire From ye Light house Battre at ye Island battre with a gun From ye Citty & From ye Island Franch Fir'd gratly wounded only 2 men & them but Slitly ...
... Mon Day the 10 fair weather … the Lite house Plays Smartly att the Iland Battere which Damnifies them Very much … [Louis Effingham de Forest, Louisbourg Journals 1745, “Sixth Journal” (New York, Society of Colonial Wars, 1932), p. 90]
Monday, 10. This day our new battery at the light-house played with three pieces against the island battery. Our south planker swept the west platform, so that they could not load their cannon. The French would have jumped out of the ambuseers into the sea; but when they found we had but three guns mounted, they fired bombs and shot as fast as possibly they dared to load, from the north flanker. It was all to no purpose, however; for we beat down part of their garrison house.......
Superbe, off Lewisbourg, the 10 June, 1745 ... In the time till all our ships do arrive it will no doubt be very proper to annoy the Island Battery as much as possible from the light house, and the Circular Battery from any other you have most convenient for that purpose ...
Monday. June 10. ... The Light House Batterry began to play. One of our men there killed by a cannon from Island Battery ...
... Tuesday June 11 (d) ... We have made a Battry at the Light House Point to Play Upon the I-land Battry. We had one man Kill'd there this Day.
... [June] 11th -- The Battery at the Light house point began to play on the Island Battery with good success ...
... It [ships Chester, Comodore, Canterbury, Sunderland and Lark] being of the utmost consequence to be Masters of the Island Battery (The Island Battery is a strong Fort at the entrance into the Harbour, mounted with thirty eight Pounders, and seven Swivels, having two Brass ten Inch Mortars, and garrisoned with 180 Men) and after the last Attempt tyhought impracticable to reduce it by Boats, it was determined to erect a Battery near the Light House opposite to it which would be 3400 feet distant and in such a manner, as to be opposed to the Fire of but but Four of the Enemy's Guns, and at the same time to Flank a line of above twenty of their Guns, which notwithstanding the almost insuperable difficulties that attended it was happily effected, and two Eighteen Pounders mounted the 11th of June and by the 14th four more sustained by three hundred and twenty Men ...
Tuesday, 11. ... Though the French at the island battery fired bombs and shot in the morning as fast as possibly they could, yet they did no manner of damage ...
Tuesday June 11. ... A smart fireing from L. House Battery to Island Battery ... Went to G. Battery & viewed the city & Island Battery with glass ...
... when the Mortar began to play from the Light House Battery upon the Island Battery, out of nineteen Shells seventeen fell within the Fort and one of them upon the Magazine, which together with the Fire from the Cannon to which the enemy was very much exposed, they having little to shelter them from the Shot that ranged thro' their Barracks, so terrified them that many of them left the post and run into the water for refuge ...
... Boston, July 8 ... and the new Battery at the Light-House side has with our Cannon and a large Mortar plaid so incessantly and warmly on the Island Battery, that Numbers of the French abandon'd it and ran down into the Sea to avoid the Fire ...
... August 5, 1745 ... and as the Island Battery, which stands on a Rock in the Sea at the Harbour's Mouth, and guards the Entrance of it, (and which a Party of our Men had in vain attempted to take it by Storm, in their Whale Boats) was a Place of great Consequence, our Troops rais'd a Battery on the opposite Shore near the Enemy's Light House, which, considering the steepness and difficulty of the Ground, over which the Artillery was carry'd and the Short Time wherein it was made, was a very extraordinary One, and from which the Execution done by our Cannon and Mortars was so great, that the first Day's Fire made the Enemy forsake their Guns, and drove several of them into the Sea for Shelter ...
1745 - [JUNE 11 - JUNE 15] ... June 11. - 14. ... It being of the utmost Consequence to be Masters of the *Island Battery, and, after the last last [sic] attempt, thought impracticable to reduce it by Boats, it was determined to erect a Battery near the Light-House, opposite to it, which would be Three Thousand Four Hundred Feet distant; and in such Manner as to be opposed to the Fire of but Four of the Enemy's Guns; and at the same Time to flank a Line of above Twenty of their Guns. Which, notwithstanding the almost insuperaqble + Difficulties that attended it, was happily effected, and Two Eighteen-pounders mounted the 11th of June, and by the 14th Four more; sustained by Three Hundred and Twenty Men ... * The Island Battery is a strong Fort at the Entrance of the Harbour, mounted with Thirty Twenty-eight-pounders, and Seven Swivels, having Two Brass Ten-inch Mortars, and garrison'd with an Hundred and Eighty Men ... The large Mortar was ordered to the Light-House Battery: And a new Supply of Powder arriving, the Fire was more fierce from this Time to the 15th than ever. ... -- 15. ... When the Mortar began to play from the Light-House Battery, upon the Island Battery, out of Nineteen Shells, Seventeen fell within the Fort, and one of them upon the Magazine; which together with the Fire from the Cannon, to which the Enemy was very much expos'd, they having but little to shelter them from the Shot, that ranged quite through their Barracks, so terrified them, that manyof them left the Fort, and ran into the Water for Refuge. The Grand Battery being in our Possession; the Island Battery being so much hurt by the Light-House Battery ...
... Grand Battery, June 12th , 1745 ... I assure yr Honour that a good battery with ten cannon at that place will prevent the French rascals at the Island Battery from peeping above their parapet. Nature has half done the work. The situation and the slope of the rocks are such that you wou'd be pleased to see. Yesterday I waited upon Brigadier Waldo there and throwed about one dz. shot right into the Island Battery, but one shot missing. Monsieur grew silent ... Some country fellows that was in that shallop, when she was one night passing ye Island Battery upon the appearing of a light there throwed down their oars & wou'd not pull until a cloud covered the moon, when one of them took courage, and s'd Providence had created that cloud to cover them ...
... and the large Mortar was removed to the Light house to play on the Island Battery whilst the Ships passed. ---
Thursday, 13. ... Though the island battery fired twenty odd bombs and shot likewise against our light-house battery, yet they did no damage. Our bombs and shot, on the other hand, did considerable execution ...
... Light House Battrey, June 13 , 1745. ... This coms to aquaint your Honour that we shall be fullfilling your Honour's order about the men to goe on board the men of warr and fixing whale boats up. As for shallops they are none near this battrey, and Brigdr Waldo wrights he will take ye cair of the shallops, and as for the men's names that dyed here, that was killed att the Island Battrey, it was impossible we could know the men ... P.S. Ye too men is dyed in this house from the Island Battry belonged to Coll. Richmond's regiment ...
Friday, 14. Last night the large mortar from Boston was conveyed to the light-house battery, which played against the island battery seven pieces of ordnance, and one mortar, which beat down not only the end of the garrison, but all the chimneys and part of the roof; as also the north ambuseers, and dismounted several guns. When the French saw a bomb coming, they would jump out of the ambuseers into the sea. As the city was highly disgusted at this battery, they fired forty-six bombs and as many shot ...
... A Gentleman in Halifax writes his Friend here on the 20th ult. That the Defiance Man of War had come in that Day from Louisbourg, which Place she left the 15th when our Batteries had begun to play upon the Town and island Battery ...
... A fair pleasant day Commodore Warren came on shore our regiment with other regiments in the camp mustered in regimental order Commodore Warren made a fine speech to the army and marched through together with the general and some other gentlemen and agreed with the general and publicly with the whole army that as soon as the wind and weather should favour; he with all his ships should go into the harbour engage the Island Battery and the city: we upon the land with all our forces at the same time should engage them with all our artillery and scaling ladders ...
... Satter Day the 15 fair weather – this Day one man Kild by a Bom that the french houe from Iland Batterre and this day we got a mortar of 14 Inches that tore them to Peases Very Fast In So much that the French See It on the battere Plaid and houe the Shipps was Reade to Weight upon them and hou the matter would Go with them So a Bout 4 of the Clock In the after None they Sent out a flegg of Truse But Nothing Don so they are to Com out att Eight of the Clock to morrow morning …
...and on the 16th our Battery raised against the Island Battery having made the severe Fire beforementioned, and at the same time a most fierce Fire having been made from our other Batteries upon the City, the Enemy were distressed to that Degree that they could not shew their Heads, not stir from their covered Ways, and having but 44 Barrels of Powder left in their Magazine within the City, they beat a Parley, and thereupon sent out a Flag of Truce, which came to the Camp just after the General and Commodore had come to a Resolution to make a general Assault by Land and Sea the Day following, and an Agreement to surrender the City on the Terms aforemention'd was soon made, and happily for both Parties; for although considering our Strength by Sea and Land, and the Gallantry of our Countrymen, of which the Enemy had had large Experience, the Issue of the General Assault must in all probability have been in our Favour, yet many Lives must have been lost on both Sides. -- ....
... That as a Security for the punctual Per=formance of the Same, The Island Battery or One of the Batteries of the Town shall be delivered together with the Artillery and War like Stores thereunto belonging, into the possession of his Brittannic Majesty's Troops, before Six of the Clock this Afternoon ...
Camp before Louisbourg, June 16, 1745 ... Second That as a Security for the punctual performance of the same the island Battery or one of the Batteries of the town shall be delivered together with all the artillery & warlike stores thereunto belonging into the possession of his Brittannic Majestys troops at six o'clock this afternoon ... Camp before Louisbourg, June 16, 1745 ... I have yours by an hostage signifying your consent to the surrender of the town & fortresses of Louisbourg ... & have sent to Commodore Warren that if he consents to it also he should send a detachment on shore to take possession of the island Battery ...
… Camp before Louisbourg June 16, 1745 … the Several Articles of Capitulation … First … 2 That as a Security for the Punctual Performance of the Same the I-land Battry or one of the Battries of the Town Shall be Delivered with all the Artillary and war-like Stores thereunto to belonging into the Possession of His Brittannic Majesties troops this afternoon …
... The Grand Battery being in our possession, the Island Battery being so much annoyed by the Light House Battery ...
Superbe, off Louisbourg, the 16th June, 1745 ... I find you have got an hostage, I have another, and have sent Capt. Durell to the Governor in his room, and at day light propose to send men to take possession of the island battery ...
... -- That they have erected a considerable Battery, consisting partly of the New York Cannon, and other Cannon of the Enemy's of the same Weight, carrying 18 Pound Shot, on the Light House Point, which will serve both to annoy the Island Battery, and defend the Entrance of the Harbour against any Ships; so that with the Royal Battery, we have now a superior Strength of Batteries of their Ships. --- ... ... --- Also, that since our last Advices, a Party of between 3 and 400 of our Land Forces in Boats, made an Attempt to Surprize the Island Battery by Night, but being discovered by the Enemy, and the Surf of the Sea running high, which made their Landing very difficult, they were repulsed with the Loss of about 170 Men, who were partly drown'd, and partly kill'd and taken by the Enemy; but that it was expected an Attack would soon be made upon it by our Ships, and from our new Battery on the Light-house Point, which we have the greatest Reason to hope will succeed. -- ... ... That Colds are pretty frequent among the Land Forces, but none dangerously ill, and very few kill'd or wounded among 'em except those upon the before mentioned Attempt on the Island Battery: ...
... about 400 Voluntiers out of the Land Forces had made an unsuccessful Attempt in whale Boats upon the Enemys Island Battery in which they lost near 200 men drowned killed or taken prisoners ...
... Mon Day the 17 Looks Like Rain – this Day a Bout Eight of the Clock, In the Morning the French flegg was Taken Down and the Inglish Put up all our Battere fired Grand Battery 17 Titcombs: 6: the Comandors Battere the 5 guns: the Iscland Batterre 16 and Brooks Batter 5 Gons all these Batteries fird twise Round and a Bout 3 of the Clock the Comandore Came to an ancor in the harbour and our Shipps and all our Small Craft 50 Barrels of Poud [powder] was found att the Island Batre 20 in the Sitte and …
Louisbourg, the 17th June, 1745. Sir I came ashore to the island battery, and from thence to town, in order to settle matters relating to the capitulation as soon as possible ...
Monday, 17. This day the French flag was struck, and the English one hoisted up in its place at the island battery. We took possession early in the morning ...
... and as the Island Battery, which stands on a Rock in the Sea at the Harbour's Mouth, and guards the Entrance of it (which a Party of our Men had in vain attempted to take by Storm, in their Whale-Boats) was a Place of great Consequence, our Troops rais'd a Battery on the opposite Shore near the Enemy's Light House, which considering the Steepness and Difficulty of the Ground, over which the Artillery was carry'd, and the short Time wherein it was made, was a very extraordinary One, and from which the Execution done by our Cannon and Mortars was so great, that the first Day's Fire made the Enemy forsake their Guns, and drove several of 'em into the Sea for Shelter.--- ...
June 18, 1745, in Louisbourg. ... But heaven has given us an easier victory than that might probably have been; we have not lost above one hundred men by the enemy in this vast endeavour, including the disaster at the island battery ... as we gave the town about nine thousand cannon ball and six hundred bombs, before they surrendered, which sorely distressed them, especially the day before they sent out a flag of truce; when we kept such a constant fire on the town from our batteries, that the enemy could not show their heads, nor stir from their covered ways; and at the same time from our battery near the light house played on the island battery with our cannon, and large mortar, that they were ready to run into the sea for shelter which (it is said) some of them actually did ...
... Extract of a Letter from an Officer of Note, dated Louisbourg, June 18, 1745. ... --- 11 Men of War, and all our Transports, into this Harbour, and the Embarkation of this and the Island Battery Garrisons, consisting of about 550 Men, French and Swiss, aboard the several King's Ships. There yet remains in this City about 1500 Men, Youths, called Soldiers, which must needs be sent to Boston, where, or in it Neighbourhood, hope they'll become good Settlers. 'Tis determined that they embark on Monday next at farthest ... ...
June Wednsd 19 fair. ... I Stayed there till the Post came who brot news that our forces at Cape Breton hath been Defeated in an Enterprize agst the Island Battery there & had Lost 170 men, killd Drowned & takn. I Came home with the Post. got over in the Evening, & wee have the accot of the Death of Majr Israiel Newton of Colchester & Isrl Dodge of N. L. North parish at Cape Breton by Sickness, ...
... A Letter from one of the Chaplains in the Army dated Louisburg, June 19 ... those that were killed by and drowned in the unfortunate Attempt on the Island Battery ... We found, when we came into the City, about 150 of our People taken at the Island Battery ...
Wednesday June 19. ... 2 Brass mortars at Iland Batt. ...
... Advized, that whereas many breaches are made in the walls and buildings of the town and batteries of Louisbourg by our artillery, and the Circular Battery, which did very much command the harbour, is render'd intirely useless without repair, and as the summer is the only season that such works can be effected here, the walls, citadell, hospital, magazines, king's storehouses, and all other the king's buildings, also the batteries of the town, and the Grand and Island Batteries be repaired ...
.... That
the Commodore having compleated a Plan of Operation, the Commanders of the Men
of War had come to a Resolution to go into the Harbour, as soon as the other two
60 Gun Ships had joined them, which was every Moment expected, to attack the
Town and Island Battery with their Ships, while the Army assaulted the Town by
Land, and that they were preparing the Ships for that Service, as also a Number
of Schooners to row like Galleys, to tow any of the Ships off that may happen to
be disabled. We have also the Pleasure to know, that of the Number of our Men reported to have been drowned in the last Attempt to land on the Island Battery, 116 were prisoners of War; and that our Forces were yet at Sea and Land in good Spirits, and, considering their Number, in extraordinary Health; very few or none having died with Sickness, and not so many killed or wounded by many, as might, from the near Approaches and Skirmishes of our People, have been expected. ....
1745 - JUNE 26
... [List] of guns & Mortars mounted in the Town, the Grand & Island Battery, with the Number of Shott & shells of each Nature remaining as also of the Powder found in the Place, 17th June 1745 ...
List of Guns and Mortars mounted in the Town, the Grand Battery and Island Battery with the Number of Shot and Shells of each Nature Remaining as also of the Powder found in the Place & By J. H. Bastide Enginr. in Ordinary ...
Estat de la partie attaquée de la Ville de Louisbourg Isle Royalle sur La Demande qui á eté faitte a M. Verrier Ingenieur en Chef par M. Duchambon Lieutenant de Roy Commandant de la Isle... La Batterie de Lisle de Lentree du port est Battu par une Batterie de l'ennemy de Sept Canons et dun mortier Etably a Latour de La lenterne, Laquelle Batterie fait a Louisbourg Ce 26e January 1745 # de Lennemy Commande Celle de Lisle qui ne peut luy opposer que trois pieces de Canon ...
... La Batterie de Lisle de L'entrée, étant Battû par une Batterie Etablie a Latour de la Lenterne, de Sept pieces de Canon de dix huit et dun Mortier ...
... Nous Chev de Lordre militaire de St Louis Lieutenant de Roy Commandant de Isle Royalle et Isle [A djrecemler?] Comme La Batterie de Lisle de lentrée du port doit etre remise aupouvoir a mr Pierre Warren Ecuyer Commandant Lescadre des Vaisseaux de guerre des M. Britanique Conformement Aux articles de Capitulation que nous Avons ait avec Luy pour La Redition de la ville et forteresses de Louisbourg Il est ordonné a mr Degannes Capitaine de Compagnie de Cette Garnison Commandant lad Batterie de Lisle de Lentrée de Rémetre aux Officiers envoyer de la part de mond Sr. Warren La d Isle de lentrée avec son Artillerie et Munitions de guerre et Vous cetireres pour Lors a la ville avec votre trouppe et les habitants avec armes et Bagage Vous faire faire un Inventaire des vivres et Boissons qui sont dans Les magasins et Vous Les Laisseres A la garde du Commis qui les delivera a mesure quon enveyera Les chercher ....
... A Letter from one of the Chaplains in the Army, dated Louisburg, June 19. ... ...The next Day the Commodore sent 2 or 3 Companies of Marines to take Possession of the Island Battery, and then came into the Harbour with his Ships, the Wind favouring, and about 6 o'Clock the General and Gentlemen on Shore entered the City, two Regiments of Foot marching before him; at which Time I also came in; and we are now in Possession rejoicing. --- ... - All that have been kill'd by the Savages and French on Scouts, those that were killed by and drowned in the unfortunate Attempt on the Island Battery, and those that have been kill'd by the Enemy's small and great Shot from the Town; and lastly, those that have lost their Lives by the unhappy splitting of some of our Cannon, and our large 12 Inch Mortar, does not amount to but about 150. We found, when we came into the City, about 150 of our People taken at the Island Battery. The Time of our Siege, from the time we landed till the City was delivered up to us, was 6 Weeks and 5 Days, We have lost few, very few by Sickness." ...
Abstract of the Amount of the repairs [?] to The Fortifications Batterys and Publick [?] of the Town of Louisbourg, on the Island of Cape Bretton Surrendered by capitulation the 17th June 1745 to Commodore Warren and Lieutt. general Pepperel ... by J H Bastide. ... The Island Battery Repairing the
Embrasures, making new chimney }
Etat concernant l'artillerie apartenant au Roy - Reste dans la Batterie de Lisle de LEntree a Louisbourg, lors de la Redition de cette place Le 1e julliet 1745.
28 Canons du
Calibre de 24 montée
1 Mortier
de 9 pouces a Tourillon montez }
448 Boulets
du Calibre de 24
17 Bombes de 9 pouces
2574 £ de poudre de guerre Ustanciles 28
Esconcillons de 24
… Monday July 1. I went to See the I-land Battry. I found it very Strong it’s forty rods Long it – Mounts thirty Guns (24 Poundrs) and is Excellently Situated to Defend the Harbour. (but a further Description afterwards) ...
… Tuesday 2 Our men taken at the I-land, Battery (who was Kept’d in the Citty.) ...
... There is likewise a very grand battery, directly opposite to the mouth of the harbor, the ordnance whereof consists of above thirty pieces of cannon, all forty-two pounders. The Island Battery, moreover, which is planted at the mouth of the harbor, is of equal strength and force ... Dated July 3, 1745, in Louisbourg Harbor, on board the Speedwell, bound for France with French inhabitants ...
… 4 Thursday …A few of our Company went out into the Harbour to fishing - Where they See two men (which Doubtless were Kill’d at the I-land Battry) floating in the water one had his head took off He had a Wescoat Butten’d about Him. The Other was Naked . His flesh Was Much Bruised of against the Rocks or Else Eat by the fish. Who they are is not known …
The prodigious labour & fatigue of our men occasioned many of them to fall sick so that we had once fifteen hundred incapable of service, but few have died, and we have not in this vast entreprize lost above one hundred men by the enemy, about sixty of which were at an attempt made upon the Island Battery ... The enemy, held out against a close siege of forty-nine days, in which we gave them from our fascine batteries and the Grand Battery, which they deserted on our arrival, upwards of nine thousand cannon balls and about six hundred bombs, which made the place toohot to stir in, especially after we got a battery opposite to the Island Battery, from whence we play'd on it with good success ...
… Saterday 6 … This Day Mr. Hauley [Rev. Joseph Hawley] went to Live at the I-land Battery in the P.M. Lieut. [Ebenezer] Alexander Lieut. Mun [John Man] and my Self – Went to See the I-land Battery and also the Light House a Description of which I Design to give afterwards …
... Sabath ... For I heard Mr. Williams was to Preach there; But he was gon it was Said to ye grand Battree I went there they was not there & then To ye Island Battry & they was not there ...
.... play'd so incessantly and warmly on the Island Battery, that Numbers of the French abandoned it, and ran down into the Sea, to avoid the Fire: ....
... Thurs ye number of ye Cannon in ye ... 2 18 Pounder att ye Island Battry 34 31 of ym 2-8 Pounders & morters at ye Island ...
... Extract of a Letter from Louisburg, dated July 4 ... ... Underneath is an Account of the Guns and Ammunition found in the several Batteries, viz.... In the Island Battery, 34 Embrazures, 30 Cannon, 2 Brass Mortars ...
... Sabath Day July ye 15: 1745 ...Prepareing to Sail ... we Saild By ye Island battry about 7 of ye Clock ...
... Boston, June 3 ... We further have sure Intelligence, that our People, in reconnoitering the Harbour, Shores, etc. had discovered a Number of Cannon on the Lighthouse Side of the Harbour, in the Water just below Low-water Mark; which it is supposed were designed fro a Battery to be built at the Lighthouse this Year; but upon Discovery of our fleet, tumbled down the Precipice into the sea,to prevent their falling into our Hands; but that notwithstanding they were exposed to the Island-Battery, our People had weighed and got up most of them ....
Boston, July 29, 1745. ... I hope care will be taken yt upon my entrance into the harbour I am properly saluted by the batteries, I mean the Island Battery particularly, as I am by the gunns of Castle William: otherwise it will occasion uneasiness, which it is certainly in your power to prevent, as the guard of the Island Battery, I understand, consists of our own troops, whom you may give proper orders to, least there should be any mistake ....
PLAN
OF ISLAND BATTERY
1 Fronting
mouth of harbour: 22 embrasures; 21 guns, 36 and 48 pounders.
... 27 ... as I came home Saw -- the two men of warr -- belonging to the commodore -- endeavouring to get into the Harbour, but they were obligd to ly by -- beyond the island Battery ...
... Satt 3d att the mouth of the Harbour all night By Reason as I conclude was the unskillfullness of the mariner they could not open the harbour and as Bright a moon Shine night as Ever I saw we Lay in sight of the Light House and Iland Batry and the Grand Batery – the Light and House the [----?] Note the Grand Batery as we Lay in the mouth of the Harbour was Right the Head of us the Island Batery att the Larboard Side the Light house att the Starboard Side of us the City att the Larboard of us -- …
… Tusd 6th … went to Commodore warren and got a Boate and in the atternoon I with 2 of my comerads went aboard the Cantebury and Brought the Boat a Shore – and P M went over to the Island Battery which was to my admiration for strength to the city is very Strong all most Beyond the conception of a Strainger that never se it
... Extract of a Latter from a Sea Office at Louisburg, August 6. ... We have Advice from Louisburg, that about a Fortnight ago, as Capt. Sherburne in a fine large Schooner was turning out of the Harbour, the Wind very high, the Vessel miss'd Stays, and was stove to Pieces against the Rocks near the Island Battery, but the Men were taken up by the Men of War's Boats....
... 9 … this day capt: Shearbarns scoonr run ashore, on the island Battery point …
… Sat 10 – this Day Clouday and a Strong East wind – So mighty and Stiff that a Schooner Intending for new England that beteewn the Light House and the Island Batery She Stove against the Rocks But Whith the Loss of no man But only the vessel …
… 12 Monday Lieut. Mun [John Man] and I finish’d Measuring the Citty Height of the walls Thickness Bigness also with many other Circumstances, as also the Grand Battry, I-land Battery and Light House and also the Road from the Grand Battry Down to the Citty …
Tuesday Augt. 13. ... P.M. went wth. the Governour to the Light House and viewed Colo. Gorhams French & Fascine Battery, which played advantagiously upon the Island Battery, as also did our great mortar wch. was planted near the Lighthouse ...
… 22 Thursday His Excellency went to See the I-land which Saluted Him as the Grand Battry Did while the Enseigns were all Displac’d etc. ---
Thursday Augt. 22 ... P.M. [His Excellency] viewed the Iland Battery & was saluted by dish of the cannon at his landing there & at his departure ...
... Aug: 29, 1745 … on Aug: 24, when a French privateer Sloop came just to the island Battery – but seeing English colours – stood of --- and made to the east …
… Tuesday 27 A Vessel Going out of the Harbour – after wood was Driven by the wind against the Rocks at the I-land Battry. Which Stove it So that it Sunk No Lives were Lost …
... ils ont fait rembarquer la Majeur partie des trouppes reglés qui sont partis Sur les Vaisseaux par le general Warren a fait sortir il y avoit Lors de mon depart prés de cinq mils hommes de Milisses dans la place com[pris] les Sauvages, la Batterie Royalle et celle [de] l'Isle de l'Entrée etoient garnis ...
... 29 … the day is foggy – severall Gunns, have been heard of in the offing, which have been answerd – from the island Battery …
... 7 ... Suddenly. Last night Capt: [James] Stevens dyd -- at the island Battery -- a valuable man belongd -- to Salisbury -- ...
... 12 … one march of New-Berry that was woundd at the island Battery dyd …
… 13 Friday … P.M: His Excellency and Commodore Warren, with many other Gentlemen (and all the Ladies which Came Down with the Governour etc.) went to See the Grand Battry which Fir’d 17 Cannon at their Arrival and the Same Number at their Departure. From there they went to the I-land Battry which Fir’d as the Grand Battry Did it being A Very Clear air it made the (Very) Citty to tremble, which gave me an Idea How the french felt in the time of Our Siege --- …
... Tusd 17 ... Clear the wind west and the Governer and Comodore and there Ladyes and other Grete men and Ladyes went to the Grand Battery and the Island Battery so Se it and ther was Fired 17 40 Pounders att the Grand Battery and 17 --- Att the Island Battere --- ...
J'ay Reçu la lettre que vôtre Grandeur m'a fait l'honneur de m'escrire le 14. de ce mois par lequelle, Elle m'ordonne de L'Informer de la Conduitte que Chaque Officier à tenû dans le Courant des Operations du Siege. J'ay Eu déja l'honneur devous rendre Compte delaction de la Batterie de L'islot, pendant que M. Daillebout Commandoit Chambon avoit Reçeu dans cette action une balle dans Lene, dont touts la partie fut trés Murtrie, Son Couteau de Chasse ayant amorty le Coup, ce Coup á êté Si violet qu'il á êté rompû, les Chirurgiens ont êté obligés de luy mettre un bangage, cela ne l'Empêcha pas de restier sur la Batterie jusques à la fin del'action, il S'est par faitement distingué, ainsy que le S. Eurry Delaperelle Enseigne en Second qui S'est bien presenté, C'est le Compte que m'en á rendû led. S. Daillebout; Et celuy cy mécrivit le 11e. Juin qu'il avoit une grosse Cievre et les Reins Entrepris, Et meprioit de le faire Relever pour Se faire traitter en Ville. J'avoit donné des avant le Siege le Commandement de la piece de la Grave á M. Degannes, et le 12e. Juin je le fis passer à lad. Batterie de L'islot, avec Sa Compagnie, pour relever M. Daillebout et Sa Compagnie, Mrs. Daillebout et Chambon êtant malade á l'hopital dans une Casematte qui fut destiné pour les officiers blessés, Je fis passer deux officiers á cette Compagnie, Mais le 6e. jour, ces officiers êtant un peu Retablir J'Envoyé M. Dailleboust á la teste de la Sienne á la piece de la Grave, et Chambon á celle de Thierry au Bastion Dauphin, M. Degannes á resté á la Batterie de Lislot jusques au 27e. Juin, quelle à êté Rendue, il á pas faittement bien Soutenû le grand feu de la Batterie de Sept pieces de Canon de 18. Et d'un mortier de 12 pouces Etabli par les Ennemis à la Tour, Cette Batterie êtoit á Couvert de Celle de L'Islot, par un Rocher qui Commande M. Degannes n'avoit que trois Canons á tirer Sur l'Ennemy, il á Eu pendant Son Se jour tout le feu de Lennemy, excepté celuy de l'attaque du 7e Juin, on luy á demonté deux pieces de Canon, plusieurs Embrasures detruittes, ainsy qu'une partie des Cazernes, le petit magasin, et la Boulangerie, le quelle il á fallû blinder par la Suitte, de Charpente, les Srs. de Pensens Lieutenant et Bellemont Enseigne en pied, et St. Agne Enseigne en Second etoients à lad. Batterie ... Le S. Thiery Capitaine eut le poste du Bastion Dauphin, le S. Souvigny qui à êté tué êtoit Son Enseigne en Second, Je fis passer le S. De Coux Lieutenant de Daillebout, Et le S. St. Agne Enseigne de Degannes à ce poste manquant d'officier ...
... 5 … this day dyd one Totman, of Brigadier [Joseph] dwights – regiment --- he belongd – to plimouth, and two men from the island Battery …
... Nextly of the I-land Battry. it's North East and by North, of the City about 3 Quarters of a Mile Distance Between it and the City there is a range of Rocks. So that no Vessel Can Come Between it and the City The I-land I Suppose to Be an Entire Rock Containing About 2 acres and a half the fort is 42 Rods Long the wall made of stone etc. only the top of it about 2 feet thick is of English Turff. (as are all the Walls I've Mentioned. Except where I Said plank'd) this was also plank'd Inside and out, tho' not the top. The wall is in Height 10 feet. about 8 feet Thick. It Mounts 31 cannon 24 Pounders. there is two Brass Mortars. and one. has a Sollid-Brass-Bed-or Platform-Cast with it, So that it's one with the Morter. The Barracks are twenty Rods long, and about thirty feet wide. there's a well also inside the fort (as there is also at the Grand Battery) it was Built AD: 1728 -- Last – I shall give Some Description of the Light House. And it is about three Quarters of a Mile Northward and somewhat Eastward of the I-land Battry … Note. When I Speak of the Point, the Grand – Battry Lies from the City. And of the I-land – Battry etc. …
Louisbourg, October 28, 1745. ... ... That the next morning, being the 3d of May, a party of about fifteen or sixteen of our men discovered that the enemy had abandoned the grand battery, and drove off a party of them, which attempted to re-land that morning in boats, That notwithstanding an incessant fire from the enemy's cannon and mortars in the town, at the distance of 5913 feet from it, and, from the island battery, at the distance of 4800 feet, our troops, by the next day, cleared 3 of the cannon in the grand battery, which pointed against the town, and returned their fire upon the enemy there, and also from other of the guns, which pitted against the island battery, and were, by degrees, unspik'd in a few days ... The most advanced of our 5 batteries, which was finished on the 17th of May, was within the distance of 250 yards from the west gate of the town; so that from this battery several of the enemy were killed by our musketry, as were of our men of the enemy's from the walls; and indeed this battery was so near the enemy's works, that our men were obliged to load the cannon there under the fire of their musketry, which was very sharp on both sides, the enemy generally opening the action every morning with the fire of their small arms upon this battery for two hours, which was constantly returned with advantage on our side. The execution done from these, and the grand battery, was very considerable: The west gate was intirely beat down, the wall adjoining very much battered, and a breach made in it at about 10 feet from the bottom of the wall. The circular battery, of 16 cannon, 24 pounders, near the west gate (and the principal one against ships next to the grand battery, and island battery) was almost intirely ruined, and all the cannon but three dismounted ... And besides this, the fire from the grand battery damaged also the barracks of the island battery ... That on the 26th of May, after some ineffectual preparations for making an attack upon the enemy's Island battery, which is a strong fort built on a rocky island, at the Entrance into the harbour, mounted with 30 cannon of 28 lb. shot, and having several swivel guns upon its breast-work, and two brass 10 inch mortars, and 180 men, it was at night attempted by a party of 400 of our men in boats; but from the strength of the place, and the advantage which the enemy had by being under cover, and our men exposed in open boats, the surf running high, our men not being thoroughly acquainted with the best place for landing, and the enemy besides (as is most probably) being apprized of their design, they were repulsed with the loss of having about 60 killed and drowned, and 116 taken prisoners; yet under these disadvantages several of them advanced within the enemy's battery, and maintained a fight with them for some time before they surrendered, and killed some of them: That it being judged of the most Consequence to make ourselves masters of the Island battery, as it was thought extremely dangerous for his Majesty's ships to have entered the harbour till the enemy could be annoyed in that battery; and it being after the last attempt thought impracticable to reduce it by boats, it was determined to erect a battery near the Light house opposite to it, at 3400 feet distance from it; and the same was, by the 11th of June, notwithstanding the almost insuperable difficulties, which attended the drawing of the cannon up a steep bank and rock, raised in such a manner, as not to be exposed to more than four of the enemy's cannon, and at the same time to flank a line of above 20 of their guns, and two eighteen pounders were on that day mounted, and began to play, and by the 14th of June, four more cannon of eighteen pound shot were added, and on the 15th, a mortar of 13 inches diameter was removed thither, out of which 19 bombs were thrown, 17 whereof fell within the Island battery, and one of them upon the magazine; and this together with the fire from our cannon, to which the enemy was very much exposed, they having but little to shelter them from the shot, which ranged quite through their line of barracks, so terrified them, that many of them left the fort, and ran to the water for refuge. And now, the Grand Battery being in our possession, the Island battery (esteemed by the French the Pailadium of Louisbourg) so much annoyed from the Light-house battery, that they could not entertain hopes of keeping it much linger; the enemy's North-east battery being damaged, and so much exposed to the fire from our advanc'd battery, that they could not stand to their guns; the Circular battery ruined, and all its guns but three dismounted, whereby the harbour was disarmed of all its principal batteries; the West-gate of the city being demolished, and a breach made in the adjoining wall; the west flank of the King's bastion almost ruined; and most of their other guns, which had been mounted during the time of the siege, being silenced; all the houses and other buildings within the city (some of which were quite demolished) so damaged, that but one among them was left unhurt; the enemy extremely harrassed by their long confinement within their casmates, and other covered holds, and their stock of ammunition being almost exhausted, Mr. Dauchambon sent out a flag of truce to the camp on the 15th day of June in the afternoon, desiring time to consider of articles of capitulation, which was accordingly granted them till next morning, when they sent articles in, which were rejected by the General and Commodore, and others proposed by them in their stead, and accepted by the enemy: And hostages being exchanged on the same day for the performance of the articles, on the 17th of June the city was surrendered to Mr. Warren and General Pepperrell, and the Garrison, consisting of about 650 regular troops, and the inhabitants of the city, being about 1300 effective men, besides women and children, made prisoners by capitulation, with the loss on our side of no more than 101 men killed by the enemy, and all other accidents, from the time of their landing to the reduction of the place, and about 30 who died of sickness. ....
1745 - 1750
A VIEW of the TOWN & HARBOUR of LOUISBOURG
1745 - 1760
A plan of Louisbourg situated on the Coast of Acadia in 45 degrees 50' N degrees Latitude and 322 degrees of Longitude
... D Island battery
A plan of Louisbourg situated on the Coast of Acadia in 45 degrees 50' N degrees Latitude and 322 degrees of Longitude
... D Island battery
1746
PLAN OF THE TOWN AND FORTIFICATIONS OF LOUISBOURG
K Goat Island & Battery
A PLAN of the CITY and FORTRESS of LOUISBOURG } with a small PLAN of the HARBOUR
... II. Island Battery ... V. English Battery against ye Island B.
Extract of a Letter from Louisbourg, dated Feb. 26. The Night after the 20th Instant, a most surprizing Event happened in this Place. A violent Gust of Wind and Snow arose, which shipwreck'd almost all the Vessels in the Harbour; and among other Damages done in this City, the General's House did not escape, but a great Part of its Roof was blown down. On the Evening before it was clear Weather, and no Symptoms of a stormy Night; yet before Morning the whole Harbour was black'd up with Ice and Snow, so that it was all as firm Land. The greater Sort of Seils and monstrous Sea-Cows were trapann'd thereby and left their Water Element, for fear of being drowned. The Whalemen who were posted at the Island Battery drove near a Dozen of those Sea-Cows on Shore alive; on that Fortress Many of them were almost thrice the Bigness of a large Horse. Their Skins are about an Inch thick; and some of those Sea Animals will make more than a Barrel of Oil. Their Teeth, or rather Horns, were about 2 Feet in Length, and are some of the finest Ivory in the World. The French say there was never such a Sight seen here before. And, what was very affecting and awful, the Force of the Wind and Sea drove the Ice so hard against the Walls of the Island Battery, that it burst open the Gates (tho' bar'd with Iron) and tore up the dead Corps in their Coffins which were buried on that Battery, and these were seen jamm'd in the Ice, in one Place and another, as People now walked all over the Harbour in Safety, as on Terra Firma.
...December 31st. 1747. .... Paid
then unto Peter
Warren Esqr. & William Pepperell Bart. p
}
To Warren & Pepperrell £910.14.7. for funds they disbursed for the repair of the lighthouse and island battery at Louisbourg.
30th May 1746
1086
To
Peter
Warren Esqr. & Sir William Pepperell Bart.
}
... Enclosed is a Description of the Town and Fortifications together with Captain Bastide the Engineer's opinion and my own about them ... [signed] Charl Knowles ... The Description and State of the Garrison and Fortifications of Louisbourg with the Opinions of Governour Knowles and capt. Bastide Principal Engineer concerning them The Island Battery at the Entrance of the Harbour is a long line of 20 guns with a small return of 6 guns which last only faces Sea, and are of any great Service till Ships gets quite into the Harbour: This Battery is very badly built as well as Designed, being naked in the back and Boarded to keep the Stone work together (which is all Rubble except the coins of the merlons) the Cement is so very bad. (Should an Enemy Erect a battery against it at the Light House as the New England people did the Long line of guns is entirely Flanked) the Barracks are very ill contrived and want great repair, as does the whole Battery and to be inclosed on the Back ...
1746 - 1747
... Peter Warren Esqr. and Sr. William pepperell Bart. being so much by them disbursed on Amount of repairing the Light House and Island Battery at Louisbourg by one Debenture .... [£910.14.7.]
1748
Anonymous Harbour & City of Louisburg [1748] United States: Wm. L. Clements Library (Ann Arbour, Michigan), Crown Coll., Série II, Volume 4, Number 50 Island battery Mountg. 30. 24 pounders |
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