THE BROME-WALTON FAMILY. 
25 
tional gunners. In the norths Governor Lawrence, at Halifax, was 
entrusted with the defence of Nova Scotia and the siege operations 
requisite to drive the French out of that province where they had 
established themselves since the peace of Aix la Chapelle at the head 
of the Bay of Fundy, in a series of forts, the principal of which, on an 
eminence commanding a delightful prospect, was appropriately named 
Fort Beau-sejour, and mounted 26 guns—with garrison of 1500 men 1 
and a mixed force of Acadians and Indians encamped without (Me- 
moires sur le Canada , 1749-1760). The forces at Governor Lawrence’s 
disposal were two battalions of the Louisbourg Grenadiers (light 
infantry), each 1000 strong—who had been raised in the spring—- 
under Lieut.-Col. Monckton (47th Regiment), one English Regiment 
of Foot (47th) 2 and Captain Charles Brome’s company of Royal Artillery. 3 
His naval force consisted of three small frigates (under Captain Rous, succe»t, 
R.N.), which brought from Commodore Keppel’s squadron, some guns 
and shot to supplement the siege train. 
Captain Brome’s company therefore marched from Halifax to Anna¬ 
polis, in which latter garrison the company was mustered on 1st May 4 
—the siege train having to be conveyed from Annapolis by the Navy—■ 
and on 9th June the company was mustered at “ camp before Fort Beau- 
sejour .” The nature of the ordnance embarked with the siege train is 
not stated in any official despatch; but the Ordnance records shew 
that to supplement the train Captain Brome obtained “ by order of 
General Braddock ” (from Keppel’s squadron per Rous’s frigates), four 
12-prs. on naval carriages, four mortar beds, 1000 shot. 5 The whole be¬ 
sieging force, including two engineers, were under Lieut.-Colonel 
Monckton. 6 
Arrived at Fort Lawrence, two miles from Fort Beau-sejour , Colonel 
Monckton despatched a force, with three 6-prs. R.A., to destroy a 
block-house and breastwork (defended by 400 regulars, Acadians and 
Indians)—which opposed his crossing the Missaguash in front of Sejour 
—a service which was speedily and effectually executed. (Montcalm 
and Wolfe , Yol. I., p. 248). 
After five days of open trenches, from 21st June, and four days’ Siege of 
bombardment, Fort Beau-sejour surrendered; its name was thereon Sea j‘ff our 
changed to Fort Cumberland (being the second fort in America named 
after H.R.H. the Duke); next day the two smaller forts also surren¬ 
dered ; 15,000 Acadians were disarmed; and thus, happily, was secured 
the permanent tranquility of Nova Scotia. 7 The English lost 40 in 
killed and wounded. Lieutenant W. Martin, R.A., two gunners, and 
Ensign William Hay (62nd Regiment, Royal American) with his detach- 
1 London Gazette , 1755, Mo. 9497, 
2 Mow the Loyal North Lancashire. 
3 Broken up in 1819. 
4 Muster Roll in R. A. Record Office. 
5 “ Ordnance Warrants Book,” Mo. 3, pp. 172, 173. The four mortar beds must have been ex- 
Bombships, of Keppel’s squadron, as the Royal Mavy, proper, had not any shell in 18th Century, 
nor until 1826 ; nor were sailors taught to fire cannon until 1793. 
6 Governor Lawrence’s Despatch of 28 June, 1755. London Gazette 29 July, 1755. 
Annals of War,” 1755, p. 160. “ History of theR.E.” Vol. I., p. 171. 
4 
