Background
Vaudreuil-Cavagnal was born at Quebec, New France (now Canada) on November 22, 1698; the son of Philippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil, the governor general of New France.
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Pierre Francois de Rigaud de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal
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At the age of 6 Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal was commissioned an ensign in the Troupes de la Marine, at 13 a lieutenant, and at 15 a captain. In 1728 he served on an expedition to subdue the Fox tribe and was promoted to aide-major. In 1733 he was appointed governor of Trois-Rivieres and 9 years later governor of Louisiana. Although his accelerated career was due largely to his father's influence with the minister of marine, he had proven himself to be a capable officer and administrator. In Louisiana, Vaudreuil held the Indian nations in the French alliance, removed the threat of English encroachment, and stimulated the expansion of the colony's economy. When he was recalled to France in 1753 before taking up the appointment that he had long desired - that of governor general of New France - Louisiana was secure and prosperous. Hostilities had reopened in North America before Vaudreuil sailed from Brest in a convoy bearing 3, 000 regular troops and their commanding general, Baron de Dieskau, but they arrived safely at Quebec on June 23, 1755. In September, Dieskau was captured in a skirmish and was replaced the following year by the Marquis de Montcalm. Vaudreuil's problems now began. He was responsible for the conduct of the war, but Montcalm commanded the troops in the field. They quickly came to detest each other. Meanwhile, the intendant, Francois Bigot, was systematically looting the colony and defrauding the Crown of millions of livres. Vaudreuil's strategy was to use his irregular forces and Indian allies to harass the frontiers of the English colonies, forcing the enemy to be on the defensive, but Montcalm wanted to fight set battles in the European manner. Despite Montcalm's opposition and inveterate defeatism, Vaudreuil's strategy resulted in some brilliant victories, but in 1759 the British put powerful new forces in the field, and Quebec was besieged. Maj. Gen. James Wolfe outmaneuvered the French by landing close above Quebec. Montcalm gave hasty battle and was defeated and mortally wounded. Vaudreuil regrouped the shattered French army and withdrew to Montreal. An attempt to retake Quebec the following year failed. Three British armies now invaded the colony. On September 8 Vaudreuil was forced to capitulate to Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Amherst. He then sailed for France with the other officials and regular troops. Along with Bigot and several others he was accused of malversation but was exonerated. His career in the royal service, however, was ended. He retired to his estates in France, where he resided quietly until his death.
Achievements
Connections
He was the uncle of Louis-Philippe de Vaudreuil.
References
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Born
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Died
August 4, 1778 (aged 80) -
Nationality
Canadian -
Ethnicity