Published: July 01, 2009 12:23 am      

OLD FORT NIAGARA: French & Indian War re-enactment is July 3-5

YOUNGSTOWN — The drama that unfolded at Fort Niagara that sultry summer night in 1759 would end with the French officers running up the flag of surrender to the British at the garrison known as the House of Peace.

Now, 250 years later, the re-enactment of that siege is billed as the signature event for the New York state commemoration of that French & Indian War battle. The activities start Friday and run through Sunday.

It also was known as the War of Conquest and as the Seven Years War.

For the three-day event, some 2,400 re-enactors from several states and Canada will be camped out on the grounds in front of the French Castle (circa. 1726) and in a few other spots during the biggest “battle” of its kind to mark the milestone in North American history.

The original attack of Fort Niagara actually began on July 6, 1759, when British Brig. Gen. John Prideaux and his army of 2,300 soldiers and nearly 1,000 Iroquois warriors surrounded the blockhouse and fortress held by French Capt. Pierre Pouchot and his 600 troops.

Although the British bombardment of cannons and mortars continued day and night, the fearless French defenders managed to hold out for almost three weeks.

All hope for the French to prevail was lost when a 1,500-member support force from the Ohio Valley arrived near the village (along the current site of River Road) and encountered an aggressive British unit a mile south of the fort.

Capt. Pouchot surrendered the fort to the British on July 25, 1759.

When it was captured, Fort Niagara was one of the most significant military posts on the Great Lakes, according to Robert Emerson, executive director of the Old Fort Niagara Association.

“Its strategic location was the key to controlling the entire continent,” he said, “The events and programs planned for this special anniversary illustrate 18th century life and colonial battles like nothing we have ever done before at the fort,” he added.

A living history encampment throughout the grounds at the landmark site will recreate the siege with re-enactors portraying British and French forces and American Indian warriors.

The re-enactment activities are set to begin at 10 a.m. Friday and run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Visitors will have a chance to enjoy a nighttime artillery bombardment and fireworks display, extensive battle re-enactments on land and sea, hands-on demonstrations for all ages, local craftsmen’s goods, military music and children’s games.

The long weekend and its pageantry where the Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario has been heavily promoted across the Empire State and in many major markets within a same-day drive of the Niagara area.

Fort officials note advance stories on the anniversary have been carried by The Associated Press and in the print and broadcast media in several states and provinces.

Buffalo’s four television stations also have focused on the buildup to the special events.

“Visiting Old Fort Niagara to experience this fascinating re-enactment will provide a one-of-a-kind experience into an era when nations fought for world dominance right here in our own backyard,” said Nicholas Westbrook, director emeritus of Fort Ticonderoga and vice chair of the New York State French and Indian War 250th Anniversary Commission.

“It is an international and multi-cultural story about the birth of nations and it truly was America’s first participation in a world war,” Westbrook added.

For other information including the hours of operation, visit the Web site at www.oldfortniagara.org or call 745-7611.

Contact reporter Don Glynn at 282-2311, ext. 2246.

What’s happening at the Fort

Friday

• 10 A.M.: Battle on the Beach — A French hunting party from Fort Niagara discovers that British forces have landed east of the site.

• NOON: L’Iroquoise Attacked — British boats attack the French schooner anchor in the cove below Fort Niagara.

• 1 P.M.: Parade and Pageantry — The armies pass in review with more than 2,300 re-enactors, dressed as Native American warriors, French, British and American provincial soldiers.

• 2:30 P.M.: Wilderness War — The armies’ light troops clash as the siege starts. British rangers, light infantry and Iroquois allies spar with French militia and their Native allies.

• 4:30 P.M.: Rutherford’s Embassy — Capt. Water Rutherford calls upon the French to surrender the fort and avoid bloodshed.

• 5 P.M.: First Bombardment — British artillery opens fire on the fort and French guns reply.

• 9:30 P.M.: Night Bombardment — French and British artillery exchange fire, accompanied by a grand fireworks display.

Saturday

• 9 A.M.: Artillery Bombardment — French and British guns exchange fire. Rangers, provincials and riflemen snipe at French sentries.

• 10:30 A.M.: First Sortie — French troops attack the British trench.

• 11 A.M.: Kaendae’s Embassy — A Seneca chief sets out to re-establish Seneca loyalty to the French.

• NOON: French-Native Council — The fort’s commandant reproaches the Seneca for supporting the English and wins Iroquois withdrawal from the siege.

• 1 P.M.: Death of Gen. Prideaux — The British commander accidentally steps in front of a mortar and is killed.

• 2 P.M.: British-Native Council — Iroquois warriors gather to confer with Sir William Johnson.

• 3 P.M.: British Assault the Fort — British regulars and provincial troops attack Fort Niagara’s outer works.

• 4:30 P.M.: The Parley —The British demand the surrender of the weakened fort.

Sunday

• 8:30 A.M.: Period church services —18th Century Catholic and Protestant services in their respective camps.

• 9:30 A.M.: The Final Bombardment — French and British artillery exchange fire.

• 11 A.M.: Battle of LaBelle Famille — A French relief force attacks a British roadblock in an attempt to relieve the fort.

• 1 P.M.: The Final Assault — British Troops capture the fort’s outworks.

• 3 P.M.: Memorial for those who fought or surrendered at the fort — British forces march into the fort. Both armies pay tribute to those who took part in the 1759 siege. The French surrender the fort.

• 4 P.M.: Prisoners of War — French troops march out, board boats and are rowed away.

Source: Old Fort Niagara Association (745-7611)