French and Indian War Campaigns and Forts in the Lake Champlain, Lake George and Hudson River Corridor (book review)
In "Empires in the Mountains: French and Indian War Campaigns and Forts in the Lake Champlain, Lake George and Hudson River Corridor" Russell P. Bellico doesn't whitewash the grim aspects of local history. "I'm not pulling any punches in providing details. I don't think the French and Indian War should be romanticized. The soldiers existed in a world of anxiety, horrific conditions and brutal punishments." The forts played a key role in the conflict, which saw most of its action in the area's corridor: "The forts we have here are really French and Indian War forts, even though some of these forts were used during the American Revolution." (poststar.com)
1,000 reenactors stage 1760 Ogdensburg battle - The final skirmish of French and Indian War
When Mark T. Valley, the star of "Human Target", was growing up in Ogdensburg no one told him about its role in the French and Indian War. But on Saturday, with musket in hand and wearing a French soldier's uniform, he was fighting British soldiers. "It's kind of like a movie set," Valley said as he stood on Lighthouse Point, preparing for the 250th anniversary of the last battle of the French and Indian War. During the "Battle of the Thousand Islands," 11,000 British and colonials, led by Sir Jeffrey Amherst marched down the St. Lawrence River - Standing between them and the defeat of New France was 350 French soldiers. (watertowndailytimes.com)
The opening salvo in the French and Indian War: Washington attacks French scouting party
On May 28, 1754, George Washington, a 22-year-old lieutenant colonel in the British Army, led an attack on French forces at Jumonville Glen. Historians consider the salvo as the first battle in the French and Indian War, which limited French influence in the Western Hemisphere. The Ohio Valley had long been contested territory among French Canadians, various Indian groups and the British colonies. When the French began building fortifications along the Ohio River and ifnored Virginia's demand that they leave, Gov. Robert Dinwiddie sent Washington to defend "Fort Necessity" at the forks of the river. (politico.com)
Bloody Mohawk: The French and Indian War & American Revolution on New York's Frontier (book review)
The peaceful countryside of New York hide the state's violent past. Before and during the American Revolution, New York was a battlefield. In "Bloody Mohawk" Richard Berleth reveals the role the state played in securing the future of the United States - exploring the French and British empires, the Iroquois Federation and American settlers. "The French and Indian War battles were overwhelmingly fought in what is now New York state, and 80% of the American Revolution battles of substance were also fought in New York state. New York state in the colonial period was really a battleground state." [Buy from Amazon: US] (poststar.com)
Braddock's March: How the Man Sent to Seize a Continent Changed American History (book review)
British General Edward Braddock had a remarkable talent to offend. In the course of a 45-year military career, he alienated his officers, Colonial politicians and Indian allies. "Braddock's behavior is so excessively bad that everybody shuns him and hates him," one of his subordinates wrote in 1746. However, Braddock was named commander of the largest army in North America up to that time, then marched it into the wilderness without decent supplies, maps or intelligence on his French and Indian foes. Braddock lost half his force in a 1755 battle near what is now Pittsburgh's Point. Bravely, but in vain, rallying his soldiers, he was wounded and died a few days later. [Buy from Amazon: US, UK, CA, DE, FR] (post-gazette.com)
War on the Run: The Epic Story of Robert Rogers and the Conquest of America's First Frontier [book review]
In "War on the Run" John F. Ross deals with Robert Rogers, the hero of the French and Indian Wars whose exploits involved his mastery of the wilderness and taking risks. Rogers formulated a new kind of warfare as he mixed the brutality of native warriors with European military discipline, then added two things to make his group really deadly: appreciation for terrain and terror tactics. Where English armies marched into battle honoring chivalric codes, Roger torched villages with hit-and-run raids without tactical gain, just to terrorize the populace. Rogers himself scalped adversaries, keeping the bloody souvenirs as trophies of war. [Buy from Amazon: US, UK, CA, DE, FR] (washingtontimes.com)
French & Indian War guidebook of New York and Pennsylvania
A guidebook to 19 French and Indian War historic sites reveals how to travel 3 state and nationally-designated byways to reach forts, battlefields and freshwater destinations in New York and Pennsylvania. The Great Lakes Seaway Trail has issued Waterways of War: The Struggle for Empire 1754-1763, A Traveler's Guide to the French & Indian War Forts and Battlefields along America's Byways in New York and Pennsylvania. "Travel and history are great natural tourism partners. This new guidebook to the French and Indian War ... provides travelers with a wonderful vehicle for exploring New York's history and our waterfronts," explained Steven Englebright. (gouverneurtimes.com)
Cleanup crews damage Colonial American fort on Hudson River
General Electric crews dredging the Hudson River ripped away remnants of what was once Britain's biggest fort in Colonial America. The dredgers had torn out the riverbank along with 2 wooden beams that had been part of the original fort's waterfront bastion. Crews were supposed to stay clear of that stretch of riverbank because of its archaeological importance. The fort, built in 1755 at the beginning of the French and Indian War, was home to 15,000 troops and the base of operations for Rogers' Rangers, predecessors of American commandos. The village grew up on the fort's ruins, and the water bastion was the last piece of the fortress. (star-telegram.com)