`Tis Time To Part: A Timeline

PCSwitaj

Well things are getting a bit better for the colonists and hopefully also for the Indians, provided the land isn't grabbed after the French are defeated [or after the British are if there's a ARW].

I noticed a couple of typos but fairly obvious what you mean.

Steve

It is getting better for everyone involved, at least for the moment, but you hit on the man problem - what is going to happen after the war? We shall see...

And thank-you for catching the typos, I posted at 1am local time so I didn't catch everything.

EDIT: I also just realized that I mixed two sources together and left important information out. I've corrected the entry and tried to clean everything up so that it could be read easily, with proper spelling. Feel free to ask any questions if anything is still unclear.
 
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Excerpt from “Braddock and Forbes: A Tale of Two Marches” by Fred Andersen (Philadelphia: The Journal of American History – September 2004)

Ultimately, where Braddock had failed, John Forbes[1] would succeed. Even before the actual campaign was underway, the Scottish general understood that, in order to be successful, he would have to avoid the pitfalls that resulted in Braddock’s defeat and death. After careful examination of Braddock’s March Forbes found two areas that needed to be addressed: stretching his forces too thin on the ground and far away from supplies in the hopes of a speedy victory and the lack of Indian allies. The easiest problem to solve would be the first; it had been three years since Braddock’s defeat and with the French firmly established at Fort Duquesne a quick strike against the fort would prove disastrous. Instead, Forbes would take an easier, if more expensive and time consuming, approach. Like Forbes, he would also build a road westward, but would build sizeable forts around every fifty miles while erecting smaller blockhouses a day’s march apart from each other. In this manner, not only would the British advance to the Forks, but would also create a stable supply line and positions to fall back to if the French and their Indian allies would launch an attack like that used to defeat Braddock.

The lack of Indian allies would prove to be the more difficult problem to deal with, and one that could not be handled lightly. These matters were outside of Forbes’ control; the willingness of the local Indians themselves was out of his hands, and added with the administrative hurdle of sending negotiations through Sir William Johnson[2] meant that originally Forbes was at the mercy of the British-Native relationship. As luck would have it, an opportunity would fall into his lap: the negotiations between Teedyuscung and Governor Denny. From a strictly legal standpoint, the agreement reached between the two sides should have been invalid, since neither Johnson nor the Iroquois were present. In order to achieve peace, however, London was willing to look the other way on the matter, and when Forbes arrived in Philadelphia to plan his campaign he took advantage of the situation, seeking to develop closer ties to all parties involved in the hopes of making his mission easier to complete.

In fact, it was a request by Forbes that saw the Friendly Association send Christian Post to check on Teedyuscung’s progress. When Post, Teedyuscung, and his guest from the Ohio Valley, Pisquetomen, returned to Philadelphia it was Forbes who pressed Denny to open talks again and eventually agree to hold a grand conference in Easton later that year. When Johnson heard of the actions taking place in Pennsylvania he was furious, but Forbes gave him no ground by appealing directly to General Abercromby to proceed in their negotiations. Abercromby, superior to both Johnson and Forbes, allowed the talks to continue, looking for any way to gain successes against the French[3]. Permission was granted on July 23; by then, Post and Pisquetomen were already in the Ohio Valley while Forbes’ second in command, Colonel Henry Bouquet was already constructing the new road westward. This permission would prove vital both in the short term and at Easton a few months later[4].

Over the next few months, as Post spread across the Ohio Valley to gauge the prospect for peace, Forbes joined his men out west. From Philadelphia, travel took him to Lancaster and then Harris’ Ferry, on the eastern shore of the Susquehanna River[5]. Crossing the river, the road moved away from civilization and into the backcountry so devastated by the raids: farmland and woods with a few towns (with forts), such as Carlisle and Shippensburg. Past Shippensburg the road began to weave amongst the mountains, in search of passes to continue the road westward. Forts had been constructed, such as Loudoun and Lyttleton. However, the all important alliance (or at least peace) with the Indians was still elusive.

By September, however, Post and Pisquetomen ventured eastward with the good news that the Ohio Valley Indians, hearing of peaceful talks with the British and knowing that the French supply of trade goods was dwindling, agreed to take part in the Easton talks. In fact, by the time Post arrived at Fort Bedford with news for Braddock, Bouquet had already cut the road towards the next fort down the line, Fort Ligonier. Post, however, did not find Braddock overjoyed with his progress, but rather bothered, cynical, and laid up. Indian allies, around three hundred Cherokee the governor of South Carolina had sent northward, had left after a misunderstanding. Forbes, himself not used to Indian warfare, had insulted the Indians with his deployment of them. As some Indians left him, he responded by holding their chief captive. He soon realized his mistake and released him, but by then the damage was done. With their departure, he no longer had scouts and had lost all intelligence on French movements in the area.

If only his problems could have been confined to the loss of his Indian allies; instead, Forbes was also dealing with complaints from soldiers under his command. As part of his advance on the Forks, the two Virginia Provincial Regiments had fallen under his command. In September at Fort Bedford, Forbes now found both colonels, George Washington[6] and William Byrd[7], almost constantly arguing for the need to abandon the westward cutting of the road in favor of a southern route, to meet up with Braddock’s old road. The argument raised by Washington and Byrd was that at this rate, with winter fast approaching and the geography of the land against them, the force would not be able to attack Fort Duquesne before winter, meaning the force would have to hold for the winter. Their warnings did seem to hold some truth, as the weather did seem to be slowing their approach. However, Forbes felt that the real reason for their complaints was the creation of a road to the Fork of the Ohio through Pennsylvania, knowing full well the claims that Virginia had on the region as well[8]. All these issues, added on top of his already poor health[9], only made matters worse.

Another setback took place on September 14th, when a reconnaissance force under the command of Major James Grant[10] was attacked. The unit, made up almost exclusively of Highlanders, had reached Fort Duquesne undetected, but became scattered and lost as they pulled back from the fort the night before. In the early morning hours a piper played to summon the men together; the playing, however, also alerted the French to their presence and soon Indian warriors attacked them from the fort[11]. Grant was captured and 300 men killed; fortunately for Forbes, the men were able to fall back to Fort Ligonier and regroup. What would have been a disastrous defeat under Braddock was only a setback to Forbes, but one that emphasized that time was running short.

With Post’s arrival of news of a potential peace, Forbes’ spirits rebounded. He quickly sent him to Easton with word to get a treaty done. The instructions given by Forbes were enough to swing an uncertain peace conference into reaching an agreement, and by the time Post returned with news of peace, as well as Pisquetomen, on November 7th at Fort Ligonier the British were almost prepared to advance on the French fort. Word of peace finished the French off; the commander of Fort Duquesne, François-Marie Le Marchand de Lignery[12], would lose almost all of his Indian allies. Finding himself in an indefensible situation, he ordered the fort’s cannons to be taken downstream to the Illinois settlements[13], set the buildings on fire, leveled the walls by exploding a gunpowder mine, and headed north to Fort Machault, abandoning the Forks on November 23rd. The explosion was loud enough that it was heard ten miles away, the location of Forbes’ army. Scouts reported on the evening of the 24th that the fort had been destroyed and abandoned; the next day the British took possession of the Forks of the Ohio. With that, four years of violence and destruction on the Pennsylvanian, Maryland, and Virginian frontiers – started after the defeat of Braddock – was over[14].
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[1] Born in 1707 and originally wanting to be a doctor, after studying medicine for two years Forbes decided the military was the future for him, becoming a member of the Scots Greys in 1735. He saw action in the War of the Austrian Succession and Jacobite Uprising and before taking charge of the force against the Forks was in commanding or reinforcements at Louisbourg

[2] As the British's sole officer to conduct diplomacy between the empire and the Indians in the Northern colonies; also remember that he has friendly relationships with the Iroquois and will protect them as best he can, such as making sure that the Delaware remain under Iroquois suzerainty

[3] At the time this takes place, the loss at Fort Carillon has just taken place and Louisbourg and Frontenac have not yet happened. As a result, Abercromby is desperate for any good news militarily, and if this will do it, so be it

[4] This means that bringing peace to the frontier and winning the war will be more important in the short term then keeping the Iroquois happy. This may have repercussions later on...

[5] The location of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania today

[6] Yup, he's back in the picture :p

[7] Really William Byrd III, he was the son and grandson of rich Byrds before him, developed a gambling problem and faced problem down the road. For now, he is serving in the war rather than staying behind in the capital and being bored.

[8] Part of the interplay between the two colonies from some of the first updates, and an issue that will not disappear anytime soon

[9] To be covered in a future update; the short story is he isn't doing too well and he knows it, even stating that he assumed that this would be his last military campaign

[10] Another Scotsman, Grant saw fighting in Europe in the 1740s; this is his first major command in his military career.

[11] As happened IOTL; not sure what the piper thought of the orders...

[12] Born in Montreal in 1703, Lignery had been in the military since 1728 and fought in several wars in North America. This is more of a reminder to readers, as this was the man who defeated Braddock three years prior.

[13] Generally speaking, the Illinois Country described the area of French forts and settlements in the modern states of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana; however, the region was never clearly defined, so the area covered is open to discussion. The important item to take away from this is that the French were willing to send the cannons downriver the try and take them upstream with them

[14] For the rest of the French and Indian War, that is

TTTPBraddockForbes.png
 
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excellent detail as always...

I just wish I knew more about that southern theater of operations to be able to comment more.

foresterab
 
excellent detail as always...

I just wish I knew more about that southern theater of operations to be able to comment more.

foresterab

It's all good, glad you are still enjoying it.

Next part up in a few minutes; it's a little short but is significant. Ones for the British and French will follow over the next few days...
 
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Excerpt from “And the Forest Floor Ran Red: The French and Indian War” by Harold D. Weaver (Pittsburgh: Fort, 2007)

As both the British and French prepared themselves for the campaigns of 1759, another influential group found themselves reevaluating their position in the ongoing conflict. The Iroquois sensed that a shift in the balance of the war had occurred, following the British victories at Louisbourg, Frontenac, and Duquesne. Each victory, despite being substantial individually, combined and weakened the position that they currently held. By capturing Louisbourg, the British moved one step closer to Quebec and Montreal, the two cities needed to be taken in order to secure victory in North America. While there were multiple invasion routes to reach Quebec, this one completely avoided travel through Iroquoia[1], removing the chance to play the two European powers against each other. Meanwhile, victory at Fort Frontenac had removed the power of the French to maintain their allies from the various tribes in the region, for without the weapons and trade goods their favors could not be kept. This had lead to the Treaty of Easton and peace between the British and those Ohio Valley tribes, concluding in the final British victory at Fort Duquesne and British control over the Forks of the Ohio as peace returned to the Pennsylvanian and Virginian frontiers. It was obvious to those chiefs present at the great council fire that the British now held the upper hand, and that the strategy of neutrality, and playing both the British and the French against each other, was no longer sustainable if they wished to hold any power.

It was not just the current state of the war between the Europeans that had those gathered at Onondaga[2] concerned. The geopolitical situation out in the Ohio Valley itself demanded immediate attention, the changes brought on both by a great movement amongst the tribes themselves as well as British actions at Easton. The later was the easiest to understand: the Iroquois had claimed control over the tribes in the Ohio Valley, such as the Delaware and Shawnee, as a tool in their balancing act between the French and British. This control had been somewhat lost at the start of the war, in part leading to the war itself, and maintained as the Ohio tribes sided with the French while the Iroquois stayed neutral. This change was highlighted with the Treaty of Easton, as negotiations were started without Iroquois approval and agreed to with the Iroquois merely as one of several tribes present. The opportunity was now at hand to reassert this dominance, even though the French were out of the equation. Any postwar actions by the British dealing with the Ohio Valley should, in theory, be handled by the Iroquois and not those tribes themselves[3]. This could be understood by British Indian agents, such as William Johnson, and easily negotiated. However, the more significant cause of concern was a new matter, one formed by the Ohio tribes, a threat to the Iroquois, and one that the British, not even Johnson, could not fully understand.

This nativist spiritual movement first started to develop among the Delaware in the Susquehanna Valley a decade prior to the war, but with the continued displacements and stresses of the war it had spread into the Ohio Valley and to the other tribes in the region. As told by Neolin[4], the Delaware prophet, the Master of Life had created Indians separate from blacks and whites, with separate paths to paradise for the separate races. According to Neolin, Indians had become too attached to the ways of the white man, preventing them from reaching heaven when their time on earth was done. Anything not native for Indians corrupted them; while alcohol was the worst of these corruptors, anything associated with the Europeans was detrimental to them: cattle, guns, trade goods. This emergent philosophy could prove to be the foundation of a pan-Indian revival[5], one that brought all tribes together and result in a powerful force to check the British who wanted to stream over the Appalachian Mountains. The importance of purity from the ways of the whites, however, would mean that the Iroquois and other such tribes who had readily adopted their style would find themselves shunned until they too saw the light. This philosophy, therefore, not only indicated future resistance to whites, but also to those Indian tribes who had become white, meaning that the Ohio Valley tribes would deny the legitimacy of the Iroquois over them. This potential future, coupled with the fact that the British had already treated with the Ohio Valley tribes without going through the Iroquois at Easton, meant that the Iroquois had a strong reason to fear that, unless they were able to reclaim their influence in the region, they might lose it for good.

No written record exists of what actually transpired at the great council fire at the end of 1758[6], but two events at the start of the follow year showed what course the Iroquois decided to take. In January a delegation of chiefs arrived at Fort Pitt[7] to talk with Hugh Mercer[8], a lieutenant colonel in charge of the winter garrison. They wanted to warn him not to trust the Shawnee and Delaware, who were trying to rise up against the Six Nations and were still somewhat connected to the French. However, if some form of aid could be given to them, the Iroquois would make sure to handle the threat and ensure that the area would be in British (and, of course Iroquois) control. A month later, another group arrived at Fort Johnson to confer with Sir William Johnson. They also informed Johnson of the Shawnee/Delaware plot, and made the same offer to handle the problem; however, they made an even bigger offer that they knew could not be refused: military aid, which could be used in expeditions against the French at Fort Niagara and even towards Quebec itself. Eventually, the offers would be accepted: the Iroquois, in a potentially desperate situation, had stepped away from neutrality after more than three decades and had sided with the British. It would prove to be more than significant to all three parties involved.
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[1] The other two paths that would move through lands under the control of the Iroquois would be the route taken by Bradstreet in his attack against Fort Frontenac (Albany-Mohawk River-Oswego-Lake Ontario) and the one attempted by Abercromby before his defeat at Fort Carillon (Lake George-Lake Champlain-Richelieu River)

[2] The capital village of the Six Nations, the city actually changed locations at various times; such locations included the modern-day sites of Cazenovia, New York; Pompey, New York; Delphi, New York; and Manlius, New York. All of these locations are to the east of the Finger Lakes and the south of Oneida Lake

[3] Of course, Shawnees, Delawares, and other tribes, not to mention the British and British colonists (like Virginians and Pennsylvanians) all feel differently, but that is for another update

[4] Not much information exists on Neolin, besides what was already provided. His role won't change much between OTL and the world of TTTP, so we'll focus more on him later after the French and Indian War

[5] Some might already recongize such a pan-Indian revival in American history and what it results in after the war. The same philosophy exists here, since all the conditions which led to its creation OTL are still present ITTL

[6] This is from the fact that such a council fire would only have been attended by the chiefs themselves and no one else

[7] Following the British occupation of the Forks, the remains of Fort Duquense were torn down and a new fort, Fort Pitt (named after William Pitt the Elder) was established; so was the beginning of a town, "Pittsborough" (modern day Pittsburgh)

[8] Mercer, a Scot in his early 30s, had been a surgeon in the army of Bonnie Price Charlie and saw the brutal action at the Battle of Culloden. A fugitive for his participation, he fled to America and started a practice in what is now Mercersburg in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Hearing word of Braddock's defeat, and the brutality involved, he joined on as a soldier, and even took part in Armstrong's raid on Kittanning (covered in an earlier update). Wounded and seperated from his unit, he trecked through the woods wounded over 100 miles in two weeks until he safely made it to a fort. He did have quite a career up to this point, and made sense to be given command as Forbes left to return to Philadelphia due to his ill health
 
Excerpt from “History and War: The Seven Year’s War” by Spencer W. Woodward (London: Osprey, 2001)

While the war on the continent was still far from decided[1], the outlook for the British in North America had taken a dramatic turn in their favor over the course of 1758. Now, as the campaigns drew to a close with the onset of winter, a reshuffling of British military leaders took place. James Abercromby, perhaps the least competent individual to ever serve as commander-in-chief in North America, was recalled to London. He was promoted to lieutenant general, but was replaced in his command by none other than Jeffery Amherst, who had proven himself to be the knowledgeable and careful commander needed in theatre. While London may have liked Amherst, James Wolfe did not; the impulsive and fortunate hero of Louisbourg could not stand the thought of having to serve under Amherst. This dislike was so strong that Wolfe took a leave of absence to return to London, where he used his reputation as the hero of Louisbourg and pulled every political string he could to receive and independent command for the coming year, just so he did not have to serve under Amherst[2]. John Bradstreet, meanwhile, had been promoted to colonel following his successes at Fort Frontenac, but was unable to gain a military command which he sought, despite his best efforts otherwise[3]. He remained stuck behind a desk in Albany, still in the role of deputy quartermaster general and all that that position provided[4].

Following the somewhat heavy turnover in the British military leadership the campaigns for 1759 were planned. As happened the previous year, three separate campaigns were planned to move in on Quebec and bring the war in North America to an end[5]. Wolfe’s independent command required him to return to Louisbourg where he was to prepare to descend down the Saint Lawrence River to take Quebec. Amherst, meanwhile, would move along the Lake Champlain/Richelieu River corridor, the same move that Abercromby had attempted the year before and failed at Fort Carillon, in order to move on Montreal. A third campaign, under the command of Brigadier General John Prideaux[6], had the largest task of all: gain control over Lake Ontario by rebuilding Fort Oswego and capturing Fort Niagara. Once accomplished, the men under his command were to advance down the Saint Lawrence and meet up with Amherst at Montreal. If all of these campaigns could go as planned, the French threat in North America would be eliminated.

It is important to state, however, the significance and importance the addition of the Iroquois to the side of the British was in ensuring that such a campaign season could even be planned, especially beyond the presumed advantage of moving through Iroquois lands. Two of the three routes planned for use by the British passed through Iroquois lands; without their support, this would not have happened. Along with the physical movement of men was also the movement of information; as a neutral party playing the French and British off against each other, the Iroquois had allowed certain information, such as troop movements, to pass between the two in an effort to frustrate their plans. With the Iroquois on the side of the British, this new alliance would have all the scouts and information needed as they progressed into Canada, while a figurative wall of silence would cut off the French from any advance warning.

One other advantage, understood by diplomats such as Sir William Johnson, would prove just as critical to the British cause: the handling of the Indian allies of the French. If those various tribes – Algonquians and Iroquoians living in the réserves[7], Ottawas[8], and Chippewas[9] among others – came to the call of France at Montreal and Quebec the goals of the British may have been impossible to accomplish, either by the full military force of the tribes on their advance or the raids which would devastate their long and fragile supply line. If the Iroquois were able to replicate what Teedyuscung had been able to accomplish in the Ohio Valley and convince the tribes that it would be best to stand aside instead of becoming involved in the conflict, then the task that the British had set out on would be easier to accomplish.
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[1] To be covered in a future update; for those who don't know the history of the Seven Years' War at this point stalemate has basically come to the continent; there are Prussian victories, but at heavy costs, while the French, Austrians, and Russians just can't seem to get things to work right.

[2] As would be expected from Mr. Wolfe; this is all as happened OTL; ITTL he will do something similar in the future that he wouldn't get to do otherwise...guess that was sorta a major spoiler...oh well :eek:

[3] These efforts included the publication of a pamphlet annonymously extolling his own role in the success of the previous year and blaming Abercromby for not being more successful. His solution to the problem was to send an expedition (under his command, of course) to capture the remaining forts on the Great Lakes and strangle the French interior before moving on Montreal and Quebec

[4] Among them still padding his own pockets as before, but now with failing health due to a combination of stress, sorrow at not getting his command and more glory, as well as a steady amount of drink

[5] This had been the case with moves toward the Forks, Louisbourg, and down Lake Champlain; Fort Frontenac was added after the disaster at Carillon

[6] Born in Devon in 1718, Prideaux he had seen action in the War of the Austrian Succession. He was given command of the 55th Regiment of Foot in October of 1758 and was eventually given the command read about above.

[7] The réserves were located along the Saint Lawrence River and Seaway, and are where the Christainized tribes reside. There is a lot of reverense paid to the French from them, and this is a big concern to the British that they will in fact come to the defense of the French

[8] While their original homeland is Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron, the Ottawas reside in an area in what is now Ontario and Michigan

[9] Generally speaking, the Chippewas lived farther west than the Ottawas, in the area around Lake Superior
 
PCSwitaj

"ITTL he will do something similar in the future that he wouldn't get to do otherwise...guess that was sorta a major spoiler...oh well" - A small hint that one commander won't die on the plains of Abraham? Although sounds like he will be a thorn in the side of another commander.

I don't know off-hand whether the Iroquoishad committed to Britain OTL? If so possibly the attack on Montreal would also work in 59. Know OTL that Wolfe's victory at Quebec wasn't as decisive as often portrayed as Montreal didn't fall until 1760 and forces from there nearly retook Quebec while it was cut off during the winter.

While as a Brit I hope the attacks go well and finish off the campaign this year I also hope the Iroquois don't come to regret too much their decision. [Suspect they will have some regrets as the fact there will be no counter to British power and the desire of the settlers for land will cause problems but I would prefer their not pushed aside as much as OTL].

Steve
 
PCSwitaj

"ITTL he will do something similar in the future that he wouldn't get to do otherwise...guess that was sorta a major spoiler...oh well" - A small hint that one commander won't die on the plains of Abraham? Although sounds like he will be a thorn in the side of another commander.

I don't know off-hand whether the Iroquoishad committed to Britain OTL? If so possibly the attack on Montreal would also work in 59. Know OTL that Wolfe's victory at Quebec wasn't as decisive as often portrayed as Montreal didn't fall until 1760 and forces from there nearly retook Quebec while it was cut off during the winter.

While as a Brit I hope the attacks go well and finish off the campaign this year I also hope the Iroquois don't come to regret too much their decision. [Suspect they will have some regrets as the fact there will be no counter to British power and the desire of the settlers for land will cause problems but I would prefer their not pushed aside as much as OTL].

Steve

A bit of a small hint, but yes, you are quite right: Wolfe will survive on the Plains of Abraham, and while my plans for him do not have him being a thorn in the side of another commander so to speak, he will use his political connections and hero status, such as it may be, to gain a military command that ITTL will make him famous.

As sad is this will sound, most of what has been typed has gone as IOTL up to this point; the three major PODs are 1) Thomas Hutchinson's food poisoning resulting in a worse Albany Congress; 2) The decission to not evacuate Acadians to Britain and France; and 3) Wolfe's survival in Quebec. Things will begin to change once the war ends however. You are right about everything else you said as well, and I'll cover that in the actual updates about the Battle. Simply put for now, the "heroics" at Louisbourg (while true, there was a lot in the balance and a good bit of luck) will be the same situation for Wolfe at Quebec, so he will have his detractors against him gaining a serious command in the future.

Hopefully you are enjoying the TL so far.
 
A bit of a small hint, but yes, you are quite right: Wolfe will survive on the Plains of Abraham, and while my plans for him do not have him being a thorn in the side of another commander so to speak, he will use his political connections and hero status, such as it may be, to gain a military command that ITTL will make him famous.

Well, if it makes him that much more famous than OTL then either its going to be a hell of a battle or he's going to end up doing something very controversial. Have to wait and see what.;)

Hopefully you are enjoying the TL so far.

Definitely.:D:D

Steve
 
Well, if it makes him that much more famous than OTL then either its going to be a hell of a battle or he's going to end up doing something very controversial. Have to wait and see what.;)

There is, of course, a third option for celebrity, but I've already said too much above, so we shall just wait until the proper update arrives.

Definitely.:D:D

Good haha :)
 
Excerpt from “And the Forest Floor Ran Red: The French and Indian War” by Harold D. Weaver (Pittsburgh: Fort, 2007)

Out of the three campaigns planned for 1759, the Niagara Campaign under the command of General John Prideaux was the most ambitious, covered the most area, and relied upon the new Iroquois allies the most. This last issues was the most concerning to anyone who understood the British plans: while the other two expeditions to be conducted that year relied on the skills of rangers to serve as scouts, Prideaux had to depend upon the Iroquois to supply him with intelligence, with warriors, and keep the French from gaining word of his advance on Fort Niagara. If any slipup occurred regarding any of these matters, the entire campaign would be a loss and the British would find themselves back to where they started the year, with the farthest control in the area surrounding Albany. It was this steady reliance on the Iroquois that resulted in Sir William Johnson being named Prideaux’s second in command, a move that delighted the commander[1]. Upon his arrival at Fort Stanwix, in fact, Johnson greeted him with five hundred warriors ready for battle; by the time the campaign was underway that number would swell to a thousand, four-fifths of the total military strength of the Iroquois nation by modern estimates[2].

As with supplying men and intelligence, the Iroquois also held their word in regards to information making it back to the French. Ever since the loss of control at the Forks of the Ohio, the French planned to make a move to recapture them. Lignery[3] was still at Fort Machault with the troops that had abandoned the Forks, and when no word reached the commander of Fort Niagara, Captain Pierre Pouchot[4], of any British movements from the east he sent the majority of the forces under his command down Lake Erie to join Lignery’s command. Pouchot was stunned, therefore, when he learned that on July 6th Prideaux’s forces were not only moving on his fort, but that they were within four miles of his location. He had fewer than 500 men to defend a position against a force of 3,300 men, nine hundred of which were Iroquois warriors. He sent a messenger southward pleading with Lignery to send reinforcements, but could only watch helplessly as the British siege trenches came closer and closer to the fort, soon within cannon range.

In an effort to buy more time for the arrival of reinforcements, Pouchot called for a three day truce to allow members of the Seneca tribe taking shelter in the fort to discuss with those under British command. The members of the Seneca tribe in the fort did not know that neutrality had been ended, and over the next three days discussion, debate, and argument Johnson, and Iroquois war chiefs, and Kaendaé[5], the chief of the Seneca in the fort, over what course the Iroquois should take. The argument was won by the British, and on July 14th those in the fort left under a flag of truce to a location two miles to the south of the fort, known as La Belle-Famille[6].

Siege warfare continued under Prideaux’s command, until the evening of the 20th when they were within eighty yards of the fort. Bombardment continued, even when Prideaux himself was killed on the evening of the 20th, when he stepped in front of a mortar while it was being fired, resulting in a messy decapitation[7]. Johnson took over command, despite little military experience, and continued well until three days later, when French reinforcements arrived to the south. A force of 1600 men under the command of Lignery had marched northward and had arrived before the fall of the fort. Johnson immediately issued two orders: the first was to detach about 450 men to construct defenses blocking the road to the fort a few miles to the south, at La Belle-Famille. His second order, perhaps the more important of the two, was to send a delegation of Iroquois spokesmen to convince Lignery’s own Indian allies to stand down and not participate in what was surely to be an upcoming battle[8].

The following morning, the French force advanced towards the British defense. It was obvious, however, that the Iroquois had succeeded in their mission: only eight hundred men marched upon the breastworks. Under fire from both British troops at the breastworks and Iroquois warriors along the side of the road, the French charged while still trying to deploy into lines. The results were devastating for the French: around 200 dead, 150 wounded and taken prisoner, while the rest fled into the woods. More than likely they were captured by the Iroquois, and with Johnson in command, he let them do what they wanted to[9].

In the short term, this victory guaranteed the fall of Fort Niagara. Pouchot surrendered on the 26th after Johnson guaranteed his men safety from the Iroquois. Johnson, meanwhile, secured the fort and set about creating peaceable relations with the Indian nations in the surrounding areas. Long term, even though Johnson failed to complete the rest of the planned campaign by moving on Montreal, the campaign was a success. The construction of a new fort, Ontario, at the site of Oswego strengthened British control along Lake Ontario and the Great Lakes beyond. The interior French positions had been permanently cut off; by August effective French military control extended only 115 miles upriver from Montreal[10], not even reaching the Great Lakes. The French gradually lost Indian allies in the area as Iroquois diplomats convinced villages and whole tribes to not come to the aid of the French in the ongoing conflict. Of the three British campaigns, the most complex, while not carried out the way it was planned originally, was a British success.
___

[1] This appointment makes sense; Wolfe's route involves no overland movement, while Amherst moves through a small section of Iroquoia in what is now New Hampshire and Vermont. If there is anyone who will need the British's most experienced Indian diplomat, especially when dealing with the Iroquois, it would be Prideaux

[2] Taken from "The War That Made America" by Fred Anderson; I will take his word for it, since I wasn't able to confirm this with another source. Regardless, it is an impressive show of force, one that should prove to the British that the Iroquois have put all their chips on the table and don't plan to back out

[3] See the update regarding the capture of the Fork for information on Lignery

[4] Born in 1712, Pierre Pouchot joined the French army in 1733. He saw action in Europe in Italy, Flanders, and what is now Germany during the various wars, such as the Austrian Succession. In 1754 his unit was sent to Canada to defend it from the British; during this time he was at Fort Frontenac, Fort Niagara (to create its defenses), saw action at the Battle of Fort Oswego in 1756, helped in the construction of defenses at Montreal, Fort Carillon, and Fort Frontenac. He was then given comand of Niagara again before being sent back to Montreal before being sent back to Niagara for the last time a few months before the events of this update. The guy made it around a lot

[5] Besides the information provided above, that he was the chief of the Seneca around the Fort Niagara area, nothing else is known about Kaendaé

[6] I am not sure why this location recieved such a name; if anyone has any knowledge about it let me know, I will fix the footnote and give credit where it is due

[7] You can't make this stuff up - as much as I would love to take credit for it, this did in fact take place; a hell of a way to go
[8] This is a move that few British commanders, perhapse only Johnson and Forbes, would have understood

[9] Some would be taken captive and held as replacements for lost members of the tribe; others would suffer a worse fate (as should be obvious by this point)

[10] Around what is now Oswegatchie, New York
 
Another amazingly detailed reference. I have no idea where you're finding all these little tidbits of history but keep it up.

foresterab
 
Another amazingly detailed reference. I have no idea where you're finding all these little tidbits of history but keep it up.

foresterab

Thank-you; I'm using a few different books for this, the most significant sourcewise being "The War That Made America: A Short History of the French and Indian War" by Fred Anderson. I've learned a lot working on this, and hopefully it shows.
___

Meanwhile, next update currently going up, it's a short one but one that needs done before we move on to the Plains of Abraham. To compensate, I made a quick map to go along with the past two updates.
 
Excerpt from “And the Forest Floor Ran Red: The French and Indian War” by Harold D. Weaver (Pittsburgh: Fort, 2007)

By far the most powerful of the three campaigns in terms of manpower, with over eleven thousand men, Amherst’s movements of 1759 would also prove to be the most uneventful. Off to a slow start from a shortage of supplies and some of the provincial troops from the New England colonies, Amherst finally got under way towards his first objective at Fort Carillon. Upon arrival on July 22, he set about conducting a proper siege, paying careful attention to not repeat the mistakes made by Abercromby during his attempt. To his utter shock, as well as that of other British troops, the French garrison held out for a mere four days – barely any time for the cannons to do damage to the fort – before escaping up the lake by boat, destroying the fort by detonating the powder magazine before leaving. Unsure of what to do, Amherst ordered a group of rangers to scout ahead to Fort Saint Frédéric, farther up the lake at Crown Point.

Astonishment, as well as a growing state of unease, resulted when the rangers returned on the first day of August with news that Saint Frédéric too had been destroyed and abandoned, the understanding being that the French had moved even farther up the lake to the fort protecting the Richelieu River, Île-aux-Noix[1]. A few days later Amherst received word of the fall of Niagara. The careful commander, a trait desired compared to those of his predecessor, was now being careful almost to a fault: unsure of what faced the British forces, he left behind a group of a thousand men to rebuild a fort on the spot of Carillon, to be named Ticonderoga, while he progressed down to Crown Point. There, the fort was in such disrepair that he determined that this too would have to be rebuilt. This only added to his worries, for if he were to detach too many more men to rebuild yet another fortification, he would be moving upon a French force of an undetermined strength while at the same time knowing his forces would number five thousand at the most.

Two more elements were to be combined to determine Amherst’s final actions: the naval situation on the lake and the (lack of) knowledge about Wolfe. From Crown Point, it was another 80 miles to the top of the lake and the next French fortification. There was a small but significant French fleet on the lake, while he only had bateaux to transport his own men and cannon. It would take time for his shipwrights to build a substantial fleet, a move Amherst was all too ready to accept to ensure a British victory. At the same time no news had reached him about the ongoing battle at Quebec. Despite his best efforts[2], Amherst had not been able to receive word on how the battle was progressing; fearing the worse, he decided not to move[3]. Instead, he ordered a fleet for the lake to be built, which would take until the middle of October to complete; new British forts were built at Ticonderoga and Crown Point; and a supply road, connecting Crown Point with Fort Number 4 over seventy miles away, was built bearing his name.

The end of the campaign season for Amherst would prove to be even more anti-climatic than the beginning. Only on October 11th did Amherst feel confident enough to order his men to the boats to begin the trip northward. The weather soon turned nasty, and all movements were stopped. Amherst learned of Wolfe’s fate at Quebec on the 19th, and two days later Amherst was back with his men at Crown Point, the weather too severe to continue onward. Amherst’s cautiousness had resulted in a potential lost cause; now, Amherst would have to return to New York to plan for the next year’s campaign, the year that hopefully would finally bring an end to the war in Canada.
___

[1] So named because it was, in fact, a heavily fortified island at the northern end of the lake where the river begins

[2] This is not from a lack of trying; in total, Amherst would send three men escorted by Iroquois to try and reach Quebec; while the fate of the third set is not known, the first two were captured by Indians friendly to the French, as Montcalm informed Amherst in a letter sent under a flag of truce. Nice of the man to let him know that his men were safe

[3] The reason being that, if Quebec had turned out to be a French victory, then Montcalm could easily move men down towards Amherst's position with Quebec safe from the sea for at least the rest of the year, putting his efforts on Amherst. This position was also taken without knowing the full events at Niagara, so Amherst played it as safe as he could

TTTP1759.png
 
PCSwitaj

Well that rather fizzled out. Although given previous experience and what he didn't know it was probably the safest step. Provided it doesn't deteriorate over winter he has a fleet on Lake Champlain and the two forts to act as bases and knowing Quebec has fallen and the French have lost a lot of their troops he will be able to make more certain progress next year.

Would this chapter have been pretty much as OTL? I know that we didn't take Montreal until 1760 and it was Amhurst who lead the forces so suspect there are relatively few butterflies here.

Steve
 
PCSwitaj

Well that rather fizzled out. Although given previous experience and what he didn't know it was probably the safest step. Provided it doesn't deteriorate over winter he has a fleet on Lake Champlain and the two forts to act as bases and knowing Quebec has fallen and the French have lost a lot of their troops he will be able to make more certain progress next year.

Would this chapter have been pretty much as OTL? I know that we didn't take Montreal until 1760 and it was Amhurst who lead the forces so suspect there are relatively few butterflies here.

Steve

Yup, this is what happened OTL, there have been relatively few butterflies in terms of the military movements at this point, at least none that are worth mentioning. This is partially because, while I have learned a lot about the French and Indian War (and the Seven Years' War) while working on this project, it was easier to keep things as they were.

Actually, to be honest, the reason this is the case is because the original version of the story had a POD during the Revolutionary War itself; I moved the POD back to make it more realistic, but in the process knew less about the time period I'm dealing with. As a result, the first chapter (F&IW) is as is OTL with the exception of the three PODs; there will be, however, a large posting in the near future dealing with the Acadian Expulsion that takes place in TTTP, as well as a rather large map.
 
The Timeline is Dead - Long Live the Timeline

This first version of 'Tis Time To Part is dead. It is, however, being reworked and rewritten with a projected first posting in April. Thanks to everyone who has followed this in the past and I hope you check in in a few months for the relaunch.

Scott (PCSwitaj)
 
This first version of 'Tis Time To Part is dead. It is, however, being reworked and rewritten with a projected first posting in April. Thanks to everyone who has followed this in the past and I hope you check in in a few months for the relaunch.

Scott (PCSwitaj)

Scott

Ok, looking forward to it.

Could you please when you re-launch put a note in here? That way anyone with a subscription will know the new version is active.

Thanks

Steve
 
Scott

Ok, looking forward to it.

Could you please when you re-launch put a note in here? That way anyone with a subscription will know the new version is active.

Thanks

Steve

As per request, here is the link to the new thread; hopefully it will work out a lot better than the last go-around (read: get to some of the good changes), and the reworked text and better graphics will help improve the quality of the TL. For anyone who does decide to at least look at the new attempt, thanks for your interest and continued readership, however long that may be.
 
As per request, here is the link to the new thread; hopefully it will work out a lot better than the last go-around (read: get to some of the good changes), and the reworked text and better graphics will help improve the quality of the TL. For anyone who does decide to at least look at the new attempt, thanks for your interest and continued readership, however long that may be.

Thanks, Will subscribe. Looking forward to seeing what develops.

Steve
 
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