British Army

The Occom Circle

British Army

Name (variant)

British Arms

Address

North America

Sources

"French and Indian War." History. www.history.com/topics/french-and-indian-war; "Battle of Quebec." Encyclopedia Britannica. www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/486690/Battle-of-Quebec.

General note

The "Surprizing Siries of Successes granted to the british arms" Wheelock mentions in manuscript 759603 refers to the fortuitous victories won by the British Army against the French in 1759 during the French and Indian War (1756-1763), the North American theater of the Seven Year's War in Europe. After the French defeated several British generals in quick succession in 1754 and 1755, including the young George Washington, the new British leader William Pitt changed strategies and borrowed heavily to finance the war in North America. In 1758, the British won their first victory at Louisbourg, near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, and a month later they took Fort Frontenac. In 1759, the battles raged closer to Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) territory, the area where Wheelock hoped to establish missions and schools and recruit students for Moor's Indian Charity School. He would be happy to see the French and their Catholic influence routed from the area. In July, Fort Niagara fell to the British and in September General James Wolfe won a spectacular victory on the Plains of Abraham in the Battle of Quebec. The city, protected by high jagged cliffs, had resisted a two-month seige by land and water. Wolfe found a narrow, hidden path by which he led 4,000 British troops to the Plains where the decisve battle was fought. This led to the the Fall of Montreal the next year and a final British victory.