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richfed
Sachem
USA
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Monadnock Guide
Council of Elders
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]: March 14 2005
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Posted - July 16 2015 : 09:18:29 AM
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Great post Rich - a truly fascinating time in our history. Like most conflicts, a few small changes could easily have changed major outcomes. Washington seems to have lead a rather "charmed life" early in his career. . . It was a shocking debacle. A superior force was nearly annihilated by an enemy barely half its size. The repercussions, though temporary, were tremendous. The French maintained exclusive control of the forks of the Ohio and the all important Ohio Valley. They had demonstrated their might by crushing a more numerous foe, convincing the united tribes of whom to call Father. Fort Duquesne stood proudly still.
One more thing. Had the fort fallen in 1755, it is very conceivable that Fort Niagara would have followed suit and the French, abandoned early on by their Indian allies, rolled up back into Canada. Very possibly, the siege at Fort William Henry might never have happened. There very well may never have been a The Last of the Mohicans tale to tell! |
you can keep "The Change" |
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Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]: July 17 2005
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Posted - July 17 2015 : 08:20:01 AM
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"For reasons not fully known, they were late." The reason that they were late was that the Indians would not march with them. They had heard the inflated count of the British troupes and were waiting on another group, Potawatomi I think, before making a decision. Beaujeu spent the preceding day trying to convince them to march and attended their war council the night before. But the next morning they would not move. So after about two hours of waiting Beaujeu formed up the French and marched them to the edge of the woods. Then he went to the Indians and said that with of without them the French would march. And would they allow their French fathers to march alone? This was apparently enough to get the natives to move and the whole unit moved at some speed in an attempt to get to the river before the British could cross. Of course they didn't make it. The French milice broke and ran. The few regulars did stand but didn't make much of an impression. What ensued was the greatest victory ever of Native forces over a European opponent. In most other battles which were Native victories, the Natives outnumbered the Europeans. In THIS battle the reverse was true and that makes it unique. |
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
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richfed
Sachem
USA
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Monadnock Hiker
Colonial Militia
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]: August 31 2017
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Posted - April 03 2021 : 3:41:00 PM
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Said it before, but it bears repeating ... The music, Rush & The Fall of the Republic ... well done, & thanks. |
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Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
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Posted - April 04 2021 : 3:10:38 PM
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I saw that "Black Widow" post. I had forgotten all about that episode. Man, you really dodged a bullet that time! |
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
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richfed
Sachem
USA
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