The Relief Column

When word arrived at Annapolis that General Ross's force was cut off and in need of supplies and reinforcements, a relief column was assembled. Given that the sea route would require navigating up a winding tidal river with strong currents that could drop 15 feet during low tide, exposing or hiding shifting sand banks, without a pilot! The Admiral declined to risk his ships. The relief column would have to go overland from Grand Pre to Fort Edward even though it was still under construction. 

In the meantime, Brigadier Ross's force would have to forage off the local farms in the Pisiquid area.

At last all was ready and the relief column, under Colonel St. Michael's command, set out. It did not take long to become clear that they would have to fight their way through.

As the column approached a small Acadian village, musket fire broke out ahead and to their flank. The advance party of Rangers and Highlanders deployed and pressed on to gauge the strength of the enemy.

The firing from the far side of the little river was scattered but the steady trickle of fire began to take its toll while the reply from the Massachusetts battalion seemed to have little effect. The word came down to leave a company to screen the convoy on the river side, while everyone else pushed forward, keeping between the enemy and the convoy. 

It was soon obvious that the French intended to stop the convoy here. Every farmhouse was defended and soon a company of the Compagnies Franches appeared on top of a low ridge running parallel to the road and river and with them came a man in long black robes. It was soon evident that this Priest was directing the ambush, soon he would be known as le Renard noir or the Black Fox.

A patrol of rangers were sent to see if the way to the bridge was clear but the answer came back " French soldiers are defending the approaches to the bridge.

It would be dark soon, time for Col. St. Michael to make a decision. To press forward and try to drive the French out of the village and take the bridge before seemed improbable and would risk a disaster, to retreat through the woods at night would be even worse! 

No, decided Col. St. Michael, he still had a strong force, stronger than the enemy as far as he could tell. It would be best to fortify the houses they held, bring up the artillery, laager the wagons, send a party of rangers back to request a relief column, and prepare to hold the village until relieved. 

Better to fail to carry out his mission than to lose his whole force and the supplies. There would be another day.