Fort William Henry (Rally Point - 1:30pm, 20 July 2003)
Overview:
Lord Loudoun (Scott Gorman)
- What is your overall assessment
of the situation in North America in 1757?(1)
- What is your mission?
- How do you plan to carry it
out?
- What is your attitude toward
the colonials?
- What is your attitude toward
the Indians?
Governor-General Vaudreuil(2) (Kateri MacDonald)
- What is your overall assessment
of the situation in North America in 1757?
- What is your mission?
- How do you plan to carry it
out?
- What is your attitude toward
the colonials?
- What is your attitude toward
the Indians?
Map of
the North American war zone in 1755
Battle of Lake George
- 1755(3)
Theyanoguin ("Captain"
Hendrick(4)) (John Tent)
- Describe your relationship with
William Johnson.
- Tell us a bit about your role
in relations with the British during the mid-18th century.
- What is the attitude of the
Mohawk to the Europeans? What are the relationships between the
Mohawk, and the French and British respectively?
- What was the "Bloody Morning
Scout"?(5) What are the consequences
of this action, both in general and for you personally?
Baron Jean-Armand de Dieskau(6) (Jen Stork)
- What is your objective in this
effort? Is Johnson's base at Lake George your objective, or are
you attempting something beyond this?
- Describe the forces at your
command. How do you feel about the native forces under your command,
and how much control over your native allies do you really have?
- Describe the battle from your
perspective. What is the outcome? DO you feel that this was truly
a British victory or have you accomplished your objectives despite
leaving the field to your opponent?
Sir William Johnson(7) (Prof. C.)
- Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
- What is your relationship with
the Native Americans?
- What are your plans in the summer
of 1755? How do you come to be at Lake George in September of
1755? What is the importance of this location for British efforts
in the region?
- Describe the events of September
8, 1755. What are the results of this engagement?
Map of Fort
Edward and Rogers Island
Close
up map of Fort Edward and Rogers Island
"Massacre"
at Fort William Henry - 1757(8)
François-Pierre
Rigaud(9)
(Steve Cohen)
- What is the objective of your
mission? Explain the differences of opinion on this mission between
Governor-General Vaudreuil and Montcalm.(10)
- Describe your actions against
the British position at Fort William Henry in March of 1757.
- Were you successful in achieving
your mission as you understood it? What are the consequences
of your effort and how does it impact on the subsequent siege
of Fort William Henry later in the year?
Major General Daniel Webb(11) (David Fuhrmann)
- What kind of force do you have
available to defend New York? Are they adequate to the task?
- Do your superiors have confidence
in your abilities?
- How good is your intelligence
about French forces and operations? What factors affect your
intelligence on opposing forces?
- How do you respond to the French
threat to Fort William Henry?
- What could you have done that
might have prevented the loss of this key strategic position?
General Louis-Joseph de
Montcalm(12) (Will Young)
- What is your plan in the summer
of 1757?
- Describe the forces available
to you? Are they adequate to the task at hand?
- What is your attitude toward
your Indian allies?
- Explain the process of siege
warfare and the 18th century "rules of the game" in
such circumstances?(13)
- Describe the siege of Fort William
Henry in March 1757. What are the results of this effort?
- What are the terms of surrender
arranged with Lt. Col. Monro. What happens after the surrender?
- Are your plans modified after
the "massacre" at Fort William Henry?(14)
Why?
Lt. Col. George Monro(15) (Scott Douglass)
- Describe your situation in the
summer of 1757 as Montcalm's forces approach.
- Are your forces adequate to
successfully defend the fort?
- How good is your intelligence
about French forces and movements?
- Explain your decision to surrender
the fort?
General Questions:
- What are the consequences of
the "massacre" in terms of subsequent events?
- What do these events suggest
about the different perspectives of the Europeans and their native
American allies?
- What was the importance of this
location for British efforts in the region?
Plan of Fort
William Henry and French Siege Lines - A 1763 map of the Fort,
the French positions, and the siege lines.
Fort
William Henry - A 1792 map showing the siege and the terrain
surrounding Fort William Henry.
Fort
William Henry - A modern diagram clearly showing the terrain,
and the positions of the respective armies and fortifications.
FIRST CAMP FIRE SESSION:
Relations between the Native Americans and Europeans (Sunday evening)
Sir William Johnson (Prof
C.)
- What are your broader goals
in dealing with the native tribes? Are your intentions in alignment
with those of the British commanders in North America?
- What are your relations with
other key figures in the colonies like?
- How do you use your Indian allies
in the conduct of warfare along the frontier?
- How effective are you in accomplishing
your broader strategic goals?
Molly Brant(16)
(Marilyn Fuhrmann)
- Who are you?
- What is your relationship to
Sir William Johnson?
- What does you life tell us about
the social and personal interaction between the indigenous population
and the Europeans along the early frontier?
The "Onondaga"
(John Tent)
- What is the Iroquis Confederacy
or "Nation"? How do the Iroquis fit into the strategic
equasion in the New York/Lake Chaplain region?
- Describe the role of the Iroquois
Nation in the political/military struggle between the European
powers.
- What is your attitude toward
the conflict being fought along the frontier? How do you feel
about the French? About the English?
- What do you hope to accomplish?
Teedyuscung(17)
(Delawares) (Tom Stork)
- What is the role of the Delawares?
How do they fit into the complex relationships between the Iroquis
and the European contenders?
- Are they directly involved in
the fighting around Lake George?
- What are you trying to accomplish
with your political maneuvering?
- What is the significance of
this effort?
Issues for group discussion:
- How do the French and British
differ in their attitudes and relationships toward the native
Americans?
- Which of the European powers
is more effective at gaining the support of, and utilizing native
Americans in frontier warfare?
- What is the Indian's take on
the conflict? Why are they willing to participate at all in what
is essentially a fight between two foreign entities?
Map
showing various Indian tribes in Northeastern region
Monday, 21 July - Free
Day
There will be no formal sessions
during the day on Monday. In keeping with Alumni Summer Staff
Ride tradition, this day is set aside for whatever activities
people wish to engage in.
If anyone is interested, we have
information about renting canoes or kayaks on Lake George in the
nearby town of Hague. From the town of Hague it is about a four
mile paddle to the base of Rogers Rock (approx ½ to ¾
hours on a calm day with minimal wind).
Nearby historical sites include
Fort Ticonderoga (where there is an excellent museum), Crown Point,
Whitehall (Skenesboro, the birthplace of the U.S. Navy), and Fort
Edward. Also, the town of Middlebury, Vermont is about an hour
away (ferry across the lake, and then a short drive). Charming,
with some nice shops and restaurants. Very old New England.
There are canoes available at
Putnam Pond and we expect to arrange of several to be used by
the group. There are also plenty of hiking trails in the area.
Lastly, anyone wanting a serious
dose of modern summer tourist tackiness can wander into Lake George
Village. Not for the impressionable or faint of heart, but there
are some awesome looking miniature golf courses there for those
who are interested. A more sedate and elegant place to visit (you'll
have to clean up a bit) is The Sagamore, located in Bolton's Landing.
One of the most famous "Grand Dame" hotels of North
America, The Sagamore is located on an island (connected to the
mainland by a bridge) with great views, several restaurants, and
exquisite grounds. We recommend "The Veranda" for a
light lunch in a truly stunning setting.
SECOND CAMP FIRE SESSION:
Irregulars and Frontier Warfare (Monday evening, 21 July)
Major Robert Rogers(18) (Steve Myrow)
- Who are you? What is your background
and experience?
- What are the "ranging"
units? Why are they formed? How do they differ from other military
formations in the British army?
- What is the function and mission
of the "ranging" units?
Private Thomas Brown (One
of Rogers Rangers)(19) (Nathan Cohen)
- Describe the "rules of
ranging." What are they? Where do these "rules"
come from?
- Describe your uniforms and equipment.
How does this differ from the equipment and uniforms of regular
British army troops?
- What is your training like?
What kind of men are selected for the "ranging" units?
- Tell us about your experience
at the first Battle on Snowshoes in January 1757.
Joseph Marin, Sieur de
la Malgue (1719-73)(20) (Chris Leroy)
- Describe the Troupes de la Marine.
How do these forces differ from British colonial militias?
- Are the Troupes de la Marine
effective fighting forces?
- What role do they play in French
operations?
Issues for group discussion:
- Comparison of warfare in Europe
vs. North America revisited: How does warfare and the conduct
of operations in the North American wilderness differ from the
European experience?
- How do the French and British
adapt or alter their methods to fit the circumstances of frontier
warfare in North America? Are there similarities in their response?
Differences?
- Logistics of warfare in North
America.
- Are native American forces well
Integrated with regular military formations? Is there effective
coordination between regular military formations and the irregulars?
- What is the attitude of Indians
toward warfare vs. the expectations of Europeans?
Battle(s) on Snowshoes / Roger's Rock (Tuesday Morning)
Lieutenant John Stark
(John Tent)
- What kind of missions do the
rangers undertake? Describe a typical scout.
- What was the first Battle on
Snowshoes (January 1757).(21) Briefly describe
the events of that engagement. What is the outcome?
Major Robert Rogers(22) (Steve Myrow)
- Describe the opposing forces
at the second Battle of Snowshoes (March 1758).
- What is the purpose of your
mission in March 1758?
- Describe the battle as you saw
it, and your subsequent escape. Would you consider this a successful
"scout"?
- Are there broader consequences
to this battle, or is this little more than another skirmish
in the woods?
- What lessons do you take away
from this kind of engagement?
Jean-Baptiste Levreault
de Langlis de Montegron(23) (Chris Leroy)
- What is your background?
- Describe the forces at your
disposal. How do these forces differ from Rogers' "ranging"
units, if at all? What is the role of your forces in the French
effort?
- How do your efforts near Fort
William Henry and Fort Carillon impact upon subsequent operations
at those locations?(24)
- In your encounters with Rogers
Rangers, how do you fare? What is your opinion of Rogers as an
opponent?
Lieutenant John Stark
(redux) (John Tent)
- Comment on Major Roberts conduct
of these "scouts," both known as the "Battle on
Snowshoes." How do you feel about his decisions and leadership
in these engagements?
Map of
Area around Rogers Rock/Second Battle on Snowshoes
Second
Battle on Snowshoes (stage one and two)
Second
Battle on Snowshoes (stage three and four)
Second
Battle on Snowshoes (stage five)
Fort Carillon (Tuesday Afternoon)(25)
General Louis-Joseph de
Montcalm(26) (Will Young)
- Describe the forces at your
command? Are your forces adequate to defend Fort Carillon?
- What do you know about the British
forces opposing you? What is your plan to hold Fort Carillon?
Are you confident of your ability to do so? Why or why not?
- What is the nature of your relationship
with Governor-General Vaudreuil? How does this affect your choices
and decisions?
- What advantages or disadvantages
do you have in this battle, if any?
George Viscount Howe (Christina
Balis)
- What is your role in the campaign?
- Describe your attitude toward
the troops. Describe the attitude of the average soldier toward
you.
- What happens to you? What effect
does you death have on the troops? What are the consequences
for the subsequent action?
- Had you been in command, what
might you have done differently?
Major General James Abercromby(27) (Tom Mahnken)
- Describe the forces at your
disposal?
- What is your plan for taking
the French position?
General Topics for Discussion:
- Why is Fort Carillon important?
- What is the relative situation
of the opposing forces?
- Did the loss of Lord Howe matter?
- What was the role of irregular
forces in the battle?
- Does Abercromby approach the
battle using standard European tactics? Why or why not?
"Monypenny
Map" - A contemporary sketch showing the action in which
Lord Howe is killed.
Modern
Map of action in which Howe is killed - Compare to the sketch
above drawn at the time by Capt/ Alexander Monypenny
Overview
of Fort Carillon - Thomas Jeffrey's contemporary 18th century
map showing the fort, the French lines, and British positions
at the time of the battle. This is probably the most common and
best known map showing the battlefield.
Map of the
Carillon Battlefield - An 18th century French map of the engagement,
possibly the source for the more commonly seen Jeffrey's map above.
Map of the
Carillon Battlefield - Another contemporary French map of
the battle.
Wrap-up Dinner - Tueday
Evening, 22 July
Featuring concluding comments by Dr.
C.
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________________________________________________________
1. Steele,
Warpaths, 207ff.
2. Anderson,
Crucible of War,187f
3. Anderson,
Crucible of War, 120ff; Todish, America's First First
World War,33
4. Steele,
Betrayals, 18ff.; Anderson, Crucible of War,
38f.
5. Steele,
Betrayals, 48f.; Anderson, Crucible of War,
118ff
6. Steele,
Warpaths, 191f; Anderson, Crucible of War, 79f, 81, 115ff
(Lake George)
7. Steele, Warpaths,
190ff; Anderson, Crucible of War,
79f, 81, 114ff (Lake George)
8. Steele, Betrayals,
passim; Steele, Warpaths, 120ff;
9. Anderson,
Crucible of War, 185f; Steele, Betrayals, 75ff,
10. Steele,
Betrayals, 75ff; Anderson, Crucible of War,
185f.
11. Anderson,
Crucible of War, 185ff; Todish, America's First
First World War,33, 38. Also see Steele, Betrayals.
12. Anderson,
Crucible of War, 187; Todish, America's First
First World War,various. Also see Steele, Betrayals.
13. Anderson,
Crucible of War, 251ff
14. Todish,
America's First First World War, 39
15. Anderson,
Crucible of War, 189; Todish, America's First
First World War,38. Also see Steele, Betrayals.
16. http://www.meyna.com/mohawk3.html
17. http://www.adamsheritage.com/deedsnations/t.htm
18. Bob Bearor,
The Battle on Snowshoes, Heritage Books, 27ff
19. Bob Bearor,
French and Indian War Battlesites: A Controversy, Heritage
Books, 11ff. Also, the following website is about another of Rogers'
Rangers, but offers possibly useful information: http://www.foxrivertraders.com/tute.htm
20. http://www.rmitchard.freeserve.co.uk/marinweb/marinnpartisan.htm
21. Todish,
Annotated and Illustrated Journals of Major Robert Rogers,
57ff.
22. Anderson,
Crucible of War, 186f; Todish, Annotated and Illustrated
Journals of Major Robert Rogers, 89ff; Bob Bearor, The
Battle on Snowshoes, Heritage Books, 27ff
23. Anderson,
Crucible of War, 186; Bob Bearor, The Battle on Snowshoes,
35ff
24. Todish,
America's First First World War, 38.
25. Ticonderoga
1758, René Chartrand and Patrice Courcelle, Osprey
Books. Highly recommended.
26. Bellico,
Sail and Steam in the Mountains: A Maritime and Military History
of Lake George and Lake Champlain, 62
27. Bellico,
Sail and Steam in the Mountains: A Maritime and Military History
of Lake George and Lake Champlain, 60ff
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