Second Battle of Bloody Creek

Infobox Military Conflict


caption=
conflict=Second Battle of Bloody Creek
partof=French and Indian War (1754-1763)
date=December 8, 1757
place=near Bridgetown, Nova Scotia
result=French and Native American victory
combatant2=Mi'kmaq
Acadians
combatant1=British regulars
commander2=unknown
commander1=unknown
strength2=unknown, perhaps in the hundreds
strength1=130 soldiers
casualties2=12 killed and wounded
casualties1=24 killed and woundedThe Second Battle of Bloody Creek was an episode in the French and Indian War, where a detachment of British soldiers from nearby Annapolis Royal was defeated by a force of Acadians and Mi'kmaq near the site of the First Battle of Bloody Creek in 1711.

Following the Great Expulsion in 1755, many Acadians formed guerrilla bands in the forests, often linking up with their ancient Mi'kmaq allies. These bands operated throughout Nova Scotia until the fall of New France, the most famous guerrilla being Joseph Broussard, also known as Beausoleil. Despite controlling many strongpoints like Halifax, Annapolis Royal and Fort Beausejour, the British were unable to completely pacify the region.

On December 6, a work party from Annapolis Royal was cutting firewood near the site of the first battle in 1711 when they were ambushed by an Acadian and Mi'kmaq force. One man was killed and another seven taken captive. In response, a detachment of 130 British troops was dispatched to recover the prisoners. Marching on foot along the south shore of the Annapolis River, the British force was exposed to wet and cold before giving up their search for the prisoners. They were crossing a bridge on the René Forêt River on the morning of December 8th when they were attacked by the Mi'kmaq and Acadians. The British made a brief stand and suffered a high amount of casualties before retreating back to Annapolis Royal.

Despite their victory, the Mi'kmaq and Acadian guerrillas did not follow it up by attacking Annapolis Royal. There were however many similar bands that continued to harass and ambush British forces in Nova Scotia and assist French regular forces right up until the end of the war. The René Forêt River was renamed Bloody Creek in honour of the battle.

ee also

*Battle of Fort Beausejour
*Siege of Louisbourg (1758)
*Battle of Restigouche

External links

* [http://www.centrelea.net/Communities/CarletonCorner/ccornerhist.html Battle of Bloody Creek]
* [http://www.ns1763.ca/annapco/bloodycrk.html Monument]