Fort William Henry Massacre - True Story Behind Last of the Mohicans

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  • Опубліковано 24 вер 2024
  • During the French and Indian War, Fort William Henry was under siege. After 6 long days the British troops surrendered, and were attacked by the French allied Indians. This historic battle inspired "The Last of the Mohicans"
    Check out these great books to learn more about the siege.
    (Amazon affiliate links may earn me a small commission)
    Fort William Henry 1755-57: amzn.to/48nVphm
    Betrayals: Fort William Henry & the Massacre: amzn.to/3URlMcb
    The Legacy of Fort William Henry: amzn.to/48xJ0r4
    Visit my website to purchase the full length documentary that this clip is from
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    #history #americanhistory #documentary #historical
    This video recounts the events at Fort William Henry, through historic journals and letters written by the men who were there.
    During the siege of Fort William Henry, the French army bombarded the fort with their artillery, while their Indian allies attacked the British soldiers in the adjacent encampment. On August 9, 1757 the men in Fort William Henry raised the white flag, and asked to capitulate.
    The French negotiated the terms of surrender, without consulting their Indian allies. As part of the agreement, the British would be allowed to keep their belongings, and march south to nearby Fort Edward.
    The Indians were angered by this agreement. They had been promised the spoils of war if they fought on the side of the French. As soon as the surrender was signed, the Indians entered the fort and began taking what they were promised. Eventually the French were able to restrain their allies.
    The following day, August 10, 1757 was the day the British began their march to Fort Edward. As they began to leave fort William Henry, on Lake George, the Native Americans resumed taking their belongings. Panic struck the British, and fueled the confusion.
    British soldiers, and provincials ran in all directions as the Indians pursued them. Some sought refuge with the French, while others fled into the woods.
    It is this scene of chaos that inspired James Fenimore Cooper to write, "The Last of the Mohicans." Initial reports of the massacre gave casualty numbers as high as 1,000 people killed. More modern estimates, are much lower.
    Visit my website for more videos, and other content.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 486

  • @chestersleezer8821
    @chestersleezer8821 Рік тому +61

    My very, very great grandmother was once a captive of the Indians during this war. The Indians had raided her family's farm killing nearly everyone except her, her sister and brother who were all taken captive. The Indians did kill her brother later and her sister told my great grandmother that they would kill as well if she did not stop being so stubborn, she was 9 years old at the time and her sister was 13. She got the point but stubbornness still runs in the family. She later married my great grandfather who did take part in the Battle of Trenton though he was on the Hessian side since he was a young Hessian soldier. He later decided that going back home would not be a good thing since they would just keep in the Hessian army, so he stayed here in the States and started farming in the Saratoga Springs area of New York.

  • @jackjones3657
    @jackjones3657 Рік тому +37

    They were called savages for a reason. Many fact-based historical accounts describe the term as being accurate to certain tribes.

    • @jimilove7773
      @jimilove7773 4 місяці тому

      And then these losing savage tribes were pushed to Canada! Trudeau land! LOL! Are they commies now?

  • @CYCLONE4499
    @CYCLONE4499 2 роки тому +122

    This battle is what instilled a childhood fascination in me when I once visited Lake George when I was young. It was at the time they were filming Last of the Mohicans. The rebuilt fort was turned into a museum and right next door that summer they were doing a archeological dig and I actually witnessed skeletal remains in situ as they were digging. Its a memory ill never forget and it lead me on a road to become a history graduate and later teaching

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +8

      It’s amazing that they still find archaeological evidence all these years later - especially with all the town development over the years

    • @BLOXKAFELLARECORDS
      @BLOXKAFELLARECORDS 2 роки тому +3

      Interesting bro.

    • @yeti4269
      @yeti4269 Рік тому +5

      That must have been one of the few scenes they didn’t film in NC

    • @coyotedust
      @coyotedust Рік тому +1

      I'm a History grad also for similar and different reasons I love the past.

    • @bettycrocker6692
      @bettycrocker6692 Рік тому

      The past tensem of the infintive 'to lead' is spelled LED.

  • @coyotedust
    @coyotedust Рік тому +65

    My 6x great Grandfather Zackquill Morgan's father moved from Wales to W. Virginia . His son Zack was the the first family to move into W. Virginia Colony- a territory of forts. They built Morgan Fort, founded Morgan Town fought in the French Indian War, Zack was a Captain in the Revolutionary war. He lost half his 600 men at Saratoga. He knew George Washington who helped him survey Morgan Town. There's a stature of Zack in the middle of the town square of Morgan Town today.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому +3

      Wow, very interesting. Thanks for sharing

    • @BrianRMuldoon
      @BrianRMuldoon Рік тому

      Good chance my Comeaux ancestors fired at him

    • @RhysapGrug
      @RhysapGrug Рік тому +2

      Do you know what part of Wales your relatives were from??

    • @howiegee1
      @howiegee1 Рік тому

      @@RhysapGrug Josey.

    • @davidpeters4129
      @davidpeters4129 Рік тому

      I know of the Morgan brothers Zackquill, David, Evan "Chunk" and the Rev. Morgan Morgan a Revolutionary War Chaplain, fought also in Dunmore's under Gen. Lewis, sons of Morgan ap Morgan associated with the Shepard, Swearegen, Zane, Springer , Wetzel families

  • @Epoholic
    @Epoholic 2 роки тому +39

    just as good as anything on the history channel! I wish you nothing but success! Great Work!

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +2

      Much appreciated! I have more stuff in the works

    • @B14k3
      @B14k3 2 роки тому +2

      I’d say it’s even better! Keep it up Erik

  • @IncogNito-gg6uh
    @IncogNito-gg6uh Рік тому +11

    The novel "The Last of the Mohicans" is the second and best of James Fenimore Cooper's "Leatherstocking" tales. Cooper's native Americans have fully rounded characterizations, although a degree of the white man's condescension toward them begins to emerge in his later novels. Being written in 1826 the reader has to get into the rhythm of the speech patterns of that time, kind of like reading Shakespeare, but it is well worth it!

    • @charlieross-BRM
      @charlieross-BRM Рік тому +2

      I comprehend your meaning. That's why about every ten years I pull out my book of short stories by Edgar Allen Poe. He is acknowledged as the first author of the modern detective story form. The man wasn't a ghoul. The language is eloquent and phrased so differently from this era so it takes all of my attention to read it properly and that's the benefit. It takes my mind off anything but being immersed in the writing.

  • @jakethreesixty
    @jakethreesixty Рік тому +21

    I live in the area, it's pretty cool to live in a historical area. Nearby there is Bloody Pond which has the most metal reasoning for it's naming: they built a bridge across it with the dead bodies of the French & Natives they ambushed there.
    One thing they don't tell you about FWH is that it was by far the worst smelling fort in British history, it was said the stench was awful even 3 miles out, they dumped their sewage in a swamp next to it that no longer exists today, and it was a terrible idea.

  • @Bayan1905
    @Bayan1905 Рік тому +34

    I am a direct descendant of a militiaman from the 2nd Connecticut Provincial Regiment that was raised and was at the siege and then marched back to Fort Edward. Luckily, he survived the massacre but the amount that were killed and captured, many of them who the British never got back was staggering.

    • @MrAtsyhere
      @MrAtsyhere Рік тому +4

      Likely our ancestors knew each other. Our cousins were ensign Benjamin Atwell of the 3rd Conn Reg. 2nd cousins to Ethan Allen and relatives of Benedict Arnolds In-laws. Hezekiah Atwell, Unkas and Comstock (All cousins) were with the NY Militia there but returned with the Conn men to fight at Crown Point. Now for the shocking truths we were 3rd generation Mohegans living in Mohican Country as did Samson Occom. I could tell you more.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому +1

      Very cool. Thanks for sharing

    • @benjaminmiller275
      @benjaminmiller275 Рік тому

      My great great grandfather was Ephraim webster,british but fought in the continental army at valley forge,and at lake Champlain

    • @benjaminmiller275
      @benjaminmiller275 Рік тому +2

      Im from the Onondaga nation, Ephraim was the 1st white settler in Onondaga county and met who was to become my great great grandma,

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      @@benjaminmiller275 very interesting, thanks for sharing that

  • @ChrisBruhn
    @ChrisBruhn Рік тому +48

    I remember learning about this massacre in Jr High school, I guess they don't teach THAT kind of history anymore. Sadly, my children weren't taught a lot about what I thought was common knowledge American history... at all.

    • @huyenng3482
      @huyenng3482 Рік тому +17

      right sir, nowadays they teach kid about gender more than history, what a shame

    • @davidhoward4715
      @davidhoward4715 Рік тому

      @@huyenng3482 You are a liar. I teach history. Show your evidence or admit you are a liar.

    • @davidhoward4715
      @davidhoward4715 Рік тому

      ChrisBrun, they do teach this sort of history these days. Stop listening to fascist propaganda and start thinking for yourself.

    • @wyominghome4857
      @wyominghome4857 Рік тому +6

      It doesn't fit the narrative.

    • @jorgemt62
      @jorgemt62 4 місяці тому

      It's the same here, in South America. Not the narrative wished to be told.

  • @danglol1953
    @danglol1953 2 роки тому +36

    How do you only have 3k subs, you genuinely deserve at least a million. Such Amazing work man

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +4

      Thank you! hopefully more folks will come across my videos. It's hard to cut through the noise

    • @fatfurie
      @fatfurie 2 роки тому +1

      looks like hes doubled in 2 days ..well deserved.

    • @danglol1953
      @danglol1953 2 роки тому +1

      @@fatfurie Well deserved indeed

    • @qubikaqubika689
      @qubikaqubika689 2 роки тому

      greeting from south of spain my man ! love your videos and good job on the animations they r very good !

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому

      @@qubikaqubika689 thank you!

  • @RyanCoomer
    @RyanCoomer 2 роки тому +17

    This channel is professional and amazing, deserves waaaaay more subs!!!!! love the narration and editing!!! THIS IS THE GOOD STUFF!!!!!

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому

      Thank you, I'm glad you are enjoying my videos

  • @CRAZYHORSE19682003
    @CRAZYHORSE19682003 Рік тому +158

    Kind of debunks the modern narrative of the peaceful American Indian minding their own business in harmony with nature.

    • @conservos2349
      @conservos2349 Рік тому +11

      Yes, the Indian Wars are terribly misunderstood.

    • @brandonterzic
      @brandonterzic Рік тому +35

      If you want to use generalizations based on particular instances to characterize an entire group of people, have at it. The Indians numbered in the millions, with thousands of different languages and tribes, some peaceful, some warlike, some diplomatic, some barbarous. The world is a much more interesting place when you look at it from multiple angles.

    • @baskoller5506
      @baskoller5506 Рік тому +6

      @@brandonterzic Thank you giving that (crazyhorse) dude a reasonable yet stern reprimand.

    • @mattfox2716
      @mattfox2716 Рік тому +4

      I mean, can’t have a massacre if there wasn’t a fort with soldiers….

    • @stewartmillen7708
      @stewartmillen7708 Рік тому +11

      The Europeans were at least as bloody to each other and to the natives.

  • @fortcarillon615
    @fortcarillon615 6 місяців тому +2

    The French left the honours of war to the English, who left with their arms. The 100 Frenchmen could not contain the 500 Indians who were furious that they had not had their "scalp number." English propaganda unjustly accused the French. Some tried to oppose the fury of the Indians and allowed their attack to be stopped. This served England well as they deployed 3 armies to finaly defeat Montcalm's 5000-man army and all of its victories.

  • @samueladams3746
    @samueladams3746 Рік тому +9

    Well done. My direct paternal 5x grandfather was stuck in Ft. Edward with his company because the coward Genl Webb would not let them advance in relief of the William Henry. He was from Stillwater and likely knew many of the militia in the fort. Ironically, the person Fenimore Cooper based the character of “Cora” on (Jane McCrea) was the sister of his militia regiments colonel during the Saratoga campaign-where he fought again at age 57 along with one of his sons. I recommend the book “Relief is Greatly Wanted” as a good account of the siege and the afterward.

  • @B14k3
    @B14k3 2 роки тому +4

    Between this and your NYC mile people docs, this channel is a hidden Gem! Subbed. Please keep up the great work.

  • @conservos2349
    @conservos2349 Рік тому +5

    Of course Hollywood lies about it. The movies never get the Indian Wars right.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому +2

      The various movies weren't even accurate to the book... which also wasn't accurate to history.

  • @danharris8805
    @danharris8805 2 роки тому +7

    This was an unexpected but excellent find! Also really enjoyed your video about Carlos who lived in the tunnel! Great stuff. Take care!

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks, I appreciate it.

    • @danharris8805
      @danharris8805 2 роки тому +1

      @@ErikKSwanson no worries. Take care mate! 🙂

    • @Cynthia713
      @Cynthia713 2 роки тому

      Me, too, Dan Harris!... Very well said!👍 I echo the same sentiment... in *that* exact order!🙂 💯
      Also, my thanks to you, Erik, for ALL your time and *care* you put into all of your work. This is not just a "j-o-b" for you. It IS your down-to-earth, "happy-place" that you "tuned," yes "TUNED," into yourself/intuition, and found 'your profession!' -- Wait. Whoa! Too deep?... Well, I couldn't leave without sharing my positive experience of your channel!... With gratitude and a job very well done!
      Lastly, may I say a loud *shout out* to Carlos?! Thank you, Carlos, for sharing your life with us!

  • @finn3721
    @finn3721 2 роки тому +19

    Are you doing all the animations yourself? If yes, big respect, thats gotta be a lot of work

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +14

      Yes, I am. Thank you! It is a lot of work. I have some new ones in the works, hopefully they won't take me too much longer.

    • @Brabant076
      @Brabant076 2 роки тому +2

      @@ErikKSwanson Man that is some dedication! I love this and i wish i found your channel earlier.

    • @BLOXKAFELLARECORDS
      @BLOXKAFELLARECORDS 2 роки тому

      @@ErikKSwanson amazing bro

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому

      @@BLOXKAFELLARECORDS thanks!

  • @MrAvidOutdoorsman
    @MrAvidOutdoorsman Рік тому +10

    You mean,, "Assault Tomahawk" dang weapons of war! 🤷🏻‍♂️😂🤣🤣

  • @livinlovelee2683
    @livinlovelee2683 Рік тому +19

    I've been here a million times. Lake George is absolutely beautiful ❤️

    • @BrianRMuldoon
      @BrianRMuldoon Рік тому +1

      Land of the rich ... like Georgetown in DC.

    • @IncogNito-gg6uh
      @IncogNito-gg6uh Рік тому

      @@BrianRMuldoon Whose development is slowly spoiling the lake.

    • @wjm5972
      @wjm5972 Рік тому

      yes been going on since the early eighties@@IncogNito-gg6uh

  • @user-iw8oe4pc9z
    @user-iw8oe4pc9z Рік тому +6

    Same thing happened at Oswego, NY in August 1756, also under Montcalm

  • @ernestclements7398
    @ernestclements7398 Рік тому +23

    This doesn't mention it but some of the victims in the hospital tents, were suffering from small pox, their blankets and clothing that were taken as trophies led to a break out among the tribes, decimating some of them to the point of near extinction.

    • @martinholmes1493
      @martinholmes1493 Рік тому +14

      Or as we call it Karma.

    • @joebr249
      @joebr249 Рік тому +1

      I thought this to be true. It was actually proven that blankets and clothing with small pox was false! I wish I had a source to cite here but look it up. That was untrue after all. I swear lol.

    • @cchavezjr7
      @cchavezjr7 Рік тому +2

      @@joebr249 There's multiple different stories with smallpox in blankets and clothes. The one from Fort William Henry is probably one of the more real ones as they also dug up graves and more than likely, some of the bodies were infected with smallpox.

  • @null6075
    @null6075 2 роки тому +6

    Keep up this great work, you will definitely hit 100k subscribers before you know it!

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +2

      Thank you, I appreciate the encouragement

  • @nickthekid2245
    @nickthekid2245 2 роки тому +3

    Just gotta say, you’ve got a voice for this! Just saw walters clip in the tunnels and you’ve made a new supporter : )

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +1

      Thank you, I really appreciate it!

  • @goransvraka3171
    @goransvraka3171 2 роки тому +9

    I have a feeling you have narrated for History Channel before? Your voice sounds familiar.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +1

      I haven't, maybe they'll ask me!

  • @LYLEWOLD
    @LYLEWOLD Рік тому +9

    This is the sort of tale that would color the American's response with Indians from that point forward, regardless of tribal affiliation or attitude. Massacre me once, shame on you. Massacre me twice, shame on me.

  • @natashabegley1346
    @natashabegley1346 2 роки тому +3

    Just discovered your channel after the mole people video was recommended to me these videos are superb keep up the good work! 👍

  • @KG-th3cr
    @KG-th3cr Рік тому +2

    Where the hell were the 8000 soldiers from the French army? They negotiated a surrender but when it actually came to seeing that the terms where honored they were like: "Yeah, it'll be fine."

  • @CSUnger
    @CSUnger Рік тому +11

    Not one word in the comments about the barbarity and cruelty visited on the disarmed and captive British by the “native Americans “ and for what? Their personal possessions? Nor about the duplicity of the French?

    • @ANDROLOMA
      @ANDROLOMA Рік тому

      Time passed.

    • @CSUnger
      @CSUnger Рік тому +4

      Consciousness passed, I think. We today think of the as the “noble savages” who were traduced and oppressed. They were largely barbaric and uncivilized.

    • @ANDROLOMA
      @ANDROLOMA Рік тому

      @@CSUnger I'll never know, since I wasn't around back then and therefore must rely on second-hand reports.

    • @CSUnger
      @CSUnger Рік тому +1

      @ ANDROLAMA. There are plenty of first hand accounts. Plenty.

    • @ANDROLOMA
      @ANDROLOMA Рік тому

      @@CSUnger It's not a first hand account unless you speak to the person directly. Understand?

  • @Budsport_TV
    @Budsport_TV 2 роки тому +1

    Yaooo, how cool! Just watched a couple of your mini docs only to stumble upon this one - A mini doc on my new hometown built by the man who established my original hometown.

  • @CharacterZero89
    @CharacterZero89 2 роки тому +6

    Unbelievable content here I'm honestly blown away! You need to get into Hollywood bud. You tube is just a step. Fantastic directing.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +3

      Thank you, that is very kind of you to say. Hopefully you're right!

  • @johncooner8957
    @johncooner8957 Рік тому +7

    Must be some mistake I thought the noble red man was kind and were abused by the evil white man.

    • @hansgruber6455
      @hansgruber6455 Рік тому +1

      Thats what todays liberal History professors want you to believe.

  • @richvest7212
    @richvest7212 Рік тому +3

    The Indians were savages
    Not noble red men

  • @deadhorse1391
    @deadhorse1391 Рік тому +4

    Don’t call them savages for nothing

    • @lyndoncmp5751
      @lyndoncmp5751 Рік тому +1

      Massacring defenceless people in hospital is pretty savage isn't it?

  • @JoeTHEBLOODknight
    @JoeTHEBLOODknight 2 роки тому +3

    I only knew about this battle from the last of the mohicans love that movie but this channel is a damn good history channel

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому

      Thank you, I appreciate it. I have some more history videos in the works

  • @doug2078
    @doug2078 Рік тому +1

    I live about 50 miles from Fort William henry . Ive been to Lake George many many times .But have never gone in the fort.
    Definitely will have to go in next time Im there. Most much History right at my back door.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      It’s a fun visit. There is also a new visitor center at battlefield park. I haven’t been yet myself, but heard good things about it

    • @doug2078
      @doug2078 Рік тому +1

      @@ErikKSwanson Thanks !! I will definitely check it out.👍

  • @anthonyeaton5153
    @anthonyeaton5153 Рік тому +3

    If that massacre was infamous what is a famous massacre like.

  • @primateinterfacetechnologi6220
    @primateinterfacetechnologi6220 2 роки тому

    Wow man... This is the first time the algorithm offered me your channel, and you just earned my subscription for sure.
    peace and love from the burnt-out remains of Butte County, in Northern California.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому

      Thank you, I appreciate it. Glad you're enjoying my videos

    • @primateinterfacetechnologi6220
      @primateinterfacetechnologi6220 2 роки тому +1

      @@ErikKSwanson The pleasure is mine I assure you. Your pieces are all so... professional, to start.
      If you don't mind my asking... what is your technical background?

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому

      @@primateinterfacetechnologi6220 I started out years ago creating graphics for TV news - I've been trying to get away from that for years, expanding my skillset and working on my own projects/films

    • @primateinterfacetechnologi6220
      @primateinterfacetechnologi6220 2 роки тому

      @@ErikKSwanson Nice. I must applaud your choice of subject matter as well as your execution of the technicals... Seems you have a great thing going here. May the almighty algorithm favor you. I'll be watching your work.

  • @v1ncent111
    @v1ncent111 2 роки тому +1

    Very well made, thank you!

  • @lomein7
    @lomein7 2 роки тому +1

    your voice is the perfect documentary voice

  • @patsaylor8973
    @patsaylor8973 Рік тому +3

    That day was horrendous! I don't think words are capable of describing the atrocities committed. These were families not only of soldiers, but those who fled to the fort! What happened at Detroit wasn't much better. If I can remember all of the forts fell except two that lined the frontier!

  • @fatfurie
    @fatfurie 2 роки тому +1

    Love your page. great videos!

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks so much! I appreciate it!

  • @MainelyBoxers
    @MainelyBoxers 2 роки тому +1

    Your wife has to the luckiest woman alive.. I live in Maine and I just adore this channel . I could listen forever..

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks, I appreciate that... I'll be sure to let her know!

  • @cheeks1182
    @cheeks1182 Рік тому +2

    Indigenous peoples own historians acknowledge the great waring that took place. Thats why the Great Peace happened and thousands of tribes gathered together to establish treaties. They further entered into treaties with the British and the French. And those treaties remain unhonored in both the US and Canada. Expand your view just a little and maybe you can see a bit more truth than just Europeans being blamed

  • @daffyd5867
    @daffyd5867 Рік тому +8

    Still can't rely on the French...

  • @mitcha1065
    @mitcha1065 Рік тому +1

    I visited the fort in 1966. I remember looking down the well at night. It was lighted with an erie glow. A woman guide th old us they had recently unearthed human bones at the bottom of the well.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      That’s really strange about the light. Supposedly some old (original) parts of the fort are haunted

  • @robertking6510
    @robertking6510 Рік тому +3

    Great video as always! Have you researched the massacre at Ft. Mims?

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому +1

      Thanks!
      I’ve only read about that very briefly. Fort mims is definitely something I want to learn more about

  • @1_fishin_magician153
    @1_fishin_magician153 5 місяців тому

    I live in Lake George, NY area and drive by " Bloody Pond " almost daily.... it was where hundreds of dead bodies were thrown in a small pond along route 9. Thumbs up !!

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  5 місяців тому +1

      It's great how much fascinating history is in that area

    • @1_fishin_magician153
      @1_fishin_magician153 5 місяців тому

      @@ErikKSwanson ... indeed ! * have a great day Sir.....!

  • @Darklighter75
    @Darklighter75 Рік тому +1

    They weren't referred to as "savages" for no reason...
    Hard to play the victim card when you commonly murdered children, women, and the wounded... then took their scalps as trophies.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      Many tribes didn’t engage in indiscriminate killing. Often prisoners would be taken and assimilated into the tribe as a replacement of fallen warriors, and as a way to grow the tribe. There are at least a few accounts of white prisoners being discovered years later who didn’t want to be “rescued” from the community they were now part of.
      As for the scalping - both the French and British colonies offered bounties for the scalps of their enemies. The practice was taken up by both European colonials and native Americans.

    • @keithwallace1665
      @keithwallace1665 3 місяці тому

      We're all savages in war

  • @darbyohara
    @darbyohara Рік тому +2

    The British failed to destroy the forts liquor stores and the natives partook in consumption of those spirits which fueled there savage attacks.
    It’s unlikely the “massacre” would have taken place or been as bad were it not fueled by rum.
    The French could not control the size of the native force and in the aftermath paid thousands in bounties and gifts to get British prisoners back from natives.

  • @geeeeeee3
    @geeeeeee3 Рік тому +2

    Wow. Native Americans acting no better than Europeans

  • @SqueakyPasta
    @SqueakyPasta Рік тому

    Production of this video is superb!

    • @SqueakyPasta
      @SqueakyPasta Рік тому

      Would also love to see how this was created with the different clips and videos

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому +1

      Thank you, I appreciate that. I have a blog post on my website about how I made the doc

    • @SqueakyPasta
      @SqueakyPasta Рік тому +1

      @@ErikKSwanson thank you!

  • @MrKilroi
    @MrKilroi Рік тому +1

    They were the Northern tribes from what is now Northern Ontario. The Mistake they made was aligning with the French. The French lost a few years later at Quebec. The Iroquois sided with the English and were given lands in Southern Ontario and after the war of independence were given more lands in compensation for lands lost to the "Americans"
    It's a brief outline of events after the described events

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      There were people from more than 30 tribes at the siege. Some were Algonquin from the Trois Rivières area, some were Miami from around Ohio and Michigan, and others, “are from a nation so far away that no Canadian interpreter speaks their language,” according to Louis Antoine de Bougainville.
      I have read several books which claim as far away as Lake Superior, and others which say past the Mississippi, but haven’t personally seen any historical documents which give exact locations.

    • @MrKilroi
      @MrKilroi Рік тому

      @ErikKSwanson the Northern tribes that I am aware of were Huron, Abernaki, Chippewa, and of course Algonquin long-time trading partners and allies of the French.
      It's interesting that so many others were involved as well. I had to study this war in Middle school as part of the boring Canadian History. L

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      @@MrKilroi Ha! It would be great if history classes were more dynamic. I had a great teacher in highschool who made it fun to learn about the fascinating stories of the past.
      Bougainville gave a pretty detailed breakdown in his journal of the numbers and locations of the various tribes who showed up for the battle... I have to admit, I had never heard of many of them.

    • @MrKilroi
      @MrKilroi Рік тому

      @ErikKSwanson my middle school teacher tride his best but Canadian history is boring. Grade nine things got interesting when our teacher gave us an exercise on how the stage was set for the start of ww 1 .
      I actually had ancestors fight in the war of 1812.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      @@MrKilroi wow, that’s interesting about the war of 1812. I always think it’s great when folks know that aspect of their lineage

  • @BLOXKAFELLARECORDS
    @BLOXKAFELLARECORDS 2 роки тому +1

    Great channel.

  • @ADobbin1
    @ADobbin1 Рік тому +2

    Adds a new perspective to why the Americans never honored an agreement with the Indians.

  • @David-i6g8b
    @David-i6g8b Рік тому +5

    So much for the noble savage.

  • @sargonixofur1234
    @sargonixofur1234 Рік тому

    The reconstructed fort is well worth a visit and Lake George is a lovely area.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      They have some fun events at the fort,

  • @limgreen9766
    @limgreen9766 2 роки тому +5

    this noble savages, right.

    • @phoenixdreams3494
      @phoenixdreams3494 2 роки тому

      Yes! just like any other part of the world at that time you keep your promises or feel the heel of the ones you liked too

  • @hbkslazyeye6916
    @hbkslazyeye6916 Рік тому +6

    They were doing it to eachother before anybody cameover

  • @buchan448
    @buchan448 Рік тому

    cool channel love learning about this time period have subbed and pressed the bell hello from Scotland

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому +1

      Thank you. I appreciate it!
      I'll have more videos on history and other topics out soon

    • @buchan448
      @buchan448 Рік тому

      @@ErikKSwanson glad ti hear it :) keep up the good work pal

  • @vanbilly8387
    @vanbilly8387 Рік тому +2

    David Hogg also survived this battle.

  • @johnkeviljr9625
    @johnkeviljr9625 Рік тому +3

    The noble Indian.

  • @NotYourAverageFishKeeper
    @NotYourAverageFishKeeper Рік тому +16

    My great great grandmother was Mohican. She was adopted into the family and gave birth to my great grandmother. Pretty interesting learning our history.

    • @katiejon17
      @katiejon17 Рік тому +7

      I didn’t think the Mohicans or the Delaware’s were involved in this massacre. I believe it was purely Iroquois/Huron. I don’t believe this was “your” history. And if my ancestor’s tribe was Iroquois, I would not be proud.

    • @thullraven1
      @thullraven1 Рік тому +8

      @@katiejon17 I agree. Savage and brutal POS way to behave.

    • @unclescipio3136
      @unclescipio3136 Рік тому +2

      @@katiejon17 why? It's not all the Iroquois ever did. And in their interaction with the European colonists, they were far more sinned against than sinners.

    • @katiejon17
      @katiejon17 Рік тому

      ​@@unclescipio3136 the Iroquois were a violent and savage tribe. Your claim that “they were far more sinned against than sinners” is simply modern day white apologetics. It’s a lie. Even other native tribes hated them. Stop being a simp.

    • @catherinelw9365
      @catherinelw9365 Рік тому +1

      @@unclescipio3136 Really? Proof?

  • @harshwardhansaharan6698
    @harshwardhansaharan6698 2 роки тому

    Good work brother.Loved the homeless video.Keep going.

  • @chancealots5294
    @chancealots5294 2 роки тому +2

    I love the movie last of Mohicans! Another great video!

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks, I appreciate it. That violin piece in Last of the Mohicans is amazing

  • @camarasaurus1
    @camarasaurus1 8 днів тому

    I saw the archaeological excavation of the mass grave when I was 12 , in August of 1967 . Certainly the employment if Indians in European wars here was an awful mistake , on both sides . Given the long list of frontier atrocities , I've grown up with little sympathy for stone age peoples on the edges of civilization .

  • @brycecharles3856
    @brycecharles3856 Рік тому +2

    Did you see what they did to the old beautiful fort William Henry hotel. It was stunning and they tore it down and put up another plastic, crappy, clarion type ehhh. It's tough to canoe from the end of lake George where the Minnie haha is docked to Ticonderoga. I grew up here and we had the history drilled into us. We even had a hike from lake George to Saratoga.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому +2

      It’s a shame that more isn’t done to preserve and teach the history in that area

  • @padraig7744
    @padraig7744 Рік тому

    Excellent piece of history. Could you please stop referring to the UK as 'England' as many Scots, Welsh & Irish paid the ultimate price in that war.

  • @chiefjoseph8154
    @chiefjoseph8154 Рік тому +2

    Winners get to write the history. My ancestors sided with the French. Massacre or victory ?

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому +1

      It can be both. the French Jesuit Priest, Father Pierre Roubaud wrote about how poorly the attack on surrendered soldiers was perceived around the world

  • @SuperGreen4219
    @SuperGreen4219 Рік тому

    In those days if you had bare minimum clothes you were considered a savage

  • @ReapWhatYaSow
    @ReapWhatYaSow Рік тому +4

    Lessons to be learned is don't be the one at the end of a gun barrel. If you fight like a man, you might not die like a dog.
    Reminds me of similarities to the Massacre of Elphinstone's army (1842).

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому +1

      I'm going to have top learn about that battle. Thanks for bringing it to my attention

  • @katiejon17
    @katiejon17 Рік тому +2

    The French and Iroquois (Hurons) certainly are stained for this massacre.

    • @roderickreilly9666
      @roderickreilly9666 Рік тому +1

      ?????
      The Iroquois and Huron, though both Algonquin, were separate tribal nations, and bitter enemies. The Iroquois drove the Huron out of Canada the previous century.

    • @katiejon17
      @katiejon17 Рік тому +1

      @@roderickreilly9666 but when did they, begrudgingly, work together on the same “side”?

    • @roderickreilly9666
      @roderickreilly9666 Рік тому +1

      @@katiejon17 : good question. In this war, it would seem.

  • @markbirchall8225
    @markbirchall8225 2 роки тому +17

    This scene was immortalised in Michael Mann's Last of the Mohican's, although prudence tells me the attack was much more one-sided with the native warriors, as they'd learnt to use violence guerrilla style ambushes against the British regulars. The rules of warfare go out the window when you're fighting savage opponents like this - the Brits were far to regimented and steeped in tradition and drilling to appreciate they needed to expect a dirty fight.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому +19

      The Indians were promised that they would be allowed to pillage and take rewards for fighting on the side of the French. The French broke that promise, so the Indians took what they were owed - nobody works for free

    • @markb5403
      @markb5403 2 роки тому +2

      @@ErikKSwanson Makes sense.

    • @davidk7859
      @davidk7859 2 роки тому +6

      Who were the "savage opponents?" .... The Indians or the invading British?
      Also, gotta remember that "history" is often told by the victors. In this case, that would be the White man.

    • @ravengomez9777
      @ravengomez9777 Рік тому +1

      @@ErikKSwanson you are a special soul Erik. Thank you for offering and uncovering real history. The natives deserve so much more respect

    • @mizotter
      @mizotter Рік тому +1

      @@ErikKSwanson I'm glad to see you say this, because the video reps the Colonizers POV and uses dehumanizing language for Indigenous people in their homeland. This is only the 2nd vid of yours I've watched; the 1st was about the illegal attacks on the folks living free in the bay. The difference is striking and shocking. It's like telling this story from the POV of the rich in SF. Where are the voices of the Indigenous people who were living free and faced genocide and were responding in kind to barbarous foreign invaders who came to make them homeless, kill them, enslave them, or colonize them? Why is their POV absent from this story? 1/3 of the story has been erased.

  • @dash1141
    @dash1141 2 роки тому +1

    I enjoyed this to watch

  • @darz3829
    @darz3829 Рік тому

    According to Google there are still around 1,500 Mohicans, so the idea this is the last is a lie.

  • @petelosuaniu
    @petelosuaniu Рік тому +3

    I didn’t realise the Last of the Mohican’s movie battle was based on a true story. Brutal end for them but they were technically invading a foreign land which was already taken.

    • @dannyv2468va2
      @dannyv2468va2 Рік тому

      Just wait woke boy until the 3rd world overwhelms this country. Cities will be almost uninhabitable soon!

    • @jcfra420
      @jcfra420 Рік тому +2

      Give me a break, the Indians did the same thing. They literally massacred other tribes in conquest. They were not some fairy tale version living with nature. They were savage. They were conquerors and as such, eventually were conquered. Not to mention, the French were "invading" their land as well, if not more. The only difference is, that the French bought off the Iroquois with whisky, gold and weapons.

  • @DrWarman86
    @DrWarman86 Рік тому

    This is another reason why you never give up your weapons.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      They still had their weapons, but no powder for the muskets

    • @DrWarman86
      @DrWarman86 Рік тому

      @@ErikKSwanson then they should have fixed bayonets and used swords.

  • @crush42mash6
    @crush42mash6 Рік тому

    Excellent job would love to see more at the battle of Lundys lane things of that nature or of 1812

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
      I’ll ha e to look into that battle I’m not familiar with it

  • @Slcm02
    @Slcm02 Рік тому +1

    Who is paying who today ? Read a book called Over The Ohio. Indians loved each other so much

  • @Outlier999
    @Outlier999 Рік тому +1

    The Native Americans were not always right.

  • @pitbullman77
    @pitbullman77 Рік тому +1

    Never give up Your ARMs Never surrendering meas death

  • @petersclafani4370
    @petersclafani4370 Рік тому +2

    The Iroquois where the most savage of all

    • @ernestclements7398
      @ernestclements7398 Рік тому

      Not for my money, I would submit that the Huron, we're the most feared of all the great lakes tribes, ( and were most likely to have been the ones responsible for the legends of the Windigo) due to their cannabalism.

    • @petersclafani4370
      @petersclafani4370 Рік тому

      @@ernestclements7398 you never read about the Indian wars in New York state against the colonist. It was brutal until Washington death with them to end there allegiance with the British.

  • @minisurfbanana
    @minisurfbanana 2 роки тому +1

    I was just at Lake George and we walked by there!

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  2 роки тому

      You should go check it out! It's a fun place to visit

  • @vaisseauspatialterre3768
    @vaisseauspatialterre3768 Рік тому

    8,000 men including1,800 indians ? Not realistic. because it would mean that 6,200 french and canadiens would be in that detachment. There where not that many french militaries in Canada at that time.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      The numbers are taken from historical records and journals written by men at the siege. Louis Antoine de Bougainville, Aide de Camp to General Montcalm provided detailed breakdowns of the troops at the siege

  • @1LSWilliam
    @1LSWilliam Рік тому

    More than 30 Native American Nations participated. I had no idea that the French had that kind of support although I did know it was considerable.

    • @aemtp
      @aemtp Рік тому

      The French recruited along their trade lines through the great lakes and river systems, I've read that there were natives present from as far away as Missouri.

  • @LuisVelez-f5h
    @LuisVelez-f5h Рік тому +3

    The FRENCH were outnumbered 7 to 1 by the British Americans, The French had better soldiers ,

    • @johnbaird4912
      @johnbaird4912 Рік тому +2

      Still lost

    • @daveharvey8460
      @daveharvey8460 Рік тому +2

      The French never ever beat the British. Crecy, Agincourt,Harfleur, Quebec, Waterloo, Trafalgar and many more🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

    • @LuisVelez-f5h
      @LuisVelez-f5h Рік тому +1

      @@daveharvey8460 Yorktown Virginia 1771 the battle that created the United States of America

    • @LuisVelez-f5h
      @LuisVelez-f5h Рік тому +1

      @@daveharvey8460 Fort William Henry 1757

    • @LuisVelez-f5h
      @LuisVelez-f5h Рік тому +1

      @@johnbaird4912 Cause the British had 7 times more soldiers.

  • @robertjohnsontaylor3187
    @robertjohnsontaylor3187 Рік тому +1

    It was one of my distant ancestors, Sir William Johnson, that ordered the construction of Fort William Henry

    • @robertjohnsontaylor3187
      @robertjohnsontaylor3187 Рік тому

      He was latter created The Baronet of New York. There is a book about him and his exploits - The Mohawk Baronet. He died after the 2nd tussle with the U.K. in 1812. And despite being a Major General in the British army, his pallbearers consisted of 2 state governors, 2 state senators and 2 members of the Supreme Court.

  • @ANDROLOMA
    @ANDROLOMA Рік тому

    Interesting, informational video.

  • @chivi6715
    @chivi6715 Рік тому +1

    Does history really meet like this? The reality is even crueler. Tens of millions of Indians were massacred to extinction

    • @mac2626
      @mac2626 Рік тому +4

      I think you’re exaggerating a little bit, and even if you weren’t the French promised to protect the British, and their civilians.

  • @stevedecata462
    @stevedecata462 Рік тому

    Have you thought about doing a video of the attack/ massacre of Schenectady ???

  • @briananderson8330
    @briananderson8330 Рік тому +1

    So do we go back to the French and demand an apology and reparation, I think not.

  • @Bullsitting
    @Bullsitting Рік тому +1

    Calling all nations were superior nuclear power, help the Native Americans from being genocide from small city large cities in USA

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      You're comment doesn't really make sense... but is the gist of it that you somehow think global nuclear war is a good thing?

  • @pauldjdundas
    @pauldjdundas 2 роки тому

    So beautiful 💙

  • @theoriginaljean3917
    @theoriginaljean3917 Рік тому +3

    Every demographic was full of cruel savages. Such were the people of those times.

  • @donaldjacques7962
    @donaldjacques7962 Рік тому

    Canada did not exist until 1867. There were no Canadians here.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому +2

      There were plenty of Canadians. The country of “Canada” might not have existed until 1867, but “Canada” was written on maps since the 1500s.
      The historic quotes used in this video , which use the term “Canadians” were written by men who were at the siege in 1757. The term “Canadian” is historically accurate.
      People still do similar things today - there is no country of Puerto Rico, yet there are people who proudly call themselves “puerto Rican.”

    • @donaldjacques7962
      @donaldjacques7962 Рік тому +1

      @@ErikKSwanson my gang arrived here in the 1850s. They were Irish living in a British coloney. There were no Canadians, or Americans. We like to keep that clear so we don't get some jackass showing up here looking for reparations. President Trump thinks Canada burned down the Whitehouse in 1812, that was the British, and it was a Whitehouse wing.

  • @mauricemcdonald6192
    @mauricemcdonald6192 2 роки тому

    What’s the song that’s plays at 5:11 ?

  • @alessiodecarolis
    @alessiodecarolis Рік тому +1

    I saw a documentary about this fact, hosted by John Rhys-Davies, at the end they said that the indians, in their frenzy for booty and scalps, had also digged out some bodies from the local cemetery, and VERY ironically, most of them had been killed by....smallpox! i imagine that the outcome wasn't very pretty for them !☹

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      I e heard that before too, but also read that it is speculation with out any documentation to support it

  • @PAGANONYMOUS
    @PAGANONYMOUS Рік тому

    Why weren't the British kept under guard within the fort instead of in tents outside the fort?

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      The fort couldn’t hole everyone. The majority of the British were outside the fort during the entire siege

  • @thespartan8476
    @thespartan8476 Рік тому

    As an Australia it upsets me that more British invaders never died, indeed.
    Australians killed many British colonists in the Australian frontier wars.
    The arrogance and ignorance of the British is aggravating isn't it.

    • @robroy3838
      @robroy3838 Рік тому

      Jeeze you talk some nonsense. What "Australians" are you talking about? How many "colonists" were killed?

    • @thespartan8476
      @thespartan8476 Рік тому +1

      @@robroy3838 Educated people will understand what I'm saying.

    • @angelmedia9051
      @angelmedia9051 Рік тому

      If you are Australian then you are British tbh

    • @angelmedia9051
      @angelmedia9051 Рік тому

      Yeah mainly white@@thespartan8476
      English 33%
      Australian 29.9%
      Irish 9.5%
      Scottish 8.6%

    • @thespartan8476
      @thespartan8476 Рік тому

      @@angelmedia9051 That was the dumbest comment I've ever seen. I'm more Australian than any Brit could ever dream of being.
      To be British, My DNA would have to be British wouldn't it, and it's not. Have you even been to Australia and seen the diversity of Australia?
      I watch our movies, or stories and music
      is what we celebrate. We don't aspire to the English. This is Australia, not England.

  • @jimilove7773
    @jimilove7773 Рік тому

    Thanks live nearby used to work there as a guide and actor.

    • @ErikKSwanson
      @ErikKSwanson  Рік тому

      Very cool. That must have been a fun job!

    • @jimilove7773
      @jimilove7773 4 місяці тому

      @@ErikKSwanson It was a blast! Thanks for your great vid!