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Researching the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada
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An Event Chronology Based on Louisbourg Accounts Not Available in the Archives of the Fortress of Louisbourg, By Eric Krause, Krause House Info-Research Solutions, 2004 - Present

1762

Halifax, in Nova Scotia, Jan. 7.

.... Tuesday last arrived here Capt. Phips, in three Days Passage from Louisbourg, by whom we have the melancholy Account of a Cartel Ship being lost near Cape Nore, bound from Quebec to Old France, with 120 Men on board of which only the Captain and six Frenchmen were saved. One Hundred and thirteen Souls perished.

[February 13, 1762]

The following Letter from an Officer at Martinico, dated the 13th of February last, being more circumstantial than any Thing we have yet published relating to the Reduction of that Island, we flatter ourselves it will, even now, be agreeable to our Readers ...

... WHAT British Heart can read without Emotion the glorious List of Acquisitions obtained by Measures planned, guided and directed by PITT! Aix! Cherburgh! Belleisle! (the Fault did not lie with him that Rochefort was not added!) Pondicherry, and all the French Settlements in India! Senegal! Gorree, and the Gum Coast! Louisbourgh! Crown Point! Niagara! DuQuesne! Quebeck! Montreal, and all Canada! Guadaloupe! Marigalante! Dominico! Martinico! for it was his Plan! ...

[April 1, 1762]

CUSTOM HOUSE, Philadelphia, Inward Entries.

...  Schooner Leopard, T. Church, Louisbourg. 

[April 15, 1762]

CUSTOM HOUSE, Philadelphia,...

OUTWARDS. 

Sloop Union, W. Weston, for Louisbourg. ...

CLEARED. 

... Sloop Union, W. Weston, Louisbourg. ...

[May 12, 1762]

"John Watts wrote Moses Frank, May 12, 1762, recommending Joshua Howell as "a clever little experienc’d Quaker" who could "execute the more knotty part of the Business" of transporting troops to Halifax and Louisbourg. Letter Book of John Watts, p. 50." [Volume 3: January 1, 1759-August 31, 1763, p. 20, footnote 6]

[June 26, 1762]

Northumberland at Halifax 26th June 1762

(3 Mar. 1763 ord. to be laid by)

Yesterday I received a Letter from Governour Murray of Quebec dated the 8th past, inclosing a Memorial Subscribed by the Names of twenty three Persons, who call themselves the British Merchants residing in Quebec, and say they are suffering very considerably by their Vessels being taken, or the heavy Premium of Insurance they are obliged to pay; therefore request his Application to me for a Convoy to be ready at Louisbourg about the beginning of November, to conduct their Trade from thence to England.

Their Lordships know the Disposition I have made of every Ship under my command except the Northumberland; and I have acquainted Governour Murray that 'tis not in my power to comply with his request, but that I would make it known to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and did not doubt of occasional Convoys being appointed for the Trade of Quebec, as for the other Colonies.

[Source: C. H. Little, Maritime Museum of Canada, Occasional Papers, Number Six, The Recapture of Saint John’s, Newfoundland Dispatches of Rear-Admiral, Lord Colville 1761-1762 (Halifax: Nova Scotia, December 1959)

Extract of a Letter from Halifax, July 23, 1762.

... We hear that at Louisbourg they are preparing to prevent the French getting Possession there, if they should attempt it from Newfoundland ...

... Extract of a Letter from Louisbourg, July 30, 1762.

"This Moment we had a Cartel arrived here with two Officers, and a Number of Men, from St. John and are bound to England; they put in here for want of Provisions, having only enough for 11 Days; but they are to proceed from hence to Halifax, we having only sufficient for ourselves: These Officers inform us, that the French have 2 Ships of the Line and 2 Frigates, and 1600 Grenadiers, very fine Troops, they having picked them out of 20 Regiments; they are busily employed in fortifying the Place, which they say will be compleatly done; and that there is 500 Men to garrison it this Winter; they have no Thoughts of proceeding any farther, and the Remainder are to return from whence they came: They oblige the Inhabitants of St. John to work, and pay them nothing for it; and they are greatly afraid of our Fleet soon coming to them, they having constantly Reports of that Kind. One of the Gentlemen told me that they spoke with a fishing Schooner, who informed them that the saw 4 English Men of War, who spoke to him, and told him that they were going to block up St. John Harbour: The French treat their Prisoners very ill, putting them on board with stinking Provisions, and Blubber Casks filled with Water; this is all I can learn at present." ...

[August 6, 1762]

Northumberland at Mauger's Beach near Halifax

August 6th, 1762.

(Rec'd 17 Sept.)

Sir

The Vessel mentioned in my last not sailing for England at the time appointed, gives me an opportunity of writing to you again. Captain Jervis of the Gosport having seen his Convoy safe to Virginia, proceeded to New York with the public money he had aboard, and the first imperfect Intelligence of the french squadron at Newfoundland being communicated to him by Sir Jeffery Amherst, he made the best of his way to this Place, where he arrived the 2d. instant. I would have sent for the Launceston from New England, but dispaired of my Orders reaching Piscataqua in time, as Captain Affleck had before acquainted me that he hoped to sail for England on or about the 10th of last Month, and we had no certain Account of the Enemy at Newfoundland untill the 7th.

There are in this Province and Louisbourg about fifteen hundred Regulars and Provincials, and I have proposed to Lieutenant Governor Belcher and Colonel Forster Commander of the Troops, to employ them immediately in endeavouring to remove the French from St. John's in Newfoundland, as it cannot be effected by Ships alone; but Colonel Forster acquaints me that he can do nothing without Orders from Sir Jeffery Amherst, neither can Lieutenant Colonel Tulliken, Commanding Officer at Louisbourg, leave that Place without the same Authority.

Lieutenant Governor Belcher is of opinion that great care ought to be taken of this Province, not only to secure it from without, but also from its internal Enemies, the Indians and Accadians. The former are said to be fifteen hundred Men, Women and Children, dispersed in the different Parts of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, all belonging to one Tribe called Mickmaks, but divided into a number of distinct Bodies, each having its peculiar Chief. These Indians have lately assembled in greater numbers than usual, and been very troublesome to the Infant Settlements of this Province. They are continually spurred on to mischief by the Accadians, who have been elated by the rumour of an Enemy's Squadron being on the Coast, but measures are now taking to remove them from this Province in the same manner that many of them were in 1756. There are 915 Accadians in all now at Halifax, and about three hundred more in the Country.

I am in hopes that Colonel Forster will very soon receive Orders from Sir Jeffery Amherst; and I beg leave to assure their Lordships that nothing shall be wanting on my part, to restore our Affairs at Newfoundland. We cannot as yet judge of the Enemies Designs; how long they intend to stay at St. John s, or what number they will leave behind in Garrison; but I shall loose no opportunity of communicating to you, such Intelligence as I may receive.

P.S. A Vessel is just arrived from Louisbourg by which we have the following Intelligence. A Cartel Brigantine with one hundred and forty Prisoners sailed from St. John's for England on the 18th, past; but finding themselves badly provided with Water and Provisions, bore away for Louisbourg to get a supply. By this means we learn that the Enemy's Squadron under the Chevalier de Ternay consisted of the Robuste of 74 Guns, L’Eveille 64. Le Garonne 28. L’Unicorne 26. And according to the best intelligence that could be got, there were about fifteen hundred Troops under the Command of the Count D'haussonville. We are likewise informed that the Antelope was spoke with on the 18th. past near Trepassy, and that Captain Graves had received Intelligence of the French being in possession of St. John’s.

[Source: C. H. Little, Maritime Museum of Canada, Occasional Papers, Number Six, The Recapture of Saint John’s, Newfoundland Dispatches of Rear-Admiral, Lord Colville 1761-1762 (Halifax: Nova Scotia, December 1959)

August 8th ...

I determined to collect all the force I could to try to dislodge (them), for which I must drain Halifax and Louisbourg of their troops, and as it may he reasonably expected that Lord Colvill will be joyned by ships of war sufficient for him to take the troops under convoy, I ordered the Transports I had been preparing to be quite ready, and formed two Companys from the recovered men of those that came from Martinique ...

[Source: J. C. Webster, editor, Recapture of St. John's Newfoundland - 1762  Journal of Lieut-Col. William Amherst, 1928[

[August 27, 1762]

... Mr. Burns, in armed Cutter sent here by Capt. Graves from Placentia, sailed back with my dispatches to Lord Colville. He was to deliver dispatches to Lieut. Col. Tulliken at Louisbourg on his way. 

Lieut. Burns arrived here with the General’s dispatches. I took up shipping here to the amount of about 395 tons. Two captains of the Royal are ordered with the expedition instead of one, they being deficient in Subalterns. The two Captains of Montgomery's being here with their Companies Capt. Clarke does not take command of those Companies, as was ordered.

[Source: J. C. Webster, editor, Recapture of St. John's Newfoundland - 1762  Journal of Lieut-Col. William Amherst, 1928[

... Extract of a Letter from Halifax, August 28.

"A Number of Transports arrived here Yesterday, from New York, which have on board 200 Troops: They are to carry 500 Regulars of our Garrison, and 500 Provincials, together with the Garrison of Louisbourg, being about 500 more, in all about 1700, in order to retake St. John: The Expedition to be commanded by Col. AMHERST, and depart from hence in two Days. --- Lord Colville is at Newfoundland with four Men of War, of 70, 50, 40, and 20 Guns, with the Massachusetts Province Ship, Captain Hallowell. --- In all Probability they will be joined soon by some Ships from Home." ...

[August 29, 1762]

... The Brig William came in. Lieut. DesBarres ordered on the expedition as Assistant Engineer in the room of Ensign Bastide who is absent. 

One month's provision for about 400 men is put on board the three transports I have taken up. 

Examined a deserter who came in today from Louisbourg, having left the French on their march from the Bay of Bulls to St. Johns. He says their land force consists of the Grenadiers of five Regts, at about 45 men per Company; the rest of La Marine, making in the whole about 800 men. Three other deserters went off the same day with him. Lts. Burns and Phillips sailed this afternoon in the Ordnance Schooner for Louisbourg. The whole was embarked this evening except 150 Provincials who go on board the New London transport which is to be ready tomorrow evening.

[Source: J. C. Webster, editor, Recapture of St. John's Newfoundland - 1762  Journal of Lieut-Col. William Amherst, 1928[

Boston, September 2.

... Monday last the Ship ---, Captain Johnson, a Transport Ship, arrived here in 13 Days from Louisbourg: He brings an Account that Lord Colville with his Ships passed by that Island before he sailed.

A Fishing Schooner arrived at Salem the Beginning of this Week, informs, that they saw Lord Colville off St. Peter ...

[September 5, 1762]

... Got into Louisbourg Harbour in the afternoon. 

[Source: J. C. Webster, editor, Recapture of St. John's Newfoundland - 1762  Journal of Lieut-Col. William Amherst, 1928[

[September 6, 1762]

... Embarked the five Companies of the 45th Regt. Mr. Burns, whom I dispatched from Halifax on the 27th Aug. left Louisbourg the 2nd. Ordered the Brig William and Sloop Dolphin loaded with stores for Placentia to proceed to that place. Took some timbers out of the New London transport that were ordered from Halifax to Placentia and put them on board the Schooner York, Carlisle, Master, and gave him orders to proceed to Placentia, and after delivering them to the proper Officers there, to return to Boston to be discharged by Mr. Hancock. Gave out our next rendezvous between Cape Race and Cape Broyle, but not to the northward of Cape Broyle. 

[Source: J. C. Webster, editor, Recapture of St. John's Newfoundland - 1762  Journal of Lieut-Col. William Amherst, 1928[

September 7, 1762

[September 7, 1762]

... Sailed out of the harbour in tie morning with a fair wind.

[Source: J. C. Webster, editor, Recapture of St. John's Newfoundland - 1762  Journal of Lieut-Col. William Amherst, 1928[

Boston, Sept. 16  

By a Vessel arrived at York at the Eastward, from Halifax, which Place she left the 7th Instant, we are
informed, That the Troops which embarked on board the Transports for the Expedition against St. Jon, sailed from thence on Monday the 30th of August; they were to stop at Louisbourg to take the Troops from thence. --- A Vessel was arrived at Halifax, from some Part of Newfoundland, who on her Passage, five Leagues from St. John, on the 31st of August, saw Lord Colvill, with the Ships that sailed with him. He had not been joined by any Ships from England. It is said the French Ships were not then sailed from St. Jon, but were all in Readiness; that the Number of their Guns were four more than the Ships which Lord Colvill had. ...

Yesterday the Master of a Fishing Schooner arrived at Cape Ann from Louisbourg, which left that Place a Fortnight ago, and informs, That a Cartel Vessel arrived there in 6 Days from S. John, who informed that Lord Colvill was off St. John, and had blocked up the French Men of War there. The Transports with the Troops were just upon sailing from Louisbourg as he came out. ...

[September 23, 1762]

THE Subscriber begs Leave to inform the Public, that she has lately removed from where she kept the Sign of the Siege of Louisbourg, a little below the Drawbridge, Philadelphia, to the House where Mr. Hurry kept the Sign of the Salutation Tavern, upon Society Hill, and next Door to Mr. Neiman; where she has a very commodious House, fit to entertain a large Company of Gentlemen; likewise a very good Billiard Table. Any Gentlemen, who shall be kind enough to favour her with their Company, may depend upon good Entertainment from their very humble Servant,

SARAH RANNALD.

 

[September 26, 1762]

We have not been able to get the remainder of Artillery stores out of Kitty Vitty, from the great surf there. 

Lieut. Col. Tulliken with the two Companies of the 45th Regiment embarked this day and sailed for Louisbourg.

[Source: J. C. Webster, editor, Recapture of St. John's Newfoundland - 1762  Journal of Lieut-Col. William Amherst, 1928[

Boston, Sept. 27.

... Friday last arrived here Capt. Groves, in 10 Days from Louisbourg, by whom we learn, that the Transports with the Troops, consisting of about 1500, including 500 of the Provincials of this Province, that were in his Majesty Service at Nova Scotia, sailed from thence for Newfoundland on the 7th Instant, in order to attempt the Recovery of St. John "There was also on board the Transports a Detachment of the Train of Artillery: They had received Advice at Louisbourg of Lord Colvill being joined by the Antilope and Syren Men of War from Placentia, and had blocked up the French at St. John; that upon the first Appearance of this Fleet before that Place, with French and Spanish Colours flying, they were thought by the French Admiral to be a Reinforcement from Europe, upon which he sent out a Schooner, with his Lieutenant, and 100 Men, to assist in conducting them into the Harbour; but upon the Vessel being detained they soon perceived their Mistake, and immediately confined all the English that were in the Place, expecting that an Attack would soon be made; --- in which we hope they will not be disappointed. --- 'Tis said Lord Colvill had sent several Vessels to Harbour Grace, to bring off a considerable Number of English People there, who were ready to assist him in dispossessing the French at St. John.

Boston, September 30.

Tuesday arrived here Captain Carlisle from Placentia in Newfoundland, he left that Place the 25th of this Instant September, and informs, that the Day before he sailed, an Express Sloop arrived there from Lord Colville, for 2 Officers and 70 Marines that had been before landed from the Antelope: The said Express informed, that they left Lord Colville on the 11th Instant, off St. John, in which Harbour the French Ships still were; that no Ships had then joined him from England: The Express further added, that about 2 Hours after they left Lord Colvill, they met with the Transports having on board Col. Amherst, with the Troops under his Command from Halifax and Louisbourg: The had been 4 Days from the last mentioned Place: They had the Wind upon the Beam, and no doubt joined the Men of War in less than two Hours. ...

[October 25, 1762]

Northumberland at Spithead 25th October 1762.

Sir

On the 23d. of last Month, Captain Douglas in the Syren, sailed for England from St. John's Harbour, with an Account of the Recovery of that Place from the Enemy, and of the Proceedings of the Squadron untill that time. Two Days after the Syren, the french Troops that were made Prisoners of War, sailed for Brest, in the two largest Transports that came from New York with Colonel Amherst: I inclose an Account of them as made out by the Count D'haussonville, their commanding Officer, and also a Copy of the Orders I gave to the Masters of the Transports that carried them; both which I also send to the Commissioners for Sick and hurt Seamen.

Captain Jervis of the Gosport took all the wounded Men amounting to nineteen, and one hundred of our Troops into his own Ship, and with about as many more in a Transport, sailed for New York on the 25th of September, where he was to make no stay, but prosecute his Orders from their Lordships, as mentioned in my last Letter.

Captain Hallowell of the King George, took on board his own Ship and a Transport Schooner, about one hundred and sixty of the Troops, and sailed for Louisbourg on the 26th of September, where they were to be landed, and one hundred Provincials taken aboard and carried to Halifax, from whence they had been lent to supply the place of the Louisbourg Troops, that went on the Expedition. From Halifax the King George was to return to Boston.

All the rest of the Troops to be sent from St. John's were put on board eight Transport Vessels, except about forty, which Captain Peyton of the Minerva took into his own Ship, and as Convoy to the whole sailed on the 1st of October for Halifax; where all the Troops except about twenty, and four of the Transports, were to be left; Captain Peyton with the other four, containing Military Stores, was to proceed to New York, the place of their Destination. From New York he was to proceed to Spithead; and if Sir Jeffery Amherst should think it necessary to send any Transports to England in order to their being discharged, he was to take them under his Care.

On the 25th of September Captain Houlton in the Enterprize anchored in St. John's Harbour. He had convoyed a number of Transports with Sick and wounded Soldiers from the Havannah to New York, and joined me from thence. He sailed again under my Orders the 2d. of October, with Colonel Amherst for New York; and was afterwards to join Captain Spry at Halifax, unless upon consultation with Sir Jeffery Amherst it should be thought necessary to employ the Enterprize upon some other Duty, more essential for his Majesty's Service.

Colonel Amherst saw all his Troops disposed of before he left St. John's. Two hundred and fifty remained in Garrison under the command of Captain Gualley of the 45th Regiment, and a Subaltern with twenty eight Men relieved the Marines on the Isle of Boys. The Marines at Placentia were sent for, on the first notice I had of the Army's approach, that sixty eight Men might be added to it; but they did not arrive untill after the Gosport sailed, and I divided her Marines being twenty four in all, between the Minerva and Shrewsbury. Seventeen, the number of the Syren's Marines, did not arrive from the Isle of Boys, untill after Captain Douglas had sailed; they are now on board the Northumberland. All the rest of the Marines are returned to their proper Ships. The Syren's and Gosport’s were discharged from their's when they sailed from St. John's.

There are six Guns, twenty four and eighteen Pounders, on the south Battery, which defends the Mouth of St. Johns Harbour, these were spiked up by the Enemy, and the Commanding Officer of the Artillery, reported to Colonel Amherst that they could not be made serviceable at present for want of proper drilling Tools, therefore I directed Captain Houlton of the Enterprize to land six of his lower Deck Guns, being eighteen Pounders, to supply their Place. However, the Armourer of the Superb, a Foreigner accustomed to such Work, afterwards undertook the Task and performed it, so that the Guns are again as fit for Service as ever.

I have mentioned in another Letter that the Fortifications on the Island of Carbonera, were entirely destroyed by the Enemy. Colonel Amherst sent thither Mr. Desbarres an Engineer, who surveyed the Island and drew a Plan for fortifying it with new Works; when these are finished, the Enterprize's six Guns will be ready to mount on them. But I believe nothing will be under taken this Year, as the Season is so far advanced, and no kind of Materials on the spot for building Barracks or Sheds to cover the Men, should any be sent there. Mr. Cook, Master of the Northumberland, accompanied Mr. Desbarres. He has made a Draught of Harbour Grace, and the Bay of Carbonera; both which are in a great measure commanded by the Island, which lies off a Point of Land between them. Hitherto we have had a very imperfect Knowledge of these Places, but Mr. Cook who was particularly carefull in sounding them has discovered that Ships of any size may lay in safety both in Harbour Grace and the Bay of Carbonera.

I was informed by Captain Pallisser, that the Senegal and another Sloop had sailed from England a little before him; and that it was supposed they had Orders to join me in North America. I naturally concluded that the Captain of one of the Sloops, was charged with my Orders from their Lordships of the 31st of July, and not finding me at Halifax, would agreeable to the Rendezvous I left with Lieutenant Governor Belcher, follow me to Newfoundland; therefore I directed Captain Graves of the Antelope, to employ conditionally, any Sloop that might arrive at St. Johns after my Departure, as a Convoy, if any Vessels should be bound to England, to make the same necessary and I inclose a Copy of my Orders to Captain Graves.

From what I have wrote their Lordships will know now I have disposed of all the Ships under my command. It remains only for me to say that on the 7th Instant I sailed from St. Johns Harbour in Newfoundland with the Northumberland, Shrewsbury, Bedford and Superb; and this Day we all anchored at Spithead without meeting anything remarkable on our Passage.

COLVILLE.

[Source: C. H. Little, Maritime Museum of Canada, Occasional Papers, Number Six, The Recapture of Saint John’s, Newfoundland Dispatches of Rear-Admiral, Lord Colville 1761-1762 (Halifax: Nova Scotia, December 1959)

[November, 1762]

... PRELIMINARY ARTICLES of PEACE, between his BRITANNIC MAJESTY, the most CHRISTIAN KING, and the CATHOLIC KING. Signed at Fontainbleau the Third Day of November, 1762. ...

II. His most Christian Majesty renounces all pretensions, which he has heretofore formed, or might have formed, to Nova Scotia, or Acadia, in all its parts, and guarantees the whole of it, with all its dependencies, to the King of Great Britain; moreover, his most Christian Majesty cedes, and guarantees, to his said Britannic Majesty, in full right, Canada, with all its dependencies, as well as the island of cape breton, and all the other islands in the Gulph and River St. Laurence, without restriction, and without any liberty to depart from this cession and guaranty, under any pretence, or to trouble Great Britain in the possession abovementioned ....

... III. The subjects of France shall have the liberty of fishing and drying, on a part of the coasts of the island of Newfoundland, such as it is specified in the XIIIth article of the treaty of Utrecht, which article shall be confirmed and renewed by the approaching Definitive Treaty (except what regards the island of cape breton, as well as the other islands in the mouth and in the gulph of St. Laurence) And his Britannic Majesty consents to leave to the most Christian King subjects the liberty to fish in the Gulph of St. Laurence, on condition that the subjects of France do not exercise the said fishery but at the distance of three leagues from all the coasts belonging to Great Britain, as well those of the continent, as those of the islands situated in the said
Gulph of St. Laurence. And as to what relates to the fishery out of the said Gulph, his most Christian Majesty subjects shall not exercise the fishery but at the distance of fifteen leagues from the coasts of the island of cape breton.

IV. The King of Great Britain cedes the islands of St. Peter and of Miquelon, in full right, to his most Christian Majesty, to serve as a shelter for the French fishermen; and his said Majesty obliges himself, on his Royal Word, not to fortify the said islands; to erect no buildings there but merely for the conveniency of the fishery; and to keep there only a guard of fifty men for the police. ...

[November 18, 1762]

CUSTOM HOUSE, Philadelphia, ...

CLEARED. 

... Schooner Dove, J. Buck, Louisbourg.

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