siege john siege john failed attempt french forces led daniel fort newfoundland winter months queen anne war leading mixed force regulars militia indians burned town laid siege fort weeks late january early march lifted siege running provisions gunpowder siege larger scale expedition attempt repeat highly destructive expedition led outlying english communities destroyed men leading raids english fishing activities sides suffered duration war ended french claims newfoundland background island newfoundland contested territory france england time queen anne war broke french raids king william war completely destroyed english settlements including principal port located east peninsula southeastern newfoundland english squadron led sir sir persuaded displaced fishermen return rebuild peninsula treaty signed september led english receiving newfoundland french retaining terms treaty void french established capital peninsula west english captain raided number french settlements newfoundland avoided presence french warships harbour daniel arrived new governor took command man garrison facilities poor condition raiding learned planned english attack prepared assault came admiral widely seen england called attack despite having significant advantages subsequently court dismissed service conduct entire campaign included failed siege guadeloupe french preparations late began planning attack english settlements addition garrison recruited mainland settlers possible participate effort force numbered set peninsula january corps included company men led included war leader participated raid english settlements company went overland sent peninsula heavy guns english defences command lieutenant lieutenant military engineer mason second command principal defences stone fortification north harbour built french expedition stone fort south narrows commanded harbour entrance moody command commanded combined defense force numbered men dozen command siege progress french slow extreme winter cold snow captured small coastal communities south opposition moved arrived near town january wanted surprise english opportunity lost advance guard approached sight english defences remaining force having delayed poor conditions driven cannon fire community fled protection content occupying town waiting arrive prisoners released women children fort order increase burden english supplies women ended performing valuable assistance helping fort defence weeks siege attempted use divisions moody diminish english morale possibly achieve negotiated surrender gain control post sent letters men second prisoners addressed letter implied deal works agents tried convince leave works meet moody refused effort ineffective days waiting heavy guns appeared running low munitions provisions lifted siege destroyed town houses fishing stages returned taking civilian captives detached men continued raid english settlements rest winter aftermath french expedition took prisoners released lack provisions destroyed cannon fishing wagons failed eliminate stronghold returned england late rewarded lieutenant commission guards feuded charging irregularities administration fortification works poor command complaints led recall continued develop french colony flourished despite war rewarded efforts governorship presided port royal defences successfully british forced overwhelming force replacement negotiated exchange prisoners siege successfully captured january france gave claims sovereignty newfoundland treaty supervision moved french settlers newfoundland site national historic site canada marked plaque location
Siege of St. John's