Français  Contact Us  Help  Search  Canada Site Volume 1 (1000–1754) Volume 2 (1755-1871) Volume 3 (1872–2000) CHAPTER 1 The Conquest Military Situations at the Start of the War Reinforcements from Europe It's War! The Anglo-American Attack General Braddock's Disaster General Dieskau's Defeat The Acadian Tragedy General Montcalm Takes Oswego Tensions Among the French Staff The British Invasion Strategy The French Take Fort William Henry The British Lay Siege to Louisbourg French Victory at Ticonderoga The Invasion of the Ohio Valley A Change in Tactics General Mobilization in Canada The Siege of Quebec The Battle of the Plains of Abraham Quebec Surrenders Other Fronts The War Continues in Canada The Battle of Sainte-Foy The Arrival of Reinforcements The Final Invasion The Surrender The Fate of the Canadian Officers The Military Regime England Wins the War The Treaty of Paris CHAPTER 2 The Revolt of Pontiac and the American Invasion CHAPTER 3 The Coveted Pacific Coast CHAPTER 4 The Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 CHAPTER 5 Demobilization CHAPTER 6 The Royal Navy, Ruler of the Seas CHAPTER 7 A Decade of Turbulence APPENDIX A The British Armed Forces APPENDIX B Daily Life of Soldiers and Officers APPENDIX C Uniforms and Arms APPENDIX D Reference      CHAPTER 1 The Conquest           It's War! ( 1 page )                     When it learned that France was sending armed forces to America, the English government immediately ordered the Royal Navy to intercept any French ships with troops on board.  Given that war had not yet been declared, this was a virulent response.  On June 8, off the coast of Newfoundland, Admiral Edward Boscawen's squadron sighted three French ships separated from their own squadron by fog: these were the Alcide, the Lys and the Dauphin royal.  With the English and French ships within hailing distance, the commander of the Alcide asked, "Are we at peace or at war?"  "We can't hear," answered the HMS Dunkirk, the nearest of the English ships, before adding, "Peace, Peace!" 3  But after moving to within 100 metres of the Alcide, the Dunkirk opened fire  Some 80 French sailors were cut down and the ship lost its rudder.  The broadside was a complete surprise.  The French gunners did what they could to respond to the English fire, but the battle was already lost.  The Alcide and the Lys had to lower their flags.  Only the Dauphin royal was able to escape and reach Louisbourg.  Following this bloody incident, war was declared between France and England, even though hostilities would not be officially declared until a year later.        Last Updated: 2004-06-20 Important Notices