Posted by Rich on March 04, 1998 at 16:46:38:
In Reply to: Montcalm and the massacre posted by Bill R on March 04, 1998 at 12:42:40:
Most extremely happy that things appear to have been smoothed out, there are no hard feelings, and most importantly, that Mary heeded my warning. Don't believe Elaine for a minute!!
Regarding the Massacre ... at one point, we had thought to have an essay debate on this issue. It is MOST interesting. I greatly admire the integrity of Montcalm, but, I do suspect he WAS behind the betrayal at Fort William Henry. Eckert aside, there are those historians who argue that very point. Very briefly, I'd say this ... Montcalm's Indian allies were VERY restless. Not long before, as Oswego & under Montcalm, his Indian allies perpetrated a massacre under similar circumstances. To appease them, Montcalm, it would seem, instructed his allies to loot for what they could. At several junctions, it DID get out of hand, more so than Montcalm wanted, so he interceded. In fact, the "massacre" was a scene of tugging, & grabbing, pushing & pulling ... in short, looting! Some British/Americans resisted a bit too strongly and were scalped and/or killed. Those who fled were run down and captured for ransom. The hospital scene and the few who were killed inside the abandoned Fort were contrary to the overall picture.
Regardless, it is fascinating stuff!