known attempt small number militia commanded bring american revolutionary war nova scotia late minimal logistical support massachusetts volunteer militia natives attempted storm central nova_scotia near present day border nova scotia new_brunswick november fort defenders led veteran french indian war successfully repelled attempts militia storm fort siege ultimately relieved plus reinforcements drove november retaliation role locals supported siege numerous homes farms destroyed patriot driven area successful defense preserved territorial integrity british maritime possessions nova scotia remained loyal war background nova scotia generally poorly defended early stages american revolutionary war unrest eastern regions provoked fears american led uprising reinforcements reached halifax early province lightly defended located connects modern mainland nova_scotia new_brunswick area strategically important earlier conflicts french colony british controlled nova scotia originally built french fort condition won french fortifications garrisoned british seven years war abandoned early june colonel ordered general raise natives nova scotia defense province patriot activity arriving fort summer colonel garrison loyalist troops restore premises condition adequately men lacked uniforms furthermore locals generally sympathetic patriot cause refused assist fort trying induce members garrison defect discontent nova scotia massachusetts born resident nova scotia fort located served provincial assembly prime patriot activity area nova scotia major areas patriot activity valley present day new_brunswick pockets activity separates present day maine new_brunswick patriots communities contact cumberland active trying interest nearby natives cause believed military assistance able bring strongly loyalist administration nova scotia early went massachusetts attempt interest political military leaders supporting action nova scotia worked raise interest nova scotia work difficult arrival colonel troops activities lieutenant governor nova scotia vocal loyalist returned handed nova scotia june learn price head activities cumberland area successful patriot activities effectively forced underground center activities shifted consequence veteran french indian war able blunt patriot native communities refused sides supportive patriots ultimately turn numbers hoped promised returned massachusetts august george_washington authorize fund support military activities nova_scotia able convince provide material support primarily muskets ammunition powder military supplies attempt allowed engage recruiting raising militia left boston september sailed recruited men october party sailed bay coincidentally working longer term plan military action sailed day parties met sea attempted dissuade plan informing largest tribe nova scotia help extracted promise wait went meet council council learned little native support sent letter urging effort persisted left having added recruits band sailed men recruited settlement present day learned bad news main chief interested taking able convince competitors men join expedition exchange agreement community support families men disappointment local joined contrary previous visit area prelude force numbering sailed exact location outpost established probably september subject debate present day new_brunswick bay western fort point eastern case captured patrol october killing wounding prisoners shipped sent men largely fruitless effort enlist cause continued dozen locals joined enlarged force marched settlers joined force swelling account men finally alerted actions november boat sent supplies patrol informed activities locals heightened guard fort immediately attempt halifax windsor uncertain routes away fort blocked october frigate escorted supply sloop docked fort laden supplies fort winter work began immediately supplies easily visible concern presence added fort defenses fortunately sailed november leaving docked fort november patrols began ranging closer fort approaching force took additional steps protect attempts word delayed decision await return scouts dispatched earlier fate scouts uncertain return fort invested evening thirty men surprised guards aboard taking thirteen prisoners seized ship owned patriot happened anchored nearby morning november decided time message windsor sent party men dock morning men numbering taken prisoner men rapidly arrived control ship sailed east supplies landed fort spotted realizing taken ship fired ship siege took stock situation nearly quarter garrison men captured critical fuel supplies seizure defenses consisted hastily constructed encompassed fort cannons men completed mounts fort military complement men including officers days local militia arrived raise garrison size included individuals effective combat illness november attempted success november joined men finally felt ready act november sent letter demanding surrender garrison refused suggesting surrender day authorities outside area learned activities patrolling recovered ferry taken learned passengers active news reached halifax efforts lieutenant governor responded orders 15th available ship based windsor convoy troops relieve siege commodore sir previously dispatched hms vulture rumors activity ordered hms hope locate vulture assist hope captured prize returned halifax sent accompany supply ship meantime vulture arrived windsor took marines lacking artillery rebels attempted storm fort night november attempting draw strength away weak points defenses experienced saw repulsed attack warriors fort nearly opened gate stopped moment following failed attack effectively lost control expedition council leaders formed night attacks ordered council november succeeded capturing burning buildings held ground invaders repulsed november vulture arrived retreat face arriving relief rebels increased guard intelligence size force opposing planned sortie early morning november major led men vulture contingent royal americans scattered men killing wounding cost dead wounded aftermath men chased bad weather lack adequate eventually caused pursuit forces scattered retreating overland massachusetts men took months reach homes farms rebel supporters burned british authorities took approach captured rebels including went attorney general nova scotia issued offer pardon surrender arms locals accepted prompted major file charges neglect duty victory fort cumberland strengthened british presence nova scotia driving patriot like province remained requiring people crown unrest continued remainder war battle large scale military threat occurred significant attempt occurred summer authorized congress actions nova_scotia small number forces raised effort british force end attempt appears involved work movements prior august uncertain commodore followed attacking intending break plans led defense battle august action fact unnecessary early august voted forces recruited expedition imminent threat posed army general upstate new_york poorly documented 19th century histories nova_scotia new_brunswick receiving minimal mention involvement local inhabitants natives english speakers siege generally understated unknown site preserved national historic site canada administered
Battle of Fort Cumberland