America's First World War

America 's First First World War: The French and Indian War 1754–1763

By Timothy J. Todish

128 pages, softcover: $15.00

Reviewed by Chris Matheney

Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines the word classic as "a work of enduring excellence." That definition could easily sum up Timothy J. Todish's book America's First First World War: The French and Indian War 1754–1763. First published in 1982, it has since been hailed as a classic that's easy to read and straightforward, providing an accurate introduction to the French and Indian War. Now in its third printing, Todish has revised and updated his book to bring recently discovered information to light.

The book actually had its beginnings as "a narrated slide program that I did for a local history group that I belong to . . . the Michigan Company of Historians and Collectors," Todish explains in a letter. He continues, "After giving my talk, I decided that after doing all that work, I should try to turn it into a magazine article. The more I worked on it, the more I knew it was too long for a magazine article, so I turned it into America's First First World War, first edition."

The conflict is carefully covered in seven chapters with each year receiving due attention. British and French campaign strategy is laid out in a concise manner that allows the reader a full understanding of the plans for the forthcoming year. This is one of the “hallmarks” of Todish's book—a good, clear, representation of the facts.

In chapter one, "War Comes to the Ohio Country: 1753–1754", the reader is provided with the "empire‑building" background to what would truly become America's first world war. Also included is the story of young George Washington, who "provided the spark that lit the fire . . ." Touching on woodland fighting tactics as well, this chapter on the prelude to the war leaves you with a sense of the impending storm.

Chapters two and three, "Wilderness Warfare: 1755" and "The French Zenith: 1756–1757" respectively, deal mostly with the early French victories. The account of the crushing defeat of Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock's Fort Duquesne expedition lets the reader learn, as the British regulars learned, the importance of woodland tactics. Historians through the years have carefully pointed out Braddock's poor military decision-making during this initial clash in the wilderness. In this revised edition of Todish's book, the author has added the point of view of George Washington, who stated “How little does the World consider the Circumstances, and how apt are mankind to level their vindictive Censures against the unfortunate Chief, who perhaps merited least of the blame."

Although 1755 wasn't necessarily a successful year for British arms, the author makes an excellent point in this chapter, stating, "Throughout the war, British grand strategy tended to be more clearly defined and aggressive, while French strategy was more reactionary, based on what they thought the British were going to do." One shining example of British grand strategy in that year of the war was Maj. Gen. William Johnson's expedition against Fort St. Frederic at Crown Point on Lake Champlain. Even though Johnson's all‑provincial expedition never made it to Crown Point, it did defeat a well‑trained French army at the Battle of Lake George.

Johnson's final act of the campaign season was to build Fort William Henry on the south end of Lake George. He also took notice of "a young Provincial officer who was destined to play a major part in the eventual triumph of the British cause. He was a 23 year old captain in Blanchard's New Hampshire Regiment named Robert Rogers." Throughout the book, Todish follows the career of Robert Rogers and his corps of Rangers, illustrating many examples of their daring exploits.

In chapter three, the reader gets a feel for the difficulties that a commander in chief had in dealing with colonial assemblies. War plans for an upcoming campaign season could be seriously delayed because of their independent natures. Such was the case for John Campbell, the Fourth Earl of Loudoun, who was chosen to replace Gen. Braddock in 1756. Because of the aforementioned problems with fractious local assemblies, combined with a late arrival to the Colonies (late July 1756), no major offensive operations could be mounted that year.

Further impediments to a war chief's plans in the 18th century could come in various forms of inclement weather. The author is quick to point out, "When the Regular troops on both sides went into winter quarters, rugged partisan bands continued to raid and harass their enemies." Warming to his subject in this chapter, Todish gives a lively account of the First Battle on Snowshoes. Here the reader is regaled with notable information on Rogers, John Stark, Basserode and Charles Michael de Langlade. He deals fairly in his assessment of the woodland skills of both sides during this initial clash in the frozen haunts of the New York wilderness.

Chapter four is aptly titled "The Tide Begins to Turn: 1758.” This was a crucial year to British operations in the New World. In this chapter the author introduces the reader to two young British officers who were to make their mark on the world stage: Jeffrey Amherst and James Wolfe. Their mission was to capture Fortress Louisbourg, which had long been a threatening presence to New Englanders. If successful, this would open the way for an attack on Quebec, up through the St. Lawrence River. As Todish points out, "Both officers' personal bravery was beyond question, and in the ensuing campaign, their personalities were to complement one another beautifully."

Overshadowing the eventual British victory at Louisbourg was the bloody battle for Fort Ticonderoga on July 8, 1758. In this section, Todish takes us carefully through the steps that led to the disastrous defeat of the largest British army ever on American soil at that time. Thoughtfully pointing out the death of Lord Howe as one of the factors leading to the French victory, the author sheds new light on a skirmish that had far-reaching effects.

On July 6, 1758, Lord Howe joined a group of light infantry and provincial rangers who were trying to swing around the French advanced guard "at the portage between Lake George and Lake Champlain." While advancing on this position they ran afoul of a French scouting party under the command of Ensign Langy and Capt. Trepezac. During the ensuing skirmish, Lord Howe was killed instantly when he "Recved a Ball & three Buck Shot threw the Senter of his Brest & Expird without Spekeing a word."

Regarding proof that the French were lost when this skirmish occurred, an interesting revelation is provided by the author, who quotes an eyewitness account from Capt. Malartic, adjutant of the Bearn Regiment. "About four o'clock heard several shots and soon after a considerable firing, which we judged was directed against M. de Trepezee . . . a quarter of an hour afterwards saw some soldiers of that detachment wading towards us, and M. de Trepezee arrive next mortally wounded, who states that M. de Langy, who was guiding them, as he was acquainted with the way through the woods, had gone astray, and did not find out his mistake until three o'clock . . ." These revealing words from a dying man ring true and give us further insight into the overall understanding of woodland tactics. Tim Todish has researched and found a remarkable gem in that original testimony.

The year 1759 is divided up into Chapters Five and Six: “Montcalm, Wolfe and Amherst—A Year for Heroes,” and “The Saint Francis Raid: September November 1759.” Here the reader follows in the footsteps of the victorious British army as they engage the French in battle at history-making places such as Quebec, Niagara and once again Ticonderoga —only this time it was an English victory. Todish's accounts take the reader right to the battlefield to witness Johnson's tactical decision at Fort Niagara to split his army in two and ambush a French relief force sent to help the besieged fortress. The reader can "climb inside" a whale boat with Maj. Rogers and his Rangers on a deadly mission to cut a log boom that the French had placed across the narrows of Lake Champlain to keep the British from cutting off their retreat. A complete and detailed account of the Siege of Quebec allows the reader to "stand" beside Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham and await the first volley from the French defenders. All of this and more are detailed in this section.

What history of the French and Indian War would be complete without a thorough accounting of the St. Francis Raid? Rogers' Rangers daring raid on St. Francis and the subsequent harrowing return of that command is truly the “Odyssey” of the French and Indian War. Numerous original accounts from primary sources round out the reader’s understanding of this momentous undertaking. The fact that Todish has devoted a full chapter to this subject should please Rogers' Rangers’ enthusiasts, reenactors and scholars alike.

The final chapter of the book is titled “The Fall of New France: 1760–1763.” Covering the final days in the history of New France, Todish describes the death of one dream (New France) and the ultimate birth of the United States. For although England was the victor in this last of the French and Indian Wars, the author points out, "There was, however, another more ominous threat on the horizon"—American independence. Using a quote from Montcalm himself, the author ends his book with the following, "M. Wolfe, if he understands his trade, will take to beat and ruin me if we meet in fight. If he beats me here, France has lost America utterly: yes, and one's only conclusion is, in ten years farther, America will be in revolt against England."

This revised edition is thoroughly illustrated with new photographs from the author, as well as paintings from famed French and Indian War artist Gary Zaboly. New drawings by Joe Lee and a map rendered by Timothy J. Carlson, which shows the area in contest, accompany the book.

Timothy J. Todish's book is truly an enduring classic. Whether you are a serious scholar, student or reenactor or just want to know more about the French and Indian War, this book is for you. No book can give you so clear an understanding, nor so quickly. America's First First World War does what larger volumes of the same subject can't do—give a complete, straightforward introduction to the French and Indian War.

America’s First First World War can be ordered from Purple Mountain Press, 1060 Main Street, Box 309, Fleischmanns NY 12430-0309; (845) 254-4062; or <www.catskill.net/purple>.