Battle of La Belle-Famille

Battle of La Belle-Famille
Part of the French and Indian War
DateJuly 24, 1759
Location
Two miles (3 km) south of Fort Niagara
Result British-Iroquois victory
Belligerents

 France

 Great Britain

Iroquois
Commanders and leaders
New France François-Marie Le Marchand de Lignery 
Charles Philippe Aubry
Michel Maray de La Chauvignerie
Kingdom of Great Britain Eyre Massey
Sayenqueraghta
Strength
800 regulars and militia
500 Native Americans
350 regulars
100 New York militia
450 Iroquois
Casualties and losses
At least 334 killed
At least 96 captured
12 dead
40 wounded[1]

The Battle of La Belle-Famille occurred on July 24, 1759, during the French and Indian War along the Niagara River portage trail. François-Marie Le Marchand de Lignery's French relief force for the besieged French garrison at Fort Niagara fell into Eyre Massey's British and Iroquois ambush. This action formed part of the larger Battle of Fort Niagara.

The British knew of the French approach well in advance and constructed a breastwork across the road about two miles south of Fort Niagara. The French were ambushed, their force was routed, with many casualties. Captain Le Marchand de Lignery was mortally wounded in the battle.[2]

  1. ^ Nester, William R. "The First Global War: Britain, France, and the Fate of North America, 1756-1775" pp. 148
  2. ^ Severance, p. 321.