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The Battle of the Ristigouche occurred in the waters off Campbellton in 1760. In an attempt to protect their fleet, the French constructed a number of gun batteries along both sides of the Restigouche River. One of these, known as the Gilbert Battery with three 4-pounder cannons, was located in Campbellton, in what is now Alexander Park, which, before land fill, was located on the river bank. The battery was under command of Lieutenant Gilbert from the French frigate Machault and manned by French sailors and several hundred Acadians and First Nations. On July 7th, under heavy bombardment from British frigates, the battery was abandoned. This was the preliminary step to the destruction of the French fleet.

Marking this event are two cannons in Riverview Park, one with three fleurs-de-lys on the barrel and the other with what appears to be stylized anchors. These are French naval guns from a five gun battery erected during the battle at Battery Point on the Quebec side of the river. When the Busteed family received a land grant at Battery Point, circa 1790, they found at least three cannons at the old battery site. One cannon was built into the fireplace of their home, called Bordeaux House, and two others were given to relatives across the river at Athol House in Atholville. For many years the two cannons outside Athol House where fired on ceremonial occasions. After Athol House burned, the guns lay on the riverbank until donated to the City of Campbelltown in 1898. They were first displayed outside a school and finally in the 1920s placed in their present location. Both French barrels are currently mounted on iron carriages. Both carriages have "24" and "P" stamped on them separated by the British "crowfoot" and the initials "C & H". The numbers 21-2-20 and 21-2-26 also appear the carriages. A exhibit interpreting the Battle of the Ristigouche can be found at the Parks Canada's National Historic Site at Pointe-à-la-Croix, Quebec.