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The Battle of  Fort William Henry

Lake George, New York
August 1757

by James P. Millard

NOTE: This material is provided as a public service. America's Historic Lakes is not affiliated with Fort William Henry. 
Contact the Fort for additional information.

In the novel "Last of the Mohicans" and in the motion pictures based on the book by James Fenimore Cooper, a dramatic battle is waged at Fort William Henry between the French under the Marquis de Montcalm and the English in the fortress under the command of Lt. Colonel George Monro. The battle did indeed take place and it was quite dramatic. Rather than a battle it would perhaps be more accurate to describe this contest as a siege, for the attack on Fort William Henry went on for days.
(Click here for map)
  It is important that this much better known battle not be confused with the Battle of Lake George, which occurred two years earlier, on September 8, 1755.
   In late July, 1757 the French under the Marquis de Montcalm assembled a force of 3,081 regular troops, 2,946 Canadian militia, 188 artillery men and 1,806 Indians for an attack on Fort William Henry. This massive force entrenched itself on the heights to the Northwest of the fortress and began digging steadily South, moving their batteries with them. While the heavy guns to the northwest pounded the log and earthen walls of the fort, another French force under the command of Brigadier Levis took up positions to the south and southwest of the main body of British, who contrary to popular belief, were encamped outside the walls of the fort. Steadily each day, the  French guns came closer to the fort. Each day the damage was greater. Over 800 troops worked day and night on the trenches- by daybreak on August 7, the French were close enough to bring their powerful mortars to bear- lobbing explosive rounds directly into the fort. Montcalm sent his emissary Bougainville under a flag of truce with seemingly generous terms of surrender... the rest is history.

Photo credit: Library of Congress
  

*Map derived from "PLAN OF MONTCALM'S INVESTMENT OF FORT WILLIAM HENRY (From Butler)" Warwick Stevens Carpenter. The Summer Paradise in History. Albany: General Passenger Department, The Delaware and Hudson Company. 1914. Courtesy of John and Barbara Gallagher.

Last modified: 11/10/2012