The Le Moyne family's military exploits against the Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the Haudenosaunee or Five Nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca) were central to the defense and expansion of New France during the 17th century. These conflicts, often termed the Beaver Wars (ca. 1640s–1701), stemmed from fierce competition over the fur trade, territorial control, and alliances with European powers. The Iroquois, armed by Dutch and later English traders, sought to dominate the beaver-rich Great Lakes region, raiding French settlements and their Indigenous allies (like the Huron, Algonquin, and Montagnais). The French, in turn, launched retaliatory expeditions to secure trade routes and protect colonies like Montreal (Ville-Marie).
Our 8th great-granduncle's brother-in-law, Charles Le Moyne de Longueuil et de Châteauguay (1626–1685), and his sons—our extended kin through marriage—emerged as key figures in these wars. Charles the elder, a master interpreter and warrior, often fought alone or in small groups, earning the Iroquois' respect (and fear) for his bravery. His sons, dubbed the "Maccabees of New France" for their heroic deeds, participated in raids, defenses, and diplomatic maneuvers that culminated in the Great Peace of Montreal in 1701. Below, I'll explore the major campaigns, focusing on the Le Moynes' roles, with key places and events highlighted in a timeline for clarity.
Historical Context: The Beaver Wars and French Strategy
The wars intensified after Samuel de Champlain's 1609 alliance with Algonquin and Huron against the Iroquois, using firearms to tip early battles. By the 1640s, Iroquois raids devastated Huron villages and threatened Montreal. French governors like Courcelle, Tracy, and Frontenac responded with "flying columns"—mobile forces of militia, regulars, and Indigenous allies—to burn Iroquois villages and crops. The Le Moynes, based in Montreal, were ideally positioned: Charles the elder's linguistic skills facilitated prisoner exchanges and truces, while his sons' campaigns blended guerrilla tactics with European warfare. These efforts not only defended New France but also paved the way for southern expansions into Louisiana, where Pierre d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste de Bienville later shone.
Key Le Moyne Campaigns Against the Iroquois
Here's a chronological overview of the family's notable involvements. Many campaigns overlapped with Anglo-French wars like King William's War (1688–1697), where Iroquois allied with the English.
Year(s) | Campaign/Event | Key Places | Le Moyne Involvement | Outcomes/Notes |
1646–1651 | Early Skirmishes and Prisoner Captures | Montreal (Ville-Marie), St. Lawrence River Valley | Charles the elder captured Iroquois warriors in 1646 and 1648. In 1651, he and Jacques Archambault survived a massacre that killed several settlers; only one other (Jean Chicot, scalped) lived. | These small-scale defenses protected Montreal's fledgling farms. Charles's bravery encouraged settlers to till the soil amid constant threats. |
1653–1658 | Peace Negotiation and Truce | Onondaga (Iroquois territory, near Syracuse, NY), Montreal | Charles negotiated a fragile peace in 1653 that lasted five years, involving prisoner exchanges. In 1657, he facilitated another swap at Quebec. | This hiatus allowed Montreal's growth but broke down as Iroquois raids resumed. Jesuit missions (like Sainte Marie de Ganentaa in 1656) briefly followed. |
1665 | Capture and Release of Charles | Montreal outskirts | Ambushed by Iroquois, Charles was captured after tripping but released unharmed due to his reputation for valor; captors feared reprisals. | Highlighted Charles's personal heroism; he sold his life "dearly" before the mishap. |
1666–1667 | Courcelle and Tracy Expeditions | Mohawk Valley (NY), Lake Champlain, Fort Sainte-Anne | Charles led Montreal settlers in Courcelle's fruitless winter march (1666) and Tracy's successful autumn campaign against Mohawks. Escorted a chaplain to Fort Sainte-Anne. | Forced Mohawk submission; temporary peace. Charles accompanied governors against the Five Nations. |
1671–1673 | Lake Ontario Expeditions | Lake Ontario (Cataracoui, now Kingston, ON) | As interpreter, Charles joined Courcelle's 1671 probe and Frontenac's 1673 foundation of Fort Frontenac. | Secured French presence on the lake; Charles interpreted for Iroquois chiefs. |
1687 | Denonville's Campaign Against Seneca | Seneca territory (western NY), Great Lakes | Sons Jacques de Sainte-Hélène, Paul de Maricourt, and François de Bienville participated in raids that razed villages and crops. | Part of broader Iroquois harassment of French trade; escalated to full war. |
1690 | Schenectady Raid (Corlaer Massacre) | Schenectady (NY, then Corlaer) | Jacques led the winter attack with brothers Paul and François; 114 French and 80 allies killed 60 settlers in retaliation for Iroquois-English alliances during King William's War. | Jacques died of wounds later that year in Quebec; brothers earned "Maccabee" moniker. Defense of Quebec followed against Phips's siege. |
1691 | Repentigny Skirmish | Repentigny (QC), near Montreal | François pursued Oneida raiders and died in combat at age 25. | Exemplified the high family toll; François a "martyr to the colony's defense." |
1690s | Frontenac's Decisive Campaigns | Iroquois territories (NY-ON border), Acadia | Paul de Maricourt, as diplomat (adopted name Akouessan), forced Iroquois surrender through raids and negotiations. Charles II fought in Quebec's 1690 defense. | Culminated in 1701 Great Peace; Paul's uprightness won Iroquois esteem, moderating their dread. |
1711 | Chambly March (Queen Anne's War) | Chambly (QC), near Montreal | Charles II led militia against an invading English-Iroquois force; they retreated after naval losses. | Maintained neutrality with Iroquois post-1701, despite ongoing border tensions. |
Legacy and Connection to Our Ancestry
The Le Moynes' campaigns cost lives—Jacques and François fell young—but secured New France's survival, enabling settlements like La Prairie to thrive. Through Jacques Leber's marriage to Jeanne Le Moyne, our Leber/Pinsonneau line intersected this warrior dynasty, infusing tales of courage into our heritage. Charles the elder's ennoblement (1668) and lands (Longueuil, Châteauguay) reflected royal gratitude, while sons like Pierre d'Iberville shifted focus southward, though early careers honed against Iroquois foes.
These wars weren't one-sided triumphs; Iroquois resilience forced French adaptations, including alliances and eventual peace.
Thank you to Grok xAI for additional information and enhancement of my original files. -- A Drifting Cowboy
No comments:
Post a Comment