William Shirley - Siege of Louisbourg

Siege of Louisbourg

The more than 4,000 troops from New England started landing on Cape Breton Island on 30 April and laid siege to the Fortress of Louisbourg while the British ships blockaded the harbour. The Americans began suffering battle losses, while the British naval officers, who had a low opinion of American soldiers, grew increasingly critical of the American efforts. Warren tried to exert control over the American army, but Pepperrell resisted him. Louisbourg surrendered on 17 June. The Americans lost 180 men in combat, to disease or at sea during the siege, while the Royal Navy ships had not fired a shot at the fortress, and lost just one sailor. As the victors settled into occupation of Louisbourg, friction grew between the Americans and the British. The terms of surrender guaranteed the French in all of their possessions; there was no plunder for the American troops. On the other hand, the Royal Navy had captured several rich French prizes, and British sailors on shore leave bragged to the Americans about how rich they were going to be from their shares.

The American troops had signed up to capture Louisbourg, and expected to go home after siege ended. The British government, who had believed that the American troops were incapable of capturing Louisbourg on their own, had made no plans to send British troops to take over occupation of the fortress. As it become evident that British troops would not arrive to relieve the Americans until after winter had passed, Governor Shirley travelled to Louisbourg to reassure the troops. His first speech to the troops had little effect, and some troops were close to mutiny. In a second speech Shirley promised to send home more troops immediately, and provide higher pay and better supplies for those who stayed until spring. Honors from the British government were sparse; Pepperrell was made a baronet, and he and Shirley were made colonels in the British Army with the right to raise their own regiments, and Warren was raised to rear admiral.