John March
Encyclopedia
John March was in a variety of businesses in Newbury, Massachusetts
. He was a colonel in the Massachusetts Bay
militia and, in that position, was active in a number of military operations against the French and Indians by the English in King William's War
and Queen Anne's War
.
March was in charge of the Siege of Port Royal (1707)
. The siege was a failure, due in part to his indecisiveness in command. Though superior in numbers, the Massachusetts troops withdrew after some unsuccessful attacks. At least one member of his force, Chaplain John Barnard
, urged a more vigorous offensive. Governor Daniel d'Auger de Subercase
, with able assistance from Bernard-Anselme d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin
, was the successful commander of the French and Indian troops.
March was almost faced a court martial for his cowardice but there were so many other officers involved that it never took place. History seems to indicate that he had been put into a situation that he had neither the training or skills to execute the orders.
Newbury, Massachusetts
Newbury is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,666 at the 2010 census. Newbury includes the villages of Old Town , Plum Island and Byfield, home of The Governor's Academy , a private preparatory school.- History :Newbury Plantation was settled and incorporated...
. He was a colonel in the Massachusetts Bay
Province of Massachusetts Bay
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a crown colony in North America. It was chartered on October 7, 1691 by William and Mary, the joint monarchs of the kingdoms of England and Scotland...
militia and, in that position, was active in a number of military operations against the French and Indians by the English in King William's War
King William's War
The first of the French and Indian Wars, King William's War was the name used in the English colonies in America to refer to the North American theater of the Nine Years' War...
and Queen Anne's War
Queen Anne's War
Queen Anne's War , as the North American theater of the War of the Spanish Succession was known in the British colonies, was the second in a series of French and Indian Wars fought between France and England, later Great Britain, in North America for control of the continent. The War of the...
.
March was in charge of the Siege of Port Royal (1707)
Siege of Port Royal (1707)
The Siege of Port Royal in 1707 was two separate attempts by English colonists from New England to conquer Acadia by capturing its capital Port Royal during Queen Anne's War. Both attempts were made by colonial militia, and were led by men inexperienced in siege warfare...
. The siege was a failure, due in part to his indecisiveness in command. Though superior in numbers, the Massachusetts troops withdrew after some unsuccessful attacks. At least one member of his force, Chaplain John Barnard
John Barnard (clergyman)
John Barnard was a Congregationalist minister from Massachusetts.Barnard attended Harvard where he received an MA and also read theology. In 1707 he became one of the chaplains in an expedition against Port Royal, Nova Scotia. This foray was commanded by Colonel John March...
, urged a more vigorous offensive. Governor Daniel d'Auger de Subercase
Daniel d'Auger de Subercase
Daniel d'Auger de Subercase naval officer and French governor of Newfoundland, born Orthez, Béarn died Cannes-Ecluse, Île-de-France....
, with able assistance from Bernard-Anselme d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin
Bernard-Anselme d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin
Bernard-Anselme d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin was a French military officer serving in Acadia. He was a member of a successful privateering force at the time of Queen Anne's War, and led native and French forces in the defense of Acadia.- Biography :...
, was the successful commander of the French and Indian troops.
March was almost faced a court martial for his cowardice but there were so many other officers involved that it never took place. History seems to indicate that he had been put into a situation that he had neither the training or skills to execute the orders.