Published: June 30, 2009 10:47 pm      

OLD FORT NIAGARA: Weekend's schedule of events

Friday

• 10 A.M.: Battle on the Beach — A French hunting party from Fort Niagara discovers that British forces have landed east of the site.

• NOON: L’Iroquoise Attacked — British boats attack the French schooner anchor in the cove below Fort Niagara.

• 1 P.M.: Parade and Pageantry — The armies pass in review with more than 2,300 re-enactors, dressed as Native American warriors, French, British and American provincial soldiers.

• 2:30 P.M.: Wilderness War — The armies’ light troops clash as the siege starts. British rangers, light infantry and Iroquois allies spar with French militia and their Native allies.

• 4:30 P.M.: Rutherford’s Embassy — Captain Water Rutherford calls upon the French to surrender the fort and avoid bloodshed.

• 5 P.M.: First Bombardment — British artillery opens fire on the fort and French guns reply.

• 9:30 P.M.: Night Bombardment — French and British artillery exchange fire, accompanied by a grand fireworks display.



Saturday

• 9 A.M.: Artillery Bombardment — French and British guns exchange fire. Rangers, provincials and riflemen snipe at French sentries.

• 10:30 A.M.: First Sortie — French troops attack the British trench.

• 11 A.M.: Kaendae’s Embassy — A Seneca chief sets out to re-establish Seneca loyalty to the French.

• NOON: French-Native Council — The fort’s commandant reproaches the Seneca for supporting the English and wins Iroquois withdrawal from the siege.

• 1 P.M.: Death of Gen. Prideaux — The British commander accidentally steps in front of a mortar and is killed.

• 2 P.M.: British-Native Council — Iroquois warriors gather to confer with Sir William Johnson.

• 3 P.M.: British Assault the Fort — British regulars and provincial troops attack Fort Niagara’s outer works.

• 4:30 P.M.: The Parley —The British demand the surrender of the weakened fort.



Sunday

• 8:30 A.M.: Period church services —18th Century Catholic and Protestant services in their respective camps.

• 9:30 A.M.: The Final Bombardment — French and British artillery exchange fire.

• 11 A.M.: Battle of LaBelle Famille — A French relief force attacks a British roadblock in an attempt to relieve the fort.

• 1 P.M.: The Final Assault — British Troops capture the fort’s outworks.

• 3 P.M.: Memorial for those who fought or surrendered at the fort — British forces march into the fort. Both armies pay tribute to those who took part in the 1759 siege. The French surrender the fort.

• 4 P.M.: Prisoners of War — French troops march out, board boats and are rowed away.

Source: Old Fort Niagara Association (745-7611)