417, 419, 444). 1751 (Fall) to 1752: he is sent to France to be cured of a wound and report of the situation. (A N Colonies C11A 97:198). 1751 (end) or 1752: Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. 1752: he is back in Canada, in charge of Wabash Post (ref: Ibid., 119:316). 1753: On January 29, following the death of his wife, Belestre married Marie Ann Magnan also in Montreal. 1754: He was recommended for promotion to ensign "en pied". (ref: Ibid, 99:282v.) Seven Years' War In 1755 Belestre commanded a troop of colonial marines and Indians in the decisive Battle of the Monongahela, in which British General Edward Braddock's forces were routed. For his contribution to the victory, Belestre was awarded the Order of Saint Louis. In April 1756, he led a raiding party of 20 French soldiers and 150 Miami, Ouiatonon, and Shawnee into the Carolinas. Later that year he participated in Montclam's victory in the Battle of Fort Oswego. He was then promoted to lieutenant, and placed in command of Fort de Miami. In the summer of 1757, he was ordered to raid Fort Cumberland on the Virginia frontier. He led an expedition with 12 French soldiers, 40 allied natives and 300 men but on June 5 they were attacked on their way back by Cherokees allied to the British. Belestre's nephew, Philippe Dagneau of Saussaye, St. Ours and three French soldiers were killed, and Belestre was captured. Belestre was brought to Fort Loudoun, in Winchester, VA, where he was questioned by Edmund Atkyn, Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the presence of Colonel George Washington and George Croghan, Deputy to Sir William Johnson. It is uncertain if he was released or if he escaped, but he succeeded in finding his way back to Montreal by early fall 1757. On November 28, he took what remained of his troops—about 300 Canadians and Indians soldiers—toward Fort Frontenac (now Kingston, Ontario). They move east towards the Mohawk River valley. Captain Belestre received the order, probably from Vaudreuil, the Governor of New France, to attack the Palatine settlement of German Flatts, where they destroyed the place, killing 40 German settlers and taking 150 prisoners (men, women and children). Most of the houses and buildings were burned. Using this "hit and run" tactic, common during this war, the damage caused was important. This last raid was regarded as a considerable victory for