SIEGE OF QUÉBEC

Opposing Forces

French Army, Canadians and Amerindians The Amerindian Allies

The Amerindians were a significant force in the defence of the colony. Like militiamen, they made effective use of ambush tactics. Although each nation had its own rituals and traditions, there was consistency in the war tactics and strategies favoured by the Amerindians in the conflict. In the first place, they never fought in open terrain, resorting instead to ambush tactics and camouflage. In fact, surprise attacks were their strongest asset. They caught European soldiers unawares, since the latter were more familiar with pitched battles, and so they caused a great deal of devastation. As for war preparations, although some elements varied among the groups, they had some points in common: lengthy discussions before leaving for combat, smoking of the war pipe and dances. Premonitory dreams were also very popular as a means of predicting the outcome of a battle or to determine if it represented a danger for an individual or for the entire nation. The weapons used by the Amerindians in battle generally included knives, clubs – small hammers with a stone on top –, axes and rifles⁵⁰.

Amerindian warriors, like their French counterparts, were usually men in their twenties. However, they had different duties. Amerindian warriors were not paid by their clans to fight in combat. Moreover, warriors could leave the battle at any time for a number of reasons, such as an unfavourable premonitory dream. The warrior's motivations were therefore different from those of European soldiers: the Amerindians fought mainly to support an alliance or to take revenge for the death of a friend or relative⁵¹.

During the summer of 1759, in Québec, nearly 1,800 Amerindians took part in the conflict opposing the French and British armies. Although not all Amerindian nations took part in the war, several of them did so and formed an alliance with the French, with whom they had rubbed shoulders across the land for a number of years. These nations occupied vast territories throughout North America. Among the allies of the French during the siege of Québec were the Abnakis, Micmacs, Malecites, Ottawa, Poutouetamis, Renards (Fox) and Hurons.

French and Allied Forces in Québec in 1759

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Battles of 1759 and 1763

• Return – Plains of Abraham Web site
• An Episode Of The
  Seven Years’ War
  • Context Of The Seven Years’ War
  • The Conflict In America: A General Survey
    • Context
    • Opposing Forces
    • French Tactics And Alliances
    • British Tactics And Alliances
    • Chronology Of The Confrontations
• Siege Of Québec
  • Québec, Cornerstone Of New France
  • Opposing Forces
    • French Army, Canadians And Amerindians
    • Land Troops Or Regular Troops
    • The Colonial Troops
    • The Militia
    • The Amerindian Allies
    • The French Navy
    • British Army, Americans And Navy
    • Regular Troops
    • The Americans
    • The Royal Navy
  • Strategy
    • The French Army
    • Principles And Actions
    • A Fortified Place
    • Fire Ships And Rafts
    • The British Army
    • Principles And Actions
    • Bombardments
    • Ransacking
  • Daily Life At The Time Of The Siege Of Québec
  • The Montmorency Battle
    • Context
    • Course / Assessment
    • Consequences
• Battle Of The Plains Of Abraham
  • Context
    • A Matter Of Urgency
    • Positioning Of The French Troops
    • The Anse-Au-Foulon Landing
    • Montcalm Is Taken By Surprise
  • The Two Armies Face Each Other
    • The Opposing Forces
    • Positioning Of The Troops
    • The British Army
    • The French Army
  • The Battle
  • The Outcome
  • Québec Surrenders
  • Consequences
• Battle Of Sainte-Foy
  • Context
    • A Difficult Winter In Québec
    • Lévis And Vaudreuil Request Reinforcements
    • Québec: The Challenge Of A New Battle
  • Opposing Forces And Positioning Of The Troops
    • The French Army
    • The British Army
  • Course / Assessment
  • The Siege Of Québec And British Reinforcements
  • The Surrender Of Montreal
  • Consequences
• Treaty Of Paris