Battle of Lake George
Southern end of Lake George, New York, USA
What happened
British colonial militia and Haudenosaunee (Mohawk) warriors under William Johnson and Hendrick Theyanoguin fought French troops, Canadian militia and Native allies under Baron Dieskau. In the French and Indian War, Dieskau set an ambush for a column marching to Fort Edward, and its leaders, Colonel Ephraim Williams and Hendrick, fell. The survivors fell back to Johnson's camp by the lake. When the French attacked the camp, Johnson's cannons stopped them, and Dieskau was badly wounded, so the French attack was called off.
Why it matters
Why it matters: According to historian Fred Anderson, it stopped a French push that could have driven the British defences in New York and New England back to Albany.
What came next
Johnson built Fort William Henry at the southern end of the lake. The French besieged and destroyed it in 1757.
Did you know?
The painter Benjamin West made a picture of Johnson saving a wounded French officer, said to be Dieskau.
Timeline
- 8 September 1755The Battle of Lake George is fought.
- 13 November 1755Fort William Henry is ready for use.
- August 1757The French capture and destroy Fort William Henry.
- 1950sA replica of the fort is built; it is now a museum.