Jean Erdman, Baron Dieskau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Erdman
Baron Dieskau |
|
|---|---|
| Born | 1701 Dresden, Saxony |
| Died | 8 September 1767 (aged 65–66) Surenne |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of France |
| Service/ |
French Army |
| Years of service | 1733–1755 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Battles/wars | War of the Austrian Succession Seven Years' War |
| Awards | Order of Saint Louis |
Jean Erdman, Baron Dieskau (born 1701 – died 8 September 1767) was a soldier from Germany. He is best known as a French general. He commanded French forces in America during part of the French and Indian War.
Life of a Soldier
Dieskau started his military career helping important officers. He was an assistant to Marshal Maurice de Saxe. In 1741, he visited St. Petersburg. He also served in the Netherlands. By 1748, he became a major general. This meant he was a high-ranking officer in charge of infantry soldiers. He also commanded the city of Brest.
Journey to Canada
On February 20, 1755, Dieskau was sent to Canada. He led French troops to fight against the British. His army included 600 Canadians, 600 Indigenous people, and 200 regular French soldiers.
He traveled up Lake Champlain. His goal was to attack Fort Edward. However, their guides made a mistake. They took the path to Lake George instead.
The Battle of Lake George
On September 8, scouts told Dieskau that a group of 1,000 British soldiers was coming. These soldiers were led by Colonel Ephraim Williams. Dieskau quickly set up an ambush. He arranged his men in a horseshoe shape. They surprised the British soldiers and made them run away.
Dieskau's forces chased the British back to their camp. But the Indigenous allies stopped. The Canadians also became worried. This left Dieskau and his 200 French regulars to fight alone. For five hours, the New England militia fought very hard. Almost all the French regulars were lost.
Dieskau was shot three times. But he refused to give up. He sat on a tree stump, still facing the bullets. Finally, a soldier came close to capture him. Dieskau reached for his watch to give to the soldier. But the soldier thought he was pulling out a pistol. The soldier shot him again. This wound eventually led to Dieskau's death many years later.
After the Battle
This battle became known as the Battle of Lake George. Dieskau was held as a prisoner until 1763. He was then exchanged and returned to France. There, he received a pension, which is like a regular payment. Command of the French forces in Canada then went to Louis-Joseph de Montcalm.
