Old Fort Niagara and the Town of Porter Historical Society are joining forces to commemorate the Battle of La belle Famille with a free walking tour on Monday, July 24 at 7:00 p.m. The battle was fought on July 24, 1759 in the final days of the siege of Fort Niagara during the French and Indian War.

About 800 French soldiers attempted to break through to relieve the siege of Fort Niagara but were defeated by British troops who blocked the road from Niagara Falls to the fort. The battle took place where the village of Youngstown, NY stands today. Historical interpreters, dressed as soldiers who took part in the epic battle will describe how the action unfolded early on the morning of July 24, 1759.

British soldiers along with New York provincial troops and Native American allies besieged French-held Fort Niagara from July 6-25, 1759. Early in the siege, the fort’s commander, Captain Pierre Pouchot, dispatched messengers to summon French and Native American reinforcements from Venango (modern Franklin, PA). About 1,300 men responded to the call and beached their boats above Niagara Falls on the night of July 23.

On the morning of July 24 they marched north on the Portage Road (modern route 18F) headed for Fort Niagara. The British commander, Sir William Johnson, warned of the attack by Native allies, dispatched a small force to block the road just north of the junction of modern Lockport and Main Streets. At 8:00 a.m. the French column ran directly into the British force which numbered 464 soldiers. In the brief but decisive battle that followed, some 250 French soldiers were killed or wounded and the survivors fled for their lives. The next day, Fort Niagara surrendered to the British.

The free walking tour will meet at 7:00 p.m. in Falkner Park, adjacent to the original battle site. Participants are asked to dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.