Daily Life in New France

Soldiers

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Mutiny

Mutiny was rare in New France, and that of the Louisbourg garrison in 1744 was by far the most significant case. After the Île Royale garrison was sent back to France in 1745, eight of its instigators were executed, making the repression of this mutiny the most serious in the history of the colonies under the Ancien Régime.

In Canada itself, despite occasional rumours, the only genuine rebellion against military authority occurred at Fort Niagara in July, 1730. It was directed against by Commandant Rigaudville, who was considered overly severe. News of the mutiny reached Montreal, and a detachment of 20 elite soldiers was sent out under the command of Captain La Gauchetière. Order was re-established without difficulty, and the two leaders of the mutiny were arrested and returned to Montreal, where they were condemned to be hanged (although they should have been shot). However, they succeeded in escaping and disappeared, almost certainly to the British colonies. Rigaudville was judged by the authorities to be a good commandant and retained his position at Fort Niagara for a few more years.