Northeast Coast campaign (1750) facts for kids
The Northeast Coast campaign of 1750 was a series of attacks during a conflict called Father Le Loutre's War. These events happened between September and December of 1750. Native American groups, including the Norridgewock and Abenaki from Quebec, raided British settlements. These settlements were located along the border between Acadia and New England, in what is now Maine.
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Why Did This Campaign Happen?
For many years, there had been fighting between Native American groups and British settlers. The Wabanaki Confederacy and Abenaki from Quebec often attacked British towns. These towns were getting closer to the Kennebec River, which was the old border of Acadia.
After King George's War ended in 1748, tensions were still high. In October 1748, the Acadians and Mi'kmaq people stopped a British officer, John Gorham. They prevented him from landing to ask for a promise of loyalty. Three of his soldiers were killed, and three were hurt.
In response, the French governor of New France, Roland-Michel Barrin de La Galissonière, warned that Native American raids might start again. The Mi'kmaq people were given weapons by the French to attack a British fort called Fort St. Georges.
Attacks Along the Coast
The Wabanaki Confederacy in Acadia fought back when the British founded a new town, Halifax. They attacked settlements in New England along the coast of what is now Maine. These attacks happened below the Kennebec River, which was the old border of Acadia.
In 1750, Native Americans attacked the town of Falmouth, killing one person in June. In July 1750, they captured seven people at a place called New Meadows.
The 1750 Campaign Begins
The Wabanaki people carried out a series of attacks in 1750. They targeted 10 different settlements. During these raids, two people were killed and 24 were taken captive. The attacks began on September 11.
It was thought that the Tarrantines, a group within the Wabanaki, were involved in a raid on Fort Richmond. The Wabanaki raided several towns, including Richmond (near Fort Richmond), Dresden, Swan Island, Wiscasset, Sheepscot, Parker's Island, Georgetown, Maquoit, Windham, Gorhamtown, and New Gloucester.
Specific Raids in September
On September 8, 60 Norridgewock and St. Francis Native Americans attacked two families on Swan Island, near Fort Richmond. Two people escaped, but 14 were taken captive. Later that day, the Native Americans attacked Fort Richmond for three hours. Seven soldiers defended the fort. When the attackers left, they took one prisoner and burned crops.
On September 9, they attacked Wiscasset and Sheepscot, taking two captives. On September 10, a man was captured at Berwick. On September 11, there was a report that Native Americans attacked Fort Richmond for two to three days. They killed cattle and took 12 to 13 cattle.
On September 21, Native Americans attacked New Marblehead (now Windham) and captured one person. By September 26, along the border, 17 people had been captured. Two people were wounded, and one was killed.
What Happened After the Campaign?
In the spring of 1750, Native Americans captured three boys at New Yarmouth. On June 8, a man was killed near Falmouth. In July, seven people were taken prisoner at New Meadows. Towards the end of June, Fort Richmond was attacked again. Two weeks later, six men were captured and one was killed.
A peace treaty was signed on August 3, 1752, at Fort St. Georges. However, the Mi'kmaq and St. Francois Native Americans were not present at this signing.
The raids continued even after the British started building forts along the Kennebec River in 1754. During the war, the British built Fort Halifax (in Winslow), Fort Shirley (in Dresden), and Fort Western (in Augusta). These forts were along the old border of Acadia, the Kennebec River.
