The Siege of Fort William Henry: A Year on the Northeastern Frontier

by Ben Hughes

Fort William Henry on the southern shore of New York’s Lake George was a key fortification supporting British interests along the frontier with French America. French Commander Louis-Joseph de Montcalm and his American Indian allies laid siege to Fort William Henry headed by Lieutenant Colonel George Monro, in 1757 which led Monro to eventually surrender. As part of the terms, the British regiment, colonial militia, and their camp followers would be allowed safe passage to nearby Fort Edward. The French watched in horror, however, as their Indian allies attacked the British column after it left the fort, an episode that sparked outrage and changed the tactics of the war.

Seen through the eyes of participants such as Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a scholarly young aide-de-camp, Jabez Fitch, an amiable Connecticut sergeant, and Kisensik, a proud Nipissing chief, The Siege of Fort William Henry: A Year on the Northeastern Frontier uses contemporary newspaper reports, official documents, private letters, and published memoirs to bring the narrative to life.

paperback, 336 pages, 6x9, 2011, 40 b/w illustrations, maps, index, bibliography, $28.00