The French and Indian War did not end, however, without producing two New Hampshire military leaders. With the Indians, incited by the French conducting hostile raids, and the colonial militias alternating between defense and offense, the carnage ebbed and flowed for almost 100 years, when the French and Indian War put an end to Indian attacks and settled the question of domination. Men from ages 16 to 60 were required to attend monthly musters, and seacoast towns erected numerous forts and garrison houses for protection from the Indians.ĭuring these times, New Hampshire was a microcosm of the larger feud between the English and the French in their quest to dominate the continent. This marked the official origin of the New Hampshire National Guard. Accordingly, the new province promptly established a formal state militia from the existing town militias. Shortly after, in 1679, New Hampshire was granted its own charter. ![]() The small band that descended on the settlement burned homes and arbitrarily slaughtered or took captive men, women, and children. In 1675 the first Indian attack in New Hampshire occurred at Oyster River in present day Durham. The colonists' initial friendly relations with the Indians deteriorated and after 50 years of increasing mistreatment the Indians retaliated with raids on colonial settlements. Later, a wooden fortification and more brass cannons became Fort William and Mary, and today Fort Constitution continues to occupy this original site. The colonists were equipped with an arsenal of firearms and other weaponry. By 1631, At Fort Point in New Castle, a defensive artillery earthworks was established to protect artillery and provide an effective field of fire housing several brass cannons. ![]() The New Hampshire National Guard as a militia for self-defense can be traced back to 1623 and the first settlements near the mouth of the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, NH. History of the New Hampshire National Guard
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |