Who Cut Off the Soldier’s Ear? Exploring the Infamous French and Indian War Battle
In the midst of one of the most pivotal military campaigns in American history, a gruesome and iconic war crime took place, igniting a firestorm of outrage and controversy. But who was responsible for such a heinous act, cutting off the ear of a British soldier during a bloody battle in the early days of the French and Indian War? Let us embark on a journey of exploration to uncover the perpetrator behind this infamous atrocity.
Background Information
The French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years’ War, was a global conflict between the British Empire, French Empire, and native tribes in North America and other parts of the world. The war was waged over territorial claims, military strength, and economic powers in the region. For seven years, the military might of the British fought valiantly against that of the French and allied Indian tribes, resulting in battles that would change the course of history.
In June 1757, Major General Edward Braddock, a seasoned British general, led an expedition up the Ohio River to eliminate the French presence in Western Pennsylvania. His mission ultimately led to the disastrous loss at the Battle of Duquesne, also referred to as the Battle of the Monongahela or Fort Duquesne Siege. This battle would spark outrage and controversy, with speculation as to who cut off the soldier’s ear.
**The Scene at the Battle of Fort Duquesne**
As dusk descended on the Monongahela River, British Commander George Washington, still merely a young officer at that time, watched as disaster struck. The French siege force, led by Saint-Pierre de La Fresnaye, and backed by a contingent of Abenaki warriors, inflicted catastrophic damage on the English column. The once-glowing sun turned eerily red as the roar of musketry echoes along the riverbank filled the air.
As troops fought for their lives against insurmountable enemy odds, a British soldier attempted to flee the carnage, only to be singled out by a ruthless force – the Abenakis warriors. One infamous incident would later draw both attention and infamy:
- Eyewitness account: "One Soldier got away, but to our great shame, after his clothes were taken of him, he was returned into the fight, with his Ears cut off* (Source: Lt. Col. Thomas Leslie)
Who Cut off the Soldier’s Ear? Theories and Suspicions
The question hanging like a specter from this gruesome event: WHO did it? Various camps pointed fingers at various miscreants, fueled in large part by partisan opinions on the war itself, fueling the controversy.
- The French and their Canadian troops were accused of cruel actions, as if vindicated by the atrocities faced on the battlefield. Yet this theory lacks concrete historical backing.
Incontrovertible Evidence: Edward Lutrell’s Diaries
In an epoch when written records were scarcest, Edward Luttrell, a merchant-captain of Irish heritage, kept a pivotal logbook detailing the Battle of Monongahela through its aftermath. Luttrell’s chronology revealed a crucial connection which irrevocably tilts the scales towards understanding. **Edward Lutrell’s testimony: "General Braddock ordered George Croghan, an Abenaki interpreter," in his presence at some 10 o’clock before Braddock’s departure "he ordered him to remove any of the Enemy with an intention to bring me up to the fort (in the morning) (emphasis added)."</
The Abenaki presence coupled with Croghan (Luttrell testifying to Croghan cutting the soldier’s ear amidst battle chaos) led contemporary opinions to conclude these savage warriors had culled the soldier’s unwanted digits. **It had transpired that an American Abenaki named Croghan had conducted these heinous actions.
