Which British general captured Louisbourg in 1758?

Which British general captured Louisbourg in 1758? Jeffery Amherst led the British land forces that captured it. The siege ran from June 8 to July 26, 1758, during the French and Indian War, the North American theatre of the wider Seven Years’ War.

Louisbourg stood on Île-Royale, now Cape Breton Island, and protected the sea route into the St. Lawrence River. Amherst commanded the army, while Admiral Edward Boscawen led the naval forces and James Wolfe was one of the prominent brigadiers. After British troops landed and established artillery positions, sustained bombardment damaged the fortress and harbour defenses. The French garrison, commanded by Augustin de Drucour, capitulated after roughly seven weeks.

A common mix-up is assigning the victory to Wolfe because he became famous for defeating Montcalm at Quebec the following year. Boscawen also played a crucial role, but he was the naval commander. Amherst’s Louisbourg victory opened the maritime approach to Quebec and helped Britain gain control of Atlantic Canada. He later directed the 1760 campaign that completed the conquest of New France.