Louisbourg Portraits

Life here in Louisbourg has become extremely slow and tedious. I moved here to fight with the colonists in the defense of our French fortress, however fighting has been nonexistent and life has become a dull and quiet existence. As a sergeant within these quarters it is hard to escape the role of both judge and governor as prestige is conferred to me without my own desires. First let me describe to you Louisbourg, the city and its people so that you may have a better grasp of life in the backwaters of this French colony. Louisbourg itself is an impress fortress at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. It was founded in the early 18th century, as one of the front line colonies of the French. Although our population here is paltry in comparison to some of the British colonies to the south, the strategic positioning helps us to receive the optimal flow of commerce to support this busy commercial center.

The landscape around Louisbourg is lush in forestry on one side, with the majority of farmlands and greenery evenly spaced around our walled city. On the other border however is the great St. Lawrence which roars its way out of the mouth of York and all the way into the Atlantic. Louisbourg has a flourishing trade in fisheries, and as a commercial center we receive the best in luxury and trading goods throughout the area. As a strategic military advantage, our city is located within the enclosure of a Vauban-style fortress. Louisbourg's history has been short lived, I have only been here for a few years, awaiting commands to preserve the sanctity of this fortress, yet even if we go further back into history, this city is barely fifty years old. The location of Louisbourg is the primary attraction of most traders and the French government in fact. Since we depend on constant communications with the government, our central location between other colonies allows us the benefit of being the command center and nexus of the French colonies.

The inhabitants of this city are numerous and migratory. The majority of the people who come into this city come to trade their goods and to gain passage aboard boats and ships headed up and down the St. Lawrence. At the same time, military command here is very inauspicious as we all collect here to take orders and to reposition ourselves in the defense of the colonies. For the inhabitants who actually live within our city, and there cannot be more than two or three thousand, life is much like anywhere else within the colonies. People here struggle to make a living and to survive on their skills or through their craft. A many of our folks are skilled craftsman who sale and barter their wears with those who come here for trade. For those who cannot survive on craft alone, they oftentimes turn to theft and burglary. Justice here is swift and immediate, thieves are hung as soon as possible and the magistrate has little tolerance for violence and other disruptions to the community. All in all we are a peaceful community, with little need for the military presence that we currently station here.

Sincerely,

Sergeant Koller

To whom it may concern:

Despite the quiet and ordinary nature of Louisbourg, I have grown fond of many of its attributes. The social hierarchy here within this town is amazingly robust, as a military garrison it seems that we officers occupy the highest social order. This comes with both benefits and costs as you will soon find out. Although I do receive treatment and deference from the people who inhabit this city, it also comes with grave responsibilities not only to act in adjudication of disputes but also as a person much sought after for advice and service. We have slowly grown into the third largest French colony within these shores, and as a result, our ports are now busier than they have ever been. Soon we will be able to compete with the British cities of Boston and New York in freight traffic.

This fishing season has been extremely bountiful for Louisbourg; I have met many of the fishermen who go out daily to catch our precious Cod. I see them rise every morning well before sunrise only to come back in the lateness of night. Despite my supposed position within the community, I must keep a tight rein upon the soldiers here. As a Swiss it is hard enough to earn the respect of my men, as I fear they are getting bored with their menial duties in safekeeping this city. We are growing more and more wary by the day, but I keep vigilant in defense of Louisbourg.

Sincerely,

Sergeant Koller

To Whom It May Concern:

Our current military supplies are once again in danger. The harsh winter in these parts have taken a dramatic toll upon our stores. For the townspeople the food supply that has helped us survives the harshest days of winter are almost gone. Even more severe, our military munitions and artillery have received quite a bit of damage from the effects of winter. As many as a quarter of our cannons are no longer operable, and I have had to convert many of our soldiers into repairman as they work to maintain and upkeep our military ammunition and artillery. Despite our troubles life goes on in Louisbourg, and happiness abounds. Marriage bells are ringing everywhere as young men and women find happiness and start families. Two new churches have been erected within Louisbourg in the past year, much of it is due to the ever expanding population of the city as more and more migrants settle down in this port city. More jobs have come into this town because of the commerce and the greater expansion of our city.

Sincerely,

Sergeant Koller

To Whom It May Concern:

I am becoming increasingly bored of life here in Louisbourg. When I signed aboard to come here as an officer, it was in defense of a great city. However, the British have been quiet for the past years, either through political tension or through inability to act. However, I see through the messages received by central command that war is inevitable and thus I lie in wait. The British are amassing more troops in preparation to claim this continent to them. I have kept our soldiers ready and well trained, and should an attack be inevitable we will be prepared.

Sincerely,

Sergeant Koller

To Whom It May Concern:

The British have finally shown their true colors, they have declared war against our colonies and it is evident that they will attempt to rampage our city. They are moving upon our city with haste, and we may have little to no reinforcements at hand. Preparations for siege have already begun and this is especially evident in our walled fortress. With great heaps of limestone and rubble our walls are higher than it has ever been. Should the British seek to battle here he will find that a siege on our city will not be easily conducted.

Sincerely,

Sergeant Koller

To Whom It May Concern:

The British have laid siege upon our city, thousands of refugees from our neighbors have come to the final defense of our French Colony. Despite all efforts by the border colonies, the British are much too large in number to be contained and here we make our valiant last stand. The moment that I have been waiting for has arrived and we have prepared our men for the fury of a siege. Our supplies are still in good order as we rein artillery fire upon the British. They know not what they are in for as we continue to rein destruction upon them. Even as I speak however, I know that we cannot hold out indefinitely, without reinforcement from France, there is little we can do but attempt to survive as long as we can. I still have hope that we may weather this British storm.