La Rouge Beret
Donor
During the French - Indian War (1754 - 1763) the Commander in Chief of the French military forces Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Grozon Montcalm's fundamentally disagreed over the choice of strategy with the Governor General of the colony, Pierre de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnial.
Montcalm wished to fight in the European manner with planned campaigns, armies, artillery, sieges, battles. Whereas, the latter wanted to fight according to colonial methods namely extending fortifications; consistently repelling English incursions, "defending the soil of our frontiers foot by foot against the enemy;" fighting defensively; raiding extensively; and, most importantly, securing and relying heavily on Native participation.
To my mind the latter's strategy makes more sense, noting the adverse disposition of forces between New France and British North America, what difference would a change of strategy have entailed for New France? Would it have just prolonged the war or is there a possibility that New France could have survived the conflict if the Governor - General had his way?
Montcalm wished to fight in the European manner with planned campaigns, armies, artillery, sieges, battles. Whereas, the latter wanted to fight according to colonial methods namely extending fortifications; consistently repelling English incursions, "defending the soil of our frontiers foot by foot against the enemy;" fighting defensively; raiding extensively; and, most importantly, securing and relying heavily on Native participation.
To my mind the latter's strategy makes more sense, noting the adverse disposition of forces between New France and British North America, what difference would a change of strategy have entailed for New France? Would it have just prolonged the war or is there a possibility that New France could have survived the conflict if the Governor - General had his way?