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The Great Fortress : A chronicle of Louisbourg 1720-1760 by William (William Charles Henry) Wood
page 87 of 107 (81%)
any wounded British officer who might need his services.
Amherst sent in several letters and messages from wounded
Frenchmen, and a special message from himself to Madame
Drucour, complimenting her upon her bravery, and begging
her acceptance of some West Indian pineapples. Once more
the flag of truce came out, this time to return the
compliment with a basket of wine. As the gate swung to,
the cannon roared again on either side. Amherst's was no
unmerited compliment; for Madame Drucour used to mount
the ramparts every day, no matter what the danger was,
and fire three cannon for the honour of her king. But
the French had no monopoly in woman's work. True, there
were no officers' wives to play the heroine on the British
side. But there were others to play a humbler part, and
play it well. In those days each ship or regiment bore
a certain proportion of women on their books for laundering
and other work which is still done, at their own option,
by women 'married on the strength' of the Army. Most of
the several hundred women in the besieging fleet and army
became so keen to see the batteries armed that they
volunteered to team the guns, which, in some cases, they
actually did, with excellent effect.

By June 26 Louisbourg had no defences left beyond its
own walls, except the reduced French squadron huddled
together in the south-west harbour. The more exposed
ships had come down on the 21st, after a day's bombardment
from Wolfe's terrific battery at Lighthouse Point: 'they
in return making an Infernall Fire from all their
Broadsides; but, wonderfull to think of, no harm done
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