Battle of St. John's facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of St. John's
Part of Queen Anne's War
Detail of 1744 map showing southeastern Newfoundland. "S Johns" is in the right center; Placentia (formerly Plaisance) is near the center.
Date 1 January 1709 Location St. John's, Newfoundland Result French victory
Belligerents
France  Mi'kmaq  Abenakis	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Joseph de Monbeton de Brouillan de Saint-Ovide Louis Denys de La Ronde	Thomas Lloyd (POW) George Vane (POW)
Strength
164 Marines Frigate Vénus	80 troops about 400 colonists
Casualties and losses
3 killed 11 wounded	480 military and civilian prisoners

The Battle of St. John's was a fight where the French captured St. John's. This town was the main city of the British colony of Newfoundland. It happened on January 1, 1709, during Queen Anne's War.

A group of 164 French and Native American fighters attacked. They were led by Joseph de Monbeton de Brouillan de Saint-Ovide. He was a lieutenant for Philippe Pastour de Costebelle, the French governor of Plaisance. This force quickly defeated the British soldiers in St. John's. They took about 500 prisoners.

Governor Costebelle did not have enough resources to keep St. John's. So, he ordered its forts to be destroyed. The French left the town in April 1709. The British later moved back in.

After the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, France gave up most of its claims in Newfoundland to Britain. Most French settlers moved to Île-Royale, which is now called Cape Breton Island.

Why the Battle Happened

The island of Newfoundland was a disputed area. Both France and England wanted control of it. This was true even before Queen Anne's War started in 1702.

Earlier Conflicts in Newfoundland

During King William's War in the 1690s, French attacks destroyed English settlements. This included the important port of St. John's. The English rebuilt their towns. They lived in permanent and seasonal places on the eastern side of the Avalon Peninsula. The French lived on the western side, with their capital at Plaisance.

In 1702, English Captain John Leake attacked several French settlements. He avoided Plaisance because French warships were there. In the winter of 1704–1705, Daniel d'Auger de Subercase, the French governor at Plaisance, led a siege of St. John's. Much of the town was ruined, but Fort William was not captured.

The next year, French and Mi'kmaq groups kept attacking English settlers. The English navy then destroyed French settlements. But Plaisance was still too strong to attack.

Planning the Attack on St. John's

Philippe Pastour de Costebelle became the new governor at Plaisance. He saw a chance to attack St. John's again. Several French ships, including the frigate Vénus, stopped at Plaisance in late 1708. Some French privateers from the West Indies were also there.

Governor Costebelle decided to use this opportunity. He sent his lieutenant, Joseph de Monbeton de Brouillan de Saint-Ovide, to gather men. They would attack St. John's by land. The ship Vénus, led by Captain Louis Denys de La Ronde, would support them.

Saint-Ovide gathered 164 men. They came from the ships, local settlers, and the Mi'kmaq. They left for St. John's on December 14, 1708.

British Defenses at St. John's

Major Thomas Lloyd was in charge of St. John's again in the winter of 1705-1706. He had been removed from his post earlier. Lloyd had a reputation for being difficult.

However, he had served there since 1696. He was reinstated despite John Moody's successful defense in 1705. From 1705 to 1708, Lloyd managed the colony without major problems. He also took part in an attack on French fishing villages in 1707.

Lloyd organized local soldiers and built new forts. These forts were large enough to protect most of the people. He convinced most colonists to stay inside the forts during the winter of 1708. This was because of ongoing French and Native American raids.

The Battle Begins

Saint-Ovide led the attack on the British soldiers very early on January 1, 1709. The British were not ready. Fort William was commanded by Major Lloyd. Lieutenant Timothy Gullye and Lieutenant Thomas Phillips were also there.

The French force attacked Fort William, the older of the two forts, between 4 and 5 AM. They had ladders. The attackers were spotted, and an alarm was raised. Lloyd was woken up, but the fort was quickly taken over.

The 160 French, Canadian, and Native American fighters defeated about 85 British defenders. A gate connecting the old and new forts was locked. This meant the 440 defenders in the new fort could not help.

After a short fight, George Vane, who was leading the defense of the new fort, surrendered. William I'Anson, a gunner at Fort William, reported many problems with the English defense. He mentioned poor access to gunpowder and many acts of cowardice.

He also said that the alarm was misunderstood. He wrote:

The calling of the centryes Fire! Fire! did, I believe, amuse ye soldiers in bedd, with ye thoughts of some house in ye new Fort to bee on fire, as had often happened. If they had gott to their armes, they would have given a good acct. of their enemyes, being known to bee generally resolute bold fellows. But one of our most immedyat misfortunes was yt. of those 19 inhabts. then on guard in Fort Wm., so few would meet ye enemy on ye walls, which had they done, they then had given time enough for ye rest to have turned out.

According to him, the entire battle lasted only about three minutes. He also reported that South Castle was captured two days later.

What Happened Next

The French stayed in St. John's until April. Governor Costebelle decided not to keep St. John's. Instead, he ordered its forts to be destroyed. The British later moved back and rebuilt the area.

France gave up most of its claims to Newfoundland in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht. Costebelle then moved the French settlers to a new outpost. This was Louisbourg on Île-Royale (now Cape Breton Island).

Saint-Ovide received the Order of Saint Louis for his actions. He became governor of Île-Royale in 1718, taking over from Costebelle.

The forts of St. John's are now recognized as National Historic Sites of Canada. However, the original structures from this conflict were destroyed. Other forts were built there later.

See also

• Military history of the Mi’kmaq Warriors