The Capture of Louisbourg, 1758 (Volume 27) (Campaigns and Commanders Series)

Louisbourg, France's impressive fortress on Cape Breton Island's foggy Atlantic coast, dominated access to the St. Lawrence and colonial New France for forty years in the mid-eighteenth century. In 1755, Great Britain and France stumbled into the French and Indian War, part of what (to Europe) became the Seven Years' War—only for British forces to suffer successive defeats. In 1758, Britain and France, as well as Indian nations caught in the rivalry, fought for high stakes: the future of colonial America. Hugh Boscawen describes how Britain's war minister William Pitt launched four fleets in a coordinated campaign to prevent France from reinforcing Louisbourg. As the author shows, the Royal Navy outfought its opponents before General Jeffery Amherst and Brigadier James Wolfe successfully led 14,000 British regulars, including American-born redcoats, rangers, and carpenters, in a hard-fought assault landing. Together they besieged the fortress, which surrendered after forty-nine days. The victory marked a turning point in British fortunes and precipitated the end of French rule in North America. Boscawen, an experienced soldier and sailor, and a direct descendant of Admiral the Hon. Edward Boscawen, who commanded the Royal Navy fleet at Louisbourg, examines the pivotal 1758 Louisbourg campaign from both the British and French perspectives. Drawing on myriad primary sources, including previously unpublished correspondence, Boscawen also answers the question "What did the soldiers and sailors who fought there do all day?" The result is the most comprehensive history of this strategically important campaign ever written. Louisbourg, France's ... Fortress On Cape Breton Island's Foggy Atlantic Coast, Dominated Access To The St. Lawrence And Colonial New France For Forty Years In The Mid-eighteenth Century. Hugh Boscawen Describes How Britain's War Minister William Pitt Launched Four Fleets In A Coordinated Campaign To Prevent France From Reinforcing Louisbourg [during The French And Indian War]. As The Author Shows, The Royal Navy Outfought Its Opponents Before General Jeffrey Amherst And Brigadier James Wolfe Successfully Led 14,000 British Regulars ... In A Hard-fought Assault Landing ... The Victory Marked A Turning Point In British Fortunes And Precipitated The End Of French Rule In North America ... Victory Enabled Wolfe To Sail Up An Unguarded St. Lawrence To Attack Quebec In 1759--jacket. William Pitt And Louisbourg -- Louisbourg, 1713-57 -- Planning The 1758 Campaign -- The Louisbourg Naval Campaign In Europe, 1757-58 -- The Close Watch Off Louisbourg, Spring 1758 -- The Joint Operation Prepares, April-may -- The Assault Landing At Louisbourg, June -- The Siege, June -- The Siege, 1-15 July -- The Bombardment, 16-27 July -- Aftermath -- Conclusion. Hugh Boscawen. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.