The Patriot Ledger at SouthofBoston.com

Exiled: 250 years after Acadian 'derangement'; Symposium to explore 1755 deportation.

Winslow remains a controversial figure. Schmidt says his diaries suggest that he didn't relish the project, and did what he could to keep families and hamlets on the same ships, despite frenzied boarding.

Faragher sees a different man in the journal entries - an ambitious officer who wanted to impress the British high command in London, in hopes of securing a prestigious wartime appointment. He says Winslow also acted as an informal real-estate broker for land-hungry Yankees.

‘‘He does express some discomfort, but he was enthusiastic about that assignment,'' Faragher said. ‘‘He was one of the perpetrators.''