Capture of Cayenne (1667)
Capture of Cayenne (1667) | |||||||
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Part of the Second Anglo-Dutch War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
France | England | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Governor Lefebvre de Lézy |
John Harman | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
300 soldiers & militia[2] |
9 ships 800 sailors and troops[3] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
200 killed, wounded or captured All stores captured or burnt[2] | Light |
The Capture of Cayenne was a minor military event on the 22 September 1667 during the final stages of the Second Anglo-Dutch War. The French settlement of Cayenne under the French Governor Lefebvre de Lézy was captured in an assault by English sailors and troops of Rear Admiral Sir John Harman's squadron. The English then occupied the settlement stripping it of anything of value before departing two weeks later.[1]
Following its
On the coast of South America heading towards Cayenne, Admiral Harman apparently was still unaware of the peace in Europe
Although surprise had gone Harman decided to attack without hesitation, while de Lézy was not prepared to resist a large force he decided to fight hoping that a relief force would come. The fort was taken and the French garrison was dispersed in a total of three days fighting, with the English completely surrounding the settlement. Most of the French were captured including De Lezy, however forty Frenchman managed to hide. Harman's men stripped the citadel of Saint Louis and surrounding district of everything of value. Then with the booty aboard the English torched the buildings and plantations leaving everything wasted. After loading their squadron with captured guns, ammunition, an unknown number of slaves and other booty the English departed on 9 October after two weeks of occupation.[2] Harman sailed East and then struck at the Dutch settlement at Fort Zeelandia before news of the Peace of Breda arrived to bring the war to a conclusion. De Lezy and the French prisoners were released, and along with reinforcements strengthened the defenses, this time however it was attacked and captured by the Dutch nine years later.[3]
See also
Portuguese conquest of French Guiana
Notes
References
- Canny, Nicholas P. (2001). Oxford History of the British Empire: Origins of Empire: British Overseas Enterprise to the Close of the Seventeenth Century v. I (Oxford History of the British Empire). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199246762.
- Clowes, William Laird (2003). The Royal Navy: A History - From the Earliest Times to 1900. Vol. 1. Chatham Publishing; New ed. ISBN 978-1861760104.
- Marley, David (2008). Wars of the Americas: A Chronology of Armed Conflict in the Western Hemisphere. ISBN 978-1598841008.
- Marley, David (2005). Historic Cities of the Americas: An Illustrated Encyclopedia [Library Binding]. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 1576070271.