Fort Cumberland
RETURN TO INDEXVictory: British
Troops: U.S. 400+ militia - Great Britain 200 militia
The Battle of Fort Cumberland (aka the Eddy Rebellion) was an attempt by a small number of militia commanded by Jonathan Eddy to bring the Revolutionary War to Nova Scotia in late 1776. With minimal logistical support from Massachusetts and 400-500 volunteer militia and Natives, Eddy attempted to besiege and storm Fort Cumberland in central Nova Scotia. The Fort Cumberland's British defenders, the Royal Fencible American Regiment led by Joseph Goreham, successfully repelled several attempts by Eddy's militia to storm the fort, and the siege was ultimately relieved when the RFA, plus Royal Marine reinforcements, drove off the American besiegers on November 29. In retaliation for the role of locals who supported the American siege of the fort, numerous homes and farms were destroyed, and Patriot sympathizers were driven out of the area. The successful defense of Fort Cumberland preserved the territorial integrity of the British Maritime possessions, and Nova Scotia remained loyal throughout the war. With a force now numbering about 72, Eddy sailed up the Bay of Fundy to Shepody Outpost. The exact location of this outpost, established probably by Joseph Goreham in September, is subject to debate. It may have been present-day Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick on the Bay's western side, or it may have been Fort Folly Point on its eastern side. In any case, it was there that Eddy captured a patrol of Goreham's Fencibles on October 25, killing one and wounding another.
On November 8 Eddy was joined by about 200 men from Cobequid and Pictou, and he finally felt ready to act on November 10. Eddy sent a letter demanding that Goreham surrender his garrison. Goreham refused, suggesting in retort that Eddy surrender. The next day authorities outside the area learned of Eddy's activities. Michael Francklin, patrolling in the Bay of Fundy for privateers, recovered a ferry that had been taken, and learned from its passengers that Eddy was active. When the news reached Halifax through the efforts of Thomas Dixson, Lieutenant Governor Marriot Arbuthnot responded by dispatching orders on the 15th for any available ship based at Annapolis to go to Fort Edward in Windsor, to convoy troops to relieve the siege. Homes and farms of rebel supporters were burned in reprisal but British authorities took a lenient approach toward captured rebels. Goreham issued an offer of pardon for those who would surrender their arms, which more than 100 locals accepted. The British victory at Fort Cumberland strengthened the British presence in Nova Scotia, in part by driving Patriot sympathizers like Allan and Eddy out of the province, but also by cowing those that remained, often by requiring people to make pledges to the Crown. Some unrest continued for the remainder of the war, although no further large scale military threat occurred. Increased British naval presence following the battle also frustrated American privateering in the region. The Americans had previously conducted raids along the Gulf of St. Lawrence with relative impunity, looting and sacking several towns.
On November 8 Eddy was joined by about 200 men from Cobequid and Pictou, and he finally felt ready to act on November 10. Eddy sent a letter demanding that Goreham surrender his garrison. Goreham refused, suggesting in retort that Eddy surrender. The next day authorities outside the area learned of Eddy's activities. Michael Francklin, patrolling in the Bay of Fundy for privateers, recovered a ferry that had been taken, and learned from its passengers that Eddy was active. When the news reached Halifax through the efforts of Thomas Dixson, Lieutenant Governor Marriot Arbuthnot responded by dispatching orders on the 15th for any available ship based at Annapolis to go to Fort Edward in Windsor, to convoy troops to relieve the siege. Homes and farms of rebel supporters were burned in reprisal but British authorities took a lenient approach toward captured rebels. Goreham issued an offer of pardon for those who would surrender their arms, which more than 100 locals accepted. The British victory at Fort Cumberland strengthened the British presence in Nova Scotia, in part by driving Patriot sympathizers like Allan and Eddy out of the province, but also by cowing those that remained, often by requiring people to make pledges to the Crown. Some unrest continued for the remainder of the war, although no further large scale military threat occurred. Increased British naval presence following the battle also frustrated American privateering in the region. The Americans had previously conducted raids along the Gulf of St. Lawrence with relative impunity, looting and sacking several towns.
