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During December of 1755 fires had been seen in the forests around Annapolis Royal, letting the British know that there were French and Micmaq partisans in the area. Not expecting an attack so close to Annapolis Royal though a group of Soldiers and tradesmen traveled up the river to cut wood. Near the sight of the earlier battle the work party was ambushed by a band made of of Acadian and Micmaq's. Not being armed or having a armed escort the wood cutting party quickly retreated towards the waters edge where Grenadier Miller was killed and Master Carpenter Eason were taken prisoner and marched into the forest.
News of the attack quickly reached Annapolis Royal where townsfolk raced towards the ambush site to rescue the captives, they manage to follow blood trails left by the wounded for 2 miles into the forest before loosing the track in the thick forest of the area. On their return to the river mouth the towns people find the body of Grenadier Miller where it had been stripped down to his breeches and left.
That evening the French and Micmaq forces returned to the spot of the battle and fired their muskets into the air, and then proceeded to should and hurl insults at the British.
In the morning a force of men from the 43rd Regiment of Foot were assembled to chase down the French force and return their captives, this force was under the command of Captain Peter Pigou. Besides Capt. Pigou he had 1 Captain, 2 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 4 sergeants, 2 drummers, 100 men of the rank and file and 4 local scouts. They departed and marched along the south bank of the Annapolis River, but heavy rain made for slow moving and detachments of men were getting separated from the main force making the march even slower. darkness has fallen as the British waded across Saw Mill Creek and then settled in at Josen's Villiage, about 7 miles from Annapolis Royal. a heavy frost settled on the men as they waited for morning to arrive.Once the day had broke the British forces crossed at Barnaby's ford, a narrow and winding pass where they hoped to meet up with the French force but there was no sign of the French. They then continued their march up the Renne Foret River where they made camp at Godet's Village. An attempt was made to cross the Renne Foret River at this point but the water was high and very fast so it could not be done here. it was decided to travel up the river in the morning to find a better ford. The force had managed to procure 13 sheep though and theses were cooked up for the soldiers. The second morning broke and the march continued up the river towards Bernard Grotet, this was 6 miles away, upon arriving at Bernard Grotet they find that the water in the river is still too high to cross, and running low on provisions, exhausted, lame and having gone past where their guides knew the area, it was decided to turn back and return to Annapolis Royal. The British force then turned back and headed back to the Renne Foret River and home.
As Capt Pigot and his men approached the river they were met with a hail of French and Micmaq musket balls and buck shot. The Captain was instantly killed and the rest of his men fell back 100 yards to cover and returned fire. a Scottish Sergeant named Cockburn rushed forward to claim the Captains possessions before the French could. he rushed forward to the Captains body and under fire claimed all of Capt Pigot's valuables (1). Captain Maitland quickly takes command of the British forces that have become spread out. He regroups his men and advances on the French and Micmaq's who have taken up a fortified position in a pass, as the British force them from the pass and up a hill the French forces break off and quickly move into some forest, Capt Maitland's soldiers give change but the French have already disappeared. The British march back towards Annapolis royal stopping at Commeau's Village to allow the wounded to rest and displaced units to join the main force. Captain Pigot, 1 Sergeant, and 22 men of the rank and file are dead.
Even though the French had once again beaten a British force in this area this time they did not follow up with an attack on Annapolis royal itself, They did however remain in the area harassing and ambushing the British Soldiers and settlers when ever possible.
On December 10th a Grenadier of the 43rd foot arrived at the gates of Annapolis Royal, he had deserted during the fighting on the 8th. There was a trial and he plead guilty of desertion, His sentence was to "ride the wooden horse, one half an hour, every day for six days, with a petticoat on him, a broom in his hand, and a paper pinned to his back bearing the following inscription " Such is the reward of my merit"
(1) Recovered from the body of Captain Pigot was a Lace hat, watch, sash, fusil, cartridge box, pistols, and his purse with 30 guineas. For his effort in retrieving this under fire Sgt Cockburn was given the Lace hat and 5 guineas.
