Pierre Passerat de La Chapelle: (1734-1805)
Pierre arrived in Quebec on May 1756 and soon after sent to Ft.Duquesne
where he participated in attacks on English forts on the Potomac and battles
with the English led by Mj.James Grant & Gen.John Forbes. In 1759 he
was Bellestre's second in command at Detroit. In Sept.1760 he was on his
way east from Detroit with 200 men to assist in the defense of Canada when
he turned back due to the defeat of the French in the east. He wintered
at a stockade (Ft.Ottawa) he constructed, nearly opposite the site of "old"
Fort St.Louis on the Illinois River. An Illinois Chief visited Pierre at
Ft.Ottawa who had a wood plaque with the words, "We, Cavellier de LaSalle,
representing His Majesty, the King of France declare in his name a fair
& perpetual alliance with the nation of the Illinois. Cavellier de
LaSalle". In Dec.1760, de Clignancourt arrived at Ft.Ottawa with orders
for him to report to Ft.de Chartres, from de Beaujeu (who was wintering
in the area and former commander at Michilimackinac and who had also retreated
from his command and on his way to New Orleans with his troops). Pierre
arrived at Ft.Chartres only to find de Neyon de Villiers, the commander
there accusing him of desertion. Pierre eventually delivered his command
to New Orleans on 20 Apr.1761.
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