The Siege of Fort Niagara 1759 - French & Indian War (2024 Reenactment)

[@MrBBnumber9]

I was there at this reenactment as French militia! I am bummed that I didn’t think you would be there or else I would have tried to say hi.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Well sir, I thank you for the kind words, perhaps next year.

[@deanjernstrom3760]

What do I say? Peter,there are very few videos I can sit and watch without going on to another. Again, I had no idea of the history you brought to us. Congratulations to all the reenactment participants who can bring us back into our historical past. I can't say enough of the time you spend in presenting the many fascinating facts that we may never know. Thank you so much. Your presence is very welcome. Always looking forward to your next lesson.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I am flattered, sir. People don’t realize that this all at ones individual expense and it is not cheap, if one presents historically accurate.

[@RogerGarrison-e9d]

Peter it was nice to meet you at Fort Niagara and hope to meet you again

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

@@RogerGarrison-e9d The pleasure was all mine, Roger.

[@8626John]

Another excellent video!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thank you.

[@aaronbinner3727]

Fort Niagara is one of the oldest military installations still being used by the united states. Since 1815 there has been a military presence at Fort Niagara. Currently there is a US Coast Guard installation at Fort Niagara. Wonderful video i just subscribed as I live very close to the Fort.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We thank you for your support and interest. The fort was also used for training military in both Great Wars.

[@jamesking3995]

Well I can say I have finally reached a goal, to be in an episode of Woodland Escape. Great job on the video! I had a blast being part of this reenactment.

[@marieleopold1625]

WHAT A LOVELY FORT! I have looooong had a curiosity about it while perched on the walls of 'Fort George'. As close as I lived...I never had 'bin there done that'...but thanks to you Peter and your fine woman Catherine, I am fulfilled. WELL DONE! I do sit saddened by all the hardship, misunderstanding and vain loss. It is as your closing shots on the cannon convey...Where is the 'Y' (why) for the 'VICTOR' to become Victorious?! These re-enactors work hard to help us capture and visualize the past. It brings to those who would watch...the 'unmerited' freedoms we take (in large part) for granted. Shame on us! Sir William Johnson, sounds like a fine character, outstanding really. His quotes prove him so..."To keep your secret is wisdom, to expect others to is folly." Health and blessings dear ones! :)

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

These reenactors spend thousands of dollars to look like poor frontiersman. There is no compensation either, so hats off to all those that keep history alive! That is indeed a profound quote from Johnson.

[@RobertTohey]

Very well done Peter. I've been to Fort Niagara a few times but the film gives it a whole new perspective. Thank you my friend. From one Geriatric to another.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Glad you enjoyed it, Robert.

[@Cid1758]

Great stuff as usual! It’s so sad that even in Quebec’s educational system the french and indian war is almost entirely skipped over. It is only taught that for ten minutes there was a battle on the plains of Abraham then the french went home. Thank you for sharing all those interesting historical events. Can’t imagine trying to brake a siege of 4000 plus with 600 soldiers just after the natives decided to sit it out.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Our history was indeed very poorly taught, but I’m optimistic that there is a subtle change for the better these days. I can’t imagine siege warfare being much fun on either side.

[@Techgnome21]

Thank you for sharing. I have family who live out that way. The fort is a must stop, every time I visit. You can just feel the history there.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Indeed, one can feel it!

[@mikebinderson]

hey pete, i loved seeing you at the fort, that was before i knew you were a youtuber, i will now watch your videos.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Hard to know who I’m speaking with, but I thank you for your interest.

[@mikebinderson]

@@TheWoodlandEscape i am surprised you got back to me, but i am leo. you might not rember me, i was with rogers rangers jagers battalion, pen company, my grandfather shares the same name as you, and you hung out with us under our fly for a bit.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

@@mikebinderson Of course I remember you, Leo. I remember all the young folks …. Those without silver, lol.

[@awiselittlehomestead777]

When I saw this video, I called my dad right away to tell him to watch, but he already was. His name is Allen and he said he met you and enjoyed talking with you. He loves your videos and it's so neat to watch him and friends of mine in action! I miss the Fort, lots of good memories there!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

That's cool! Lots of old friends and a lot of new ones like your dad with the shared passion of history, hard to beat.

[@patriciavanlouwe6636]

Another fascinating look at at our history Peter.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks sister Pat, am I overwhelming you yet, lol?

[@patriciavanlouwe6636]

@@TheWoodlandEscape lol... just don't ask me to repeat more than half of it Peter.

[@TomCramer-xu8tx]

Excellent,thank you!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Our pleasure, thanks for your interest.

[@will76888]

Hello, Peter Another facinating, educational video! Thank you! I am fairly certain that you are wearing my bag on your left side! Yep, I'm sure of it! Hope you will appeciate it as much as I did. Always enjoy your videos! Keep up the great work!! Best regarda to you and family! Hope to visit you soon.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

You are correct, but normally it would be on my right. I was wearing two and yours was stuffed with camera gear. I had to film this one myself. I love the bags.

[@deniscaron1306]

Wow, what an episode! Thanks for the full immersion. Wish we had more of these events in lower Canada.

[@Blrtech77]

Peter Thanks for the Amazing History and Video and Please Keep Up the Great Work!

[@joannerodgers5205]

I grew up in Niagara Falls and loved the rich history. Thanks for the great video.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It certainly is an area steeped in history! Thanks for your interest.

[@jeffersonspace]

Thanks for the video today. Enjoyed seeing all the comradery of the participants at the end.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Glad you enjoyed it. They fight hard and they party hard. I always enjoy the tavern nights.

[@rickcooper6817]

Thank you, as always, an absolutely wonderful video. You and Ms. Cathy always seem to capture the aura of the event taking place around you. I get so caught up in watching, that I feel like I am right there with you. God speed and safe journey, friends.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Well sir, that is indeed a wonderful compliment, thank you.

[@margiechism]

Great video ■ Perfect composition and most interesting dialogue; thank you Peter! M

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Our pleasure, thanks for watching.

[@dennismac2939]

that was an incredible long bit of history and I enjoyed every minute of it!! Thanks for sharing with us history fans.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

My pleasure, thanks for your interest.

[@JanTrewhitt]

A very fine enactment for sure! We went to this fort on one of many camping trips. The kids enjoyed climbing on the cannons. Blessings.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Odd, cannons seem to attract kids like playgrounds.

[@RogerGarrison-e9d]

I was very glad to meet you Peter and hope to again , had a few questions to ask but so much going on and time ran out

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Your user name doesn’t give me much of a hint as to whom you are sir. Perhaps you might send me an email. [e-mail].

[@jamesellsworth9673]

This was an expensive reenactment. Thank you for bringing it to a wider audience.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

The expense is borne by the individuals themselves who spend thousands of dollars for their kit and muskets. It is also the biggest money making event for the fort. Glad you enjoyed, James.

[@HeritageDaysHistorySymposium]

Great video! Amazing to think as we said farewell that morning you were leaving for Fort Niagara as I was leaving for Crysler's Farm!

[@earlshaner4441]

Good morning from Syracuse NY United States of America and thank you for sharing your adventures in history

[@robdixon7732]

Great video Peter. Your love of history is truly inspiring!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thank you kindly, Rob.

[@aggieduke1]

Outstanding Peter !

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I thank you.

[@lae52]

Great video. You and Kathy have outdone yourselves with the videography capturing the color. I can almost smell the burnt powder.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Wow, thank you, it would appear we did our job. Thanks for watching.

[@ashleyanderson2859]

Appreciate your efforts and dedication! Many years ago, I had the opportunity to go to Niagara. Unfortunately, I did not. This has been a wonderful opportunity to see what I missed out on. Thanks again, and keep your powder dry

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It is certainly one place to visit if you love history. Watch yer top knot.

[@bukmdano39111]

Where I grew up ! Fantastic video

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rustedwrenchrestorationwor9779]

Outstanding!!!!! excellent video. I saw some of my friends in the background too. I'm glad you left the kids playing in the story telling part. We need to get you down to Elmira for the reenactment of the battle of Newtown from Sullivan's march in 1779.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Glad you enjoyed it! What are the dates of the Newtown event?

[@awiselittlehomestead777]

I'm not sure when they'll have that reenactment again, as it's not every year, but there will be a Rev War reenactment at the French Azilum in Towanda, PA this year. August 23-25th.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

@@awiselittlehomestead777 Thank you.

[@Eyepealer]

Well done my friend!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I thank you.

[@robertsmith9970]

Another well-done video. Ft Niagara is a must when visiting Niagara Falls.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thank you, sir and I agree, it’s a wonderful original history site.

[@scottmcfarland2149]

Fantastic video!!! 🐾🙏🏻✌🏻 Slàinte Mhath 🥃

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I thank you sir.

[@earlshaner4441]

I shared this video with friends

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks for the support, Earl.

[@earlshaner4441]

@@TheWoodlandEscape thank you for sharing your adventures in history and everything else

[@smoothvern165]

Excellent video! It would be great to watch a reenactment like this!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Definitely a must see sometime. Appreciate the compliment, sir.

[@AlReadIV]

It was nice to meet you there

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

The pleasure was all mine.

[@larryreese6146]

Thanks for another good presentation.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Our pleasure, Larry.

[@ianandresen2326]

Good video! I have yet to make it there! Cheers

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It is most for your to do list, Ian. Right up there with our Fort William in Thunderbay.

[@robertwiggins4921]

Excellent presentation on fort Niagara history! I couldn't help but notice that most of the reenactors are up there in years. So few youth there. That doesn't bode well for the future of historical reenactment. I can only hope that changes in the future. All the best to you and Cathy ( who by the way, has done an incredible job on film production as usual) Cheers folks!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Good point … lots of silver haired folk like myself. I believe we are making subtle inroads in attracting younger people. Retention has also been a problem since Covid. I thank you for the kind words.

[@hobbyfarmer62]

Interesting and informative. Was wondering what load the "soldiers" are using? Having only done medieval period reenacting I haven't any idea about that..

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

The British load at the time were using 140 grains of powder pushing a .69 lead ball.

[@silverhairinabigfootsilver6766]

Hmm. Our favorite fort. We might need to take a camping trip over there during the reenactment. Yes, you get a bit of reenactment on any visit, but not to this extent. Thanks for the video.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

One of mine as well. Glad you enjoyed .

[@beverlymichael5830]

What a beautiful fort. I bet you would like to have one of those cannons for your fort. I wish I heard history like this when in school instead of memorizing dates for tests. And making learning history boring. As I got older now I treasure learning history

[@lancehenderson7249]

Great video and history lesson, love the reenactment. Never knew that much about Fort Niagara. Keep your powder dry

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks, now you’re up to speed, lol. Watch yer top knot.

[@leeburke4060]

great video...

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stephenfox1238]

Awesome video! Glad I didn’t see any Kentucky rifles among the participants. The founder of my hometown Thayendanagea/ Joseph Brant was at this battle as a young man of 16 or 17 with Johnson/Waragiyagay Wish there was more F & I reenactment stuff in Ontario. Maybe a reenactment of the abandonment of Ft Frontenac?

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

That is a great idea. Not a lot of people doing 18th century stuff up here. Mostly War of 1812.

[@calebfoster552]

Great video

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks, Caleb.

[@wadeschwartz6281]

Epic ! Glad you had time to rest up watching others and you were a kid in a candy store

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

So much candy in 4 days … had a blast.

[@paulfrizzell31]

👍great video

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks 👍

[@OdecorebankS]

That was grand.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Glade you enjoyed, thanks for watching.

[@markparsons1765]

Peter, I am curious as to the dimensions of your cabin. On one of your videos would you mind letting us all know? I must say I look so forward to Friday's in anticipation of your next video. Thanks so much. Mark

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Approximately 10 x 14’. Glad you’re enjoying our endeavour.

[@elwoodtaylor1092]

Wow its like we have just stepped back in time, i often think of what it must have been like during that time period and when I'm in Annapolis Royal here in NS what a great noise there must have been from all of the small arms fire and from the ships cannons as well as the ground cannons on the river banks and at the forts at the Annapolis basin but now thanks to the woodland escape i now have a hint of what it would have looked like and sounded like thank you Peter and Cathy

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

You have some of our oldest history in your back yard. Two of our best friends recently moved to your part of the world. Thanks for the kind words.

[@davidmcpherson9260]

The French and Indian wars here is a fascinating subject. But it was sometimes referred to as the first, first world War. There was battles taking place in the Caribbean, in Europe and even the far east. So, yes it was global. Peter, as always, a fascinating look at history. Thank you for the presentation.....YMHS D. McPherson....

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It most certainly was the First World War. We were not taught that in school. Sadly in Canadian curriculum all we learned was the battle for Quebec.

[@dinkster1729]

@@TheWoodlandEscape I'm 75. We certainly were taught about the Acadians, but not about N.L. history and its part in the conflict between the English and the French. Since Canada had only welcomed Newfoundland and Labrador into Confederation 12 years before, maybe, Newfoundland and Labrador history was just erased from Canadian history. Surely you learned about Frontenac and de la Salle, didn't you? You learned about how much territory the French controlled? And, how the English sought to end that control?

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

@@dinkster1729 We did, but I would say touched on it rather than truly learning the history.

[@moorshound3243]

I only wish I had a time machine

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

You and me both!

[@boatingfisherdude]

I've caught lots of lake trout several hundred yards out in the lake in the spring. Any historical records of the soldiers in the fort using lake trout as a food source?

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Lots of documents regarding eating fish. One can safely assume that Lake Trout would have been in their diet.

[@RobertTohey]

From one Geriatric to another. Very well done Peter.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I’m kinda liking my vintage … can’t imagine starting over.

[@earlshaner4441]

Been there a few times

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

All these events that made us what we are today. And since that battle so much came about. When you think of the number of years since then it really isn’t that long ago. The Red Coats, Blue Coats and the Yellow Jackets? Indeed, those Yellow Jackets are still very active today! As I went to open the side door of my shop, which I entered earlier this week, a nest of Yellow Jackets are somewhere in this area of my shop door, not the one I normally use. They got me on both hands and had it not been for my straw hat I’d have a swollen face even as I button! So I changed my plan for the day in favor of Benadryl . Otherwise it would be Hivesville for Davey! So how perfect as I wait for the itch to subside I spy a battle happening at Woodland Escape! Had I not been in this state of itchdom, I would have grabbed my musket and headed north! But Alas! So Kind Thanks for another Beautiful and Historical Journey into those events that made us what we are! Many Blessings and May Great Spirit walk with You and Yours and Kelly Station! And Blessed are all those Children of our Earth Mother even if they sting! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I’m thinking you should write a book, Davey … always look forward to your comments, thanks.

[@jtsterry]

❤😊😊

[@amoschase7207]

My goodness! That was excellent. Thank you so much for the effort that went into making this (both in front of and behind the camera and scenes).

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I appreciate your kind words and thank you for your interest.

[@allcapitols1554]

Al Gongquin was there, I'm pretty sure.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Might have been a few. It was a hodgepodge of tribes present.

[@earlshaner4441]

George Washington at the age of 16 years old was a messager for the British Army who Carry a message to a French fort for surrender.on the way home George Washington save his frontier trapper with him and got home safely and at 21 he become a officer

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

He most certainly started young and had a remarkable military career.

[@mikek1090]

There is French fort not far from the one you in in Canada. Lot history in Western NY area.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Fortress Louisburg in Cape Briton … one of our primer historical sites.

[@ragnar8390]

I'm waiting for a video showing truth about how the Canadians historically treated the native people.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It is a horrible history. Unlike Americas who use3 force to evict natives, Canada or should I say Britain used deceit to do the same. There were no actual Indian wars in Canada.

[@ragnar8390]

⁠@@TheWoodlandEscapethe powers at force in that time. We cannot put what we know today to the situation then. This is why you are a blessing to us today. There is argument that the Canadians treated the natives far worst than the Americans.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

@@ragnar8390 We did have residential schools that were horrible … a sad part of Canadian history.

[@Shaden0040]

this is why the Americans won the American Revolutionary War because the Americans had learned how to fight like the Indians we learned to fight from behind hedge rows behind rock walls in the forests in the marshes behind reads and the English didn't know that well they knew it but they didn't know how to fight against it they'd be marching along a highway or a roadway and the Americans would ambush them do some damage and then run off the British would then regroup tend to their losses and the casualties and continue on and then they would be ambushed like two miles down the road again over and over and over again from the woods from the hills from the ditches from the gullies they had no way of defending against that kind of attack a gorilla warfare do you think they would have learned how to do that when fighting the French and Indians. they just never learned more to our benefit than theirs

[@jeff42nd]

I am pretty sure, it was a lot of help from the French and Spanish that helped us win the war. The British had some of the finest light infantry in the world and they used them very well during the Rev War. The war in England was very unpopular and except for a few American victory's the British controlled almost all the major towns and ports in the colonies. Yes fighting like Natives had some benefits, but Why did Washington train his men with the Von Steuben manual instead of the Native manual?

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

They did fight more native style of warfare, but for the most part the colonial Army fought the same as theBritish.