Northeast Coast campaign (1755) facts for kids
The Northeast Coast campaign of 1755 was a series of attacks that happened in 1755. It took place near the end of Father Le Loutre's War and the start of the French and Indian War. During this time, the Wabanaki Confederacy, a group of Native American tribes from Acadia (which is now parts of Canada and Maine), raided British towns. These towns were along the old border between New England and Acadia, in what we now call Maine.
Why the Conflict Started
This campaign was part of a bigger struggle for control over land. The British and the French were often fighting over territories in North America. Native American tribes, like those in the Wabanaki Confederacy, were caught in the middle. They often allied with the French to protect their lands from British expansion.
Building Forts
Before 1755, there had been many raids between Native American groups and British settlers. To protect their settlements, the British built several forts along the Kennebec River. This river was seen as the old border of Acadia.
- Fort Halifax was built in Winslow.
- Fort Shirley was built in Dresden.
- Fort Western was built in Augusta.
Fort Halifax was finished on September 4, 1754. Soon after, on November 6, 1754, Wabanaki warriors attacked the fort. They killed one soldier and captured four others. In response, Governor Shirley sent 100 more soldiers to help defend the fort.
The 1755 Campaign Raids
In 1755, before a major battle at Beausejour, the Wabanaki Confederacy carried out nine raids. These attacks targeted British forts and settlements along the border. During these raids, 11 people were killed, and 11 others were taken captive.
- April 1755: In Gorhamtown, Native Americans killed two men and an entire family.
- April 1755: They then attacked New Boston (now Gray), burning down farms.
- May 13: Two men were killed at Frankfort (now Dresden), near Fort Shirley.
- May 13: Five men were captured while working in fields at Sheepscot (now Newcastle). Two of them later managed to escape.
- May 29: One person was killed and another taken prisoner in North Yarmouth.
- June: One man was shot at Terconnet.
- June: One person was captured while traveling between Fort Western and Fort Halifax.
- June: Two prisoners were taken at Fort Shirley (Dresden).
- June: Another two people were captured at New Gloucester.
What Happened Next
After these raids, Governor Shirley took action. On June 10, he ordered more supplies and six independent companies of soldiers to the border. The next day, June 11, Governor Shirley officially declared war. He declared war against the Anasaunticook Indians and all other Eastern tribes, except for the Penobscot tribe.
However, a big change happened on June 16, 1755. The British won a major victory at the Siege of Beausejour. This defeat caused the Native American tribes to pull back from fighting along the border.
John Wheelwright (military officer) of Wells was put in charge of war supplies for the border region. He helped get the necessary items for the Kennebec expedition.
