Daulac
(Adam Daulac des Ormeaux)
1635–1660
Adam Daulac des Ormeaux was born in France but arrived in Montreal in 1658 as a
military volunteer. He served as a garrison commander of the fort of
Ville-Marie, and at the end of the next year, he was given a piece of property
comprising 25 acres. With the support of Montreal governor Paul Chomedey de
Maisonneuve, Daulac organized a westward expedition with a group of about
sixteen volunteers. They traveled up the Ottawa River for ten days before
setting up camp near Carillon, Quebec, where they were soon surrounded by
Iroquois. The siege, known as the Battle of Long Sault, lasted several days,
and at its end all of the explorers had been killed or captured. The battle
greatly weakened the Iroquois, and they cancelled their planned attack on Ville
Marie and instead returned home. Adam Daulac remained unknown until the 1940s,
when his story was rediscovered and he was made a hero of New France, an example
of selfless personal sacrifice.
Key events during the life of Adam Daulac des Ormeaux:
Year |
Event |
1635 |
Born. |
1658 |
Moved to Canada as a military officer. |
1660 |
Battle of Long Sault. |
|
Killed in battle with the Iroquois. |
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