Siege of Pemaquid (1689)

Siege of Pemaquid (1689)
Part of King William's War

Baron Jean-Vincent d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin
DateAugust 2–3, 1689
Location
Pemaquid (present-day Bristol, Maine)
Result French and Indian victory
Belligerents
Acadia
Abenaki		 New England
Commanders and leaders
St. Castin and Father Louis-Pierre Thury
Chief Moxus		 James Weems
Strength
100 to 300[1] 18 to 30[2]
Casualties and losses
unknown Possibly a total of 80 from both sides.[3]

The siege of Pemaquid (August 2–3, 1689) was a successful attack by a large band of Abenaki Indians on the English fort at Pemaquid, Fort Charles, then the easternmost outpost of colonial Massachusetts (present-day Bristol, Maine). The French-Abenaki attack was led by Jean-Vincent d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin and Father Louis-Pierre Thury and Chief Moxus.[4] The fall of Pemaquid was a significant setback to the English. It pushed the frontier back to Casco (Falmouth), Maine.[5]

  1. ^ Parkman,Francis. France and England in North America, Volume II. The Library of America, New York, NY, 1983. p. 165-166. (Note: Parkman states 100. English accounts indicate between 200 and 300
  2. ^ Parkman,Francis. France and England in North America, Volume II. The Library of America, New York, NY, 1983. p. 165-166. (Note: Parkman states 30 men along with Liet. James Weems defended the fort based on a certificate in the archives of Massachusetts listing the defenders. Governor Andros stated 18 men defended the fort. Weems' list has been brought into question as it may have been compiled in order to receive a grant in repayment for moneys he advanced to his soldiers.)
  3. ^ Parkman,Francis. France and England in North America, Volume II. The Library of America, New York, NY, 1983. p. 165-166.(Note: La Mote-Cadillac stated eighty were killed on both sides but this may be an exaggeration.)
  4. ^ Drake. The Border Wars of New England. p. 28
  5. ^ Conquering the American wilderness: the triumph of European warfare in ... By Guy Chet, p. 81