Northeast Coast campaign (1703) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Northeast Coast campaign (1703)
Part of Queen Anne's War
Date 10 August – 6 October 1703 Location present-day coastal Maine, from Casco Bay south Result French and Wabanaki Confederacy victory
Belligerents
New England	French colonists  Abenaki
Commanders and leaders
Cyprian Southack John March (wounded) Captain John Larrabee Captain Summersby (Portsmouth) Captain Wadley (Wells) Captain Davis Captain Richard Hunnewell (Black Point)  † Lt. Wyat (Black Point)	Alexandre Leneuf de La Vallière de Beaubassin Father Sebastian Rale Moxus Wanongonet Escumbuit Sampson
Strength
	500 Indians unknown marines
Casualties and losses
reports vary; killed captured more than 300	approximately 15 killed; 15 captured

The Northeast Coast campaign (also called the Six Terrible Days) happened from August 10 to October 6, 1703. It was the first big attack by the French during Queen Anne's War in New England.

Alexandre Leneuf de La Vallière de Beaubassin led 500 fighters. These included French colonists and members of the Wabanaki Confederacy. They attacked English towns along the coast of what is now Maine.

The attacks stretched from Wells to Casco Bay (near modern Portland, Maine). They burned many homes and captured or killed over 150 people. Some English towns were defended, but many were destroyed. One historian said that Maine was "nearly destroyed" by this campaign.

Why the Campaign Happened

The land between Acadia (French territory) and New England (English territory) was often fought over. This area is now southern Maine. Both the French and English claimed it.

During King William's War in the 1690s, these land arguments were not settled. The French said their land went to the Kennebec River. The English claimed all land between the Piscataqua and St. Croix rivers.

The French had built Catholic missions in places like Norridgewock. These spots were used as bases to attack English settlers. Native American groups like the Abenaki lived in these areas. They often sided with the French.

War started between France and England in 1702. At first, the border areas were quiet. But then, the French Governor-General, Louis-Hector de Callière, told the Abenaki to start fighting again. He promised them rewards.

After Callière died, Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil became the new Governor. He strongly encouraged attacks on English towns. He wanted to keep the Abenaki on the French side. Vaudreuil gave Alexandre Leneuf de La Vallière de Beaubassin the job of leading these raids.

The Governor of Massachusetts Bay, Joseph Dudley, did not think the Abenaki would go to war. He thought they wanted peace. But an Abenaki chief named Moxus tried to warn Dudley about the French plans. Dudley did not believe him.

The Attacks Begin

Beaubassin's group had about 500 fighters. This included a small number of French soldiers. The rest were Mi'kmaq from what is now Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. There were also Kennebec people from Norridgewock. Father Sebastian Rale helped lead the Kennebec group.

On August 10, 1703, Beaubassin split his forces into six groups. They attacked several towns at the same time. These towns included Wells, Cape Porpoise, Saco, Scarborough, Spurwink, Purpooduck, and Casco.

Attacks on Wells, Cape Porpoise, and Saco

At Wells, Beaubassin's fighters killed or captured 39 people. Many others were hurt. Another group attacked Cape Porpoise, which was a small fishing village.

At Saco, the Wabanaki killed 11 people and took 24 captive. They also took over the fort at Winter Harbor. The soldiers there had to surrender.

Scarborough Under Siege

When the Wabanaki reached the fort at Scarborough, they tried to trick the soldiers. They sent a captive with a white flag, pretending to want peace. But the fort's commander kept the captive and fought back hard.

The soldiers were very tired, but a New England force arrived and saved them. The Wabanaki then tried to dig tunnels under the fort. But heavy rain caused the tunnels to collapse, showing the attackers. Beaubassin then left to find easier targets.

Later, on October 6, 200 Wabanaki fighters went to Black Point. They killed or captured 19 settlers in the fields. They then attacked the fort there. After a tough fight, the New Englanders escaped by boat. The Wabanaki burned the fort.

Casco, Spurwink, and Purpooduck

The Wabanaki caused the most damage in Spurwink and Purpooduck. In Spurwink, they killed or captured 22 people. At Purpooduck, they killed 25 people and took eight prisoners.

The fort at Casco (Falmouth) had 36 soldiers. Major John March was in charge. On August 10, the Wabanaki leaders Moxus and Wanongonet approached the fort. They pretended to want to talk.

Major March went out with only a few men. The Wabanaki attacked them. March was rescued by soldiers from the fort. Two of his companions were killed.

The Wabanaki then set fire to houses around the area. More Wabanaki warriors arrived in 200 canoes. They took a ship and other valuable items. For two days, they tried to dig under the fort from the water.

On August 19, Captain Cyprian Southack arrived on his ship, the Province Galley (ship). He helped the fort, and the Wabanaki stopped their attack. But they still roamed around Casco. They attacked another ship, killing the captain and three others.

On September 26, Governor Dudley sent 360 men to Pigwacket. This was a main Native American village. Major March led 300 New Englanders there. They killed 6 Wabanaki and captured 6. This was the first time the New Englanders fought back in this war.

Attacks on York and Berwick

At the same time, Chief Sampson led a group of Wabanaki south to York and Berwick. At York, they killed seven members of the Arthur Bragdon family. They also captured a woman and her daughter.

Another group went to Berwick. They attacked five New Englanders, killing one and capturing three. They then attacked the fort, but the New Englanders fought them off. The Wabanaki killed 9 and wounded 9 of their own. In return, the Wabanaki captured a man and burned him alive.

What Happened Next

After these attacks, the French and Native Americans attacked Deerfield. The French also wanted to capture important English people for prisoner exchanges. In 1704, the Wabanaki attacked Wells and York again.

Because of these events, the English governors called for action against the French. Massachusetts Governor Joseph Dudley said that destroying French towns would end the war. The border area was guarded by over 2,000 men. The reward for Native American scalps was greatly increased.

Governor Dudley quickly planned a counter-attack. In the summer of 1704, New Englanders led by Benjamin Church attacked French villages. These included Pentagouet, Passamaquoddy Bay, Grand Pré, and Beaubassin.

The New Englanders also attacked Norridgewock. In 1705, 275 soldiers went to Norridgewock to capture Father Rale. He escaped, but they burned his church.

John March led an attack on Port Royal, the capital of Acadia, in 1707.

Many Native American families from the Penobscot, Norridgewock, and Saco tribes moved. The French settled them at St. Francis, Canada. This was to protect them from the Iroquois. These groups became known as the St. Francis Indians.

By the end of the war, Native Americans had killed over 700 British people. They also captured more than 250 along the border.

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