 The battle was part of an orchestrated attempt by the leaders of New France to weaken the British hold on Annapolis Royal . The British had only captured the fort the previous year and they only had a very tenuous control of the area . The battle , in which the entire British force was captured or killed , emboldened the French and their native allies to blockade Annapolis Royal . Without heavy weapons , the force was unable to effectively attack the fort , and abandoned the siege when British reinforcements arrived by sea . 
