The Escapees

Amongst the Acadians who resisted the Deportation, some thwarted the British plans by escaping from the prisons and the forts where they were held. The example that is the most often cited is the escape from the Fort Cumberland (the former Fort Beauséjour), made possible by the direct involvement and cleverness of the Acadian women who had not been imprisoned. In fact, after the capture of Fort Beauséjour on June 16, 1755, the British troops imprisoned many Acadian men, but for financial reasons authorized the Acadian women to take care of their needs. Hence, by concealing arms in the food and by sneaking in extra ladies' clothing, some of them succeeded in facilitating the escape of their husbands or other relatives. Members of the Cormier family escaped from Fort Cumberland disguised as women.
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