242 J- G. BOUEENOT 



works, and although it was much inferior in numbers, it kept back the assailants until 

 they were drawn off by reinforcements from headquarters. In this affair there were con- 

 siderable losses in killed and wounded on both sides, Lord Dundonald, who commanded 

 the grenadiers, and three captains of the French force being among the number. The 

 situation of the French in the town became more desperate every day, and there was no 

 prospect of aid coming to them by land or sea. A French officer, M. de Boishébert, was 

 during the greater part of the siege at Mira with a force of at least three thoixsaud French 

 and Indians, mostly from St. John's Island, but the English had warning of their 

 approach on the night of the 11th of July, and a detachment under Major Sutherland 

 easily beat oiï the advance party — not more than one htindred men, it is said, — and that 

 was the last that was heard of M. de Boishébert and his companions. So furious was the 

 fire of the besiegers' batteries that it destroyed the greater portion of the stone citadel, 

 affording accommodation for the principal barracks, a chapel and the governor's quarters, 

 the last being alone saA^ed from the flames. Bombs and shells fell even into the hospital, 

 so that the surgeons were obliged to stop constantly in the performance of their oper- 

 ations. The large wooden barracks in the Queen's bastion was burned, and even the 

 casemates in the King's bastion, in which the women and children huddled together, 

 became unsafe. When at last the fortifications were tumbling down in all directions on 

 the west front, and great gaps were visible in the Dauphin's, Queen's and King's bastions 

 and not more than a dozen cannon were reported as really serviceable, the French gover- 

 nor decided to capitulate. The crisis had come at last in the siege. The English admiral 

 and general had determined on a general assault when M. Drucour came to this con- 

 clusion. At first he asked for the same honours of war that the French had granted to 

 G-eneral Blakeney and his garrison at Port Mahon in 17-56, but the general and admiral 

 would not entertain the proposition. The governor was prepared to maintain the siege 

 still longer, and sent a messenger to communicate his intention to the English. Then M. 

 de Prévost, the intendant, on behalf of the citizens, strongly urged him to surrender, as it 

 was clearly impossible to hold the town for any length of time, and the consequence of 

 further resistance would be a useless waste of life. The messenger was recalled before 

 he reached the English headquarters and authorized to take back an answer accepting the 

 terms which Amherst and Boscawen had laid down in the first instance. These terms 

 provided that the troops in Louisbourg and St. John's Island should be prisoners of war 

 and be carried to England in British ships, that the artillery aud stores of all kinds in the 

 islands in question should be delivered up, aud that the inhabitants of the colony who 

 had not carried arms should be sent to France at the first opportunity. On the morning 

 of the 27th of July the English took possession of the west gate, and the cross of St. 

 George was hoisted on the ramparts of a fortress whose days of glory were ended, and 

 which was destined very soon afterwards to disappear from the pages of history.' 



' Articles of capitulation between their Excellencies Admiral Boscawen and Major-General Amherst anil liis 

 Excellency the Chevalier Drucour, governor of the island of Cape Breton, of Louisbourg, the island of St. John 

 and their appurtenances : 



" I. The garrison of Louisbourg shall be prisoners of war, and shall be carried to England in the ships of his 

 Britannic Majesty. 



" II. All the artillery, ammunition, provisions, as well as the arms of any kind whatever, which are at present 

 in the town of Louisbourg, the islands of Cape Breton and St. John's and their appurtenances, shall be delivered, 

 without the least damage, to such commissioners as shall be appointed to receive them, for the use of his Britannic 

 Majesty. 



