Jeffrey Amherst

Jeffrey Amherst

Jeffrey Amherst was the commanding general of the British forces in North America during his battle against the French and the Natives (1754-1763). Amherst helped make England the world's chief colonizer at the end of the Seven Years' War by winning victories against the French to acquire England. The town of Amherst was named after Lord Jeff even before he became a lord. The college of Amherst was the later named after the town. The local inhabitants wanted the town to be called Norwottuck.

Frank Prentice Rand said that "that at the time of naming, Amherst was the most glamorous military hero in the New World". The name was very popular in 1759. King George III rewarded Amherst by giving him 20,000 acres in New York, but Amherst never visited those lands. Jeffrey Amherst's later reputation had become less popular for good things.

Amherst was born at Riverhead, Kent, England and was first an ensign in the foot guards in 1731. He served in the War of the Austrian Succession and later in the Seven Years' War. Amherst did not lead in the British assault at Louisburg. When Amherst was promoted to major-general, he captured Cape Breton Island on July 27, 1758. This victory made Amherst commander-in-chief in North America.

Amherst played a direct role in capturing Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. He completed his triumph with the capture of Montreal in September 1760. Amherst was appointed governor-general of British North America for all of his success. He held that position until 1763. Amherst refused to take field command during the War of Independence because he was close friends with many Americans. However, he did advise the British.

In 1759, he took Crown Point and Ticonderoga; he arrived too late to help James Wolfe take Quebec. Amherst became a solider at the age of 14. Amherst gained his fame during the Seven Years' War.

Jeffrey Amherst's fame was destroyed by the stories of the smallpox blankets used as germ warfare against the natives. Captain Simeon Ecuyer had also been sending smallpox-infected blankets and handkerchiefs to the natives. This was one of the earliest examples of germ warfare. Amherst was the reason for Ecuyer sending the smallpox blankets. Some people believe that it wasn't intentional for Amherst to give the infected blankets to the natives, and others believe he was not to blame for that kind of warfare tactic.

Amherst's anger was reserved for the natives. Jeffrey Amherst said that the provinces would be better if there weren't any natives within 1000 miles of them. One of Colonel Bouqet's poetic lines was "every tree is become an Indian". This was Bouqet's was of showing his fear of the natives. The natives almost succeeded in driving the British out.

Natives were often referred to as wild beasts