W16 D2 - French and Indian War - French Victories in North America - Adventure Box Podcast

The Battles and Skirmishes of 1756: The French, British, and Native Americans

The year 1756 marked a significant turning point in the French and Indian War, which was the North American theater of the broader global conflict known as the Seven Years' War. This year witnessed a series of battles and skirmishes that not only intensified the conflict between the French and British but also heavily involved Native American tribes, who played crucial roles on both sides. Understanding these engagements offers insights into the strategic complexities of the war and the shifting alliances that shaped its outcomes.

 

The Global Context of 1756

By 1756, the conflict that had started in North America had expanded into a global war involving most of the major European powers. The diplomatic tensions that led to this escalation were rooted in territorial disputes and the desire for imperial dominance. The British and French, the two primary antagonists in North America, were vying for control over the continent, with the French seeking to defend their vast territory stretching from Canada down to Louisiana, and the British aiming to expand their colonies westward.

 

The Role of Native American Tribes

Native American tribes were not mere bystanders in this conflict. They were essential participants whose alliances and military actions had significant impacts on the war's progress. The Iroquois Confederacy, though officially neutral, leaned towards the British, while other tribes such as the Abenaki, Huron, and Algonquin aligned with the French. These alliances were often driven by long-standing enmities, trade relationships, and strategic considerations.

 

Military Reinforcements and Preparations

• British Efforts: Following the declaration of war, the British began reinforcing their positions in North America. They sent additional troops and supplies to the colonies, particularly focusing on fortifying key locations like Fort Oswego on Lake Ontario and Fort William Henry near Lake George. British leadership under Governor William Shirley aimed to secure the frontier and prepare for a counter-offensive against the French.
• French Reinforcements: The French, under the command of General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, also received reinforcements from France. Montcalm took command of the French forces in North America and immediately began planning offensive operations to strengthen French positions and disrupt British supply lines.

 

Key Battles and Skirmishes in 1756 (After the Declaration of War – May 18, 1756)

Notable Skirmishes and Raids (May - August 1756)

1. Raids on the Mohawk Valley (May-July 1756) (French Engaged)

• Location: Mohawk Valley, New York
• Description: French and Native American forces conducted a series of raids on British settlements and outposts in the Mohawk Valley. These raids targeted isolated farms, small forts, and trading posts, leading to the capture or killing of British settlers and the destruction of property. The raids aimed to disrupt British supply lines and intimidate settlers, thereby weakening British control over the region.

Skirmish at Oneida Carry (June 1756) (French Engaged)

• Location: Near Oneida Carry, New York
• Description: Oneida Carry was a crucial port between the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, making it a strategic location for both the British and French. In June 1756, a skirmish broke out between French forces, supported by their Native American allies, and a British detachment attempting to reinforce the area. The French successfully ambushed the British, inflicting casualties and forcing them to retreat.

Raids on the New England Frontier (June-July 1756) (French Engaged)

• Location: Western Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire
• Description: Abenaki warriors, allied with the French, conducted a series of raids on the New England frontier. These raids were aimed at British settlements in western Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. The Abenaki targeted isolated farms and small villages, killing or capturing settlers and burning homes and crops. These attacks created panic among the colonial population and forced the British to divert resources to defend the frontier.

Skirmish at the Ohio Valley (June-July 1756) (British Engaged)

• Location: Ohio Valley (near modern-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
• Description: The Ohio Valley, a key contested region, saw continuous skirmishes between British colonial forces, French troops, and their respective Native American allies. In one such engagement in early July, a British scouting party was ambushed by French forces and their Native American allies. The skirmish ended with several British casualties and a retreat, allowing the French to maintain control over the region.

Raid on Fort Granville (July 1756) (French Engaged)

• Location: Fort Granville, Pennsylvania
• Description: In late July, a French-led force of approximately 100 men, including a significant number of Native American warriors, attacked Fort Granville, a small British outpost in Pennsylvania. The fort, defended by only 24 soldiers, was quickly overrun. The French and their allies captured the fort, killed several defenders, and took prisoners before burning the fort to the ground.

Ambush at Great Carrying Place (July 1756) (French Engaged)

• Location: Great Carrying Place, New York (near present-day Rome, New York)
• Description: The Great Carrying Place, another important portage route, saw a skirmish between British troops and a French-Native American force in July 1756. The French ambushed a British supply convoy moving through the area, leading to a brief but fierce engagement. The British suffered casualties and were forced to abandon their supplies, which were captured by the French.

 

Battles in 1756, After the Declaration of War:

1. The Siege of Fort Oswego

• Date: August 10-14, 1756
• Location: Fort Oswego, Lake Ontario, New York
• Combatants:
  • French Forces: Led by General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, including French regulars, Canadian militia, and Native American allies.
  • British Forces: Commanded by Colonel James Mercer.
• Outcome: French Victory
• Wounded and Dead:
  • British: Approximately 50 killed or wounded, 1,700 soldiers captured.
  • French and Native American Allies: Minimal casualties.
• Details:
  • Fort Oswego was a critical British stronghold on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario. Recognizing its strategic importance, General Montcalm led a well-planned siege against the fort in August 1756. His forces, bolstered by a significant number of Native American warriors, effectively cut off British supplies and launched a sustained artillery bombardment. After several days of intense fighting and heavy bombardment, the British garrison, led by Colonel James Mercer, was forced to surrender on August 14, 1756. The French captured over 1,700 British soldiers and seized control of the fort, which gave them dominance over Lake Ontario. The fall of Fort Oswego was a significant blow to British efforts in the region and greatly boosted French morale, while also solidifying the support of Native American allies for the French cause.

 

2. Skirmishes in the Ohio Valley

• Date: 1756
• Location: Ohio Valley (near present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
• Combatants:
  • French and Native American Forces: Primarily French troops and allied Native American warriors.
  • British Forces: British settlers, colonial militia, and allied Native American tribes.
• Outcome: Inconclusive, with ongoing conflict and disruption of British efforts.
• Wounded and Dead:
  • British: Casualties varied across skirmishes; exact numbers unknown, but several settlers and militia members were killed or wounded.
  • French and Native American Allies: Casualties were likely minimal, as the French and their allies typically employed hit-and-run tactics.
• Details:
  • The Ohio Valley was a highly contested region during 1756, with both British and French forces vying for control. The French, supported by Native American allies, frequently initiated skirmishes against British settlers and colonial militia to disrupt British supply lines and prevent their westward expansion. One notable skirmish occurred near the site of present-day Pittsburgh, where French and Native American forces launched an attack on British settlers and militia. These raids were part of a broader French strategy to weaken British influence in the Ohio Valley and maintain their dominance in the region. The skirmishes, characterized by quick, hit-and-run tactics, created significant challenges for the British, who struggled to secure their hold on the area.

 

3. The Battle of Fort Bull

• Date: March 27, 1756
• Location: Fort Bull, near Oneida Carry, New York
• Combatants:
  • French Forces: Led by Lieutenant Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry, including French regulars and Native American allies.
  • British Forces: Garrison stationed at Fort Bull.
• Outcome: French Victory
• Wounded and Dead:
  • British: Approximately 60-70 killed; the entire garrison was either killed or captured.
  • French and Native American Allies: Light casualties; specific numbers unknown.
• Details:
  • The Battle of Fort Bull was a strategically important engagement during the French and Indian War. Fort Bull, located near Oneida Carry, served as a vital British supply post, facilitating the movement of goods between the Mohawk River and Wood Creek. In March 1756, French forces under the command of Lieutenant Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry, supported by Native American allies, launched a surprise attack on the fort. The French overwhelmed the British defenders, who were caught off guard, leading to the destruction of the fort and the capture or killing of the entire British garrison. The French also destroyed valuable supplies and munitions stored at the fort. This victory disrupted British supply routes in the region and highlighted the vulnerability of their frontier positions, demonstrating the effectiveness of French and Native American coordination in the conflict.

 

 

The Role of Guerrilla Warfare

In addition to these larger engagements, 1756 was marked by numerous instances of guerrilla warfare, where Native American warriors, often in coordination with French or British forces, conducted raids and ambushes on enemy positions and settlements. These tactics were particularly effective in the dense forests of the Northeast, where traditional European military formations were less effective. Native American warriors utilized their intimate knowledge of the terrain to launch surprise attacks, harass supply lines, and instill fear in the colonial populations.

 

The Aftermath and Significance of the 1756 Campaign

The battles and skirmishes of 1756 had far-reaching consequences for the French and Indian War. The French victories, particularly the capture of Fort Oswego, strengthened their control over key territories and bolstered the confidence of their Native American allies. However, these successes also intensified British efforts to reclaim lost ground, leading to an escalation of the conflict in subsequent years.

 

For Native American tribes, 1756 was a year of significant involvement and shifting alliances. While some tribes benefited from their alliances with the European powers, others suffered devastating losses and the destruction of their lands. The war also deepened divisions among Native American groups, as they were often forced to choose sides in a conflict that was not their own.

 

The battles and skirmishes of 1756 were crucial in shaping the trajectory of the French and Indian War. They highlighted the strategic importance of Native American alliances, the vulnerabilities of colonial outposts, and the escalating nature of the conflict that would soon engulf the entire continent and beyond. Understanding these engagements provides a deeper appreciation of the complex dynamics that defined this pivotal period in North American history.