French & Indian War Timeline at the Fort in Lake George

March 15, 1744 - October 1748 : King George’s War

Conflict over domination in North America ends with no clear victor with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.

1752-1753 : Agitation grows

Tension grows between France and England over land and trading claims. Minor skirmishes break out.

Nov-December 1753

George Washington carries Virginia’s ultimatum over French encroachment to Captain Legardeau de Saint-Pierre at Riviere aux Boeufs. Lagardeau rejects it.

May 1754

Washington defeats French in a surprise attack (the first battle) and builds Fort Necessity.

July 1754 : French take Fort Necessity

Washington is blamed for the fort’s loss and resigns. He will later return as a volunteer under British authority.

June 1755

The British seize Acadia (Nova Scotia).

July 1755 : Battle of the Wilderness

British General Braddock’s forces defeated near Fort Duquesne in Pennsylvania leaving the backwoods of the British Territory undefended.

July 1755

British Col. William Johnson arrives at the “Great Carrying Place” to build a fortified storehouse. Work was already underway led by Capt. Robert Rogers. Col. Phineas Lyman takes over to complete construction of Fort Lyman which would later become Fort Edward.

August 1755

William Johnson arrives at Lac du Saint Sacrament and renames it Lake George in honor of the King. Begins work on a fortification to later be named Fort William Henry after two royal grandsons.

September 9, 1755

William Johnson’s forces are engaged in several battles that would collectively be named the Battle of Lake George. This would include the Bloody Morning Scout – an ambush that resulted in the death of British Col. Ephraim Williams and Mohawk King Hendrick. A later engagement would be called the Battle of Bloody Pond. Johnson’s forces win the day, making him the first British hero of the war.

May 8-9, 1756 : Declaration of War

War is officially declared between Great Britain and France.

August 14, 1756

Fort Oswego is captured by the French.

March 1757

St Patrick’s Day attack on Fort William Henry ends with a French Defeat.

August 3-10, 1757 : Massacre at Fort William Henry

The commander-in-chief of the French forces, Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, lays siege to Fort William Henry which Lt. Col. George Monro is finally forced to surrender. The infamous massacre occurs on August 10 which will later be dramatized in James Fenimore Cooper’s book, The Last of the Mohicans. The fort is burned in fires that lasted two days and could be seen from Fort Edward, 16 miles to the south.

July 1758

General James Abercrombie and Lord Howe assemble a force of 16,000 men on the south shore of Lake George. On July 6th, the force arrived at the north end of the Lake and proceeded to head towards Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga). They attacked the fort on July 8th taking a great number of casualties. The day ended in defeat for the British and a victory for Montcalm defending Carillon. Lord Howe was killed.

July 25, 1758 : British seize Louisbourg

The British seize Louisbourg opening the route to Canada.

August 27, 1758 : French surrender Fort Frontenac

The French surrender Fort Frontenac on Lake Ontario, destroying their ability to communicate with their troops in the Ohio Valley.

October 21, 1758 : British make peace

British made peace with the Iroquois, Shawnee and Delaware Indians.

November 25, 1758

The British recapture Fort Duquesne, renaming it Pittsburg.

May 1, 1759 : British capture Island of Guadeloupe

The British capture the French Island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbbean.

June 25, 1759 : British capture Fort Carillon

British forces capture Fort Carillon and rename it Ticonderoga.

July 25, 1759 : British take Fort Niagara

French abandon Crown Point. British now control the entire western frontier.

September 13, 1759 : Battle of Quebec

British win Battle of Quebec. Montcalm and Wolfe, the commanding generals of both armies, die in battle.

May 16, 1760

French siege of Quebec fails

September 8, 1760

Montreal falls to the British; letters are signed finishing the surrender of Canada.

September 15, 1760 : Functional end of the war

British flag is raised over Detroit, effectively ending the French and Indian War.

1761

British make peace with the Cherokee.

September 18, 1762

French attempt to retake Newfoundland fails.

February 10, 1763 : Treaty of Paris

Treaty of Paris is signed officially ending the French and Indian/Seven Year’s War– All French possessions east of the Mississippi, except New Orleans, are given to the British. All French possessions west of the Mississippi are given to the Spanish. France regains Martinique, Guadeloupe and St. Lucia.