Battles & Campaigns · 1755
Battle of Fort Beauséjour
Isthmus of Chignecto, Canada
What happened
British forces marched from nearby Fort Lawrence and surrounded the small fort, whose defences were unfinished. As the bombardment grew, many defenders left, and Vergor surrendered after about two weeks.
Why it matters
The fort guarded the Isthmus of Chignecto, the only land route between Quebec and Louisbourg in winter. Its capture ended Father Le Loutre's War.
What came next
The British renamed it Fort Cumberland. Weeks later, Governor Charles Lawrence ordered the removal of the Acadian people.
Did you know?
The French commander's secretary, Thomas Pichon, had been secretly passing maps and plans to the British.
Timeline
- 19 May 1755The British expedition leaves Boston.
- 3 Jun 1755Troops land and the siege begins.
- 16 Jun 1755Vergor surrenders; the fort becomes Fort Cumberland.
- 31 Jul 1755Order for the removal of the Acadians.
- 1920Named a National Historic Site of Canada.