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Chapter 2: 1757 part 1
The Year 1757:

Gerard Lafontaine continued his duties as a French sailor and gunner, still crewed to a French ship in the Mediterranean fleet. Various communiques among the French navy continued on as usual, a small bump here and there from these minor ripples resulted in some orders arriving sooner or later than usual. One such occurrence would bring the ripples of our point of departure clear across the Atlantic to Caribbean.

Leeward Islands Campaign

The greater success of Minorca swayed a few decisions regarding French naval deployments, which included dispatching a small Atlantic fleet, along with French troops to the French West Indies with orders for offensive and defensive actions. They were set to arrive at the end of the hurricane season in December of 1756, and by January were staged for an offensive against the British held islands. Antigua although desirable was deemed an improbable success due to its seat for the Royal Navy’s Caribbean fleet. The British fleet however would be drawn out in defense, when one portion of the French forces raided and sacked the island of Barbuda. When reports of the attack came in, the British fleet would arrive to discover the French had already departed from the island. In the meantime, the other portion of the French fleet attacked and captured the island of Nevis on New Year’s Day. Significant damage was done to Charlestown and Fort St. Charles surrendered quickly; its cannons and those from other forts on the island were taken and used in the subsequent Siege of Brimstone Hill on St. Kitts on January 4th.

The diversionary French forces that had raided Barbuda had rejoined the rest of the French fleet off of St. Kitts, and assisted in defending and supporting the French forces. By the time British Commodore Thomas Frankland had arrived with the British fleet, Brimstone Hill was well under siege, as he faced off against the well anchored French fleet, on January 11th.

At the Battle of St. Kitts, the French fleet contained the 74 gun ship the Prudent, as well as the Frigates, Atalante, Zephyr, the ex-British ship the Warwick, and several other frigates and ships of the line. Frankland, commanding the British fleet from the HMS Winchester, was ultimately unsuccessful in driving off the French fleet. However during the course of the battle he did succeed in doing enough damage to the Warwick to drive it aground. After the battle, the French assessed the wreck to be unrepairable, and ended up removing cannon from the Warwick and adding it to the ongoing Siege of Brimstone hill. The French then broke up the Warwick to use its timbers in repairing damage to the French fleet that was sustained in the battle, and burnt what remained.

Brimstone Hill finally fell to the French on January 31st, 1757 when the defenders surrendered with the honors of war and Commodore Frankland was forced to acknowledge French occupation of St. Kitts and Nevis. After the fall of Fort St. Charles on Nevis, and again following the capture of St. Kitts, many British subjects and families on the islands were allowed to evacuate if they desired. The majority of these persons ended up fleeing to the Bahamas while a few others took flight to Jamaica.

Oh.. and lest I forget… for the astute among you, what might that mean for a young adulterous woman ripe with child from Charlestown named Rachel Faucette and her lover, unexpectedly displaced from their homes by the fortunes of war? I’ll let you contemplate that before we come back to that important point in our future discussions.

Battle Results:

French Fleet:
Less than half the fleet damaged, Warwick ran aground and scuttled.
48 killed, 197 wounded.

British Fleet:
Nearly two-thirds of the fleet damaged
65 killed, 218 wounded.

French Victory: Fall of St. Kitts and Nevis to France.


Meanwhile, back in Europe…

Let us return to one of our agents of change, Jean Lefeuvre. It was on one cold January 5th afternoon of 1757 that he bumped into another individual while out walking. It was seemingly nothing spectacular; the bumped man merely dropped his pen knife in the dirty street, picked it back up and went on his way. Jean meanwhile, a mere few days later resumed his criminal tendencies and attempted to mug a civilian. This occurrence of thievery however did not turn out so well for him, as his intended victim got the better of him, and stabbed him with his own knife, and left poor Jean to bleed to death in an alley.

The Attack on King Louis the XV

Speaking of stabbing, the grumpy man that Jean bumped into a few days earlier before he died was one Robert-François Damiens. Later that very evening, on January 5th, 1757, at the Palace of Versailles, Damiens stabbed King Louis the XV with the same dirty pen knife which he had fished out of the street that afternoon. The wound was minor and decidedly non-fatal, but the king, worried of poison, called for a confessor. There was no poison on the blade, but within two days it soon became apparent that the wound was unclean as a large boil began to form. The festering infection continued, despite doctor’s unsuccessful attempts to drain it, and more boils appeared. The King got progressively more ill over the next few weeks. In the meantime Robert Damiens was tortured and imprisoned.

Despite her attempts, Madame de Pompadour calls for the dismissal of Jean-Baptiste de Machault d'Arnouville and Marc-Pierre de Voyer de Paulmy d'Argenson went unheeded. The King was too busy being ill and conversing privately with his son Louis, the Dauphin of France, in between periods in which he was attended to by his doctors. At the time, the doctors knew King Louis did not have consumption or pox. Some still thought the illness came from poison, while others dismissed that idea. Most thought it was not contagious and it wasn’t, but great precautions were taken anyway during the King and the Dauphin’s interactions. King Louis’ mind stayed sharp to the end before the infection finally took him on February 2nd, 1757. Robert Damiens was executed by dismemberment the following day.

The Dauphin was crowned as King Louis the XVI less than one month later on March 1st, 1757. Out of respect of his father’s wished, Madame de Pompadour was given a small quiet country estate far away from the court. Louis the XV’s other mistresses were evicted from the palace as well, though they got far less compensation.

The French Court under King Louis XVI

After his attack and prior to his death, King Louis the XV imparted as much advice and political knowledge as he could to his son before his passing. Louis XVI took much of this to heed, but still had his own ideas to implement.

Somewhere along the way, a rumor had started that the British were behind the assassination of King Louis the XV. Anyone with a modicum of sense would know that this notion was absurd. However, it rallied the people against the British during the war, and whatever aid it provided to the recruitment of soldiers and their morale was welcome to the new king, so he made no move to contest or suppress the rumors.

The new king himself had always been a fervent student of the military arts, and numerous other disciplines. He was studious, well-educated, conservative and devout. He had inherited not just the crown, but a war that would be important for the future of France, and a mess of a bureaucracy in Paris, and he took it all seriously. One of the first acts he did, was reign in the expenses of the French court, canceled all the extravagant parties and balls, and sold off frivolous and unnecessary assets, turning the running of the palace into a frugal affair.

Comte d'Arnouville continued to counsel against the alliance Austria as he had done so previously with Louis XV when his advice was ignored. Although his advice was not ignored, Louis XVI could see no feasible or prudent way of disentangling themselves with Austria, nor did he entirely agree with the matter. The issue was not helped by his wife, Maria Josepha of Saxony, (which had recently fallen to Prussia) and her familial ties to Austria through her mother who argued for continued or even strengthened ties to Austria, and the influence of the Devots who supported alliance with the catholic Habsburgs against protestant influences. Thus, the alliance with Austria remained in place. But as for his advice on matters of taxation, the Louis listened more closely, as Comte d’Arnouville would again attempt to bring about reform. Louis’s piety, and again, the influence of the Devots, defeated any attempt for this reform to emplace taxes upon the church, but in exchange for the retention of their privilege, the church supported the taxation against the nobles and a few other sources. However, the tax was not as high as Comte d’Arnouville desired. Alone it was not enough to completely offset the borrowing that had to be continued, but it was enough, combined with other revenue, to let France carry on in the financing of the war.

Other means of finance would still be required, and several plans were prepared ranging from capture of Hanover and selling or trading it back to Britain, capture of the profitable sugar islands of the West Indies, and even pursuit of new plantation income sources in North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Military conquests were not the only area of pursuit in trimming finances. Louis XVI himself has seen examples of the Army’s inefficiencies, its bloat of officers, whose pay drained coffers, its non-permanent nature, dualistic command structure were all impediments to be overcome, as was finding a minister skilled enough to take on the task while navigating the bureaucracy of Paris.

Despite her removal from the court, Madame Pompadour still had many friends there, with whom she continued to communicate. Several plans which had already been in motion, and continued through the use of letters, would have an impact on things to come during the year. One of such, which was also one of the last things King Louis XV approved before his passing, was the transfer of Étienne François, duc de Choiseul from Rome to Vienna.

Leeward Islands Campaign, Part II

By late March, London had received word of the French attack on St Kitts, Nevis, and Barbuda. As Commodore Thomas Frankland was already in disfavor among his superiors, it only added more reasons for them to replace him and sent Commodore John Moore out with a British Fleet to retake the lost islands.

However it would not be until early May that Commodore Moore and the new fleet would arrive in the West Indies.

In the meantime, the slightly larger French fleet had repaired most of their lesser damage and re-staged to attempt to take on the damaged British fleet at Antigua. On February 15th, the French Fleet was met by the British and Commodore Frankland off English Harbor.

Battle of Antigua

The two fleets formed the battle lines, and proceeding to duke it out rather heavily. However French attempts to land troops on the island were thwarted by a heavy barrage that left a troop and artillery ship badly listing. Through a combination of tenacity, luck and favorable weather, Commodore Frankland drove off the French assault. The battle took a fierce toll however on both sides, while no Ships of the Line were lost, the British lost 2 Frigates for 2 French Frigates plus two French support ships. The artillery ship was captured but beyond repair, and the British were able a save a few pieces to reinforce the defenses of Antigua. With the winds and tides against them and the loss of important support, the French abandon their invasion attempt and limped back to Guadalupe and Martinique to repair and refit.

Battle Results:

French Fleet:
3/4th of the Fleet damaged (including remaining prior damage)
2 Frigates and 2 support ships sunk or captured.
897 killed, 912 wounded.

British Fleet:
3/4th of the Fleet damaged (including remaining prior damage)
2 Frigates lost.
587 killed, 773 wounded.

British Victory: Repulsion of French invasion attempt

Execution of Admiral John Byng

The ripples from the altered battle of Minorca of course followed the British fleet back to Gibraltar, far more sailors had died or were captured than in the timeline we known. The ripples followed Admiral Byng home to England as well as he was called just as before to explain himself regarding the shocking loss of Fort St. Phillip and Minorca, and two British ships. The outrage was even more furious than what could have been, and this only served to accelerate the court-martial. The findings were the same though; Admiral Byng was acquitted of cowardice but convicted of ‘failing to do his utmost’ against the French. He was executed by firing squad on March 10th, 1757

Battle of Reichenberg

The ripples in time, major and minor had by this point fully encompassed all of continental Europe and the British Isles. They made themselves felt again during the Battle of Reichenberg.

On April 20th, near the city of Reichenberg in Bohemia; Prussian forces under the command of Marshal von Bevern clashed with Austrian forces led by Count Christian Moritz von Koenigsegg. 16,000 Prussian troops faced off against 10,500 Austrian soldiers, amidst fierce fighting however Marshal von Bevern is struck by shrapnel. Though grievously injured, he maintains his command and leads his forces to victory against the Austrians. He would succumb to his wounds three days later.

The Second Treaty of Versailles

On May 1st, France and Austria agreed to the Second Treaty of Versailles, which called for France’s assistance in the defeat of Prussia and Austria regaining Silesia in exchange for a French client state over the Austrian Netherlands. They also prepared agreements for the partition of Prussia between France, Austria, Saxony, Sweden and Russia, and financial subsidies from France to Austria continued.

French troops, immediately afterwards began sharing the garrison of the Austrian Netherlands with existing Austrian forces, thereby freeing up some of the Austrian garrisons to head eastwards to attack Prussia, and greatly alarming the British and Dutch.

Étienne François, duc de Choiseul, who was instrumental as one of the principal authors of the treaty, greatly impressed King Louis XVI with his service. His support of Austrian the alliance also gained him favor with the Devots, who continued to influence the King. Louis XVI, which careful consideration and advice, though that he may have found the proper minister able to handle both the bureaucracy of Paris, and institute additional military reforms, and invited him to return to Versailles. Choiseul obliged and on June 25th, 1757, replaced the aging Antoine Louis Rouillé as Foreign Minister of France.

Capitulation of the Canton of Neuchatel

In 1708 the mostly Protestant residents of Neuchatel ignored the claimants brought forward by the Catholic King Louis the XIV in favor of King Fredrick of Prussia, a Protestant who would leave them mostly to their own affairs. Now Neuchatel, considered a part of Prussia, with whom France was now at war, caught her ire. A sizeable force was raised to be able to take the Canton and was mustered at the border. However parley and diplomacy prevailed, upon the invitation of Swiss mediators. Overall Louis XVI and his Catholic supporters had little desire to absorb a province full of Protestants, but they also wanted to dismantle every part of Prussia no matter how small.

On April 27th, 1757, the Canton of Neuchatel capitulated without conflict in the face of superior French forces, in exchange for generous terms of self-governance and the promise of no persecution. France’s real goal however; was to offer the Canton up as collateral in exchange for securing Swiss loans and its transfer to Switzerland at the wars end should Prussia lose.

Battle and Siege of Prague

Fredrick II spent the winter planning his next campaign and soon took aim on Austria. On May 5th, 1757, he boldly attacked the Austrians near Prague in a goal to subsequently seize the city. 67,000 Prussia troops faced off against 60,000 Austrian soldiers. At the battle’s conclusion Fredrick was victorious but at precious cost to his men.

Battle Results:
Prussia: 15,000 killed or wounded.
Austria: 11,500 killed or wounded, 4000 captured.

Prussian tactical victory, Austrian strategic victory.

Without enough men to assault the walls of Prague, Fredrick settled into a siege of the city that would last for several weeks.

Leeward Islands Campaign, Part III

Commodore John Moore arrived with the British Fleet in Antigua on May 6th, 1757 on the HMS Cambridge along with 7 other ships of line, numerous frigates and support ships and a force of marines to retake the islands and capture other French Possessions. While Moore commended Frankland’s defense of Antigua a few months prior, the two men did not get along. The previous engagements between the British and French fleets had reduced the French strength advantage which had resulted in no further offensive attempts. Now with a reinforced fleet, British had the superior forces and began a re-conquest of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Second Battle of St. Kitts

On May 15th, The French now found themselves in a reversed position from earlier in the year. However having anticipated this, they had well stocked Brimstone Hill, repaired many of the breaches and reinforced against the same approach they had used to take the fort.

Nevis, like before, was recaptured quickly by the British a couple days before. The French had left the forts there in poor condition and the numerous removed cannons had not been replaced. Brimstone Hill however, despite its damage from the prior French attack, was more garrisoned, and more gunned and proved far more difficult to attack, so after a failed initial assault, the British forces settled into a long protracted siege. The French hold out for a little over three months hoping reinforcements would arrive before supplies were exhausted. When no relief came, they finally surrendered to the British on August 20th, 1757.

French Naval forces though, did not fare as well against the strengthened British Fleet. As the two fleets lined up and clashed off the coast of the island, the French were forced to retreat after the loss of two vessels and the capture of a third for only one British ship sunk.

Battle Results: 1st Assault on Brimstone Hill
British: 587 dead, 754 wounded.
French: 147 dead, 334 wounded.
French Victory: French forces repel British attempt to retake the fortress by force.

Battle Results: 2nd Battle of St. Kitts
British: Half the Fleet damaged, loss of the HMS Revenge (70 gun)
496 Killed, 670 wounded.
French: 2/3rd of the Fleet damaged, loss of the Zephyr (frigate) & Alcyon (50 gun), capture of the Lion (64 gun)
711 Killed, 840 wounded.

British Victory: French fleet driven off, Siege of St. Kitts maintained.

Battle Results: 2nd Siege of Brimstone Hill
British: 208 dead or wounded (disease and environment)
French: 124 dead or wounded (disease, hunger and environment)
British Victory: French surrendered with the honors of war.

Continued Conflict in the Maritimes

Very few ripples of significance had made it to the North American continent, though that would change as the British and the French rearrange their fleet deployments around the globe in the reaction to various world events.

For now the struggle between the French and their Native allies against the British and the Colonials continued much as we know them from our own history. The more militant French Acadians, (those not yet deported) maintained raids against British settlers and forts in the Maritimes in coordination with the Mi’kmaq and others in the Wabinaki conferderacy.

A Return to the Continent

The Treaty of Versailles brought a storm into the European continent more potent that before, and France, Austria, Russia, and soon Sweden start making their moves for conflict with Prussia. Austria and Prussia, already at blows enter round two over the control of Bohemia.

Battle of Kolin

Fredrick II was besieging Prague when he got word of the approach of an Austrian army under Leopold Josef, Count Von Daun between 44,000 to 65,000 strong. Von Daun knew Fredrick could not keep him away from Prague while besieging it at the same, time, so he expected an attack. Von Daun made his defenses among the hills around Kolin, awaiting the inevitable attack.

Fredrick obliged, attacking with a force of 30,000 soldiers, but things did not go quite as he desired. Under harassment from the enemy forces some elements attacked too early. While Fredrick spotted this and redeployed, it was too late to prevent much of the quagmire that followed. Von Daun noticed as well, took advantage and drove the Prussian forces into a hasty retreat. The Prussian retreat came close to a rout under Austrian pursuit; had not the Prussian heavy cavalry led by Wilhelm von Seyditz not forced an end to the Austrian pursuit.

By the battles end, with far too many casualties, Fredrick was forced to abandon the Siege of Prague and withdraw from Bohemia altogether.

Battle Results:
Prussian Forces: 15,000 dead or wounded
Austrian Forces: 8,500 dead or wounded.
Austrian Victory: Prussia forced to withdraw from Bohemia.

The War in India

Much like on the North American Continent by this time, very few time ripples of significance had managed to reach India. The goals of the British East India company remained the same as did the players and the forces available to them.

Colonel Robert Clive, seized the French fort at Chandernagar, as part of actions to remove the influence of the French East India company in favor of the British. Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah of Bengal, who didn’t want the British extending their influence and fortification even further, met the British in battle near Plassey.

On June 23, the British won the day, and with, influence over the important province of Bengal. This would lead to even more British control over the Indian subcontinent, at the expenses of other foreign holdings such as the French and Dutch in other locations near to India. The small British force of just over 3000 defeated the larger India Force of 62,000.

Battle of Plassey
British forces: Less than 100 dead or wounded
Muhgal Empire forces: 500 dead or wounded
British Victory: French influence over Bengal replaced with British influence.
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