Key Facts
- Date
- August 26–28, 1758
- British force size
- Over 3,000 men (~150 regulars, rest militia)
- French garrison size
- 110 people
- Goods captured
- 800,000 livres worth of trade goods
- Duration
- 3 days
Strategic Narrative Overview
British Lieutenant Colonel John Bradstreet led an army of over 3,000 men, predominantly provincial militia with approximately 150 regular soldiers. The force besieged the small French garrison of 110 people at Fort Frontenac beginning August 26, 1758. Unable to resist such overwhelming numbers, the garrison surrendered within two days, and the British seized substantial stores and trade goods valued at 800,000 livres.
01 / The Origins
During the Seven Years' War, France and Britain competed for control of North America. Fort Frontenac, a French fort and trading post at the eastern end of Lake Ontario where it drains into the St. Lawrence River, served as a critical node in the supply and communication network linking Montreal and Quebec City to France's western territories, making it a strategic target for British forces.
03 / The Outcome
The fall of Fort Frontenac cut one of the two major French supply lines between eastern Canada and the western territories. The northern Ottawa River route remained open, but the loss of the fort significantly weakened French logistical capacity in the region. The British capture of goods worth 800,000 livres also dealt a material blow to French trading operations and military readiness in the interior.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
John Bradstreet.
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.