Happy Halloween everyone! While you wait for the next full episode, here's a fun little side story fitting for the season. Learn about one of the most popular and legendary French Canadian folk tales, La Chasse Galerie. Matt also sounds a little... different today.

Intro & Outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps

Special Episode - La Chasse Galerie, a French Canadian spooky story

The British are eager to wipe the foul taste of the defeat at Carillon from their mouths. But General Abercromby is not the most audacious of men, to say the least. Fortunately for the British, there is a man whose boldness, experience, and drive leads to a daring expedition against a French installation far away. Who could lead this attack? None but John Bradstreet.

Intro & Outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps 

Episode 25 - The Daring Raid on Fort Frontenac

The largest army thus organized in North America comes crashing down upon one of New France's most tenuous fortifications. Should the French fail, nothing can stop the inexorable advance of the British on Montreal and the heart of the colony. Key to the drive of this massive army is the bold and wise Lord Howe, who shows a real understanding of frontier warfare. Join us as we cover one of the bloodiest days of the war as the British attack Fort Carillon in 1758. You won't want to miss it!

*Apologies for my audio in this one - had some difficulties beforehand and was recording in a different location.

Intro & outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps

Episode 24 - The Battle of Fort Carillon, 1758

The story of the Forbes Expedition may well be the most fascinating of all the many French-British clashes in 1758. Join us as we welcome Matt Gault, Director of Education and Living History at Fort Ligonier, who guides us through the highs and lows of the British Empire's first attempt in three long years to finally dislodge the French from the forks of the Ohio River.

Intro & Outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps

Episode 23 - The Forbes Expedition w/ special guest Matt Gault

After the 1757 Louisbourg expedition melted away without committing any troops to shore, the British are back at France's north Atlantic fortress in 1758 with a vengeance, They've got more troops, more ships, and are ready to go earlier than last time. Is there any hope for defending commander Drucour and the outnumbered French? Well, as the episode's title suggests...
 
Intro & Outro music: "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps

Episode 22 - The Fall of Louisbourg

1758 is here in full swing! Before we analyze the massive battles that will take place all across North America (and beyond), we need to look at a big-picture view of the different opportunities, challenges, and priorities facing the British and French leadership. William Pitt is a central figure for the reversal of British fortunes in the war, and he'll be coming up again several times throughout the  rest of the podcast. Learn about him and each nation's plans! Which will succeed? Which will fail? How does Britain change the course of the war?

Intro & Outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps

Episode 21 - William Pitt & the Turning Point of the War

Take a break from the summer heat with an account of yet another wintry battle on snowshoes between British rangers and the French with Iroquois, Nipissing, and Abenaki warriors alongside them. The last skirmish ended inconclusively, but this one nearly annihilates Rogers' entire force. Learn about the brutal fighting and narrow escape with us!

Intro & Outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps

Episode 20 - the 2nd Battle on Snowshoes

Join us as we discuss the recently-released Young Washington movie! We've been keeping our eye on this one ever since the trailer was announced. Does it live up to our expectations? Would we recommend it? What does the movie do right and what does it do wrong? Tune in to find out!

Intro & outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps

Special Episode - Young Washington movie review

In the middle of the night in November, 1757, a small town on the banks of the Mohawk River wakes up to the sound of gunfire and shouts. They had heard of devastating raids by the French and their native allies on other frontier settlements, but surely such a fate would never have reached them!

In this episode we discuss German migration to the British colonies, the raid on the thriving settlement of German Flatts, NY, and the poor community that just couldn't catch a break.

Intro & Outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps

Episode 19 - The Raid on German Flatts, NY

Lord Loudon prepares the full might of the British war effort - both army and navy - to strike a crushing blow against New France's premier military installation. A mighty French fleet arrives on the scene in time. The stage is set for an epic confrontation unrivalled yet in the war. And then it all collapses. Learn what happened in today's episode!

Intro & outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps

Episode 18 - Louisbourg 1757, or the epic encounter that never was

Matthew Hohman (@mhohman30) · Zencastr

Matthew Hohman (@mhohman30)

A podcast between two friends who love history and want to share our passion with the world. The French and Indian War is an often over-looked and undervalued time in our history. This podcast aims to dive into this war, including the time period it was fought in, the geopolitical consequences it had, and the effect it had on millions of lives.

Tales from the French and Indian War