Primary Sources

French and Indian War

Quote from http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/connections/france-america/history4.html

Questions from A. Barnette 2013

Captain Knox describes the difference between fighting styles of French and British:

Upon our coming to an anchor, they [the French] turned out their floats, and ranged them in great order; their cavalry then dismounted, formed on the right of the infantry, and their whole detachment ran down the precipice with a ridiculous shout, and manned their works.

What does “coming to an anchor” mean?

If cavalry are soldiers on horses, what does dismounted mean?

If the infantry is the group of regular soldiers on foot, what is the whole detachment?

Can you tell from context clues what a precipice is?

I have often reflected upon the absurdity of this practice in the French, who entertain a high opinion of their own discipline and knowledge in the art of war; there is nothing that can be more absurd than such noises in engaging an enemy . . .

What do you think absurd/absurdity means in this passage?SaneRidiculousReasonablePut “entertain a high

opinion of their own discipline and knowledge” into today’s language.

How different, how nobly awful, and expressive of true valour is the custom of the British troops! They do not expend their ammunition at an immense distance; and, if they advance to engage, or stand to receive the charge, they are steady, profoundly silent, and attentive, reserving their fire until they have received that of their adversaries . . experience plainly shews us, that the troops, who, in perfect silence, engage an enemy, waiting for their first fire, will always preserve a superiority. –John Knox

What do you think he means by “awful” in describing the British?

Valour is spelled valor today, and it means bravery. What does Knox say that the British troops do to show their bravery?

What does Knox mean when he says that these actions preserve a superiority?

For fun: Draw the scene Knox describes.