Mary.Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, 1729–1811:
A Study in French Naval History and Politics.
Lewiston, NY: E. Mellen Press, 1990; Ross, Michael.Bougainville.London: Gordon and Cremonesi, 1978;
Thiery, Maurice. Bougainville: Soldier and Sailor.
London: Grayson and Grayson, 1932.DEBOURLAMAQUE, FRANÇOIS-CHARLES
de Bourlamaque, François-Charles
(1716–June 23, 1764)
French Army Officer
B
ourlamaque was by turns the third- and
second-highest ranking French officer
in Canada during the French and Indian
War. He distinguished himself in several
major actions and is regarded as one of the
most competent officers of his grade.
François-Charles de Bourlamaque was
born in Paris around 1716. His father, Jean-
François Bourlamaque, a French officer of
Italian descent, served as a captain of
grenadiers in the Dauphin Regiment and died
at the Battle of Parma in 1734. Bourlamaque
joined his father’s regiment five years later,
rose steadily through competence, and be-
came a captain in 1745. Although an infantry
officer, he apparently developed an intimate
interest in, and understanding of, military en-
gineering. It is for accomplishments in this
field that he is best remembered.
Over the course of several years, Bourla-
maque was actively employed during the War
of the Austrian Succession and participated in
the Battles of Fontenoy in 1745 and Rocourt
in 1746. In 1755, he received a monetary
award for helping to improve infantry drill-
books. On March 11, 1756, Bourlamaque
gained promotion to colonel and was as-
signed to service in New France. In this ca-
pacity he became the third-ranking officer of
regular forces in Canada, behind Gen. Louis-
Joseph Montcalmand Brigadier François
Levis. After receiving the prestigious Cross of
St. Louis, he departed Brest in April 1756 and
arrived at Quebec the following May.
By this time British and French forces had
commenced operations in the French and In-
dian War, which closely paralleled Europe’s
Seven Years’ War (1754–1763). No sooner had
Bourlamaque arrived than he accompanied
Montcalm to Oswego, New York, to invest
several British forts in the vicinity. These so-
called forts were actually little more than
wooden and earthen stockades, a poor match
for the scientific siegework as practiced by
the French army. Bourlamaque handled his
duties competently, and the British surren-
dered on August 12, 1756. Montcalm followed
up his success the following year by pushing
forces down the Lake Champlain corridor and
investing Fort William Henry on Lake George.
Bourlamaque, as usual, directed siege opera-
tions, and on August 9, 1757, it too surren-
dered. Reputedly, he risked his life in an un-
successful attempt to prevent the Indians
from massacring the prisoners. When Mont-
calm proved unable to follow up on his vic-
tory, he withdrew back to the head of Lake
Champlain and instructed Bourlamaque to re-
inforce the post at Fort Carillon (Ticon-
deroga), New York. This he did handily, and in
July 1758 a large British force under Gen.
James Abercromby advanced upon Carillon
and attacked. The ensuing action pitted
15,000 British against 3,500 French. The High-
landers bravely attacked the abatis (lines of
fallen trees)repeatedly on July 8 but were re-
pulsed with heavy losses. Bourlamaque com-
manded the left wing and was closely en-
gaged throughout most of the day until
disabled by a severe shoulder wound. It was
not until September that he was well enough
to convalesce at Quebec. Moreover, with this