Lawrence's troops retreated but returned in September 1750 in greater numbers and engaged in the Battle at Chignecto. After Le Loutre's militia retreated, Lawrence began to build Fort Lawrence, a palisade fort on a ridge immediately east of the Missaguash River, the disputed border between Acadia and Nova Scotia since the Treaty of Utrecht was signed, and within sight of Fort Beausejour. The structure was completed under the command of Captain John Handfield and within weeks and on August 15, 1752, Lt. Col. Robert Monckton took command of Fort Lawrence.