British invasion
British invasion
On June 1, 1758 a massive British force arrived at Louisbourg – forty-eight ships,14,000 troops and almost 2,000 mounted guns set to attack the French fortress.
The siege began with European decorum: the British commander General Jeffery Amherst sending two pineapples to Marie-Anne de Drucour, wife of the French governor, Augustin de Drucour.
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| On June 8 1758, the British began the siege of Louisbourg. (As portrayed in Canada: A People's History)
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In return the governor sent Amherst several bottles of champagne.
After this gesture of politesse, on June 8, 1758, the bombardment began. The British gunboats rained hundreds of shells into the town. "All the women and a great number of little children came out, running to and fro, not knowing where to go in the midst of bombs and balls falling on every side," Governor Drucour reported. "It seems the British intention is not just to breach the walls but rather to kill everyone and burn the town."
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| Louisbourg inhabitants panicked when the British bombardment began. (As portrayed in Canada: A People's History) |
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