Leading by Example: Partisan Fighters and Leaders of New France, 1660–1760

By Bob Bearor

Vol.1—98 pages, softcover: $15.00

ISBN: 0-7884-2068-2

Vol. 2—152 pages, softcover: $18.00

ISBN:0-7884-2348-7

Reviewed by George Larrabee for MUZZLELOADER. Published January/February 2004 issue.

"An embarrassment of riches!" has been my reaction recently to the outpouring of books (and now a cassette!) from Heritage Books. Adirondack Mountains flintlock big-game hunter Bob Bearor has published his third and fourth books on the French and Indian Wars as Heritage titles. Leading by Example constitutes a series on French and Indian heroes of the monumental contest between the British and French empires in North America. "Heroes," of course, to the French, "villains" to the British and Anglo-Americans.

Volume I is an illustrated exposition on the dangerous, adventure-filled lives of the Canadian colonial fighters Jaques Le Moyne de Ste. Helene and the half-Odawa Charles Michel de Langlade. Although Langlade is, to a certain extent, known to F&I War enthusiasts, largely through his co-leadership in routing Braddock's army in 1755, I assume that delving into the career of the daring Ste. Helene will be a fresh discovery to many woodlands warfare living history buffs.

I thought I knew something about Langlade, such as his 1752 "payback" attack on the British-leaning Miami town of Pickawillany. However Bearor has brought even more information to this account, citing various extant sources. Such as Langlade's leadership in what could have been a devastating surprise attack against the vulnerable Maj. Gen. Wolfe at the mouth of the Montmorency in 1759, except for stalling inflicted by the "pompous, incompetent buffoon" Gov. Vaudreuil.

But I don't want to reveal too much of the gist of the book here, as the reader should have the pleasure of discovering Bearor's nuggets and gems of woodland history for himself. The 98-page paperback is also graced with photos, maps, and action drawings by muzzleloading artists Joe Lee and Ralph Mitchard, contained within a two-color cover.

Volume II begins with the 17th century French soldier Daniel Greysolon Duluth, who fought the English in Europe prior to sailing for Canada. He became a coureur de bois and added greatly to the domains of New France, despite not only the fierce Iroquois, but also criminal charges leveled by the French government!

Also covered is the ferocious Canadien partisan St. Luc de La Come. Not only does the author describe de La Come's blood-spattered career, but also he reproduces de La Come's postwar report of his survival and harrowing return to Quebec from a winter shipwreck that claimed the lives of most of the passengers on board the France-bound vessel.

Giving an example of feminine leadership, he likewise reproduces the account of the gutsy jeune fille Madeline de Vercheres. In 1692 when she was only 14 years old, she took over the command of seven terrified men, women and boys in her family's small fort when Iroquois warriors attacked. Her zealous leadership, fortitude and marksmanship saved the day.

Also delved into is the brilliance of the leadership demonstrated by Capitaine Daniel de Beaujeu. His inspired leadership, fatal to himself, in initiating Braddock's Defeat in 1755 was only his last act after many years of fighting the English. When de Beaujeu fell before Fort Duquesne, one of the daring officers who took his place in leading the outnumbered French and Indians to victory was Captain Jean-Daniel Dumas. Some may recall reading about Dumas being one of the leading French heroes in the Battle of the Monongahela, but in this work Bearor reveals the complete story of the hard-fighting capitaine.

The author concludes Volume II with a treatise on trekking, giving examples of woodland survival, with each chapter ornamented with photos. Most of the photos show reenactors of today portraying the French Canadian heroes and heroine described, such as musket-toting Jennifer Fredenberg and Rebecca Bearor as Mme. Vercheres, and a war-painted, bare-chested Chad Sheldon as Captain de Beaujeu, as Beaujeu was described at Fort Duquesne, to give a couple of examples.

Volume III, which is being completed even as I write, will feature such Canadian Native leaders as the incredible "Adirondack" (Algonkin) war chief Piskaret, nemesis of the Mohawks, the amazing A'pigwacket war captain and chevalier Nescambiouit (knighted by Louis XIV), and the elusive Massachusetts-born Wawanolewat, "He Who Fools Them," better known as Chief Grey Lock.

Autographed copies of the books are available from the author himself, at the same price as from Heritage, by writing PO Box 177, Newcomb NY 12852. Books may be ordered from Heritage Books at 1540 East Pointer Ridge Place, Bowie MD 20716 or online at <www.heritagebooks.com>.