| Iroquois Confederacy An association of the five Native Peoples living south of Lake Ontario (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca). Geographically, they were located between the Mohicans, who traded with the Dutch and the English, and the Huron and Algonquin, who were partners with the French. Close this window |
Illustration tirée du tome III des «Oeuvres de Champlain» Source: ICMH no 26835, de Notre mémoire en ligne, produit par Canadiana.org
In 1609, Champlain traveled down the Richelieu River, with two French men and about 60 Amerindians, to fight 200 Iroquois. The battle took place near Ticonderoga. The French guns caused a great panic. Champlain killed three enemy chiefs with an arquebus, earning the respect of the Amerindians. The next year, Champlain’s allies expected him to go to war again. This time, the Iroquois built a barricade at the mouth of the Richelieu River. During this second victory, Champlain sustained an injury to his ear.
In 1615, the warriors set out from the village of Cahiagué, in Huron territory. The allies traveled for more than a month before arriving at an Iroquois fort which was surrounded by four large palisades. Champlain used European techniques to prepare for the siege: he built a cavalier and mantlets. Unfortunately, the Amerindians were impatient and undisciplined. Instead of a siege, the battle turned into three hours of disorganized skirmishes during which Champlain was injured. Following this defeat, the Amerindians had to wait several decades before France renewed its military commitment to them, which was done in about 1660, when the Carignan-Salière regiment was sent to New France.
For his part, Champlain had to face a new threat a few years later, from the English. They managed to capture and occupy Quebec, from 1629 to 1632. The attack was initiated by a family of merchants, the Kirke family, As part of the war fought by France and England, they landed at Cap Tourmente in 1628, where they captured five colonists. Alerted, the Amerindians informed Champlain. The French colony had run out of everything but Champlain was hoping that reinforcements would arrive soon. A skilled strategist, he informed his enemies that he could hold on and was waiting for them, convincing the Kirkes to return to Europe.
The Kirkes returned the following year. Knowing that the colony was too weak to fight, Champlain preferred to negotiate. Since a peace treaty had just been signed by France and England, something the Kirkes did not want to believe, Champlain planned to return to his New France quickly. A few colonists left with their belongings while others chose to stay behind. A short battle took place at sea, when ships owned by Frenchman Émery de Caën arrived, but Champlain quickly negotiated a cease fire.
In 1629, Champlain did not play the role of the brave warrior, but made wise decisions for the well-being of the colony. To learn more about the kind of administrator Champlain was, we invite you to return on March 4, 2008.
Sources
LITALIEN, Raymonde and Denis Vaugeois (dir). Champlain: la naissance de l'Amérique française. [Paris], Nouveau Monde éditions; Sillery, Septentrion, 2004, 397 pages.
TRUDEL, Marcel. “Samuel de Champlain”, Dictionnaire biographique du Canada, tome 1, [Québec], Presses de l’Université Laval, 1966, pages 192 to 204.
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| Ticonderoga Town located south of Lake Champlain, in New York State. Close this window |
| Arquebus Relatively light-weight gun, compared to the first muskets but having a short range. It could be supported on a shoulder or on a fork. Close this window |
| A bloody gift The French enjoyed a great deal of prestige following this first victory. To acknowledge this, the Amerindians offered Champlain the head of an Iroquois warrior, as well as weapons. Close this window |
In 1615, the warriors set out from the village of Cahiagué, in Huron territory. The allies traveled for more than a month before arriving at an Iroquois fort which was surrounded by four large palisades. Champlain used European techniques to prepare for the siege: he built a cavalier and mantlets. Unfortunately, the Amerindians were impatient and undisciplined. Instead of a siege, the battle turned into three hours of disorganized skirmishes during which Champlain was injured. Following this defeat, the Amerindians had to wait several decades before France renewed its military commitment to them, which was done in about 1660, when the Carignan-Salière regiment was sent to New France.
| Cahiagué This fortified village is located near Lake Simcoe. Close this window |
| Onondaga fort Fort located near Lake Onondaga, in what is now New York State. Close this window |
| Cavalier Structure serving to overlook the enemy installations. Champlain’s was so large that it took 200 men to drag it to the fort. Close this window |
| Mantlet A large shield equipped with wheels and used during sieges. Close this window |
| Champlain injured During the attack, Champlain was injured twice, including once in the knee, which made the return trip very painful for him. Since it was difficult for him to walk, Champlain was placed in a “basket” and carried by a Huron. He compared his uncomfortable position to that of babies who are swaddled so tightly they cannot move. After two unpleasant days, he decided to walk. Close this window |
For his part, Champlain had to face a new threat a few years later, from the English. They managed to capture and occupy Quebec, from 1629 to 1632. The attack was initiated by a family of merchants, the Kirke family, As part of the war fought by France and England, they landed at Cap Tourmente in 1628, where they captured five colonists. Alerted, the Amerindians informed Champlain. The French colony had run out of everything but Champlain was hoping that reinforcements would arrive soon. A skilled strategist, he informed his enemies that he could hold on and was waiting for them, convincing the Kirkes to return to Europe.
| The Kirkes These English merchants were very familiar with France since they had traveled to its ports. Although it was the father, Jarvis Kirke, who obtained permission from Charles 1, king of England, to travel to New France, it was his sons, David, Lewis, Thomas, John and James who actually went there to push the French out. Close this window |
The Kirkes returned the following year. Knowing that the colony was too weak to fight, Champlain preferred to negotiate. Since a peace treaty had just been signed by France and England, something the Kirkes did not want to believe, Champlain planned to return to his New France quickly. A few colonists left with their belongings while others chose to stay behind. A short battle took place at sea, when ships owned by Frenchman Émery de Caën arrived, but Champlain quickly negotiated a cease fire.
| Staying behind in New France After this first conquest, several French settlers headed off into the woods, while waiting for the colony to be returned to France. Others were invited by the English to stay behind, particularly those who were very familiar with the country, such as the interpreters and the Récollets. The Récollets were allowed to continue with their evangelization. Close this window |
In 1629, Champlain did not play the role of the brave warrior, but made wise decisions for the well-being of the colony. To learn more about the kind of administrator Champlain was, we invite you to return on March 4, 2008.
Sources
LITALIEN, Raymonde and Denis Vaugeois (dir). Champlain: la naissance de l'Amérique française. [Paris], Nouveau Monde éditions; Sillery, Septentrion, 2004, 397 pages.
TRUDEL, Marcel. “Samuel de Champlain”, Dictionnaire biographique du Canada, tome 1, [Québec], Presses de l’Université Laval, 1966, pages 192 to 204.
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