Fort William Henry

The British Fort William Henry on the shores of Lake George, New York, was built during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) by Sir William Johnson as a staging ground for attacks against the French Fort Carillon (later renamed Fort Ticonderoga). It was part of a chain of British and French forts along the important inland waterway from New York City to Quebec. Fort William Henry was named for Prince William Henry, a grandson of King George II and a younger brother of King George III.

The French attack on the fort

The fort was attacked by the French in August of 1757. Following a heavy bombardment and siege by French troops under the command of General Marquis de Montcalm, the garrison was forced to surrender when their relief columns from the south could not break through the attackers. French forces totaled some 8,000 consisting of about 3,000 regulars, 3,000 militia and nearly 2,000 Native Americans. British forces totaled only 2,200.

Related Topics:
1757 - Siege - Marquis de Montcalm - Native American

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