I know, I know, we're a couple weeks late on this one... but enjoy some levity with this whimsical French and Indian War story. Maybe you've heard of it, maybe you haven't - but the battle we're covering today is quite a unique one!

Intro and outro music - Drums and Guns by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps
Sound effect used: Bullfrog Concerto.wav by soloan -- https://freesound.org/s/188723/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Most people who know a little about the French and Indian War have heard of the infamous Siege of Fort William Henry in the summer of 1757. But did you know about the "Siege" of Fort William Henry? Join us as we recount the fascinating tale of a French winter attack on the aforementioned fort and its questionable results. You'll also hear a bit about how French troops were equipped for cold-weather operations.

Intro & outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps

Not to be confused with the second (or third) battle on snowshoes! Learn about Robert Rogers and his rangers - try saying that five times fast - and one of their engagements in the bitterly cold winter of 1756-1757. Rogers vs. de Langlade - a showdown for the century!

Intro & outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps 

1756 is a busy year - not only have battles both large and small been taking place in North America, but now also Europe. A complex re-alignment of European alliances leads to a tense, dangerous situation, where old and new rivalries clash. While Britain and France continue to duel, every other major European power soon gets involved - but it is Frederick the Great of Prussia whose actions really begin the "Seven Years' War".

We'll also cover the Battle of Minorca, the first Anglo-French battle in Europe. No longer will this war be contained to the American frontier!

Intro & outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps  

French General Montcalm has arrived on the scene, and his first order of business is finally destroying that thorn in the side of New France - Fort Oswego on Lake Ontario. Join us as we discuss the largest battle thus far, and learn a bit about military logistics and siege warfare in the 18th century along the way.

Intro & outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps 

On our way to the Battle of Fort Oswego, we're taking a brief detour to talk about some of the  board/tabletop and video games we've played that are set in the period of the French and Indian War. We discuss each game's strengths, weaknesses, and how well they capture the spirit of the setting. Please share any additional games you've played and enjoyed in the comments!

Intro & outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps

Learn about the British colonial response to the ongoing devastating Indian raids along the Pennsylvania frontier. Colonel John Armstrong, Sr will lead 300 men into the heart of hostile territory with the goal of eliminating the threat of the Delaware village of Kittanning. You'll see the Indians and the French aren't the only ones who can perform long-distance military strikes!

Intro & outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps

The bold, the brave, the bombastic... Charles-Michel de Langlade! You know him from his daring raid on Pickawillany in 1752 (at least, if you've listened to our Episode 2 ;) ), but you'll soon see why this man merits a deeper dive! Half French Canadian, half Ottawa, Langlade encompasses two worlds - both of which were at the heart of the French and Indian War.

Also, I'm trying to get better at attribution where needed for some of the sounds I use. As far as I know, these are the only two that required it.
Rowing2.wav by juskiddink -- https://freesound.org/s/101921/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Door_Steps_1.aif by Micronin -- https://freesound.org/s/72533/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

We're backing up a little bit to the fall of 1755, recounting the stories of two swift and deadly Indian raids on British settlements in Pennsylvania. Learn about the circumstances surrounding the massacres at Penn's Creek and the Great Cove, including discussion on native practices such as tribal adoption and running the gauntlet!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and thanks for listening. 

A daring, midwinter raid on an isolated outpost. Crucial decisions to make in the heat of the moment. Fallout that will affect the rest of the year's campaigns. Tune in to learn about the Battle of Fort Bull in March of 1756. You'll also hear a sad story about a tragic mishap in our podcast!