Fortress of Louisbourg besieged in weekend invasion

Last Updated: Monday, August 14, 2006 | 3:25 PM AT

CBC News

Dozens of New Englanders invaded the Fortress of Louisbourg on the weekend in a re-enactment of a 18th-century invasion of the French stronghold on Cape Breton, N.S.

Amid the pale blue uniforms of French forces, Don Douplis and his teenage son, Kyle, stood out. They wore crimson and royal blue wool coats signifying the 3rd Massachusetts Regiment, which was part of the New England force that captured Louisbourg after only 46 days of battle in 1745.

The Douplis drove 18 hours from Winchendon, Mass., to take part in the encampment at the fortified town on the island's southeast coast — but Kyle said it was worth it.

"I came here when I was probably 10 years old and fell in love with the place," he said.

"I want to try to get a job here, maybe next summer for a month or two, to help out here because it's a great place."

Blaine Aikens, who works at the national historic site, said the atmosphere was electric during the weekend's encampment — which commemorated one of two times that the French colonial outpost came under attack during the 18th century as Britain and France warred.

"It's pretty interesting because we don't normally get besieged here at the fortress," Aikens said.

"So it's neat to have New Englanders around in their different costumes."

Re-enactment drew crowds during slow period

Eddie Kennedy, a program co-ordinator at the fortress, said the weekend was a huge success, bringing visitors to the fortress during what has been a slow tourism season.

Kennedy said the mini-encampment could be a harbinger of things to come — as long as he can get people like Kyle hooked.

During the 18th century, Louisbourg was one of France's key North American holdings and among the busiest harbours on the continent.

It came under repeated attack after Britain and France declared war. After the New England invasion, the town was handed back to the French in 1748 — only to fall a decade later when the British army captured the fortress in seven weeks.

Plans to mark anniversary of British victory

Kennedy said staff at Louisbourg hope to lure a bigger crowd in three years, on the 250th anniversary of the British victory.

"We're looking at possibly doing something in 2008. That's going to be the 250th anniversary of Louisbourg's fall, so this is a buildup to make contact with the re-enactment community," Kennedy said.

"Hopefully, we'll have somewhere around 1,500 people participating."

Louisbourg, which is operated by Parks Canada, is now the largest reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town in North America. About one-quarter of the fortress has been rebuilt.