subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Feb 09 2010 

Published: July 01, 2009 12:23 am    print this story  

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

By Don Glynn
E-mail Don

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

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)

print this story  

Photos


Re-enactors participate in this past year’s French & Indian War encampment at Old Fort Niagara. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ (Click for larger image)



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Featured Jobs

Inbound Sales
Inbound Sales!
Altitude Marketing is one of DISH Network’s top national retailers and has immediate full-time inbo
...>MORE

General Laborer
GENERAL LABORER to do yard work, pick papers etc. Competitive wages, 401k and medical. Apply Allied Waste Scale House, 5...>MORE

Cleaners Substitute
Cleaner Substitutes wanted. Previous cleaning experience preferred. Reply by Feb. 16th, to Mr. Joseph Giarrizzo, 100 Hi...>MORE

Compactor Repair Technician
COMPACTOR Repair Technician: Mechanically inclined with welding knowledge, some hydraulic and electrical understanding. ...>MORE

Car Enthusiast
Old Ford enthusiast needed with knowledge of early year Fords (1909-early 70’s) to answer technical phone calls and emai...>MORE

Cleaner
CLEANER for fleet of vehicles, seasonal,
driver’s license required.
583-9982
...>MORE

Physical, Occupational & Speech Language Therapist
Physical, Occupational
& Speech Language Therapist
Fee for service positions providing community based early
...>MORE

PHONE SALES
Phone sales, high profile fundraisers, great pay, exp. a plus, nice NT office, FT/PT, hrly. plus, Pete or Mike, 694-12...>MORE

Assembly
NF Co. seeking the
following:
• Packaging
• Assembly (small
detailed parts)
• Sorters
...>MORE

Mechanic
MECHANIC  Service company owned trucks, trailers, etc. 2 years experience and own tools.    Apply at 490 Ohio Street or...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

Pontiac 2000 Grand Prix XL
PONTIAC 2000 Grand Prix XL, black,
good condition
531-2669
...>MORE

Dodge 2001 Neon
DODGE 2001Neon, 4 dr, 4 cyl, auto, 58k mi. am/fm CD player, n o rust, like new, $3950. 525-7796...>MORE

Ford 1999 Escort ZX2
FORD 1999 ESCORT, ZX2 Coupe, runs great, NYS inspected, exc. cond. $1650. 694-0441...>MORE

1998 Dodge Dakota Sport
DODGE 1998 Dakota Sport 3.9 V6, regular cab, exc in & out, no rust, real sharp, $2750. 523-7102...>MORE

1991 Lincoln Executive Town Car
LINCOLN 1991 Executive Town Car, 42k miles, no rust, runs, needs work, $600. 990-8895....>MORE

Ford 1997 Taurus
FORD 1997 taurus, runs exc. fully loaded, must see $1400 or best offer. 205-7711...>MORE

Chrysler 2000 Concord LXI,
Chrysler 2000 Concord LXI, 4 door, one owner, exc. condition, power windows, power steering, power locks, $5000 or best ...>MORE

See all ads

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index