Siege of Little Butte des Morts facts for kids

The Siege of Little Butte des Morts was an important battle. It happened in 1716 during the Fox Wars. This conflict took place in what is now Wisconsin. The battle was fought near Little Lake Butte des Morts. This area is currently part of Winnebago County, Wisconsin.

At that time, the Fox people had a very strong fort. It was located at a place called Butte des Morts. This fort was home to many people, possibly thousands.

What Was the Siege of Little Butte des Morts?

The Fox Wars were a series of conflicts. They were fought between the Fox (Meskwaki) people and New France. New France was the name for French colonies in North America. The French knew that Butte des Morts was a key stronghold for the Fox. Because of this, they decided to attack it. They wanted to take control of the fort.

How the Battle Unfolded

The French forces brought powerful weapons with them. They had two large cannons. They also had a grenade mortar. These were used to attack the fort's defenses. The French expected the siege to be quick. However, the battle lasted for three days. This was much longer than they thought it would be.

Later Attacks on Butte des Morts

Butte des Morts was attacked again later. This second attack happened in 1730. It was led by a French commander named Paul Marin de la Malgue.

Doubts About the 1730 Attack

Recently, some historians have questioned the 1730 attack. They are not sure if it truly happened. Because of these doubts, a historic marker was removed. This marker was taken down in March 2017. It had been placed at Butte des Morts to remember the events.