Battlefield - under siege Quebec

Battlefield - under siege Quebec

September 6 and 7, 2025

Plaines d'Abraham

Free event

Relive the great attacks that marked the city: from William Phips' attempt to take Quebec in 1690 to the 1759-1760 siege, and the American invasion of 1775.

This historical reconstruction event, presented this year under the theme of besieged Quebec, constitutes an important gathering of history specialists, animators and "reconstructors".

On the agenda:

• Visit to a vintage camp

• Meetings with costume rebooters

• Shooting demonstrations

• Exploring the Martello Tower

•Discovering alliances with First Nations, life in war, famine, bombing, disease and winter survival

An immersive, enriching and memorable experience to live with family or friends in the heart of Abraham's plains!

Full details: https://bit.ly/41WBuWk.

Newtown 1779

 The Battle of Newtown (August 29, 1779) was the only major battle of the Sullivan Expedition, an armed offensive led by Major General John Sullivan that was ordered by George Washington to end the threat of the Iroquois who had sided with the British in the American Revolutionary War. Opposing Sullivan's four brigades were 250 Loyalist soldiers from Butler's Rangers, commanded by Major John Butler, and 350 Iroquois and Delaware (Lenape). Butler and Mohawk war leader Joseph Brant did not want to make a stand at Newtown, and instead proposed to harass the enemy on the march, but were overruled by Sayenqueraghta and other Indigenous war leaders.

This battle, which was the most significant military engagement of the campaign, took place at the foot of a hill along the Chemung River just outside what is now Elmira, New York.

More in depth here

Today's anniversary - Lochry's Defeat.

 

The Battle of Fallen Timbers: The U.S. Army’s First Major Victory

 Today's anniversary. 

Battle of Blue Licks 1782

 The last major battle of the Revolution. Fought today August 19. Daniel Boone lost his son in this action. Wiki It was the last victory for the Loyalists and natives during the frontier war. British, Loyalist and Native forces would engage in fighting with American forces once more the following month in Wheeling, West Virginia, during the Siege of Fort Henry.

The ambush - Battle of Blue Licks by Doug Hall

Butler's Rangers & Indian Department Capt. Caldwell's Report from here

Extract of a Letter from Capt. CALDWELL, dated at Wakitamiki August 26th, 1782— When I last had the pleasure of writing you I expected to have struck at Wheeling as I was on my march for that place, but was overtaken by a messenger from the Shawnese, who informed me the Enemy was on their march for their Country, which obliged me to turn their way, and to my great mortification found the Alarm false and that it was owing to a Gondalo coming up to the mouth of Licking Creek, and landing some men upon the South side of the Ohio, which when the Indians saw, supposed it must be Clark. It would have been a lucky circumstance if they had come on, as I had Eleven hundred Indians on the ground, and three hundred within a days march of me. When the Report was contradicted They mostly left us, many of them had left their Towns no ways equiped for War, as they expected as well as myself to fight in a few days, notwithstanding I was determined to pay the Enemy a visit with as many Indians as would follow me: accordingly I crossed the Ohio with three Hundred Indians and Rangers, and marched for Bryant’s Station on Kentuck, and surrounded the Fort the 15th in the morning, and tried to draw ‘em out by sending up a small Party to try to take a Prisoner and Shew themselves, but the Indians were in too great a hurry and the whole shewed to[o] soon. I then saw it was in vain to wait any longer and so drew nigh the Fort, burn’t 3 Houses which was part of the Fort but the Wind being contrary prevented it having the desired effect, kill’d upwards of 300 Hogs, 150 head of Cattle, and a number of Sheep, took a number of Horses, pull’d up and destroyed their Potatoes, cut down a great deal of their Corn, burn’t their Hemp and did other considerable damage— by the Indians exposing themselves too much we had 5 Killed and 2 wounded. We retreated the 16th and came as far as Riddle’s former Station, when nigh 100 Indians left me, as they went after their things they left at the Forks of Licking, and I took the Road by the blue Licks as it was nigher and the ground more advantageous in case the Enemy should pursue us — got to the Licks on the 17th and encamped. On the 18th in the morning, one of my Party that was watching the Road came in and told me the Enemy was within a mile of us, upon which I drew up to fight them — at ½ past seven they advanced in three Divisions in good order, they had spied some of us and it was the very place they expected to overtake us. We had but fired one Gun ‘till they gave us a Volley and stood to it very well for some time, ‘till we rushed in upon them, when they broke immediately. We pursued for about two miles, and as the Enemy was mostly on horseback, it was in vain to follow further. We killed and took One hundred and Forty six, amongst the killed is Col. Todd the Commandr., Col. Boon, Lt. Col. Trigg, Major Harlin who commanded their Infantry, Major Megara, and a number more of their Officers. Our loss is Monsr. LA BUTE killed; he died like a Warrior fighting Arm to Arm, six Indians killed and ten wounded. The Indians behaved extremely well, and no People could behave better than both Officers and Men in general. The Indians I had with me were the Wyandots and Lake Indians. The Wyandots furnished me with what Provision I wanted, and behaved extremely well.

Bennington 1777

 Today's anniversary. Wiki

The Battle of Bennington was a battle of the American Revolutionary War, part of the Saratoga campaign, that took place on August 16, 1777, on the John Green farm in Walloomsac, New York, about 10 miles (16 km) from its namesake, Bennington, Vermont. An American force of 2,000 men, primarily New Hampshire and Massachusetts militiamen, led by General John Stark, and reinforced by militiamen from the independent Vermont Republic led by Colonel Seth Warner and members of the Green Mountain Boys, decisively defeated a detachment of General John Burgoyne's army led by Lieutenant-Colonel Friedrich Baum, and supported by additional troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Heinrich von Breymann.

Baum's detachment of 700 men consisted of Hessian and British Army troops, Canadian and Loyalist irregulars and a number of Iroquois warriors.^[8] He was sent by Burgoyne to raid Bennington in the disputed New Hampshire Grants area for horses, draft animals, provisions, and other supplies. Believing the town to be only lightly defended, Burgoyne and Baum were unaware that Stark and 1,500 American militiamen were stationed there. After a rain-caused standoff, Stark's men enveloped Baum's position, taking many prisoners, and killing Baum. Reinforcements for both sides arrived as Stark and his men were mopping up, and the battle restarted, with Warner and Stark driving away Breymann's reinforcements with heavy casualties.

Battle of Fort Oswego

 

The Battle of Fort Oswego was one in a series of early French victories in the North American theatre of the Seven Years' War won in spite of New France's military vulnerability. During the week of August 10, 1756, a force of regulars and Canadian militia under General Montcalm captured and occupied the British fortifications at Fort Oswego, located at the site of present-day Oswego, New York.

In addition to 1,700 prisoners, Montcalm's force seized the fort's 121 cannons. The fall of Fort Oswego effectively interrupted the British presence on Lake Ontario and removed it as a threat to the nearby French-controlled Fort Frontenac. The battle was notable for demonstrating that traditional European siege tactics were viable in North America when applied properly in the right circumstances and terrain.

Video

The Villasur expedition of 1720

 

Villasur expedition painted on buffalo hide^[a]

The Villasur expedition of 1720 was a Spanish military expedition intended to check New France's growing influence on the North American Great Plains, led by Lieutenant-General Pedro de Villasur. Pawnee and Otoe Indians attacked the expedition in Nebraska, killing 36 of the 40 Spaniards, 10 of their Indian allies, and a French guide. The survivors retreated to their base in New Mexico.

Fulda photos by Thomas Donsbach

Event last weekend in Germany. Fantastic photos

 

Old Fort Niagara event

PINTS ON THE PARADE A Summer Evening at the Fort

Old Fort Niagara is partnering with Resurgence Brewing Company to bring you Pints on the Parade, a new take on the popular Pints in the Park series—this time inside the walls of our historic 18th-century fortress!

Purchase Advance Tickets Here

Spend a summer evening enjoying craft beer, delicious food, live music, and historic demonstrations, all while exploring the Fort after hours.   EVENT DETAILS Date: Saturday, August 16 Time: 4:30–9:00 pm - Last entry at 8:00 pm Location: Old Fort Niagara, 102 Morrow Plaza, Youngstown, NY   Your ticket includes event admission and one beer from Resurgence Brewing Company. The evening will also feature live music, food vendors, face painting, and family-friendly activities. Living history interpreters will be on site offering musket demonstrations, period games, and stories from centuries past.   Advance Ticket Pricing: Adults: $15 (includes one free beer for individuals 21+) Children (ages 6–12): $10 Children under 6: Free (no ticket required) Please note: Eventbrite service fees apply.   At the Door: Adults: $21 Children (ages 6–12): $13

Purchase Advance Tickets Here

This event is a fundraiser to benefit Old Fort Niagara’s educational programs, which serve more than 12,000 students annually. We’re also proud to host the ConnectLife Mobile Blood Drive during the event. It’s a great opportunity to give back while enjoying a unique evening at the Fort.

 

From Helion - Scalphunter

 

''We've just received this fantastic cover artwork by the very talented Christa Hook for Alan Gaff's forthcoming book 'Scalp Hunter' on Major Robert Rogers and his Rangers during the Seven Years War. You can register your interest in the book here:''

https://www.helion.co.uk/.../scalp-hunter-major-robert...

Bumph reads

Major Robert Rogers is an icon in American history, but does not deserve that status. Scalp Hunter provides the first exhaustive examination of Rogers and his Rangers. This is the most complete telling of the wartime Ranger's saga, told by the Rangers themselves, their officers of all ranks, including generals, and it is not a modern interpretation by writers lacking a military background. Warfare in New York Province during the 1750s was brutal. American editors praised British and Colonial troops, while depicting French and Indian enemies as blood-thirsty barbarians. Robert Rogers would organize a corps of woodsmen whose assignment was to scout the wilderness to frustrate the enemy and provide important intelligence. Rogers and his Rangers quickly descended into cold-blooded savagery, scalping wounded and deceased foes for bounties while killing unarmed prisoners in cold blood. During his famous raid to St Francis in 1759, Major Rogers and his force ruthlessly murdered women and children against specific orders from their commanding general. When Rogers published his heavily-edited Journals in 1765, he intentionally neglected to mention these atrocities.

Scalp Hunter provides the first in-depth account of Rogers and men who served under him, including much new information unavailable previously. Rogers, his Rangers, and soldiers who served beside them relate fresh information in their own words. Over the last 250 years, Major Robert Rogers has become an icon alongside such frontiersmen as Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton, Davy Crockett, and Kit Carson. Scalp Hunter will help remove Robert Rogers from that pantheon.

Battle of Kenapacomaqua 1791

 Occurred today. Wiki. Not really a battle. 

Battle of Oriskany (6 August 1777) - United States & Oneida vs Great Britain & Mohawk

 As depicted in the movie  The Broken Chain.  No redcoats at Oriskany though. Complete film here

Battle of Oriskany, NY (1777) - American Revolution History (New York State)

 Today in 1777. I don't like the graphics with this but it is OK if you just listen. 

The Battle of Bushy Run

 Video released by PHMC in 2008 as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History.

LOVE, COURAGE AND THE BATTLE OF BUSHY RUN Official Trailer (2024)

 I haven't seen this - it doesn't look like my cup of tea but you might be interested in it. 

Set in 1763, following Britain's victory in the Seven Years’ War, the American Colonies are on the brink of chaos. Colonel Henry Bouquet, portrayed by Tom Connolly, leads a diverse army of Scottish Highlanders, British soldiers, and American volunteers against the siege led by Ottawa Chief Pontiac at Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania.

Bushy Run

 

Muskets of the Crown last weekend

The Battle of Bushy Run was fought on August 5–6, 1763, in western Pennsylvania, between a British column under the command of Colonel Henry Bouquet and a combined force of Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Huron warriors. This action occurred during Pontiac's Rebellion. Though the British suffered serious losses, they routed the tribesmen and successfully relieved the garrison of Fort Pitt.

Poster Book of the American Revolution

I kick myself. I saw a stack of these in a publisher's remainder shop in Bristol once and they were about a quid and I didn't buy any. OK a long time ago but I still remember it.