Natchez Eclipse: The Making of French Louisiana and the Destruction of an Indian Nation

On November 28, 1729, Natchez warriors walked into Fort Rosalie, Louisiana, and opened fire on French colonists. Within an hour, nearly 250 French were dead, and as many women and children were taken hostage. After several punitive expeditions against the Natchez, in 1731 the French attacked Natchez villages on the Black River in force. Their leader, Great Sun, as well as 50 chiefs and warriors and over 200 women and children were captured and sold into slavery. Those who escaped fled east,...