Free Essay

French and Indian War

In:

Submitted By cking75
Words 1396
Pages 6
The French and Indian War My name is Henry Carter, a British Commander sent to America to defend the colonies from the French. It started in 1754 when both England and France claimed the Ohio River Valley. There had been many battles fought between the French and English settlers. Most of the battles were won by the French because they were more experienced at fighting in the wilderness. In 1755, I was assigned to General Edward Braddock’s group. His group included 1,750 British regulars and 450 colonial militia. General Braddock believed in the English strategies of fighting a battle by positioning themselves in an open area. We were taught and trained these strategies by Braddock even though we had heard and seen that the French were willing to fight in the more barbaric ways of the Indians. They would hide and make surprise attacks on our units. In July of 1755, General Braddock decided we were going to attack Fort Duquesne located in western Pennsylvania. It was one of many French forts in the Ohio valley. We knew Captain Beaujeau was the commander at the fort. We also knew that their army numbered less than 1,000 men including Indians fighting with them. We were hoping to draw them out into the open and fight them on our terms. We woke up on July 9th, 1755 to a hot and muggy morning. I got dressed and ate breakfast before giving oats to my horse Doug. Doug was a fearless white stallion whom I had ridden into many battles with. We packed up our gear and headed through the wilderness toward Fort Duquesne. We travelled in a row side by side as we made our way closer. The guy next to me was a young man by the name of George Washington. I learned that he was 23 years old loved this new land. Something about his character and confidence told me that he would be a great man someday. We were approximately 10 miles away from Fort Duquesne, confident that we would win this battle. Some soldiers carried flags, while others played music as we marched. That was when the French made a surprise attack on us. I saw out of the corner of my eye a French soldier who had jumped from the brush and came running at George and me. He fired a shot at George ripping through his coat but missing him. I drew my pistol, which I had already loaded, and fired at the French soldier killing him. I quickly spun around just in time to see an Indian throw a tomahawk and kill one of our soldiers. I pulled my sword and ran it through his chest. I heard a bullet whiz by my head causing me to duck and lose my balance, falling off my horse. I crawled to some brush and reloaded my pistol. The sounds of gunfire rang out from all around me as both sides were furiously fighting one another. I looked over just in time to see General Braddock’s horse get shot out from under him. An Indian was running up to Braddock with a club ready to hit him. I fired my pistol once again killing the Indian before he could reach General Braddock. Braddock jumped up onto another horse drawing his sword as he rode away from me. I grabbed a rifle from a dead soldier and jumped back on Doug following Braddock. By the time I caught up to him, he had already had his horse shot from under him again, but somehow the General was still alive. I fired my rifle killing a French soldier who was taking aim at Braddock and then jumped off my horse and killing another French soldier with my bayonette. I then ducked behind a tree to reload my weapons when I heard George yelling my name. He told me that we needed to go. George was riding Doug and had me get on behind him as he led a retreat to safety. When we got to safety, we all began talking and learned the extent of our losses. Most of the British regulars had been wiped out. General Braddock had 4 horses shot out from under him before he was killed. It was then that we realized that more of our bullets had hit trees than the French or Indians. George told me that he had 2 horses shot out from under him and his coat had 4 bullet holes in it, but he was not wounded. Looking back, our red uniforms made us easy to spot in the forest. The loss at Fort Duquesne was hard to accept, but we learned a lot over the next few years. We began to win more and more battles. A man by the name of William Pitt became the leader of the English government. He was determined to win the war. He gave us more troops, younger and better commanders, and more guns and ammunition. By the summer of 1759, I had been assigned to serve under the command of General James Wolfe. In September of that year, we were given orders to attack Quebec. Quebec was located on a high cliff along the St. Lawrence River and was under the command of General Louis Montcalm. We knew we could not attack it directly without finding a way around to fight them on our terms. General Wolfe gave me and two others the task of finding a way for our army to reach the top of the cliffs. He said we would need to fight them on the Plains of Abraham in order to defeat General Montcalm and the French army. He said it was important to win this battle because it could lead to the total defeat of the French in America. On September 11th, 1759, our army had already surrounded Quebec as I left at sunset to search for a way past the cliffs. We searched all night trying to be as quiet as possible in order to not be found. In the early morning of September 12th, we finally found a path that we could use to climb to the top. We made our way back to camp and informed General Wolfe that we had found a way. He decided that the next night the entire army would climb to the top and position ourselves outside the city. As dawn broke the next day, the French realized that we were waiting for them on the Plains of Abraham. General Wolfe had commanded us not to fire until they were within range. General Montcalm led the French army directly at us. The French were too eager to fire and tried shooting when they were too far away. Because we had waited, our shots were more accurate, killing more of them. I was able to fire, reload and fire again before we were commanded to charge at them. I drew my sword and had Doug race at the incoming line of French soldiers. I stabbed one soldier before I felt a sharp burning sting in my left shoulder, throwing me from my horse. I had been shot! Another French soldier ran toward me but I was able to shoot him with my pistol. I looked over and saw General Wolfe had been killed, but I was determined not to lose this battle. I knew I had to forget about the pain in my shoulder and get up and continue to fight. I was able to reload my pistol just in time to shoot another French soldier before I came face to face with General Montcalm himself! We both drew our swords. He swung at me like a mad man, but I was able to deflect his swing with my sword. I kicked him in the chest, knocking him to the ground. He tried to get back up and swing at me again, but this time my sword caught his wrist, cutting his hand clean off. With his other hand, he tried reaching for his pistol, but I quickly swung my sword at his neck taking his head! I fell to my knees exhausted. After only 15 minutes of fighting, the French were retreating in a very disorganized manner. 5 days later, the French finally surrendered the city of Quebec to us.
Final word count: 1,392

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

French and Indian War

...French & Indian War Essay Commencing in 1756 and concluding in 1763, the French & Indian War brought about a series of unfavorable financial, social, and exploratory complications to colonial North America. As taxation intensified and British-colonial tensions brewed due to a prolonged military presence and a general clashing of cultures, expansion west of the proclamation line of 1763 became a problematic activity for settlers, as British management over the land westward of the boundary produced a monopoly on the administration and purchase of terrain, ultimately generating yet another source of discontentment for American colonists. Pooled together, these frustrations would later fashion the groundwork for what would become the American Revolutionary War. The French & Indian War rattled the economic framework of Britain so severely that it became forced to alleviate the weight of its debt through taxation upon the colonies. The Crown began to implement harsher policies as well as enforce preexisting ones, so as to quench the costs of war and British military occupation within North America. Products such as potash, wine, and silk became commodities difficult to acquire, as the fee to import them skyrocketed to undesirable heights. The Revenue Act of 1764, dubbed by the colonists as “The Sugar Act”, was a British-led effort to crack down on trade regulations, seeing as how most colonial merchants neglected the procedures and prices on the transacting of products...

Words: 998 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

French and Indian War

...After the French and Indian War of 1754 to 1763, Great Britain was the premier colonial power in North America. The Treaty of Paris (1763) more than doubled British territories in North America and eliminated the French as a threat. While British power seemed more secure than ever, signs of trouble began to brew in the colonies. The colonists began feeling the confidence that sweet victory brings. They increasingly saw themselves as a separate entity, one that could defend itself against any opposing threat. However, this era of independence ended suddenly when King George III and Parliament began affirming their need for the colonies in order to remain a world power and to generate revenue through taxes and trade. The British government began to increase control over the colonies and levied taxes, which in turn led to infuriated colonists and the inevitable rebellion known as the American Revolution. Following the French and Indian War, the colonists felt a wonderful rush of independence upon them. Americans had even developed their own economic system within British mercantilism. They became economically and politically independent with their own government structures as well. Once somebody tastes a little bit of freedom, they will undoubtedly want more. Once their independence emerged, the colonists believed that they could thrive on their own. However, Great Britain began imposing heavy taxes because the war had left the country with a huge debt that had to be paid. Parliament...

Words: 412 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

French and Indian War

...French and Indian War The French and Indian War or Seven Years War, beginning in 1754, is very important to the expansion of colonists, military wisdom, and the beginning of colonists wanting liberation. The French and Indian War was caused by a small unauthorized skirmish led by George Washington attacking a small French outpost. What was supposed to be a mere revenge turned into the first major war in the America. North America was occupied by Native Indians, French, and New Englanders. All three were battling to occupy land. Indians had lived in peace for many, many years without the threat of losing their land. When the French came and took claim over Canada, they created a trade system with the Indians and made peace with them without taking Indian land. All the trouble began when Britain wanted to expand its kingdom to the America. Britain was not very friendly to the Indians and took their land without any hard-feelings. When colonist began to move westward, Indians start to ambush and attack them for taking their lands. Not only did the Indians get mad but also the French did not like Britain trying to take their land and forts. The French and Indians began an alliance to stalemate Britain from gaining land in more then one way. Indians and the French had an advantage on the battle field due to experience of the land. European style warfare did far from gaining success. Britain learned quickly numbers do not win battles alone. At first the French out numbered the...

Words: 374 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

French and Indian War

...French Indian War and George Washington: Shaping Our Countries Independence HIST 101 American History to 1877 Nicholas R. Arrivey American Military University Professor Sine The French and Indian War: Shaping Our Countries Independence The French and Indian War lasted from 1756 – 1763, lasting seven long years. Compared to other significant events in our great countries history (like the Revolutionary War), how could these mere seven years play such a huge role in shaping our countries independence? Could it be because of the outcome of the war? Or could it be because of the personnel who took part during the French and Indian War? One key person who was involved in this war and is a founding father of the country is President George Washington. His role in this war helped him gain leadership traits and abilities that guided him to shape the great country. The French and the British were involved in a conflict over the Ohio Valley during the early 1750s. The main conflict was due to the French and the British expanding their territories over the land while crossing paths in Ohio. The French had already set up trading posts in Ohio. Once the British entered into Ohio they also set up trading posts, which the French viewed as the British impeding on their commerce they gained from the Indians. Mount Vernon Non-Profit states, “In 1744 the Iroquois signed the Treaty of Lancaster with the British, which ceded Iroquois claims in Maryland and Virginia.  While the Iroquois...

Words: 1087 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

French and Indian War

...What started as the French and Indian War soon widened and spread into Europe becoming known also as the 7 Years War. It all began when the British government sent troops in to defend the colonists. Many problems arose when the colonist became enraged with imposed taxes and their unrepresented position in parliament. The results of the war were long lasting later leading to the start of the Revolutionary War. The French and Indian War had great economic, political and ideological effects on the American colonies. The political results of the war had many long lasting effects on Britain and the American colonies. English debt lead to unfair taxation of the colonists. After 1763, English colonies began to control the new world. This had a major impact on the political relationship between Britain and the American colonists as it lead to the Proclamation of 1763. Britain's abandonment of their salutary neglect policy created huge political conflict. After the French and Indian War, England found themselves deep in debt. As a result of their debt, they began to strictly regulate trade, and impose taxes on commonly used items. Angered colonists felt this was unjust taxation. Sudden taxation and regulation began to affect the economic relationship between the colonists and the British Mainland. Prior to the French and Indian War, the Wool, Hat, and Iron Acts forced the Americans to ship their raw the material to Britain, only to later buy the finished products...

Words: 507 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

French an Indian War

...The War that Made America Video Questions On a separate sheet of paper answer the following questions after watching the film. 1. How did the relationships between the French and the Indians as well as the English and the Indians differ, prior to and at the start of the French and Indian War? French – Before the war, they seemed weak. They only traded with the natives and never showed aggression. English – Before the war, they were a threat to the natives. They were known as a strong powerful force, and the Indians thought to make deals with them. 2. What roles did geography and commerce play in the economic and political claims of the French and British in North America? Geography French - The French looked to claim areas which contained water because it helped for transportation of traded goods. English - They looked at the Forks of the Ohio because three rivers met at a crossroad. Commerce French - Trade was the main goal of the French in this war. They wanted to maintain their trade routes and alliances in the Ohio Valley. English - Natives relied on European goods, so the English used this need to create alliances with the Ohio Valley Natives. 3. What was the significance of the Forks of Ohio to each of the competing groups? The significance was whoever gets that land will be in control of the trade game. 4. Why would the British be concerned by the French forts west of the Appalachian Mountains? They would be...

Words: 282 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Highlanders in the French-Indian War

...Highlander in the French-Indian War In 1745 the Jacobite Rebels failed in a revolt as they rose against their English rulers. As a result the rebels and all those believe to be rebels were imprisoned or execute. In 1755 the British and American army lead by General Braddock set off on an expedition to take Fort Duquesne from the French. Several miles away from the fort the Anglo-American army was ambushed by a French and Indian force. This massacre sent shockwaves back to the British soil. The British army was already stretched across the world and did not have the man power to fight and win the war in America against the French and protect the other possessions in the empire. The British royals realized that there was a great solution to this problem. They could send Scottish troops to fight in America in place of British troops. Not only did this remove the threat of another uprising it improved relation with their Scottish counterparts as they provided needed jobs for the worsening economy. Mass recruiting for the first highland regiment bound for America started at the beginning of 1756. They accomplished this by putting up bulletins up all throughout Scotland and the promise of being allowed to use Highland weapons to kill the King’s enemies was enticing for many. (Highlander 10) As a result of the uprising the Highlander clans were forbidden to wear their full plaids or carry weapons under the Prosecution Act. As stated in the book, “only in the king’s service would they...

Words: 1750 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

French And Indian War Dbq Analysis

...The French and Indian war negatively impacted the political, economic and ideological relations between Britain and the American colonies. The French and Indian war was a result of the ongoing land disputes between the French and British in North America in 1754-1763. Both nations wanted expansion of their country’s claimed territory, causing frontier tensions to grow larger. The war lasted seven years, and a series of effects subsequently followed. The French and Indian War resulted in long term and short term effects politically, economically and ideologically, and ultimately had a negative impact on the relations between Britain and its American colonies. Prior to the French and Indian War, the colonies were benefitting from Salutary neglect, an idea that England should leave the colonies alone to prosper. This was favorable to the colonies as they were able to benefit from trade and other resources which gave them a stepping stone towards independence. Even though the British gained a majority of France’s land (Doc A), the British had to keep their eyes set on the colonies because of their rebellion. They began to enforce strict laws and restrictions that even...

Words: 722 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Political Boundaries: The French And Indian War

...Political Boundaries: The French and Indian War had many effects on a plethora of things on the place we call America. One of those things was Political Boundaries. One of the many ways the war affected Political Boundaries are, the French lost a majority of the land they had. For example they lost all of their territory in Canada. Also the british would take most of the land in the new world. Also The Proclamation of 1763 also changed Political boundaries by denying any colonial settlement west of the Appalachian mountains. Taxation Of The Colonies: Along with Political Boundaries the French and Indian war affected the Taxation of the Colonies, By having to raise taxes to pay for the war debts and to please the queen. For example the war...

Words: 283 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

France's Defeat In The French And Indian War

...France’s Defeat in the French and Indian War Louis- Joseph and Marquis de Montcalm, one of the French commanders in the French and Indian War once say, “The colony is lost if peace doesn’t come soon; I don’t see anything that can save it (historymuseum.ca 1). The French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years’ War, was a war between the French against the British, and the Indians were stuck in the middle. This was started in 1754-1763 and the British took victory in this war. The French were winning in the beginning of this almost nine year war, but over time, the French were not as successful. In the beginning of the war, the French appeared to have an easy win in this war, but shortly over time, the French failed. Overall, the French...

Words: 1015 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Compare And Contrast The French And Indian War Essay

...The French and Indian War The French and Indian War was a conflict between Britain against the French and the Native Americans. it was called the Seven Years' War in Europe, and the war was ended with the Treaty of Paris of 1763. In addition, it began because of a conflict over who owned the Ohio River Valley, the war lasted from 1754–1763, It gave Britain almost all of Canada and the land from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River. France also transferred its control of the Louisiana Territory to Spain. Therefore, The French and Indian War altered the relationship between Britain and its American colonies because the war enabled Britain to be more "active" in colonial political and economic affairs by imposing regulations and levying taxes...

Words: 854 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

French And Indian War A Turning Point Analysis

...The turning points between Great Britain and her North American colonies that the French and Indian War brought on was very apparent on several different stages. First and foremost the French and Indian War made it visible to the colonist the Great Britain was not invincible. Once France was out of the picture of being a major player in North American affairs it was then the Royal Proclamation of 1763 that got the separation jump started between the two. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 forbid colonist from making the westward movement past the Appalachian Mountains. That did not sit well with the colonist because the proclamation also made it forbidden for colonist to purchase or settle on land from the natives beyond the Appalachian Mountains....

Words: 439 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

How Did The French And Indian War And The American Revolution

...The French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812 Cesar Zapata United States History I (HIS101) Fiona Mani September 19, 2014 The French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812 The foundation and formation of the United States as we know it today is in great part due to three wars, the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812. Each war involved Great Britain as one of the major combatants against English Colonists, French Colonies, and the United States from the beginning of the French and Indian War in 1754 to the end of the War of 1812 in 1815. Military strategies and involvement greatly contributed to the victory of some and the loss of others through the wars that changed the nation. The French and Indian War (1756)...

Words: 1143 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

How Did The British Want During The French And Indian War

...Did the Indians/French and British get what they wanted during the French and Indian war, what was lost ? In my opinion the war between the French and the Indians was one of the most important events in the American Revolution. The war started in 1754 and lasted until 1763 and was fought mostly over colonial dominance in the North America. British officials tried to hold a public meeting about people’s opinion for the war at “The conference of Albany” 1754 but only half the amount of people supported the colonies. On the other hand, American colonists loyally fought with British soldiers, while the French allied themselves with numerous Native American tribes. There has been stress between the French and the British for a while but it has been increasing as they both want to increase their amount of land. What is now considered the French and Indian War that began in November 1753, when major George Washington and a number of his men ventured into the Ohio region and with the intensions of delivering a message to a French captain, demanding that French troops back off of the territory. The demand was later rejected. In 1754, George Washington received permission to construct a fort near the...

Words: 642 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

How Did The French And Indian War Cause The American Revolution

...The French and Indian War was a key factor in sparking the American Revolution. It set the stage for the colonial rebellion. There were also occurrences during the war and after that further impacted the resolution of the American colonies to revolt. The Revolution didn’t happen in a day; it was the result of numerous events that gradually caused the colonists to be more and more indignant towards British rule. The French and Indian War-also called the Seven Years’ War-started in 1756 and ended in 1763. Even though the British were victorious, gaining a large amount of territory, their triumph increased trouble with the thirteen colonies. The war expenses were enormous, and so Great Britain endeavored to impose taxes upon the colonists. The Sugar Act, Revenue Act, and the Stamp Act were put into effect. This only succeeded in intensifying the colonist’s resentment towards the British attempts to make larger their imperial authority. The subjects in the American colonies had become accustomed to running their own affairs, thus they were getting ever more impatient....

Words: 486 - Pages: 2