Bradstreet, John, 1711-1774

Epithet: Captain

Army officer.

John Bradstreet (1711-1774), a soldier who served with the British and colonial forces, 1735-1774, gained recognition for his extraordinary abilities with that class of irregulars known as "battoe-men." Governor Shirley, in 1756, put Bradstreet in command of all matters relating to transportation of supplies and provisions on the New York frontier. In December 1756 Bradstreet offered to assume part of the expense of an expedition against Fort Frontenac (Kingston, Ontario) with the proviso that he be reimbursed and promoted if the expedition were successful. Bradstreet captured the fort in August 1758, thus breaking the line of French communication between the St. Lawrence and the Ohio Rivers. For the remainder of the war, Bradstreet functioned as deputy quartermaster-general. In the suppression of Pontiac's rebellion, 1764, he commanded the northern of the two armies that penetrated into Indian territory.

British Army officer during the French and Indian War, King George's War, and Pontiac's Rebellion; b. in Annapolis Royal, N.S. His early military service consisted of garrison duty in Nova Scotia during which time he took advantage of his Acadian heritage and engaged in trade with the French at Louisbourg. In 1755, he was appointed as Gov. William Shirley's adjutant general and in 1756 led a relief column to Fort Oswego with supplies. Upon his return he was attacked by the French and Indians. He survived but his warnings to Gov. Shirley and Lord Loudon of the weak condition of Fort Oswego were lost in their power struggle. The French captured and burned Oswego later the same year. In 1758, after being appointed Lt. Colonel, he participated in the attack on Fort Carillon and led the advance guard following the death of Gen. George Howe. He commanded the British expedition of 3000 that captured Fort Frontenac, taking control of Lake Ontario from the French on Aug. 26, 1758. After the war he was appointed Colonel in 1764 and led a force of 1400 to reinforce Fort Detroit in response to the outbreak of Pontiac's Rebellion.

British general in America.

British and colonial army officer, and Newfoundland office holder.

John Bradstreet received an army commission in 1735 and served with distinction at Louisburg (1745), Oswego (1755), and Frontenac (1758). In the 1864 suppression of Pontiac's rebellion, Col. Bradstreet commanded the northern of two armies, moving his force to Detroit and reasserting British control over posts such as Fort Michilimackinac that had previously been taken by the Indians.