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And now, it may be asked, what was their fate? We know that Acadian prisoners were held at Fort Cumberland till transportation could be arranged for their disposal along the Atlantic seaboard, some so far South as New Orleans. Embarkation of the prisoners began on September 10th and did not end till October 11th, when the last of the Exiles at Fort Cumberland were sent on board. Two days later, Captain Rous sailed with a fleet of ten vessels carrying nine hundred and sixty Acadians bound for South Carolina and Georgia.* It is probable, but by no means certain, that the Tatamagouche French were among those so evacuated between September 10th and October 11th. But in the meantime, some Acadians had escaped,** others sickened and died; families and comrades were separated, so that now, no one knows whether they escaped, died or were deported. But it is unlikely that they were all kept together or shared a common lot. But what was the fate of the women and children whom Willard left behind at
Tatamagouche ? Here, too, is mystery. It is doubtful if anybody knows, or ever
will know, what happened to them. But, at least we can dismiss death from
starvation or from exposure, as their end. They were a hardy, pioneer people and
the women with their knowledge of the outdoors and of woodscraft would not have
starved to death in a clement season of the year. Shell fish and berries alone
could have supplied food enough to keep them alive for weeks. Moreover, Willard
had not confiscated their cattle, sheep, fowl, or crops; for he had no means to
carry them off. Nor is it likely that all the French habitations were destroyed.
Some were nine miles distant and it is a fair inference from a reading of
Willard’s diary that all were not visited by him. Back |
