Battle of La Belle-Famille facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of La Belle-Famille
Part of the French and Indian War
Date July 24, 1759 Location Two miles (3 km) south of Fort Niagara Result British-Iroquois victory
Belligerents
France Colony of Canada	Great Britain British America Iroquois
Commanders and leaders
François-Marie Le Marchand de Lignery  †	Eyre Massey Sayenqueraghta
Strength
800 regulars and militia 500 Native Americans	350 regulars 100 New York militia 450 Iroquois
Casualties and losses
At least 334 killed At least 96 captured	12 dead 40 wounded

The Battle of La Belle-Famille was a fight that happened on July 24, 1759. It took place during the French and Indian War. The battle was near the Niagara River in North America. French soldiers led by François-Marie Le Marchand de Lignery were trying to help Fort Niagara. But they walked into a surprise attack by British and Iroquois forces. This battle was a key part of the bigger Battle of Fort Niagara.

The British knew the French were coming. So, they built a strong defense across the road. This was about two miles south of Fort Niagara. The French walked right into this trap. Many French soldiers were killed or captured. Captain Le Marchand de Lignery was badly hurt and later died.

Why the Battle Happened

Plans for Fort Niagara

In 1759, British General Jeffery Amherst made big plans. He wanted to capture Fort Niagara. This fort was very important for the French. It was a major supply point between New France and their forts in the Ohio Country.

General Amherst chose Brigadier General John Prideaux to lead the attack. Sir William Johnson also joined. He was a British agent who worked with Native American groups. Johnson led the Iroquois forces in this mission.

The Siege Begins

General Prideaux and his forces reached Fort Niagara on July 6. They immediately started to lay siege to the fort. This means they surrounded it and tried to capture it. On July 20, something unexpected happened. General Prideaux was killed by a piece of a shell from his own army's cannons. After this, Sir William Johnson took charge of the siege.

French Defenses and Calls for Help

Captain Pierre Pouchot of the French Army had built most of Fort Niagara. In early 1759, French leaders sent him to make the fort even stronger. He had about 2,500 men. About 500 soldiers had stayed there through the winter.

Captain Pouchot had sent many of his men south in June. They went to Fort Machault to help other French forts. When the British arrived on July 6, Pouchot quickly sent messages. He asked for help from these southern forces.

French Relief Force Forms

Captain Le Marchand de Lignery was at Fort Machault. He was getting ready for a French attack on Fort Pitt. Then, Pouchot's urgent message for help arrived on July 12.

Lignery was trying to convince nearly 1,000 Native American warriors to join his attack on Fort Pitt. Sir William Johnson had also sent messages to Fort Pitt. He asked Native Americans there to join the British. This made many Native American groups unsure which side to pick.

However, Lignery managed to get support. He combined his forces with those of Charles Philippe Aubry. A large French group then left Fort Machault for Niagara. But the messengers Lignery sent to Pouchot also told the British about their plan. This allowed the British to get ready for a surprise attack.

Before the battle, the British-allied Native Americans spoke to the French-allied Native Americans. They said they would stay out of the fight. They hoped the French allies would do the same. This caused many Native Americans allied with the French to leave.

The Battle of La Belle-Famille

The Ambush

Lignery and Aubry were experienced leaders. But they did not take normal steps to avoid a surprise attack. They marched their troops right into a trap.

Lieutenant Colonel Massey of the 46th Foot led 464 British soldiers. Their job was to defend the trail from Niagara Falls to Fort Niagara. Massey placed about 130 men in an open area called La Belle Famille. These men were from the 46th regiment.

Closer to the river, he placed special soldiers called grenadiers. They were from the 46th and a small group from the 44th Foot. To the left of the 46th, other light infantry companies took their positions. On the far left, there were soldiers from the 44th and the New York Regiment. Massey knew the French had many trained soldiers. So, he told his British soldiers to lie down and get their bayonets ready.

The Fight

As the French soldiers came out of the woods, they immediately started shooting. They began to spread out into a battle line. The British commander waited until the French were very close. Then, he ordered his troops to stand up and fire.

The 46th regiment fired seven times very quickly. Then, they moved forward, shooting as they went. Massey later said his men fired about 16 shots each during the battle. At the same time, the grenadier company shot at the French from the side. This caused a lot of damage.

When the French hesitated under the heavy fire, the British attacked with their bayonets. A bayonet is a knife attached to the end of a rifle. The French soldiers lost their courage and began to run away. The British-allied Iroquois then rushed after the fleeing French.

The French began a panicked retreat. The British chased them for about five miles. Many French soldiers were killed or hurt. Lignery was badly wounded and later died. Massey, the British commander, was also wounded.

What Happened Next

Captain Pouchot surrendered Fort Niagara on July 26. It was clear by then that the French relief force had been defeated.

Sir William Johnson, who was not at the battle, wrote about it. He said that both the British soldiers and their Native American allies deserved equal credit. This made Massey very angry when it appeared in newspapers. Massey later said that the Native American tribesmen acted "most dastardly." He claimed they killed wounded soldiers and those trying to surrender.