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What followed is not altogether clear, at least in detail. But hovering near the entrance of Tatamagouche Harbour were three New England privateers, that had been detached from the British fleet, then beseiging Louisbourg, and sent to Bay Verte to intercept French vessels bringing supplies to the beseiged fortress. The largest of these privateers was the "Resolution", under the command of a tough mariner, Capt. David Donahew, a native of Newburyport, Massachusetts. She was armed with twelve guns and manned with a crew of fifty. In command of the "Tartar" (which was the only Rhode Island privateer to join the expedition against Louisbourg) was Captain Daniel Jones, a native of Jamestown whose home was in Newport, Rhode Island. The "Tartar" was armed with fourteen cannon and with the same number of swivel. She carried a crew of about one hundred. The third ship was a small Massachusetts sloop, the "Bonetta" of six guns under the command of Captain Beckwith or Becket. Early in the morning of the 15th, the "Tartar" and the "Bonetta" by the unchivalrous ruse of disguising their colors came upon the Huron Indians who had encamped, so far as we can now make out, at Brule Point* and who were then awaiting the main French force under Marin. Some were already in their canoes an about to turn the Point when they were surprised by the approach of the British vessels. By failing to disclose their identity Jones and Beckwith got within cannon shot of the Hurons whom they quickly dispersed. Reaching land the Indians, behind a natural embankment exposed themselves to the cannon fire till they saw the flash of the cannon, when they quickly threw themselves behind the embankment. All escaped untouched, though the powder horn of one was shot away. *The Hurons, it is evident had encamped on some Point on the East side of the Harbour. The most likely place was Brule Point, but it might have been Chamber’s Point, Jollimore’s Point or some smaller Point. There is now no way of knowing. Back |
