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TBldONOiMK TRlt AL SURTEYS

DKAWN I'OH ."

Bialfrs'lttte George & LakeXhamplain

-~ .1. AC'OOVKR, t . F

REFERENCES.

1. Putnam capt' red, 175)9.

2. Foar-mile post.

3. Half-way Brook.

4. Road to Luzerne.

5. French Mountain.

6. Port George.

7. Fort William Henry.

8. Rattleanake Hill.

9. Shaw's Bay.

10. Tea l8lan<i.

11. Dunham's Bay.
lii. Harris Bay.

13. Long Island.

14. Dome Island.

15. Fourteen-mile Island.

16. Hen and Chickens.

17. Ganouskie Bay.

18. Half-way Island.

19. Rattlesnakes' Den.

20. Sabbath Day Point.

21. Blflir's Bay.

22. Anthony's Nose.

23. Rodgers' Slide.

A ^ I

-\A \ 1

eithei
he wr
fully (

LAKE GEORGE

AND

LAKE CHAMPLAIN,

FKOM THEIR

First Discovery to 175-9.

"You are unnecessarily severe, sir. It is not the business of a historian
either to explore or make a topo;j;rapliical survey of the country about which
he writes. All that you have a ri.u;lit ti> exi)e(i of him is, that he shall faith-
fully collect together and chronicle all the existing facts."

FOREST ARCADIA.

BY H. C J^TTT^I.THR,

SECOND EDITION.

NEW YORK: G. P. PUiX.AM Ov SON.

ALBANY : I ) U K K 1*: i: .\: J ll S K I N S.

18O9.

UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

LIBRARY

Victoria, B. C.

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from 1

INTRODUCTION.

By a careful reading of the French and English official
accounts, as they are placed side by side in that marvel
of historic wealth, known as the Documentary and
Colonial History of New York, we arrive at a proper
knowledge of events, which had either been wrongly
located, or exaggerated, or obscured. The author has
made this the foundation of the following narrative. He
also acknowledges his indebtedness to Bancroft, Kip,
Bell, Trumbull, Headley, Graham, Sparks,
Watson, Fitch, Van Courtland, the delightful
writer of the life and times of Sir William Johnson,
the eloquent author of Hochalaga — "and the authorities
there cited," not omitting the amiable Dr. O'Callaghan
ever ready to assist the anxious inquirer after truth. As
far as practicable, he has endeavored to give the very
language of the time, thereby rendering more life-like
the scenes delineated here, than he would have been
able to do in any other manner.

To those whose inclinations take them over and
through these gate- ways of the country, the guide books
furnish accurate and reliable information. The railroad
to Fort Edward, and thence the stage-coach, even now
being supplanted by the steam-car to Glen's Falls or
from Saratoga via the Adirondac or Wilderness railroad

INTIiODUCTION.

-f*

!'^

to the romantic hills of Luzerne, thence by coach eleven
miles over the Indian trail to the head of the Lake ; these
are the routes from the South. On the North, c.-ming
from Mt. Mansfield, Stowe, the Green Mountains,
Adirondacks, Montreal, the lines of travel converge to
Burlington, Rouse's Point, or the inimitable Foquets,
on the Plattsburgh battle ground. At either of these
points, taking the fine steamers of the Lake Champlain
company, the traveler passing "through by daylight"
looks upon the scenes replete with historic lore. Cum-
berland Head, Burlington Bay, Split Rock ( Rock
Regio), Chimney Point, Crown Point, Motmt Defiance
and Ticondcroga, furnish each its story of interesting
events in early American history. • ,

From the latter place the transition is easy, across the
"carrying place," and through the intrenchments of
Montcalm, to the limpid Lake George, on which the
Minnehaha, under the direcvion of Captain Harris,
like a shuttlecock, each day faithfully plies its vocation
to and from the laughing waters of Carillon, and the
grass-grown ruins of Fort William Henry.

The hotels dotted in here and there, like so many
icebergs set in a background of emerald, furnish
unexceptionable comfort to the sojourner.

Every American, at least once in his life, should visit
Lake George and Lake Champlain, and view for him-
self the scenes made historic by the events imperfectly
described in the following pages.

B. C. B.

Luzerne, June, 1868. .•♦

1 1

INDEX.

iMon.
Aborrromble 1!»2, 2-il

Ai.\-la-Ch)iiK!llo, poacc of, ... (55

AmhtTHt, Lord 232

Ani,'i'!l,('apt., 1.'38

nnubnssin «)5

Illancliard, Col. Jonhua, 113

Hldody Pond, 12«5

Bourk'inaquc, 15f 238

bradf'tnH't 215, 22!: 227

Brithh claim of country 15

Caimi,'liMioiie (Two llocks), ... fiS

Carillon 211, 238

Cnrtior 11

Ciinmplain, 11,15

Chinandoroga, 35

Coili-ar, 20

Coliiinbiero 143

ConochquicHie, 104

Council of the Indians at Al-
bany 72

Council of the Indians at Fort

.Johnson, 87

Corbicrio, 1.5(5

Crown Point 54, 244

Cruyn Punt 33

Dcllin?, Godfrey, 10

Do Curiiuivillc, 57, 02

Do Courcolki!*'' expedition, ... 19

Do .loumonvillc, 72

Do Traccy's expedition, 20

Dononville, 22

Dicskau 11.5, 123

Doolittle, Captain, 130

P.\OB.

Expedition aj^ainwt Fort Wil-
liam Henry, 151

Eyre, Captain 110

First American Congress l(i!»0, 27

Fletcher, ( Jovernor, 43

F(mda, Jelles 131

Fort Amhert«t 2.!5

Fort Ann,... 30, 4'J

Fort Clinton, 57, 04

Fort Edward 30, 110

Fort Frontenac 228

Fort Miller 211, 100

Fort Nicholson, 49

Fort Oranjj;e, 37

Fort St. Frederick 51, 210

Fort William Henry,. ... 120, 140

Four-mile post, 22^, 2:35

Frontenac, 37

Gahvay, 40

Gatienonde, 61

Gobault, n

Glenn, Cai)tain Sanders,. .. 24, 31

(J reenfield Center, 40

Haviland. Colonel 1!»6

Half-way brook, . . 228, 235

Ilebeconrt 104. 2.39

Ilendrick • 80, 119, 127

Ilocquart, 242

Howe, L(>i'd George, 197

Ingoldsbey, Major, 39

Irocoisia, 10

Iroquois expedition, 1687, 23

Johnson, Sir William, 63, 87

:1M

INDEX.

PAOK.

EaKhewuKlitlona (Red Head), \n\
Kanordoro (The Narrows), ... 83

KayiideroHPeraB 70

Kryn, 23

La Come, 57, Wfl

Lake OeorKC, expedition to,. . 107

LaPralrio 88, 86

La Salle 23

Laiulonnlore, 11

Little, Captain IW

Luzerne, M

Lydlns, John Henry, . 1«, 105, log

Marin, 65, ISO, 165, 2:«

Maurepas, S-l

Montcalm, 151

Monroe, Colonel George 172

Nicholson, 48, 51

Nlcklas, 138

Nonnands, 10

Oyharonde (Wind Mill Point), 83

Oswcgatchie, C9

Parker, Colonel John, 157

Putnam, Israel, 133, 136, 140, 207,

230

QuackenbOBs, Cybrant, 155

Read, Captain, 136

Regaud de V^audreull, 63

Reffio Rock (Regiochne), . 16, 242

Reiteutigny, 56,62

Right of France, 10

Rogers, Rooert,. 132, 135, 141, 141

Rogers 105, 230

Rutherford, Major John, 201

Ryswick peace, 47

Saratoga lake (Kayaderoga), . 34
Saraghtoga fort, 48, 55

PAQR.

Scale of prices, 19

Schenectady, massacre of, 2-t

Schuyler. John, 32, 33, !«>, 49

Schuyler, Peter,.. 25, 20, M, 30, in
Seneca Indians' expedition,.. 22

St. Iloleno 23

St. Sacrament lake, 86, 37, 42, 63,

114

St. Plorro, 70

St. Ours, 154

Staats, Baront, 50

Stark, John, 144, 140

Stillwater, 29

Skeene, Philip, 200

Syms, Captain, 133

TonacharlHon, 70

Thoday, Michael 139

Thompson, Sergeant, 140

Tlconderoga,. . . 31, 84, 85, 143, 217
Tionderosa (Fort Hunter), .... 3S

Townshend, Colonel, 839

Two Rocks, 149

Utrecht, peace of, 52

Valrenne, 36

Van Epps, 89

Vaudreuil, 49

Vcrazzani, 11

Washington, George, 70

Webb, Gen. Daniel, 106

Whitehall, 30, 35

Williams, Col. E. P. H.,.. 115, 123

Winslow, Colonel Seth, 131

Wilton, 40

Winthrop, Fitz John, 28, 32

Wood creek, 56

Young, Colonel John, 180

l^ For a. portion of the illustrations in this book, the
Author is indebted to the kindness of Harper Brothers,
Publishers of Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution.

!•!'!

PAOR.
.... 18

.... 24
uj, :«>, 4ft
M, :)!•, W
n... n
.... 88
7, 42. B3,
114
.... 70

154

144, 146

200

133

.... 189

140

i, 143, 217

) :«

239

149

... 52
... 86
... 89
,.. 49
.... 11
... 70
.... 106
. 30, 85
115, 123
.... 131
.... 40
. 28, 32
.... 56
.... 180

>ok, the
rotliere,
>n.

■> h^ '^

o
>

'■ I

CHAPTER I.

From the discovert op the cotrNTBY to ICOO — frencii claims —

EARLY NAVIGATORS — BRITISH CLAIMS — DB COURCELLES' EXPEDI-
TION — DE TRACEY, LA SALLE, MARQUETTE AND HENNEnx — AN
ATTACK OP THE 8ENECAS — IRRUPTION OP THE IROQUOIS — ATTACK
OP THE MOHAWKS ON CHAMBLAT — DE BT. HELENS — BURMNG OP
SCHENECTADY — PIRST AMERICAN CONGRESS IN 1690.

^^^H AT eventful memories cluster around
thy hoary hills, Lake George ! Tliey
are interwoven with the earliest history
of our beloved country, reaching far
back to the time when truth vanishes into tra-
dition. Forts William Henry and Carillon, the
salients of the two most powerful and most
civilized nations of the globe, over whose
scarp and counterscarp nature has thrown lier
protecting mantle of forest and turf — venerable
in your ruins, ye stand at either gateway of
these classic waters, monuments of a heroic
age, and of the wrestlings of giants for the pos-
session of a continent.

Beneath your shadow the bones of thousands
lie in unrecognized though honorable dust, while
every glen, bay, island and mountain, furnishes
some legend which lias made their names house-
hold words in American homes.

:J I

LAKE GEORGE AND

To-day the shores of Horicon furnish fashion-
able resorts for the refined or the curious, who
bask away their summer hours, perhaps careless
or ignorant of the great events that once trans-
pired beneath their feet or within their vision.
Yet the possession of these places has engaged
the attention of kings, cabinets and parliaments.
The best blood of two great nations has been
freely spent, and millions of treasure expended,
for their conquest and defense.

Armies have crossed each other's track upon
the ocean, and have pursued strange and varied
paths on lake and river, and through forest, to
struggle for their possession. Tribes of red men
from the far north and the far south, marshaled by
civilized genius, have met in hostile array under
ihf^iv walls, and around their base. Rival and
foreign flags have waved alternately over their
battlements. A thousand bugles have called har-
monious echoes from the mountains, while Pligh-
landers from McGregor's clan, Indian chieftains,
royal regiments commanded by high-born noble-
men, mingled with the sons of the Green Moun-
tain and the Connecticut and New Jersey valleys,
have answered to their call. Thy peaceful shore
has seen the course of carnage and misery,
the butchery of the tomahawk, the wasting of
a siege, the wretchedness of woman. It has

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

witnessed the feast of human flesh, for wliich
these demons had prepared themselves by drink
from skulls fresh filled with blood. It has heard
the soft voice of the Jesuit priest, as with
reverence he elevated the host and perfornicd
the most sacred and ancient rites known to the
religious world. It has listened to the single
prayer offered for the whole people by the ven-
erable chaplain of Massachusetts, while the de-
scendants of the Puritans stood up uncovered.
It has seen the simple rites of Indian sacrifice of
first fruits to the Great Manitou, while the forest
orator harangued his brethren on the blessings
of that heaven which cowards could not enter.

Protestant and Catholic, English and French,
white and red men, the rifle, the tomahawk, the
cannon and scalping knife, the keel boat and
canoe, noble and base born, extremes the most
opposite, passions the most violent, have met
and struggled here for the mastery.

They fought for the possession of a continent
reaching from the frozen zone to the tropics —
extending from ocean to ocean — and in com-
parison to which the domain of either power
was but " a patch upon the earth's surface."

All, all are gone now. From out the ashes
a third power has arisen to which the Red Cross
of England and the Lily of France are alike

1 'HI

ID I

LAKE GE0B6E AND

indifferent. From mountain to mountain the
American eagle utters the scream of Liberty.
Love in its purity, friendship in its faithfulness,
are reflected from the placid bosom of the lake.
The early industry of freemen is upon its bor-
ders, and the morning sun-beams, which drink
the dew-drops from the flowers on the hill-tops,
catch also the sounds which thrill the heart of
humanity, and proclaim the tidings of equal
freedom for the race.

A proper history of ^is interesting locality
is incomplete without embracing the entire sec-
tion of country from Kova Scotia around to the
Ohio. Such is too comprehensive for this work.
It will be limited to an account of what occurred
between Chamblay and the Mohawk Valley.
Even then the fear is, that it will be too prolix
for the reader.

The right of France to the country of the
Iroquois, which embraced in part the valleys of
Lake Champlain and St. Sacrament, was based
on an established maxim existing among Euro-
pean nations, that the first discoverers who
planted the arms of their government upon
aboriginal soil acquired thereby the property of
that country for their respective nation.

In 1504, Normauds discovered the bank of
Newfoundland.

the
;rty,

QCBS,

lake,
bor-
rink
bops,
t of
qual

ility
sec-
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ork.
^red
ley.
olix

the
of
sed
ro-
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4vt' f

JXSAK VEBRAZZANI.

I .■ -rU

LAKE OHAMPLAIN.

In 1623, in virtue of a commission from
Francis I, Jean Yerazzani took possession of
" all the territory between Florida and Hudson's
Bay."

In 1534, James Cartier, at the inlet of Gaspe,
raised a lofty cross which bore a shield with the
French arms and an appropriate inscription.
He thence discovered the great river of St.
Lawrence, and sailed up its channel till he .could
discern land on either side.*

In 1535, Gebault and Landonniere, having
gone to Florida by authority of Charles IX, " to
inhabit and cultivate the country," founded the
Carolinas, and built a fort on the May river,
which they called Fort Charles — now Charles-
town.

In 1609, eleven years before the landing of
the Pilgrims, Samuel Champlain was in com-
mand of the Canadian colony. In 1609 he dis-
covered Lake Champlain,t Lake St. Sacrament,
and, as he says, went as far as the country of
the Iroquois,

* Bancroft.

f The Indian name of Lake Champlain is Canadire
Quarante, " The lake that is the gate of the country." " Kan-
gatare " is the Mohawk name for lake.

i»'!

;■ a

lif

LAKE GEORGE AND

Concerning the first encounter of the Indians
with the whites, between Lake George and

Crown Point, Cliamplain says :

" I left the rapids of the river of the Iroquois on the 2d of
July, 1609. All the savages began carrying their canoes,
arms and traps overland, about a league and a half, to avoid
the current and force of the rapids. Tliis was quickly
effected. They reviewed all their force and found 24 canoes
with 60 men. After having completed their review, we
continued our journey as far as an island, three leagues
long, covered with the finest pines I ever beheld.

"On coming within two or three days' journey of the
enemy's quarters, we traveled only by night and rested by
day. Nevertheless, the^ never omitted their usual super-
stitions to ascertain whether their enterprise would be suc-
cessful, and often asked me whether I had dreamed and
seen their enemies. I answered, no ; and encouraged them,
and gave them good hopes. Night fell, and we continued
our journey until morning, when we withdrew into the
picket fort, which they had built, to pass the remainder of
the day there. About ten or eleven o'clock I laid down,
alter having walked some time around our quarters, and,
falling asleep, I thought I beheld our enemies, the Iroquois,
drowning within sight of us in the lake near a mountain ;
and, being desirous to save them, that our savage allies told
me that I must let them all perish, as they were good for
nothing. On awaking they did not fail, as usual, to ask me
if I had any dream. I told them, in fact, what I had
dreamed. It gained such credit among them that they no
longer doubted but they should meet with success. '

" At nightfall we embarked in our canoes to continue our
journey, and, as we advanced very softly and noiselessly,
we encountered a war party of Iroquois on the 29th of the
month, about ten o'clock at night, at the point of a cape

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

ie our

388ly,

If the

cape

which puts into the lake on the west side. Thoy and we
began to shout, each seizing liis arms. We withdrew
toward the water, and the Iroquois repaired on shore and
arranged all their canoes, the one beside the other, and
began to hew down trees, with villainous axes, which they
sometinu'S got in war, and others of stone, and fortified
themselves very securely.

"Our party, likewise, kept their canoes arranged the one
alongside the other, tied to poles so as not to run adrift, in
order to fight all together, should need be. We were on
the water about an arrow-shot from their barricades. When
they were armed and in order, they sent two canoes from
the fleet to know if their enemies wished to fight ; who
answered they "desired nothing else," but that just then
there was not much light, and we must wait for day to dis-
tinguish each othei and that they would give us battle at
sunrise. This was agreed to by our party. Meanwhile the
whole night was spent in dancing and singing, as well on
one side as on the other, mingled with an infinitude of
insults and other taunts, such as the little courage they
had, how powerless their resistance against their arms, and
that when day would break, they should experience this to
their ruin. Ours, likewise, did not fail in repartee ; telling
them they should witness the effects of arms they had ne\ <^t
seen before, and a multitude of other speeches as is usual
at a siege of a town. After the one and the other had sung,
danced and parliamented enough, day broke. My com»
pauions and I were always concealed, for fear the enemy
should see us, preparing our arras the best we could, being,
however, separated, each in one of the canoes. After being
equipped with light armor, we took each an arquebus and
went ashore. I saw the enemy leave their barricade ; they
were about 200 men, of strong and robust appearance, who
were coming slowly toward us, with a gravity and assur-
ance which greatly pleased me, led on by three chiefs.
2

.■:'U.

*!>

«^ll

LAKE GEORGE AND

Ours wore marcliinff in simllnr order, and told me that
those wlio bore tliroo lofty plumes were the chiefs, and that
there were hut th(>se three, and they were to he recognized
by those plumes which were considerably larpfor than those
of their companions, and that I must do all I could to kill
them. I promised to do what I could, and that I was very
sorry they could not clearly understand me, so as to fr'we
them t!io order and plan of attacking their enemies, as we
should indubitably defeat them all ; but there was no help
for that ; that I was very glad to encourapfe them, and to
manifest to them my good will when we should be engaged.

" The moment we landed, they began to run about two
hundred paces toward their enemies, who stood firm, and
had not yet perceived my companions, who went into the
buali with some savages. Ours commenced calling mo in a
loud voice, and, making way for me, opened in two, and
placed me at their head, marching about twenty paces in
advance until I was within thirty paces of the enemy.

" The moment they saw me they halted, gazing at me and
I at them. When I saw them preparing to shoot at us, I
raised my arquebus, and aiming directly at one of the three
chiefs, two of them fell to the ground by this shot, and one
of their companions received a wound of which he died
afterward. I had put four balls in my arquebus. Ours, in
witnessing a shot so favorable for them, set up such tremen-
dous shouts that thunder could not have been heard ; and
yet there was no lack of arrows on one side and the other.
The Iroquois were greatly astonished, seeing two men
killed so instantaneously, notwithstanding they were pro-
vided with arrow-proof armor woven of cotton thread and
wood. This frightened them very much. Whilst I was
reloading, one of my companions in the bush fired a shot
which so astonished them anew, seeing their chiefs slain,
that they lost courage, took to flight, and abandoned the
field and their fort, hiding themselves in the depths of the

TAKE OHAMPLAIN.

forest, wl.ithor pursuing them I killed some othore. Our
Bjivagos also killed several of them, and took ten or twelve
pri8<jner8. The rest carried off the wounded. Fifteen or
sixteen of ours wore wounded by arrows; they were
promptly cured.

" After having gained the victory, thoy amused themselvei
plundering Indian corn and meal from the enemy ; also
their arms which th«;y had thrown down in order to run the
better. And having feasted, sung and danced, we returned,
three hours after, with the prisoners."

In 1611 and 1612 he ascended the St. Law-
rence to Lake Erie, Detroit, and Lake Huron,
and for a number of years prosecuted the fur
trade at the place where Boston now stands.

Following these were the Jesuit missions, who
for forty years built and resided in the iive
Iroquois cantons until they were " burnt out "
by the machinations of the English. They
extended west to Niagara, Detroit, and down
the Ohio and the Ilimois to St. Louis.

The British claim of dominion upon the
Champlain valley extended up to the neighbor-
hood of the river St. Lawrence.

It was based,

1. On the title of the Dutch, " from the St.
Lawrence to the Delaware river."

2. On the assertion of that right in the grant
of King Charles to the Duke of York, " for all
of the lands west of the Connecticut river."

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LAKE GFORGE AND

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3. The treaty of the Five Nations witli tlie
Governor of New Y^ork, hy wliich, in consider-
ation of hia protection, tliey Hubrnitted to tlio
sovereignty of the King of Great Britain. All
the country to the south of tlie St. Lawrence
was described by French writers as beh)nging
to tlie Five Nations. Lake Champlain is named
^^Mere des Iroqvoia^'' and the lands on the e.ast
side of the lake, now Vermont, were called

4. The treaty of Utrecht, by which the French
King expressly recognized the sovereignty of
Great Britain over these nations and the lands
held by thorn.

5. The exercise of sovereignty by the patent
granted to Rev. Godfrey Dellins,^ under the
seal of New York, in the year 1096, of lands
described in an Indian deed to him, which compre-
hended a tract extending from Saraghtoga along
the Hudson river to ^^Regio liockj^^f twenty
miles north of Crown Point, and which grant
the legislature afterward abrogated on account
of its excessive amount.:]:

* Dellins was the first Dutch minister settled in Albany.

f Split rock. This grant, it is claimed, did not extend
into Vermont, but up the Hudson River to a point opposite
Regio Rock. (See Historical Magazine, February, 1.868.)

X In April, 1750, John Henry Lydius, a citizen of Albany,
and his wife Genevieve Masse (a half-breed), made affidavit

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

Tho policy of botli nations fn^poars to have
been to cultivate aHsichuMiHly the iViendship of
tlie diu>ky tribes. In this the French were tbo
most successful, and their influence extended to
the end of Lake Superior, and embraced all of
the country between the Hudson's Bay and the
Onondaga council Are.

But while Canada was settled, and its gov-
ernment was carried on, as a strictly military
colony, the Dutch, and after them the English,
were essentially a trading nation. Albany was
tlie great center of Indian trade and barter, and
its commerce extended to Montreal and the
French Indians, to the great grief of the Mo-
hawks, who always claimed that by this means
their implacable enemies, the Algonquins and
Adirondacks, found never-failing supplies of
powder and lead.

"that thoy had frequently heard, both from tho Mohawk and
Caknawaga Indiana, during the previous twonty-five years,
that the land northward of Saraghtoga, as far as the Rock
Rogeo, did and does belong to the Mohawks, which rock is
situated ten leagues north of Crown Point — ' Rogeo ' being
the name of a Mohawk Indian who was drowned near that
rock long before the Chriatians came among them, from
whence the Mohawks called the rock Rogeo." It was a
superstition of the Indians that in passing the rock they
should cast a stone or other article toward it for good luck.
On Tryon's map it is called ''Point RegiocTinp."
2*

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18 LAKE GEORGE AND

The following was the scale of prices in the

Indian trade at Montreal and Albany, in 1689 :

The Indian pays for At Orange. Montreal.

8 pounds of powder, one beaver. four beavers.

A gun, two do five do

40 pounds of lead, one do three do

Blanket of red cloth, r»ne do two do

Four shirts, one do two do

Six pairs of stockings, one do two do

Six quarts of rum, one do six do

For the generation previous to the advent of
the European race, the Iroquois had waged a
merciless war against the Algon quins on the
St. Lawrence. The arrival of Champlain with
the hitherto unknown fire-arm turned the for-
tunes of war with the northern tribes.

The Iroquois transferred their jealousy and
their enmity against the French allies, with
whom they would never make a permanent
peace.

Champlain and the succeeding Governors of
Canada assisted the northern nations in all their
wars, or retained them as allies. It becan-e a
great object of the French to get possession of
the port of New York. For this purpose cabi-
net councils were held and numerous plans laid ;
and it is by reason of the eiforts made by the
respective nations and their dusky allies, for the
purposes of conquest or defense, that the entire

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LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

region, from Fort-^ Orange and Sclienectadj to
Cumberland Head, has become the classic
ground of America.

On the 9th of January, 1666, an expedition
was fitted out at Quebec, under the veteran Be
Courcelles, with five hundred men, whose object
was to proceed to the Mohawk valley and
destroy the villages there. They marched on
snow-shoes, and each officer and man carried
from twenty-five to thirty pounds of biscuit,
besides his clothing, arms and ammimition.
Sledges drawn by dogs, and carrying supplies,
accompanied them. They purposed to give
the Indians such a punishment as should induce
them to put a stop to their incursions, and live
at peace with the French settlements. A more
difficult or a longer march than that of this little
army is scarcely to be met with in history.

In addition to the awkwardnc .« of the snow-
shoes, it was necessary to make a journey of
over four hundred miles, to cross lakes and
rivers, to sleep on the snow in the midst of the
forest, and to endure the cold of a rigorous
winter.

On the third day out, many had their noses,
ears, fingers or knees frozen, and some, wholly
overcome by the cold, were carried to the place
where they were to pass the night. Still they

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LAKE GEORGE AND

pushed on, untit, on the 9th of February, they
arrived within two miles of Schenectady.

Here a party of sixty fusileers was drawn
into an ambuscade of two Imndred Mohawks,
who at one volley killed a lieutenant and eleven
men, and wounded seven others.

The next day the wounded were sent down
to Schenectady, where they were hospitably
entertained and cared for by the citizens,
through the interposition of Corlear, while
wine, peas and bread were obtained for the
troops. Grateful for such unexpected, if not
undeserved hospitality, Governor Coircclles
invited Corlear to visit him at Montreal, which
invitation was accepted. On his journey
thither he was accidentally drowned in Lake
Champlain. He was so great a favorite with
the Indians that they were accustomed to desig-
nate the Governor of New York by the title of
" Corlear."

On the twelfth the French camp suddenly
broke up, and they fell back to Lake Cham-
plain, closely pursued by the Mohawks, who
however only took three prisoners.

In the same year, on the 14tli of September,
an expedition of six hundred, under the com-
mand of M. De Tracey, embarked in three
hundred light batteaux and bark canoes, with

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LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

two small pieces of attillery. Notwithstanding
the care taken to prevent discovery, tliey found,
on their arrival at the Mohawk castles, tlie vil-
lages were abandoned, but were full of grain
and provisions. At the last was a triple palisade
twenty feet high, flanked by four bastions, and
stored with prodigious quantities of provisions
and an abundant supply of water to extinguish
fire when necessary. A few old persons and
the remains of two or three savages of anotlier
tribe whom they had half roasted, were all that
were found. After celebrating mass^ singing
the Te Deum and planting the cross, they fired
the palisades, cabins and villages, destroyed the
stores of corn, beans and other produce, and
returned by the route they came.

Through the influence of the Colonial Govern-
ment, acting under advice from the Duke of
York, peace was made between the French and
Indians, which continued with but little inter-
ruption for a period of over twenty years. This
interval was employed by both the French and
English in consolidating their settlements and
in prosecuting their trade with the Indians.
It was at this time that La Salle, Marquette,
Hennepin and other Franciscans, bearing the
calumet and cross, discovered the prairies of the
IlHnois, and ascended and descended the Missis-

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sippi. In 1679, La Salle encamped at Niagara,
and amid the fire of artillery and the chanting
of the Te Deum, first launched a bark of sixty
tons on the placid waters of Lake E rie.*

In 1685, with a colony of two hundred and
ten persons, he landed on the lovely Bay of
Matagordo, and in the name of Louis XIY,
took possession of Texas, carved upon her stately
trees the royal arms of France, and by no
treaty or public document was that right ever
relinquished, except in the general cession of
Louisiana to the United States under the Jeffer-
son treaty. " ''

In March, 1684, a band of two hundred
Senecas attacked and pillaged a party of four-
teen French traders who, in seven canoes, were
proceeding down the Illinois river to the fort
at St. Louis, with sixteen thousand pounds of
merchandise.

In consequence ostensibly of this, an expedi-
tion was fitted out at Montreal, under Gov.
Denonville, to attack and conquer the Senecas in
Western New York. But the real purpose was
for the protection of the trade of the Western
Indians in the Ohio and Illinois country, and
also " for the establishment of the religion which

* La Salle's first vessel was named " La Griffin."

il.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

will never spread itself except by the destruc-
tion of the Iroquois ; and of commerce and the
[French] King's power over all North Amer-
ica."* In this they were successful, having
burned three castles, without suffering much
loss, and established the fort at Niagara.

In 1687 an irruption of some sixty Iroquois
was made down Lake Champlain into the
French settlement of Chamblay, which they
destroyed, killing many of the inhabitants and
bringing away captives.

In 1689, in the month of August, a force of
nine hundred Mohawks landed on the island of
Montreal, and nearly destroyed the whole set-
tlement, carrying off one hundred and twenty
prisoners, besides killing two hundred, some of
whom were bound, roasted alive and devoured.
They retained possession of the island till the
middle of October.

In the month of February, 1690, war having
been declared between England and France, a
party of two hundred and ten men, under the
command of Lieut. Le Moyne de St. Ilelene,
left Montreal and passed through the lake to
attack Fort Orange. The Indians were led by
a great Mohawk chief of the name of Kryn,

* Colonial History, vol. iii, page 320.

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LAKE GEORGE AND

wlio had removed from the Mohawk Valley t-o
La Prairie in Canada, in 1674.

Arriving at the place where tlie road turned
off to Schenectady, they, imder advice of the In-
dian scouts, who were familiar with the passes of
the whole country, took the latter road, and
arrived at the settlement at 11 o'clock at night of
the 9th of February. The town was built of an
oblong form, with a wall around it, and to which
access was had by two gates, which the squaws
pointed out, one of which was found wide open.
Into this they entered, and, after surrounding the
town they gave the war-whoop and rushed on.
M. de Manteth at the head of a detachment,
reached a small fort, which, after some resistance,
was entered, set on fire, and all who defended it
were slain. The sack of the town immediately
began, which lasted for two hours, and all who
resisted were massacred. The house belonging
to the Kev. Peter Tassemaker of the Dutch
Reformed Church, was ordered to be saved, but
as it was not known, it was burned, and he was
killed. The dwelling of Capt. Joannes San-
ders Glen, the Mayor of the place was also
saved, in consequence of the good treatment
the French had formerly received at his hands ;
also that of a widow who had six children, to
which place M. de Montigny had been carried

I*' ■

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

when wounded. All the rest, amounting to
some eighty well-built and well-furnished houses,
were burned. The return march commenced
with thirty prisoners and sixty good horses, of
which last sixteen reached Montreal, the rest
having been killed for food. The loss of the
French was twenty-one, of whom but two were
killed at the sack of the town. The number
of the inhabitants destroyed was sixty men,
women and children.

They were pursued to Lake Champlain by
Major Peter Schuyler, with about two hundred
whites and Indians, who took fifteen French
prisoners and carried them off to their castles.

H(i

Reoicciine.

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CHAPTER II.

WiNTHKOP'S BXPEDITION, 1690 — CAPTAIN JOHN BOHUYLBR'B ATTACK
ON CIIAMBI-AY — MAJOR PETER SCUUTLER'S EXPEDITION — TUE DE
BCENT OF THE FRENCH INTO THE LOWER MOHAWK VALLEY — PURSUIT
BY SCHUYLER — BATTLE IN WILTON, SARATOGA COUNTY.

'HIED of theso midnight attacks upon
defenseless and outlying settlements,
witli the attendant barbarities of the
merciless savage, the colonists began
to see the necessity of union, and to enact
measures of common defense. On the first day
of May, 1690, in the Fort of New York, the
First American Congress was held.

It was there agreed, that, while Massachusetts
with a fleet attacked Quebec, an army should
proceed by way of Lake Champlain to the
capture ot Montreal, and thus complete the
conquest of Canada.

Hereafter the solitudes of the forest were to
be broken by the measured tread of civilized
armies, not to cease until the cross of St. George
or the banner of St. Lou'i should wave over the
entire continent ; nor even then until far down
in the ages the bird of freedom, from its lonely
eyrie, should witness the birth of a 7iew nation^

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LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

springing, like Pallas from the head of Jove,
armed, full grown, and founded upon the prin-
ciple of UNIVERSAL EQUALITY FOR THE HUMAN
RACE.

The command of the expedition was given to
Fitz John Winthrop, of Connecticut, a member
of the council of Governor Andros, and who
was commissioned to be a major-general for this
purpose.

On the 14th of July, General Winthrop
set forward from Hartford with some troops,
and in seven days, through the almost impass-
able wilderness, he reached Albany. Two com-
panies, under Captains Johnson and Fitch, Iiad
preceded him. "Here" he says, he found, the
design against Canada poorly contrived, and
little prosecuted, all things confused and in no
readiness or position for marching ; yet every-
body full of idle projects about it."

The command was composed of 400 troops
from New^ York, three companies of 135 men
from Connecticut, thirty River Indians, and 150
Mohawks. What a sorry array compared to
the magnificently appointed thousands who,
sixty-eight years after, swept through Lake
George, under Abercrombie and Lord Howe,
and found " glory and a grave " under the bat-
tlements of Ticonderoga !

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LAKE OEOROE AND

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On the 30tli the New England troops and
the Indians moved np four miles, and encamped
upon the flats (Watervliet).

August 1, quartered at Stillwater, ''so named
because the water passes bo slowly as not to he
discovered ; while above and below, it is dis-
turbed and rageth, as in a great sea, occasioned
by rocks and falls therein."

August 2d. The general moved forward to
Saraghtoga (Schuylerville), about fifty miles
from Albany, where was a block-house and some
Dutch soldiers. At this place, he was joined
by Mr. Wessels, recorder of Albany, and a com-
pany of the principal gentlemen, volunteers
from that city. lie here got letters from Major
Peter Schuyler, the mayor of Albany, who had
preceded him with the Dutch troops, to the
effect that he was up to the second carrying
place (Ft. Miller) making canoes for the army.
Thus far "the way had been very good, only
four great wading rivers, one of them (the
Mohawk) dangerous for both horse and man."

August 4th. Divided the provision, thirty-
five cakes of bread to each soldier, besides the
pork, and moved up eight miles (to Ft. Miller) ;
the Dutch soldiers carrying np their suj^plies in
their birch canoes, and the Connecticut troops
carrying them on horses. Here "the water

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LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

passeth so violently, by reason of the great falls
jiiid rocks, tliat canoes cannot pass, so they were
forced to carry tlieir provision and canoes on
tlieir hacks a pretty ways to a passable part of
the river."

August 5th. The soldiers marched, with their
provisions on horses, about eiglit miles, to the
great carrying place (Ft. Edward), the Dutch
having gone up in their canoes.

August 6th. The command marched -over
the carrying place twelve miles, to the forks on
Wood creek (Ft. Ann). The way was up a con-
tinual swamp abounding with tall white pine.
The New York companies excited the general's
admiration at the vigorous manner in which,
and without any repining, they carried their
canoes and provisions across upon their backs.

August 7th. Having sent thirty horses back
to Saratoga for more provision, under command
of Ensign Thomilson, the general passed down
the creek with two files of musketeers, in bark
canoes,*^ flanked by the Indians marching by
the river side, commanded by Capt. Stanton, to
the Ilautkill (Whitehall), where he encamped

* The nations of the Algonquin family only made their
canoes of birch, while the Iroquois made theirs of elm.
They bought those of birch from other tribes. Lafiteau.
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LAKE OKOROK AND

with Major Selniyler and tlic Mohawk captains,
on tlie north side of Wood creek.

On tlie 9th of August, information came
through Capt. Jolinson, who had been sent to
Albany some days since to procure additional
supplies of provisions, that the Senecas and
other Indians, whom he expected to meet at the
Isle La Motte, near the north end of Lake
Champlain, had not left their country on account
of the small-pox breaking out among tliem.
Tlie expression they used was, " that the Great
God liad stopt their way." The small-pox had
also broken out in the army, and seriously
reduced the available force.*

In the meantime Major Schuyler had sent
forward Capt. Sanders Glen (the same one who
had been spared at the Schenectady massacre),
with a scouting party of twenty-eight men
and five Indians who had proct led as far as
" Ticonderoga,"! where he erected some stone
breastv/orks, and had been since the fifth of
August waiting for the expedition to come up.

* It was claimed by the French that, of this expedition,
400 Indians and 200 English died from the sraall-pox.

f Tsinondrosa, meaning the " ta:l of the lake," referring
to the portion of Lake Champlain south of Ticonderoga;
also called by the early Dutch " HantkUl."

LAKE OIIAMPLAIN.

It wafl now found that the time was eo far
spent, the l)ark would not peel, so no more
cunoes could he made.

The provisions were also giving out, and
it was ascertained from the commissaries at
Alljany that no further considerable supply
could be forwarded. It was, therefore, on the
15th, resolved in a council of war to return
with the army.

Orders were given to Capt. John Schuyler,''^
brother of the mayor, to proceed with a party
of forty Christians and 120 savages down the
lake, and inflict what damage he could on the
enemy at La Prairie. The troops then moved
back to the head of Wood creek, where Lieut.
Hubbell died of the small-pox, and was buried
with much ceremony. All the forts down to
Saratoga were burnt with the boats and stores.

On the 20th, the army, from which so much
was expected, reached Greenbush, within sight
of the city, having been absent just three weeks,
and shortly after broke up and the men went
home. Gen. Winthrop was put under arrest
by order of Gov. Leisler for the failure of the
enterprise, which, however, could not well be
otherwise, considering the want of a commis-

* Grandfather of Col. Philip Schuyler of the Revolution

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LAKE GEORGE AND

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sariat, the breaking out of the small-pox, the
inadequacy of the transportation, and the
*' failure to connect " of the remaining parts of
the expedition.*

Capt. Schuyler, according to orders, proceeded
down the lake. Near the swamps he met Capt.
Glen on his return. He enlisted thirteen whites
and five savages from this command, and pro-
ceeded down to Canaghf ione.f killing on their
way a couple of elk for food.

On the 15th they encamped a mile beyond
Cruyn Punt (Crown Point),

16th. They advanced to Kanordoro (the Nar-
rows), where the first guard was put on, and
Barent Wemp named as its ofiicer.

17th. Proceeded to Ogharonde (Windmill
Point), where the plans were laid for the attack,
and the Indian tribes pledged each other in
strings of wampum and with a shakt of the
hand to stand by each other faitli fully.

23d. They reached La Prairie, and discovered
the inhabitants in the fields engaged in the har-
vest. The savages, with a war-cry, fell on them
and killed twelve persons and took fifteen men

*Tlie French claimed tliat the English dare not trust
themselves in the elm canoes whirli the Indians had biiiit.

f The Two Rocks, ten miles below Whitehall.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

and four women prisoners. Having burned six-
teen houses and destroyed 150 head of cattle,
they sought their boats and without loss returned
to Albany.

On the 26th they encamped at the "little
stone fort," being the first record of any consider-
able force that had encamped at Ticonderoga.

In the summer of 1691, Major Peter Schuyler,
at the head of a party of 260 Christians and
Indians, following in the tracl: of his brother
above, made a similar descent upon the doomed
settlement of La Prairie. From the journal
of his expedition, we learn that he marched
June 21st, from Albany, twenty-four miles, to
Stillwater. On tho 21:th his command pro-
ceeded to Saraghtoga, sixteen miles ; and on the
26th, to the first (Fort Miller) and second car-
rying places (Fort Edwaiv.). On the 28th they
marched twelve miles to the last carrying place
(Fort Ann), and immediately commenced build-
ing canoes.

On the 1st of July they made eight canoes, some
capable of carrying seven, eight and twelve men.

July 9th came Oerrard Luykosse and Herman
Veddev, from a party of eighty Mohawks, at a
lake right over Saraghtoga (Saratoga lake^),

* The name of Saratoga lake was "Kayaderoga."

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LAKE GEORGE AND

who went by the way of Lake St. Sacrament,
and promised to meet lis in six days at " Chin-
androga " (Ticonderoga).

14tii. We removed to the Falls (Whitehall),
distant sixteen miles, and then encamped.

16th. Moved from the Falls, and pitched our
tents in the narrows of the drowned lands,
twelve miles distant.

17th. Advanced to Chinanderoga, and two
hours after met the Mohauques, eighty in num-
ber ; after which we fell to making canoes, the
Christians having broken two of theirs coming
over the falls.*

19th. Advanced to Crowne Point, twenty
miles. Here the Mohawks presented the major
with a bundle of ninety-two sticks, to indicate
their number; likewise the river Indians
(Schagticokes), sixty-six sticks.

On the 1st of August, having reached the
La Prairie at the break of day, " they said their
prayers," and marched over a corn field and
along the water side till they came to a wind-
mill, when, as they approached, the miller fired
and killed an Indian, when one of the whites
fired and killed the miller as he was attempting

* This is the first record we have of a war party going
through Lake George.

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LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

►ting

a, second shot, so that his body hung half in and
half out of the window. As they moved toward
the fort, they were met by a party of militia,
whom they easily repulsed, and who retreated
into the fort with considerable loss. The regu-
lars, under the command of St. Cirque, a veteran
captain, here made an attack, but were received
with a sharp lire, which resulted in the loss of
the commandant and several other officers.

Schuyler then fell back one hundred and fifty
yards, into a ditch, which formed a sort of
ambuscade, into which the French rushed, but
were repulsed with considerable loss. Mean-
while M. Yalrenne, with a detachment of one
hundred and twenty men, had interposed
between Schuyler and the boats. Two large
trees which had fallen down, served him for a
breastwork. But Schuyler, forming his men,
told them that there was no choice but to fight
or die, and rushed on. They received the first
volley, which killed and wounded the most that
were lost in the expedition. In a short time the
enemy retreated^ and Schuyler reached the
canoes and embarked, reaching Albany on the
9th, with a loss of twenty-one killed and twenty-
five wounded.

The perpetual alarms which the inhabitants
of Lower Canada suffered in these various

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attacks, who, being taken alive, were tortured,
roasted and eaten by the barbarians, or had
their houses, cattle and crops destroyed, deter-
mined Count De Frontenac, now Governor of
Canada, to strike such a blow upon the Mo-
hawks as should compel them to sue for peace.
Accordingly, in the month of January, 1693,
he despatched from Montreal a force of six
hundred and twenty-five men, including two
hundred Indians, under the command of De
Manteth, with orders to proceed and destroy the
Mohawk castles, and commit as great ravages
as possible around Fort Orange — Albany. The
party, like the expedition of 1666, were pro-
vided with trains, provisions, ammunition, in
short every thing necessary for so long a jour-
ney on snow-shoes, through woods and over the
frozen lakes and rivers. They were accompa-
nied by twenty-five officers, some of whom,
being the seniors of the commandant, accom-
panied the expedition as volunteers. They
crossed over the carrying place at Ticonderoga,
and glided over the now silent and ice-bound
waters of Lake St. Sacrament to its head.
Then passing the base of the Luzerne range,
they crossed the Hudson river near the Little
Bay above Glen's Falls, and thence moved in
the shadow of the Palmert'^n mountain, and

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

over th3 Greenfield hills and the Kayaderosseraa
range, till, on the 8th of February, they came
in sight of the first of the Mohawk castles,
situate near Tribes' Hill. The first of them, in
which were but five men and several women
and children, was easily taken, as also a second
one near by, where were still a lesser number.
Marching on, they arrived, on the night of the
18th, at Tionderosa (Fort Hunter), where the
third castle was, and within which, but unsus-
picious of the proximity of their implacable
foes, was a party of forty warriors, who were
having dances and singing war songs, being
about to join a party organizing at Oneida.
The noise having ceased, the gates of the fort
were easily entered, and it was captured with
the loss of but one Frenchman. Some twenty
or thirty of the Mohawks, besides several women,
were killed in the first assault and subsequent
intoxication of the French Indians. Finally,
the fort, carbines, provisions and what could
not be removed, were destroyed, and the party
returned to the first castle. The number of
prisoners amounted to three hundred, including
over one hundred who were able to bear arms.
On the 22d, the lat>t of the castles having been
destro^'^ed, including the provisions and clothing
stored therein, the expedition retraced their

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LAKE OEOKGE AND

steps. It was the intention of the French com-
mander to push on to Schenectady and Albany,
but they were overruled by the Indian chiefs,
who represented that the number of prisoners
they had, would prevent them from making any
further advances. Meanwhile, by the escape
of a young Dutchman named Yan Epps, who
three years before had been taken a prisoner at
the Schenectady massacre, on the first evening
of the arrival of the French at the Mohawk
fort information came to the English of the
movements of the enemy. The whole country
was alarmed. The same night, Lieut. John
Schuyler and fifty-five horse marched from
Albany to Schenectady. These were quickly
followed by Major Peter Schuyler, who sent out
scouts to watch the enemy's movements. On
Saturday information was brought that the
Mohawk castle at Tionderosa had been fired,
which news being brought forward to Albany,
Major Ingoldsbey sent forward a detachment
of two hundred men under Captains Matthews,
Killian Yan Rensselaer and others, who reported
to Major Schuyler about two o'clock p. m. The
next day, Monday, he crossed the river and
started in pursuit of the enemy with two hun-
dred and seventy-three men, and marched
twelve miles and encamped. At one o'clock

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

the next morning lie broke camp and marched
till six A. M., when he had advice that the Cana-
dians were eight miles distant. Lieut. Van
Slvck and two Indians were sent out to recon-
noitre, who, on their return, reported that the
enemy had broken up their camp and were on
their return homeward. At four o'clock r. m.
the command marched to the place where the
invaders had lain the night before, near Tribes'
Hill.

On Tuesday, the 15th, they received a re-en-
forcement of 270 Mohawks, who had come down
from the upper country, and the united com-
mand marched abo^\it ten miles (to near Galway)
and sent spies to discover the enemy. Thursday,
the 17th, marched in the morning to the place
where the enemy had previously encamped (near
Greenfield Centre). Two miles further on, they
learned through a christian boy, a son of Arn-
out, the interpreter, that the French were within
three miles. They marched forward and en-
camped within a mile of the enemy, and where
the French had built a fort, Indian fashion (near
Stiles in "Wilton), and preparations had evidently
been made to give them a warm reception.
The officers were ordered to their posts, and
the troops proceeded to fortify; which the
French perceiving, with loud huzzns, imme-

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LAKE GEORGE AND

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cliately sallied out of their intrenchments, and
attacked them. They were beaten back into
their fort, with a loss of eight men, when
the English troops continued the work at
their abattis. At this the French sallied
out again, but were once more forced back,
with some loss. A third time they atta«'kcd
the works, but without success, and with a
loss in all of thirty-three killed and twenty-
six w^ounded, among the former of whom was
the commandant and four other officers. As

soon as

the

engagement

was over.

Major

Schuyler sent back for provisions, the men
having had nothing to eat for two days. The
next day, there was a storm of snow and wind,
which covered up their tracks, and prevented
any movement; but at ten o'clock a. m., the
enemy broke up their camp and marched till
evening. Major Schuyler detached sixty men
and some Indians to follow them, which he was
unable to do with the main body, by reason of the
lack of supplies. The next day, Sunday, Capt.
Simms arrived with a reinforcement of eighty
men and provisions, which were immediately
distributed ; those first served being ordered to
the pursuit, with five biscuits per man. About
four o'clock the men under command of Capt.
Peter Mathews and Lieut. Schuyler came up

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

within a mile of the enemy, M'hen the orders
were given to fall upon their rear, but the Indi-
ans halted and refused to go forward, because
they had information that, if they made the at-
tack, the French would kill all their women and
children, whom they had prisoners. After an
hour had been thus wasted, the rest of the men
got up, and the march was resumed, with the
expectation of overtaking the enemy at the river
side ; but a flake of ice, having lodged in the
river, formed a bridge, while all was open above
and below, across which the invaders passed in
safety. The French marched in good order, the
wounded and prisoners being in the center, and
the picked troops in the rear. They arrived at
Lake St. Sacrament on the 22d. The ice here
was found to be all rotten, and the men in some
places sank up to the waist. The Indians sepa-
rated from the French to strike across to Lake
Champlain. The prisoners, except about flfty,
escaped. Two days after, having reached their
depot of provisions, they found them entirely
spoiled by the rain. Famine stared them in the
face, and they even boiled the extra moccasins
for food. They were four or five days without
supplies, and two or three died. Messengers
were sent to Montreal for assistance, and 150

men, with provisions on their backs, went to
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LAKE OEOKOE AND

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their assistance. Finally, on the 9th of March,
they reached Montreal, having thrown away
arms and blankets, and so wasted by fatigue
and exposure as to be scarcely recognized. The
pursuit by Major Schuyler was only carried to
the river ; the aversion of the Indians to fall
upon the enemy, as above stated, the want of pro-
visions, and their shoes quite worn out, were the
reasons given for their turning back, which
they did the next day, arriving in Schenectady
the day after.

While these movements were in progress on
the frontier, an express from Col. Beekman,
of Ulster county, had communicated to Gov.
Fletcher, at New York, the news of the attack
on the Mohawk castles, which reached him
about eleven o'clock on the night of the 12th
inst. Fletcher was a soldier by profession, and,
without delay, sent orders to Col. Courtland, of
Kings, and Col. Wilton, of Queens counties, to
be forthwith ready with their regiments to em-
bark at the ferry. At eight o'clock the next
morning, the city regiment being under arms, His
Excellency, on horseback, demanded who were
willing to follow him to the frontier against the
enemy. They unanimously threw up their hats,
upon which 150 picked men were detached
under the command of three captains. The

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LAKE CIIAMI'LAIN.

next clay, Tuesday, cif^lit sloops with provisions
and annnunition were made ready, and at four
o'clock the troops embarked witli the Governor
and staff. The wind being favorable, they
reached Albany at nine o'clock on Friday, when
they immediately pressed forward to Schenec-
tady. The storm of Saturday, which prevented
Major Schuyler from moving out of his camp,
as above stated, also prevented the party from
crossing the Mohawk river. On Sunday, the
ice resettling, enabled them to cross over on
foot, when two hours after, the river was open

agam.

On Monday a further detachment marched
over with thirteen horses loaded with supplies,
and at two o'clock p. m. Capt. Stillwell arrived
with fifty men from Kings county, making
in all 208 men, besides tlie guides. Tuesday
an express from Major Schuyler announced
liis approach ; whereupon the troops were
recalled, and the Governor returned to Albany.
In consideration of this rapid movement of
Gov. Fletcher for their relief, on the 25th of
February a great council of the fiv 3 nations was
held at Albany, at which the hearth-fire was
uncovered, Sadekanaktie, Sachem of the Onon-
dagas being the speaker. Go,. Fletcher was
christened " Brother Cajenguirage," a word

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44 LAKK rrlXUlfJK AM)

siLniifVlnj' ''Lord of tlie Great Swift Arrow"
becMUSo of liis spet'dy urrivul witli so nniiiy iiicn
to tlie relief of their Wagiuis' castles; which
name he bore with them forever after.*

i^;

*Doc. iv, 10; ix, 549. This account seems to have been
almost entirely overlooked. The ditt'erence of time in the
French and Enpflish accounts is accounted for by the one
iisinjif old style and the other new stylo. Reconciling them,
and taking Burr's atlas and a pair of dividers, the distances
are easily ascertained.

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Hudson River Crossing.

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CHAPTER III.

QCKEN ANNE'S WXn — NICHOLSON'S KXPKDITIONS — FOTIT IN00T.D8BT,
TOUT NICH0I-80N — IIENDIUCK — TOUT ST. FKEDEUlrK IJUII-T — CAP-
TIRE OF 8ARAOHTOOA — FOIIT CMNTON, I.A COHNE'S EXPEDITION
AND BATTLE AT FORT CLINTON — TWENTV-SKVEN PETTY PARTIES —
WILLIAM JOHNSON'S EXPEDITION TO LAKE ST. SACRAMENT — FORT
CLINTON BURNED — PEACE OF AIX-LA-CUAPELLE.

1700.

IE peace of Ryswick had been de-
clared in 1G95. After a lapse of
fourteen years, the war between Eng-
land and France, known as Queen
Anne's war, broke out, which speedily extended
to the colonies, each bent on the extermination
of the other. Ingoldsby, who, with tlie rank of
major, had come to this country as commandant
of Iler Majesty's four companies of regulars, was
now lieutenant-governor. Peter (now Col.)
Schuyler, was of the executive council, and
also one of the commissioners of Indian affairs.
He was called by the Indians Quidar, because
they could not pronounce his given name. His
brother John, who had led the incursion against
Chamblay, had been advanced to the grade of
lieutenant-colonel.

LAKE GEORGE AND

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Again, a joint expedition was proposed for
the conquest of Canada. Five regiments of
regulars, with proper supplies, were to come to
Boston, there to be joined with 1,200 provin-
eials, v/iio were to proceed hj sea to Quebec,
while the troops were to rendezvous at Albany
for the attack on Montreal. The forces for this
latter route were placed under the command of
Col. Vetch, a nephew of Peter Schuyler and
Gen. Nicholson. The last was tendered the
command by Gov. Ingoldsby, Mav 21, 1709.

On the 19th, the council gave orders that
*' there be sent up forthwith to Albany, a suffi-
cient quantity of stores, provisions and all other
thidgs necessary for six hundred men, together
with carpenters and materials necessary for
building store-houses and boats, and making
canoes,"* etc.

The firet portion of the expedition, com-
prising 300 men, with the pioneers and artifi-
cers, moved out from Albany about the first
of June, under the command of Col. Schuy-
ler, and proceeded to Stillwater, where they
built a stockade for provisions, which they
named Fort Ingoldsby. They also established
stockade forts at Saraghtoga, below the Batten-

* Journal of the Legislative Council of New York.

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LAKE CHAMPLAIX.

kill, and at Fort Miller Falls, and built a
road np the east side of the river to the great
carrying place. Here they established a post
which was called Fort Nicholson, and then pro-
ceeded np to ihe fork of the Wood creek (Fort
Ann), where they constructed a hundred bark
canoes, and a hundred and ten bateaux, which
M'ould hold from six to ten men each. They
also built a redoubt and afterward a stockaded
fort, which was named Fort Schuyler.* Lieu-
tenant-Colonel John Schuyler was in command
of the place.

The number of men was finally increased to
eleven hundred and fifty. Fort Nicholson was
garrisoned by four hundred and fifty men, in-
cluding seven companies of " regulars in s'^arlet
uniform from old England." At the fortified
house at the next falls below (Fort Miller), were
fcrty men ; and at Stillwater, where La Fleuer
lived, were seventy men.

Meanwhile, De Yaudreuil had moved Uj.-
from Montreal to Chamblay with 1,600 French
troops, to watch the motions of the invaders
The expedition, on the part of the Englisli,
however, was simply auxiliary to the fleet.

* Doc. ix, 837, 839. When it received the name of " Fort
Anne " does not appear.

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As tlie latter failed, notliin'^ farther came of
the invasion, and the summer passed away in
idleness.

About the :first of October, Lt. Barent Staats,
a nephew of Col. Schuyler, was captured near
Fort Nicholson, and was detained by the enemy
till the winter, when he was exchanged.

Tlie army retired in November, having first
burned the fort, canoes and bateaux, and also
all the forts above Saraghtoga.

The following winter, Col. Schuyler, with five
Sachems, including King Hendrick and Gen.
Nicholson, went to England to devise a plan
for another expedition for the conquest of the
French colonies. In London the Indians were
clothed in a gay and showy dress, designed by
the costumers of Her Majesty's theatre, being
a suit of English small clothes of black, with
scarlet ingrain mantles of cloth, edged with
gold, foi' their blankets. In this they were con-
ducted in state, in coaches, to an audience with
Queen Anne ; and, giving her belts of wampum,
avo-s^ed their readiness to take up the hatchet
and aid in the reduction of Canada.

In 1711 a second army was fitted out in a
similar manner to the last, and with the same
purpose. That for the Albany expedition was
organized into three regiments, as follows :

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LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

Col. Ingoldsby, regulars; Col. Schuyler, New
York troops ; Col. Whiting, Connecticut troops ;
the whole consisting of fifteen hundred men,
under command of Lieut. -Gen. Nicholson.
They left Albany on the 24:th of August, on
which day also the Five Nations, to the number
of six hundred and sixty had an interview with
the Governor. Gen. Nicholson here presented
them with a picture of King Hendrick and
the other sachems who had now returned from
England. The Governor desired that they
should hang on the kettle of war, and presented
them with five oxen and a barrel of beer for
each of the nations. The Indians replied,
desiring that the kettle might not be overset
nor turned upside down^ but remain boiling
(meaning that the war may continue), " until, if
God please to bless, we wholly reduce and sub-
due Canada, when we will overset and turn the
kettle upside down, and what is boiled in it
(meaning the prisoners) will be at the disposal
of Annudagarriax " (Gen Nicholson).

On the 28th of August the troops were all on
their march beyond Albany, They proceeded
as far as Wood creek, tr the spot where the fort
was which was destroyed the year before, and
was called Fort Ann. The batteaux were
mainly prepared in Albany and below, and

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LAKE GEORGE Al-TD

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were transported across the carrying place.
The way was three feet foar inches wide, French
measure.*

Shortly after, intelligence was received that
Her Majesty's fleet had been shattered by storms
in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, with a loss of over
a thousand troops, and, owing to the ignorance
of the pilots, it was deemed advisable to aban-
don the expedition, whereupon the troops were
ordered back and were disbanded. Thus the
third attempt at the conquest of Canada proved
abortive, and shortly after, in 1713, the declar-
ation of peace, known as the peace of Utrecht,
between England and France, put a stop to
further incursions, and closed the series of uni-
versal wars for the balance of power.

In 1731, in the midst of profound peace, M.
de Beauharnois conceived the plan of fortifying
a point on Lake Champlain known as ^'Point
au Chevelure " f or Crown Point. It was
described as at the head of Lake Champlain,
about half way from Chamblay to Orange

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* Holmes' American Annals, and the authorities there
cited, state that Nicholson went to Lake St. Sacrament, but
there does not appear to be any foundation for the assertion.

f So named in 1689.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

(Albany). " It is a small strait, separating the
lake from the '' Grand Mar ais^ at the head of
which is a place called the Little Fall of the
River du Chicot (Whitehall). "When in pos-
session of Point de la Couronne^ the road will
be blocked on the English, should they wish to
pass over our territory, and we will be in a
position to fall upon them when they least
expect it. Beyond a doubt the King of Eng-
land has granted Lake Champlain to the chil-
dren of Lieut. Peter Schuyler, a well known
citizen of Orange. Therefore we must antici-
pate the establishment they may found at Crown
Point."

Their fears in the latter case were a mere
pretense, as the patent granted to the children
of Schuyler only extended from Saraghtoga
patent up to Wood creek.*

On the above representations, however. His
Majesty, Louis XV, directed the fort to be
built, which was accordingly done, and a gar-
rison of twenty men was placed within it for
its protection. It was first a small w^ooden fort,
which in successive years was enlarged and
strengthened, until, in 1Y55, it was capable of

* Fort Edward.

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LAKE GEORGE AND

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holding five hundred or six hundred men. It
was known as Fort St. Fre-^arick.*

The following appears to have been its early
armament : Two iron cannon, six-ponnders ;
seventeen iron cannon, four-pounders ; twent}'-
three brass cannon, two-pounders ; one iron can-
non, two-pounder; one mortar; eighteen iron
swivels ; twenty-five iron shells.

The provincials looked with alarm at this
menacing demonbtration sixty miles within their

* The French name of Crown Point, Fort St. Frederick,
is derived from the French Secretary of State, Frederick
Maurepas, in whose hands the direction and management
of the Court of Admiralty was at the time of its erection.
It is to be observed that the government of Canada is sub-
ject to the Court of Admiralty, and the Governor-General
is always chosen by this court. As most of the places in
Canada bear the name of saints, custom has made it neces-
sary to prefix the word to the name of this fortress. It is
built on a rock consisting of black lime slates as aforesaid.
It is nearly quadrangular, has high, thick walls made of
the same limestone, of which tliere is a quarry about half a
mile distant. On the eastern part of the fort is a high
tower, which is proof against bombshells, and is well served
with cannon from the bottom almost to the very top, and
the Governor, Mr. Lusignan, lives in the tower. In the
terreplein is a well-built little church, and houses of stone,
for the officers and soldiers. There are sharp rocks on all
Bides toward tlie land, beyond a cannon-shot from the fort,
but among them are some which are as high as the walls
of the fort, and very near them. Kabn's Travels, 1748.

LAKE CIIAMPLATX.

border, and made the most energetic protests,
both at home and to the Lords of Trade, against
its continuance. The Earl of Waldegrave, the
British Ambassador, made his objection against
a continuance of the fort, as in absolute oppo-
sition to article XY of ti^e treaty of Utrecht,
but no further effort was made for its removal
or reduction.

In 1744 war was again declared between the
Enjjjlish and French.

In the month of November, 1745, an expedi-
tion was fitted out at Montreal, under the com-
mand of M. Marin, comprising three hundred
Frenchmen and as many Indians. Their object
was to attack and capture the settlements on
tlie Connecticut, but on their arrival Lt Fort St.
Frederick this purpose was changed, and they
went down to Saraghtoga,* which settlement
they attacked on the night of the 16th and 17th,
plundered and burned about twenty houses,
together with the fort. In this affair some
thirty persons were killed and scalped, and
about sixty were taken prisoners. Only one
family escaped destruction, by flight, who, as
they looked back, saw the fort in flames.

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* Doc. X, pp. 38 and 39.
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LAKE GEORGE AND

In the spring of 1746 the English proceeded
to rebuild the fort, for the construction of which
the Assembly had voted one hundred and fifty
pounds. The location was, however, changed
to accommodate some wheat fields which were
then growing, and to preserve which was the
object of its construction.* The name given to
the new work was lort Clinton.

1746^ Aug. 29. M. de Repentigny, who, with
a party of twenty-six Abnekas, was scouting
iiear by, made an attack upo ) a party ot twenty
soldiers who wer^' escorting a cart loaded with
clay to build a ctiinmey, and killed four men at
the gate of the fort (who were scalped hj the
Indians), and took four prisoners.f

October 24. The same officer, being on the
road between Albany and Saraghtoga, attacked
the ordnance and provision train which was
then moving up to the latter place, and killed
two men and upset the wagon.J

July 16. De Mery, and a detachment of
four hundred and fifty Canadians and savages,
came to South Bay, and were employed scouting
and working on the river au 0/dcot (Woud

*Doc. vi, G30. Called by the French 8a/rasteau.
f Dos. X, 35.
X Doc. X, 75.

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LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

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Creek), where they felled the trees on both sides
to render its navigation impracticable.

The commandant at Fort St. Frederick was
M. de Celeron.

1747, June 11. An expedition started fiom
Fort St. Frederick, at midnight, for Saraghtoga,
to destroy Fort Clinton.* It was under the
command of La Corne St. Luc, and comprised
twenty Frenchmen and two hundred Indians.

June 14. Arrived at the Orange (Hudson)
river, whicli they crossed and came down the
west side.

June 16. The Indians proposed to form an
ambuscade on a little island in front of the fort,
in order to try and " break somebody's head,"
but La Corne told them they must go to the
fort. The same day, De Carquiville reported
that some forty or fifty Englishmen were fishing

* Fort Clinton was one hundred and fifty feet long, by
one hundred feet wide, with six wooden redoubts for bar-
racks. It was situated on a hill south of the Battenkill, in
the presv^nt town of Easton, and nearly opposite the present
bridge across the river at Schuylerville, as appears by a
manuscript map of the province, by Cadwallader Golden.
Doc. ix, p. 79. It was armed with twelve cannons, being
six, twelve and eighteen pounders, and was built twice the
size of the old fort. One hundred bateaux had been built
here as well as six hundred at Albany for the second Nichol-
son expedition.

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LAKE GEORGE AND

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in the Battenkill ; whereupon La Corne offered
his double-barrel gun to the iirst man who
sliould bring in a prisoner, and told them that
after the first volley he should charge the fort,
ax in hand. The same day, and the next, the
French crossed the river. The next day he sent
twenty men on the road to Orange, who returned
under the supposition that they were discovered.
The Indians now assembled around the ofliicers,
and said they must retreat, but these gentle-
men told them " it was not the custom of the
French to retire without fighting, when so
near the enemy, and they were able to defend
themselves against this number of men if they
should be attacked." The young braves of
the Soult, Nepissings, Northern Iroquois and
Hurons said they would not desert them. Six
scouts were then sent out to the appointed
place to lie in ambush, and to pass the night
within «ight paces of the fort, with directions
to fire on those who, the next morning, should
come out of the fort, and try and take a scalp,
when if they were attacked they should retreat,
pretending to be wounded. This was accord-
ingly done.

On the morning of the 18th, at the break of
day, two Englishmen came outside the gate, and
were fired on, when the scouts withdrew. A

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

hundred and twenty of the English, headed by
their officers, then came out of the fort, and,
liaving formed in order, marched toward the
French, making a wheel so as to get near them.
They halted at the sjiot which the scouts had
abandoned, and where they had left a musket
and tomahawk. At this, La Corne gave the
signal for the French, who were in ambush, to
rise and fire, which was accordingly done, and the
English fired back, and also opened witli cannon
and graj^e from the fort. Tlie Indians, however,
rushed on, tomahawk in hand, and routed the
English, who had scarcely time to shut their
gates. Some threw themselves into the river
and were killed by blows of the hatchet and by
gunshots. Forty-five prisoners were taken and
twenty-eight scalps, besides those who were
drowned. ,..

In addition to the expeditions here mentioned,
were a large number, twenty-seven in all, of
petty excursions, comprising from ten to fifty
men each, who were fitted out at Montreal, to
take the route of Fort St. Frederick, and com-
mit wliat depredations they could on the English
settlements. Their object was to harass, murder,
scalp, burn and pillage, and this was what they
called war. They required but little supplies.
They passed easily through the woods by night

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III

LAKE GRORGE AND

III I

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and by day. Their hunting life made tliem
familiar with every mountain pasfl, and the
neighboring thicket or stream lurnislied the
necessary provisions. They privately approached
the settlements, lay in wait for their oppor-
tuniry, killed or took prisoners, and were off
again with such rapidity that pursuit was impos-
sible.

No wonder the exposed inhabitants looked
with dismay upon this fort, as a terrible and
perpetual menace, and taxed themselves heavily
for its redviction. In New York alone, the
amount expended in one year was seventy thou-
sand pounds.

The following partial account, applicable
solely to the locality we are attemping to de-
scribe, conveys an idea of the zeal and energy
with Which the French authorities pursued this
atrocious system of warfare.

March 29, 1746. A party set out, consisting
of fourteen Indians, belonging to the lake of the
two mountains (on the river St. Lawrence), who
have been in the country, near Albany, and
returned with some prisoners and scalps.

26th. A party of thirty-five warriors belong-
ing to the Soult set out. They have been in
the neigliborhood of Orange, have made some
prisoners and taken some scalps.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

27th. A party set out consisting of six war-
riors, who struck a blow in the neighborhood of
Albany.

May 7. Six Nepissings started to strike a blow
near Boston, and returned with some scalps.

10th. Gatienonde, an Iroquois, who had been
settled at the lake for two or three years, left
with five Indians of that village and Lieut. St.
Blein, to strike a blow in the neighborhood of
Orange. They brought in one prisoner. Gatie-
nonde, the leader, was killed and scalped by the
Indians on the field of battle.

12th. Ten Indians of the Soult set out toward
Boston, and returned with some scalps.

22d. Nineteen warriors of the Soult St. Louis
have been equipped. They have been made to
strike a blow in the direction of Albany.

24th. A party of eight Abenakis has been
fitted out, who have been in the direction of
Corlac,* and have returned with some prisoners
and scalps.

27th. Equipped a party of eight warriors of
Soult, who struck a blow near Albany, and
])rought back six scalps.

28th. A party of twelve Nepissings made
an attack in the neighborhood of Boston, and

*Schenectfrtr.

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LAKE GEORGE AND

brought away four scalps and one prisoner,
whom they killed on the road, as he became
furious and refused to march.

A party of Abenakis struck a blow near Al-
bany and Corlac, and returned with some scalps.

June 2. Equipped twenty-five warriors, who
returned from the neighborhood of Albany with
some scalpp;.

3d. Equipped a party of eighteen Nepissings,
who struck a blow at Albany and Corlac.

19th. Equipped a party of twenty-five In-
dians of the Sou.t, who struck a blow near
Orange. One or two of these Indians were
wounded. They brought away some scalps.

20th. Equipped a party of nineteen warriors
of the Soult, who went to Orange to strike a
blow.

21st. Equipped a party of twenty-seven of
the same village, to go to Albany. Sieur De
Carquiville, an officer, was of this party, which
has brought in a prisoner that was on the scout
to Saristeau,* and some scalps.

August 10. Chevalier De Repentigny arrived
at Quebec, and reported that ho had made an
attack near Corlac, and took eleven prisoners
and twenty-five scalps.

* Saraghtoga.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

Meanwhile this provincials are not idle. On
the 4th of August Col. Johnson had sent out
two parties of the Six Nations to Canada, who
made an attack on Chamblay, but fell into an
ambuscade, and were most of them killed or
captured, but not till after they had inflicted
serious damage upon the Canadians. He also
sent a party of twelve men on a scout to Crown
Point.

On the 19th he writes to Gov. Clinton that
one of his parties, on their return from the lat-
ter place, had reported that they lay two days
in sight of the enemy on Lake St. Sacrament,
who, to the number of between five hundred
and six hundred men, were encamped upon an
island.*

This was doubtless a part of the force under
the command of Sieur de Kegaud de Yaudreuil,
a part of whose command, under La Corne, had
been engaged in the affair at Saraghtoga. His
he£id quarters were at South Bay. His orders
were to protect Fort St. Frederick, which he
could only do by having a part of his force at
the latter place, and part on Lake St. Sacra-
ment.f

* Long Island.

t Doc. X, 114, 132, 148.
6

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LAKE GEORGE AND

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ill

Aug. 28. Johnson writes that he is about set-
ting oif for Lake St. Sacrament, with four hun-
dred Christians volunteers, and as many more
Indians, and expected to he absent for twelve
days. It is possible they took the short route
via Fish House and Luzerne to the lake.

It is of this party that Sieur Yilliers speaks,
on his return from Saraghtoga in the month of
November. He says that he sent out a scout to
the portage of the lake, and there discovered
a large abandoned camping ground. Judging
by the size of the cabins and fires, thinks there
might have been six hundred men, who were on
their return toward Corlac. The force might
have been there a month ago.

On the 9th of Decembe • Governor Clinton
reported that he had been able to raise twenty
companies in all for the coming expedition
against Crown Point in the next year. They con-
sisted of about 1,000 men, under the command
of Lieut.-Col. Eoberts ; Mr. Gooch, Lieut.-Gov-
ernor of Yirginia, having declined the command.

In the fall of 1747 Fort Clinton at Saragh-
toga was burned, and the guns and stores
removed, by orders of Gov. Clinton. The
avowed reason was, uiat the Assembly did not
furnish enough troops and supplies to protect it
from the attacks of the French and Indians.

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LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

May 1, 1748. Hortel Baubassin, in command
of a scouting party of fourteen, reported that
he had destroyed, in the neighborhood of
Orange (Albany), thirty houses, three small
forts (stockades), and one mill.

The preliminaries of a peace between the
high contracting powers were signed at Aix-la-
Chapelle, in April of the same year. The pub-
lication of this news caused a cessation of hos-
tilities throughout the colonies. Again -the
hatchet was buried. The pioneer looked out
from his cabin upon the green crops, and the
hospitable smoke ascended from the deserted
chimney. But not for long. Providence had
decreed that this whole continent should bo
under the dominion of the Saxon, though
blood ran in rivulets to attain that end.

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Chimney Point.

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CHAPTER IV.

Boundaries hksettlkd — historical question— mr. ■Washington,
his interview with st. pierre — tanachirasen — battle op
the great meadows — thk c0n0rbs8 of 1754 — council with the
five nations.

1754.

'HE boundaries between Canada and
the provinces were not arranged by
the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle. The
possession of Crown Point having
been passed without dispute, by the English
commissioners, for the settlement of the terms
of peace, this was construed by the French into
an acquiescence in their claim of title to the
valley of Lake Champlain.

The jurisdiction also of the entire territory
west of the Alleghanies w^as left undetermined,
and the question here occurs of historical interest
as to the right which either nation had to the
country in dispute. England vested her claim
on her Indian treaties with the Six Nations,
who pretended that at some remote period they
had conquered all the region west of the moun-
tains, as far as the Mississippi river, and on the
strength of this assumption, they made treaties

gan

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

with the English, ceding to them the lands
within this space, and confirming their title,
according to such forms as were prepared for
them. Unfortunately for the validity of their
title, these lands were possessed by other Indian
tribes dwelling there, and whose ancestors, from
time immemorial, had also occupied them.
These declared themselves the only rightful
owners, and denied that the Six Isations had
any authority or foundation of a claim over
them.

The French insisted as well upon the right of
occupancy as that of discovery. Settlements
had been made, they said, south of Lake Michi-
gan and on the Illinois river, years before any
Englishman had set his foot westward of the
great mountains ; and the respective treaties
between the countries had repeatedly recognized
ttie title of France to all her actual possessions
in America. So far the position was tenable ;
but the French went a step further. They
maintained it to be an axiom in the law of
nations that the discovery of a river gave the
explorer a right to all the countrj'^ watered by
the streams flowing into it. Ilence^ the passing
of La Salle through the great lakes and down
the Mississippi in a canoe, gave to France a

title to the immense country bounded by the
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LAKE GEOKGE AND

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Alleglianies on one side, and the Rocky Moun-
tains on the other. Such a hypothesis may be
gravely advanced or ingeniously defended, but
its fallacy is too obvious to be pointed out. The
truth is, neither of the contending parties had
any just claims to these lands. They were
both intruders, and it was not strange that
the native occupants should look with astonish-
ment at the singular spectacle of two nations in
distant parts of the world, unknown to them
except as traders for skins, entering into a
quarrel about the right of seizing upon their
property.*

The claims of the Aborigines did not affect
the movements of either party ; each hurried to
possess itself, in advance, of as much territory
as possible. The French proceeded to build
forts and establish settlements at Oswegatchie,f
Toronto, La Boeuf on French creek in Pennsyl-
vania, and Duquesne.ij: At the latter place
they drove out the English traders who had
already settled there, and proceeded to finish
the fort which had been commenced by the
Ohio company.

* Sparks.

f Ogdensburgh.

X Now Pittsburgh.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

Gov. Dinwiddie, throngli Mr. George Wash-
ington, complained of these encroachments, but
to no purpose. "Washington set out from Wil-
liamsburgh, the capital of Virginia, on the last
day of October, 1753. The distance was about
five hundred and sixty miles, in great part over
rugged mountains, and over half the way through
the heart of a wilderness, where there were no
traces of civilization. He was accompanied by
eight persons, among whom was Tenacharison,
a sachem of the Delawares, known as the Half
King. The party was forty-one days upon their
journey. The commandant of the fort was M.
de St. Pierre, a Knight of the Military Order
of St. Louis, and a polite and courteous oflScer.*

The Governor's letter asserted that the lands
on the Ohio belonged to the British Crown ;
expressed surprise at the French encroachments ;
demanded by whose authority an armed force
had crossed the lakes, and urged a speedy
departure.

St. Pierre replied, in the style of a soldier, that
it did not belong to him to discuss treaties, refer-
red Washington to the Marquis Duquesne, Gov-
ernor of Canada, by whose orders he was acting,

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* St. Pierre served under Deskau, and was killed at the
battle of Lake George.

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LAKE GEORGE AND

and that tlie summons to retire could not be
complied with.*

After a stay of two days, Washington started
on his return, provided by St. Pierre with a
canoe, whi' 'i wa^ oh iitifully stocked witli pro-
visioi^, liqu >n.; ;mfi every other supj^ly the fort
could affo d. With this he proceeded to
Yenango, one hundiot and thirty miles, and
performed the rest of the journey home by land.

On the 27th of May, 1754, at the Great
Meadows, in the valley of the Kanawha, Col.
"Washington, aided by the Mingo chiefs, made

* The following is an extract of the speech made by Tan-
acharison to the French commander: " Fathers, both you
and the English are white. We live in a country between.
Therefore the land belongs to neither the one nor the other,
but the Great Being above allowed it to be a place of resi-
dence for us. So, fathers, I desire you to withdraw, as I
have done our brothers the English, for I mean to keep you
both at arm's length. I lay this down as a trial for both,
and whichever has the greater regard for it, to that side we
will stand and make equal sharers with us." These are the
sentiments of a patriot and a hero. But this high-minded
savage was not aware that, so far as his race was concerned,
there was no difference between his professed friends and
open enemies. He had never studied in the school of poli-
tics, which finds in the laws of nations an excuse for rapac-
ity and injustice, nor learned that it was the prerogative
of civilization to prey upon the ignorant and the defenseless.
Spar/cs.

J. t

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

a attnr^k upon a French force under the com-
m; nd of De Joumonville. Perc iving the French
a; proa' h, "Fire," said Washington, and with
1. is own musket t^ave the example. That word
of cominaiid kinaled the world into a flame. It
was the signal for the first great war of revolu-
tion. There in the western forest began the
battle wJiich was to banish from the soil and
neighborhood of our republic the institutions of
tlie middle age, and to inflict on them fatal
wounds throughout the continent of Europe.
In repelling France from the basin of the Ohio,
Washington broke the repose of mankind, ana
waked a struggle which could admit only of a
truce till the ancient bulwarks of Catholic legiti-
macy were thrown down.*

On the 19th of June, there assembled, at the
court-house in Albany, the memorable congress
of commissioners from every colony north of the
Potomac. The most illustrious names of that
day are found among its annals. DeLancey,the
Lieutenant-Governor of New York; Hutchin-
son, the historian, of Massachusetts ; the patriot
Hopkins, of Hhode Island ; Tasker, of Marj^-
land ; the liberal Smith of New York ; William
Johnson lately appointed one of the government

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* Bancroft.

LAKE GEORGE AND

councilors, and Benjamin Franklin, of Penn-
sylvania, who had already " projected " a plan
of a Constitution for a perpetual covifedera(;y of
the continent, and had brought the heads of it
with him. They met to concert measures of
defense against the incursions of the French on
the north, and to treat with the Six Nations
and the tribes in their alliance.

For nearly a quarter of a century Fort St.
Frederick, built far within the English territories,
on ground ceded by the Six Nations to the
Crown, was a standing nuisance to the colonies,
repressing all settlements in that direction, and
threatening devastation and ruin to every in-
habitant north of Albany.

The reasons for the appointment of the con-
vention at the above city, are set forth in a
communication from Gov.DeLanceytothe Board
of Trade, of the 24th of December, 1753. " Here
was the usual place of holding general con-
ferences with the Indians. Here they had had
a fire burning ")ince the earliest settlement of
this country. It was situated in the highest
part of the Hudson river, navigable for vessels of
any considerable burden, and through which
all intercourse between Schenectady, a town
sixteen miles westward, and the western settle-
ments, is carried on with New York. Again,

LAKE CHAM PLAIN.

the Indians, by coming down to Albany upon
their public business, contract habitudes and
acquire friendsliips with some of the inhabit-
ants, and a kind of rights of hospitality ; and,
if treated with any sort of civility, will always
be ready and willing to protect and defend the
place."

During the discussion of the federative com-
pact, the representatives of the red men assem-
bled to the number of one hundred and ftfty.
The Six Kations comprised the Moliaw^ks, Onei-
das, Onondagas, Senecas, Tuscaroras and Cayu-
gas. They occupied the lands lying between
the Kock Regiochne and the Potomac river, and
claimed those extending westward for an indefi-
nite distance, but so as to include the Ohio val-
ley. Persons wishing lands usually purchased
them from the Indians, and then took out a
patent for them from the Crown. The main
bodies of the tribes resided along the valley of
the Mohawk, and extended west to Lake Erie.
By their friendships and good will the western
side of the settlements of Pennsylvania, New
York, Maryland and Virginia, were protected
from the incursions of the French or hostile
Indians. While, therefore, at all times, it was
necessary to propitiate their good will, it was
particularly desirable to now cultivate with them

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LAKE GEORGE AND

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a good understanding, by reason of the contem-
plated and simultaneous attacks to be made upon
the French forts at Duqucsne, Niagara and
Crown Point. Nothing can exceed the decorum
with which the Indian public councils were con-
ducted. Their assemblies were composed of
men, women and children. The business was
arranged by two or three sachems, selected for
their abilities. They usually formed in a semi-
circle, the old men and the sachems in the front
rank, the warriors in the next rank, and the
women and children last. It was the business
of the women to take exact notice of what
passed, imprint it in their memories — for they
had no writing — and communicate it to their
children. They were the records of the council,
and they preserved the traditions of the stipula-
tions in their treaties for a hundred years back,
which were always found to be exact. "All
being seated and in order, he that would speak
rises, the rest observing a profound silence.
When he has expressed a point, one or more
strings of wampum are given in order to enforce
the memory. When he expresses another point,
another string, or perhaps a belt is given, de-
pending upon its importance, and so on until
the discourse is finished. A day or more is then
taken for the consideration of the address, when

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LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

the answer is prepared and delivered in tlie sanio
manner.""* The first audience seems to have
been granted to a deputation of tlie Stoekbridge
or River Indians, who luid not been invited, and
with whom it was at first uncertain wliether an
audience sliouhl bo granted or not. Their com-
phiints related to the sad effects arising from tho
sale of rum in their respective countries, and
the systematic overreaching of tho whites in
relation to the sales of their lands. The Gov-
ernor, in reply, promised to see the laws in rela-
tion to the trafHc in liquor enforced, and to
examine into the alleged frauds in regard to
the sales of their lands. The next audience
was given to a deputation of the lower castle of
the Mohawks, who stated, through Canadagara,
their speaker, that they came by God's will and
His Honor's order ; that this was their old
meeting place, where they expected a redress of
their grievances, that so they might part good
friends.

They then went on to specify that a large
tract of land called the Kayaderosseras, had
been taken u^. commencing at the Halfmoon,
and so up along the Hudson river to the Third
Fall, thence to the Cacknowaga or Canada

hii

* Franklin.

14:

LAKE GEOEGE AND

creek, which, upon inquiry among their old
men, they could not find was ever sold.* Tlie
Governor replied it was agreeable to justice to
hear both parties before a judgment was given,
and he would send for the patentees or persons
claiming the land, and hear what they had to
say, whsn justice should be done. On the 22d
of July the Governor wrote to the Board of
Trade that he had sent for some of the owners
of the Kayaderosseras patent, who produced an
Indian deed and a patent granted in November,
1708, but the bounds seemed to be larger than
the Indian deed.

All this was preparatory to the great council
of the sachems of the Six Nations, who were
received the next day. After some prelimina-
ries, the Lieut.-Governor stated that the French,
while professing to be in perfect friendship,
were making continual encroachments in the
most insulting manner, both to the north and
west. " Your fathers," he said, " by their valor,
above one hundred years ago, made a conquest
of the country, which they afterward, of their
own accord, put under the protectio:* of the

*0n Montrose's map, date 1775, the creek is spelled
" Canidadrosseras " and " Coniaderosseras,' also spelled
" Cayaderossera." Vol. xxxii, Land Papers.

LAKE riiiAMPLAlN.

King of Great Britain. The French are
endeavoring to possess themselves of this whole
country, although they have made the most
express treaties with the English to the con-
trary. Brethren, it appears to us that these
measures of the French must necessarily soon
interrupt and destroy all trade and intercourse
with tlie English and the several Indian nations
on the continent. We want to know whether
these tilings appear to you in the same light as
they do to us, or Avh ether the French building
forts and taking possession of your country be
done with your consent and approbation.
Brethren, open your hearts to us ; deal w^ith us
as brethren ; we are ready to consult with you
Jiow to scatter these clouds that hang over us.
This is a niatter of so great weight that y^e
think it best to defer mentioning any other
affairs till you have considered this, lest they
should take away part of that attention which
is necessary on so extraordinary an occasion."
[Gives a belt.]

But it seems that the Six Nations had some
other grievances to be settled before they would
enter UDon the main business which the Gover-
nor and commissioners had so much at heart.
'' Last summer," says Hendrick, their speaker,
" we of Canajoharie [the upper castle of the

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LAKE GEORGE AND

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Mohavrks] went down to New York to make
our complaints, and we then thought the cove-
nant chain was broken, because we were
neglected ; and when you neglect business, the
French take advantage of it, for they are never
quiet. It seemed to us that the Governor had
turned his back upon the Five Nations, as if
they were no more; whereas the French are
doing all in their power to draw us over to
them. We blamed the Governor last summer
for this neglect, while the French were drawing
the Five Nations away to Oswagatchie, which
might have been prevented if proper use had
been made of that warning, but now we are
afraid it is too late. In former times Col.
Schuyler used frequently to come among us,
and by this means we were kept together.
Brother, we, the Mohawks, are in difficult cir-
cumstances, and are blamed for things we don't
deserve. There are some of our people who have
large ears, and talk a little broken English and
Dutch, so that they sometimes hear what is said
by the Christian settlers near them, and by this
means we came to understand that we are
looked upon to be a proud nation, and therefore
stayed behind."

The Governor made a fitting reply, caution-
ing them not to hearken to common reports,

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LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

" but to Apen their hearts to each other, and go

remove any je.Joiisies that may exist among us."

On Tuesday, July 2d, in the presence of the

several Governors and councilors, the answer of

the Six Nations was made to the general speech

of the Governor. All being seated, Abraham,

a sachem of the upper castle, arose and said ;

" Brethren, you, the Governor of New York and

the other Governors, are you ready to hear us ?"

The Governor replied they were ready. Then

Hendrick rose up and spoke as follows:

" Brother Corlear and bi >thers : Saturday last

you told us that you came here by orders of

the great King, our common father, and in his

name to renew the ancient chain and friendship

between this and the other governments on the

continent and the six united nations. We

rejoice that by the Iling's orders we are all met

liere this day, and are glad to see each other

face to face. Brethren, we thank you in the

most hearty manuer for your condolence to us.

We also condole all your friends and relatives

who have died since our last meeting here."

[Gave them strings of wampum.] " Brethren

we return you [holding up the chain belt given

by His Honor] all our grateful acknowledgments

for renewing and brightening the covenant

chain. We will take it to Onondaga, where
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LAKE GEORGE AND

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our council fire always burns, and keep it so
securely that neither thunder nor lightning
shall break it. There we will consult over it,
and as we have lately added two links to it
[referring to two more nations who had joined
their league], so we will use our endeavors to
add as many more links to it as lies in our
power. We now solemnly renew and brighten
the covenant chain with our brethren here pres-
ent, and with all our other absent brethren on
the continent. Brethren, as to the account you
have heard of our being dispersed from each
other, 'tis very true. You have asked us the
reason. The reason is, your neglecting us for
these three years past." [Then taking a stick
and throwing it behind him.] " You have thus
thrown us behind your back and disregarded
us ; whereas the French are a subtle and vigi-
lant people, ever using their endeavors to induce
and bring our people over to them." [Gave a
belt.] "As to the encroachments of the French,
we have made a strict inquiry among all our
people, and we cannot find that either any sale
has been made or leave been given; but the
French have gone thither and built their forts
and occupied the land without our consent or
approbation. Brethren, the Governor of Vir-
ginia and the Governor of Canada are both

LAKE CHAMPLAIN,

quarreling about lands which belong to ns, and
Buch a quarrel as this may end in our destruc-
tion. Brethren, it is true, as you told us, that
tlie cloud hangs heavy over us, and 'tis not very
pleasant to look up ; but we give you this belt
to clear away all clouds, that we may live
in bright sunshine and keep together in strict
union and friendship." [Gave a belt.]
" Brethren, this is the ancient place of treaty,
where the fire of friendship always used to
burn, and 'tis now three years since we have
been called to any public treaty here. 'Tis true
there are commissioners here, but they lir^ve
never invited us to smoke with them, bu^ '^i3
Indians of Canada come frequently and smoke
here, which is for the sake of their beaver ; but
we hate them [meaning the French Indians] ;
we have not as yet confirmed the peace Avith
them. 'Tis your fault, brethren, that we are not
strengthened by conquest, for we would have
gone and taken Crown Point, but you hindered
us. We had concluded to go and take it, but
we were told it was too late, and that the ice
would not bear us. Instead of this, you burned
your own fort at Saraghtoga, and ran away from
it, which was a shame and a scandal to you.
Look about your country and see. You have
no fortifications about you ; lo, not even in this

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LAKE GEORGE AND

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city. 'Tis but one step from Canada hither,
and the French may easily come and turn you
out of your doors. Brethren, you were desir-
ous that we should open our minds and our
hearts to you. Look at the French. They are
men ; they are fortifying everywhere ; but, we
are ashamed to say it, you are like women, bare
a;id open, without any fortifications."

Here Hendrick ended his speech, when the
sachem Abraham arose and stated that when
Col. Johnson had laid down the management of
Indian affairs it had caused them a great uneasi-
ness. They desired that he be re-instated, for
they all lived happy under his management.
"We love him and he us, and he has always
been our good and trusty friend. Brethren, I for-
got , omething. We think our request about Col.
Johiison, which Gov. Clinton promised to carry
to the King, our father, is drowned in the sea."

To this the Governor the next day replied to
the effect that it gave the commissioners great
pleasure to see them so ready to renew and
brighten the ancient chain of friendship. They
were sorry any neglect had been shown them,
and hoped nothing of the kind would happen
hereatler. They were glad they gave no coun-
tenance to the French, and were surprised to
hear that the Governor of Yirecinia and Canada

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

were fighting about lands belonging to them.
Here Mr. Wiesar, agent for Virginia and Penn-
pylvania, made satisfactory explanations to the
effect that the road they had complained of
had been traveled by the traders to Ohio for
thirty years, when the Governor said :

*' Brethren, you told us we were open and
defenseless. We are consulting how far it will
be necessary to fortify our frontier, at the same
time we expect you to take care to keep .your
people from going over to the French."

The rejoinder of the Six Nations was spoken
by Ilendrick, on the fifth of July. After
expressing his pleasure at the mutual and satis-
factory arrangements of their respective differ-
ences, he said :

"Brethren, we put you in mind from our
former speech, of the defenseless state of your
frontiers, particularly of this city, of Schenec-
tady, and of the country of the Five Nations.
You told us yesterday you were consulting
about securing both. We beg you will resolve
upon something speedily. You are not safe
from danger one day. The French have their
hatchet in their hands both at Ohio and in two
places in New England. We don't know but
this very night they may attack us. Since Col.
Johnson has been in this city there has been a

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LAKE OEOKGE AND

French Iiulian at his house, who took measure
of the wall around it, and made vorj narrow
observations on every thing thereabouts. We
think Col. .Johnson in ver}^ great danger, because
the French will take more than ordinary pains
to kill him or to take him prisoner, both on
account of his great interest among us and
because he is one of our sachems." [Upon tins
they gave four strings of wampum.]

" Brethren, there is an affair about which our
hearts tremble and our minds are deeply con-
cerned. We refer to the selling of rum in our
castles. It destroys many, both of our old and
young people. We are in great fears about this
rum. It may cause murder on both sides. We,
the Mohawks of both castles, request that the
people who are settled round about us may not
be suffered to sell our people rum. It keeps
them all poor, and makes them idle and wicked.
If they have any money or goods they lay all
out in rum. It destroys virtue and the progress
of religion among us. We now have a friendly
'request to make to the Governors here present,
that they will help us build a church at Canajo-
harie, and that we may have a bell in it, which,
together with the putting a stop to the sale of
rum, will tend to make us religious and to lead
to better lives than we do now."

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

The Governor promised satisfaction, and then
stated, before he covered up the tire, tliat he had
ordered thirty wagons to carry up the presents
to Schenectady, also some provisions for tho
journey, with wliich tlie conference, so far as
regarded the Indians, broke up.

AfttT some weeks of deliberatii .i the "Plan
of Union " was completed. It was not satisfac-
tory, however, either to the Crown or to tho
people. It was reserved for another day and
place — twonty-two years after, at Independence
TIall, in Philadelpliia, on the fourth ^''ay of July,
1776 — to complete those " Articles of Confed-
eration," which formed the United States of
America,

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Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y 14580

(716) 872-4503

1A^^

'ij^ .<«. "<«."

CHAPTER V.

Col. WM. JOHNSON APPOINTBD to the command of the TBOOPS — THK
6BEAT COUNCIL WITH THE INDIANS — KAQUSWUGHTIONA, ALIAS BED
HEAD — CONOCHQUIESIE — LYDIUS.

1755.

'N the 16th of April, 1755, a commis-
sion was issued to Col. Wm. Johnson,
appointing him a major-general. It
§>^/^ recited that the governments of Mas-
sachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, Connecticut,
Rhode Island and New York, had raised, re-
spectively, a body of men, amounting in all to
about four thousand, to be employed "in an
attempt to erect a strong fortress upon an emi-
nence near the French fort at Crown Point, and
for removing the encroachments of the French
upon His ]![*^ajesty's lands in that quarter."

The quota to be raised by the respective
colonies was as follows : New Hampshire, six
hundred; Connecticut, one thousand; Rhode
Island, four hundred ; New York, eight hun-
dred ; Massachusetts, twelve hundred. The
expenses for the expedition were £20,000, which
appear to have been furnished by the British

jtive
, six
liode
hun-
The
[hich
litisli

LAKE CHAMPLAIX.

government on the credit of Gov. Braddock, to
l^e assessed on the colonies in about the above
proportion.

The appointment of Johnson to the command
of the expedition was in consequence of a coun-
cil of Governors held at Alexandria, in Virginia,
April 14th, of the same year. This meeting
was presided over by Gen. Edward Braddock,
Commander-in-chief of Ilis Majesty's forces in
North America.

The council expressed their approbation of
the attack proposed to be made by the General
upon Crown Point and Niagara, as being " un-
doubted encroachments made by the French
upon His Majesty's dominions," and gave it as
their unanimous opinion that Col. Johnson was
the " properest person to have the command of
the expedition to Crown Point."

Gen. Johnson proceeded to make adequate
preparations for the campaign.

On the 29th of May, he writes to Gov. De
Lancey that" the six eighteen-pounders and the
four field pieces are too few for the number of
troops destined for this service," and requests
four more of each kind ; also a quartermaster
and an engineer for the artillery.

June 18. Mr. George Banyar, colonial secre-
tary, on behalf of the Governor, reports that he
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would liave the carriages for the ten heavy guns
made in New York, while Johnson should have
the carriages for the brass field-pieces made at
Albany. " Capt. Eyre, being on the spot, will
give the proper directions to the workmen. If
you have not sponges, saddles, etc., mention
what is wanted, and we will endeavor to have
them sent with the other things. If there be
not enough ball, send down one of the shot
that is a pattern. The ten large bateaux for
the cannon must be made at Albany. The
carriages we saw at Alexandria had apart-
ments in them for powder and shot, which 1
think very necessary, as the guns may be used
on the march. Those made at Albany were
done by Garret Lansing, and Mr. Dies desires
me to caution you against making them too
heavy."

The artillery train appears to have been a
source of equally anxious care on the part of
the provincial authorities. On the 5th of July
tlie assembly ordered the sum of nine hundred
8Tid forty-four pounds to be paid toward the
train, in addition to two thousand pounds pre-
viously advanced for the same. One thousand
pounds was also advanced on the security of
l^art of the provisions allowed by the colony of
Pennsylvania. Gov. Shirley also furnished fifty-

LAKE CHiVMPLAIN.

one Imndred and fifty-two pounds for the same
service, wliicli completed the whole estimate for.
the train of artillery.*

The ammunition for the same not being suf-
ficient, fifty-two barrels of powder additional
were taken from the Niagara expedition, and
placed at the disposal of the commander. An
allowance was proposed to be made to Gen.
Johnson of but £25 for his personal expenses,
which he claimed was not enough.

" I am far from intending or desiring," writes
Johnson, " a support for a vain or useless osten-
tation, but the council will, I presuvne, think it
necessary that I sustain the honor conferred
upon me with a decent dignity. The troops

* The subsequent history of Johnson's park of artillery
possesses some points of public interest. It was turned over
to the victorious French troops at the disastrous surrender
of Monroe to Montcalm ; abandoned to the English at the
capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point by Lord Amherst ;
subsequently captured by Cols. Ethan Allen and Arnold, in
177i>, "in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Conti-
nental Couf^ress." Finally, in the dead of winter, in 1770,
under Gen. Henry Knox, commander of artillery during
the Revolution, through the woods on long trains of sledges
drawn by oxen, fifty pieces were transported to Boston.
There it did good service in the siege and bombardment of
that place, until the city was evacuated by the British
troops.

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will naturally expect to see it, the officers to feel
it. Neither my policy nor my sj)irit will allow
me to disgrace the character I am placed in.
The province of New Jersey liave agreed to
give Col. Peter Schuyler, wlio commands hut
five hundred men, three hundred pounds cur-
rency for his table. Is not a secretary, are not
aids-de-camp necessary about me ? Is there to
be no establishment for them ? They must
always l)e of my table."

In consequence of these representations, an
allowance of fifty pounds per montli was made
to Gen. Johnson for his table, and four hundred
and fifty-seven pounds foi* the service of the
Indians.

On his return from Albanv, Gen. Johnson
sent messages, with belts and wampum, through
the several Indian nations, acquainting them
with his appointment, and calling for a grand
council, to be held at his house (Fort Johnson),
for which vast preparations had been made.

The conference was opened with due solem-
nity and the observance of all the ancient forms,
at Mount Johnson, June 21. The nations rep-
resented were the Senecas, Cayugas, Oneidas,
Tuscaroras, Onondagas, Tiedrigoes, Schnadari-
ghroes, Dela wares and Mohawks. In all there
were eleven hundred, men, women and children,

LAKE Cir AM PLAIN.

being a greater number tlian were ever assem-
bled before at any pul)lic meeting."'^

The representative white men present were
Hon. William Johnson, the Kev. Mr. Ogilvio,
the Indian missionary (afterward tran "jrred to
Trinity Church, New York), Peter ^^Vraxall,
secretary for Indian affairs; four intei jreters ;
Mr. Ferrall, Capt. Stoddert, Capt. Butler and
John Henry Lydius, who was in the interest of
Gov. Shirley, and appeared by accident here, as
he was on his way to Oswego.

The speeches had previously been written out
and translated into Indian by Daniel Clans, a
German gentleman of education, who had lived
for some time with the upper Mohawks, assisted
i)y the other interpreters, and by them read to
two eminent sachems of the Onondaga and
Oneida tribes.

At the app« inted hour all were seated and
the tribes arranged in order in the open air.
The address was first made by Johnson in Eng-
lish. This was repeated in a low tone, para-
graph by paragraph, by Clans, the interpreter,
and was then spoken by the Onondaga sachem,

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* The General wa^ distressed where to get food for sucli
numbers, as they " destroyed every green thing upon hig
estate, and all his meadows."

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LAKE GEORGE AND

>'♦

Ivagliswnghtiona (" Red Head "), to the whole
body of Indians, with their consent and appro-
bation.

"Bretliren of the confederate nations hero
present : With this string of wainpnm I wipe
away all tears from your eyes and clear your
throats, that we may cheerfully look one another
in the face, and that you may, at this meeting,
attend and speak without constraint." [Gave a
string of wampum.]

Johnson then stated that he had attended a
great meeting of the Governors of the States,
with Gen. Braddock (a great warrior), where
many things were considered and agreed upon,
among which were some concerning the welfare
and interests of his brethren, the Indians, and
regarded more particularly the insults and
encroachments of the French. He then pro-
ceeded :

" Brethren, the tree which you have so often
and so earnestly desired might be again set up,
is now raised and fixed in the earth by so pow-
erful a hand that its roots will take a firm and
deep footing, and its branches be a comfortable
and extensive shade for you and all your allies
to take shelter under it. I do, brethren, at the
same time, remove the embers which remained
at Albanv, and rekindle the fire of council and

LAKE CIIAMn. VIN.

friendship at tliis place; and tliis tire I shall
make of such wood as will <«;ive the clearest
li^ht and greatest warmth, and I hope it will
prove comfortable and useful to all such as
will come and light their pipes at it, and dazzle
and scorch all those who are or mav be enemies
to it. I expect, brethren, that you will, on your
parts, increase the luster and benefits of this
fire by keeping it dressed up and tending it with
such diligent zeal as may render it not. only a
blessing to yourselves but to your posterity.
Brethren, with this string of wampum I make
this council room clean and free from every
thing oflfensive, and I hope that you will take
care that no snake may creep in among us, or
any thing which may obstruct our harmony,"
[Gave a string of wampum.]

He also informed them that he had. been
appointed superinteiident of Indian affairs, and
then advised them to cast away all discord,
jealousies and misunderstandings. "Consult
together," he said, " with that love and confi-
dence which becomes brethren. Let your ge7ie-
ral interest be the desire of every man among
you. Unity among brethren is the best and
surest defense against every enemy. Brothers
joined together are like a great bundle of sticks
which cannot be broke whilst they are bound

LAKE OKUROE AND

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togetlier, but wlien separated from each other n
chikl may l)reak tlicm." [Hero a bundle of
Bticks, bound together, were deliwred by Col.
Jolinaon to tlie sachem, Red Head, who, with a
very lively a^^tion and in an animated manne**;
exemplified the metaphor, and gave the bundle
of sticks to a sachem on the front bench. Upon
this, a universal shout of applause was given by
the Indians.] " So will it be with you. If you
keep in union you will bo strong, but if divided,
you will easily be destroyed. To fix in your
hearts and to render this advice, which I have
given you, efiectud, I strengthen it with this
belt of wampum." [Gave a belt.]

The General t\um informed them he had done
for this time, bui*: would give them another
speech the day after to-morrow, when affairs of
the greatest importance would be opened to them.

On the morning of the 23d a council of the
sachems was held to consider of the reply, and
Hendrick was nominated for their speaker, but
he declined the honor in favor of " Red Head,"
which was at last agreed to. The latter had
been much under French influence, but had been
won over by Col. Johnson.

In the afternoon, the assembly being convened
as before, Hendrick, the Mohawk sachem, first
rose up and said :

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LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

" Brother "VVariaghoja^hc [Col. Johnftoira
Indian name] : The confederate nations aro
now ready to make their rei>ly to your speech
to them on last Saturday. Arc you prepared
to hear what wc have to say ?" Col. Johnson
told them that he was. Ilendriek then said :

*' Brotlier sachems and you warriors, my chil-
dren : According to the customs of our fore-
fathers on these occasions, the sj)eaker was
chosen from the Mohawks, Senecas or Oiionda-
gas, they being the elder l)rother8 of the confed-
eracy. Nor was any preference given to either
of the thrc '', as from whichever of them a
speaker wkj chosen, there was no fear but
every thing would be regularly conducted.
You warriors and young men take notice and
remember this custom. Brotlier Kaghswugh-
tiona the Sachem, of Onondaga, is chosen for
our speaker at this meeting."

Kaghswughtiona then rose up and said as fol-
lows:

"Brother Wariaghejaghe : We, the confed-
erate nations now assembled, do, by this string
of wampum, return you our brotherly thanks
for the ceremony of wiping our tears, etc. We
do the same to you for every cause of grief you
may have had, and we also clear your throat and
heart that you may speak to us with an uncon-

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Btniincd tVecdom. "Wo condole with our brotli-
reu, the Knj^lisli, for all the l>lood whi(th has
been si)illed hy the French and all other
eneiniefi." [Gave a string of wampum.]

Ked Head thanked him for the relation given
of the journey to Virginia, and of what passed
at the council there, and then said : " We are
also rejoiced to see the tree replanted, and that
in so strong a manner. We hope it will be
nourished by refreshing streams, that it may
grow up as high as the hea^'ens, and be proof
against every envious wind ; that its branches
may be large enough and numerous enough to
afford sufKcient shelter for us and all our
brethren to come and consult under it, and that
our children's children may bless the hand that
planted it. Brother, we have been long in
darkness, and we are extremely obliged to the
King for now restoring us to that clear and
comfortable light, which in old times cheered
our fathers, by appointing you to the sole man-
agement of our atFairs, whom we look upon as
our own flesh and blood. You, last year, made
up the fire at Onondaga, of such wood as will
iiever burn out. As to the fire at Albany, it
was so low and bad that we could not find even
a spark to light a pipe at it. But here we have
a fire that will never be extinguished. This

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LAKE CHAMl'LAIN.

fire, as well as tlmt at Oiiondaira, we will clie

n")

i>*h, and all other tires we thus kick away [here
the speaker kicked with his toot], as unnatural
and hatetnl to us." [Gave a helt, and the
Indians gave a shout.] "Brother, we thank
you tor renewing our ancient forms. You have
records of these things, and we thank you for
putting us in mind of them by cleaning this
council place, and we assure you we will
endeavor to keep it clean and free from - every
thing hurtful. We also thank you for advising
us to be sincerely and attectionately united
together, in so expressive a manner as you did
by the bundle of sticks. It hath warmed our
hearts, and we are sensible that if divided we
shall be like this single stick, easily destroyed,
and we are determined to support that strict
union which rendered our forefathers formidable
and happy." [Gave a belt of wampum.]

Col. Johnson here expressed his thanks for
their affectionate answer, and having given
notice that he desired their attendance the next
day, and that two cannon would be fired as a
signal, the assembly broke up.

The same formalities were observed the fol-
lowing day, when Col. Johnson spoke as follows :

" Brethren, sachems and warriors of the con-
federate nations : AVith this string of wampum

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LAKE GEORGE AND

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f'tl^

I pick your ears, and desire your serious atten-
tion. Behold, brethren, tliese great books [four
folio volumes of the records of Indian affairs,
which lay upon the table]. They are records
of the many solemn treaties and transactions
which have passed between your forefathers and
your brethren, the English, also between many
of you here present and us, your brethren, now
living. They testify that it is now almost a
hundred years since your forefathers and ours
became known to each other. That upon our
first acquaintance we shook hands, and finding
we should be useful to one another, entered into
a covenant of brotherly love and mutual friend-
ship ; and though at first we were only tied by
a rope, yet lest this rope should grow rotten and
break, we tied ourselves together by an iron
chain; lest time and accident might rust and
destroy this chain of iron, we afterward made
' one of silver, the strength and brightness of
which would be subject to no decay. The ends
of this silver chain are fixed in the immovable
mountains, in so firm a manner that the hands
of no mortal enemy might be able to move it.
By keeping it bright and unbroken we have
never spilled in anger one another's blood to
this day. From the beginning to this time, we
have almost every year strengthened and

and

LAKE CUAMPLAIN.

brightened this covenant chain in the most
public and solemn manner. You know that
we became as one body, one blood and one
people, the same king our common father ; that
your enemies were ours, and whom you took
into your alliance and allowed to take into their
hands this covenant chain as brethren, they have
become so to ns. Brethren, you also know that
from the beginning the French were your
declared and most cruel enemies."

The Colonel then proceeded to detail their
endeavors to burn the settlements ; their sup-
plying their enemies with ammunition ; their
spoiling the hunting grounds by building stock-
ades; their pretended peace when war was in
their hearts ; their treachery in obtaining leave
to found trading houses, w^hen they immediately
built forts; until finally, when six years ago
they sent a body of armed men to cut oif the
brethren at the Ohio, which they would in all
probability have succeeded in, had not Johnson
prevented it by giving the Indians timely notice
of their danger.

"And now, my brethren," he continuec" " I
ask you, and I desire every man present to ask
himself; the question, Who have been — who are
the friends and brethren of the five confederate
nations and their allies? the English or the
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LAKE GEORGE AND

French ? Whatever the reports the French may
artfully spread among you, to alarm or excite
jealousies in you against the English, believe
me they are false and raised only to ruin and
enslave you and establish their own power. I
call tliat Almighty Spirit above to witness, who
made us all and knows our hearts, which created
the sun which shines upon us, and in whose
hands are the thunder and the lightning, that
we, your brethren, have no ill designs whatever
against you. If you will continue to be dutiful
and faithful children to the King, and enter into
no engagements with the French against your
brethren the English — if you will do this with
sincerity, I am ready with this belt to renew
and make more strong and bright than ever the
covenant chain of love and friendsliip, that our
friends or enemies shall be yours, and that your
friends or enemies shall be ours." [Here the
union belt was gi ven.] '^Stand hy your hrethren^
the English. They have, indeed, been long
asleep, but now they are thoroughly awake.
They are slow to spill blood, but when they
begin they are like an angry wolf, and the
French will fly before them like deer. Now is
your time to choose. I am ordered to go
myself, with great guns and other implements
of war, to drive the French from their encroach-

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

meiits on your hunting grounds in this province.
If you will be dutiful to the King, if you will
be faithful to your brethren, if you will treat
me as your brother, go with me. My war ket-
tle IS ON THE FIRE ; MY CANOE IS READY TO PUT
INTO THE WATER ; MY GUN IS LOADED ; MY SWORD
IS BY MY SIDE, AND MY AX IS SHARPENED. By

this large belt, therefore, I call you to rise up
like honest and brave men, and join your
brethren against our common enemy ; and by it
I confirm the assurances I have given you."
[Here he gave a war belt to Abraham, a brother
of Ilendrick, a sachem of the upper Mohawk
castle.]

The next day Johnson gave them the speech
sent to them by Gen. Braddock.

On the 29th of June the sachems were pre-
pared with their reply, which was delivered by

Red Head, stating that they accepted his
terms, and that a certain number of the braves
would go from each castle ; but as they left their
families unprepared for this event, they were
desirous their young men should first go home
and settle their affairs properly.

Johnson replied, stating his satisfaction at
this determination. In the evening the war
kettle was put on, and the war dance was
performed. Col. Johnson began it, and the

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LAKE GEORGE AND

Bj)eakers, sachems and warriors joined in the
solemn ceremony.

A number of days more were consumed at
this celebrated conference.

On the first of July, the presents being set
out in the middle of the yard, Gen. Johnson
again addressed the Indians to the effect, that
as they had engaged themselves to assist their
brethren in the undertakings now on foot
against their enemies, the French, he hoped
they would fulfill their engagements like honest
men ; that some of their young men should go
down and join Gen. Braddock; that Gov.
Shirley was going with an army to Oswego and
Niagara, and he desired they should give him
their presence and assistance in his undertakings ;
that he would shortly march with the forces
under his command to Crown Point, and he
desired they would have some warriors from
each nation to attend to his directions.

The reply was again given by Red Head,
who seemed to have been the chief orator for
this occasion, in which he promised that they
would persist in their engagements; that the
Plalf King had already Joined Gen. Braddock
with several of their people ; that where John-
son went they were ready to follow, and there
would be people to join and aid Gov. Shirley.

UNIVERSITY OF ViaORIA

LIBRARY

Victoria, B. C.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

101

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He then took in his hands a harge belt of wam-
pum, witli a smaller one tied to it, and said:

" Brother : As every thing has gone in a
friendly way between us at this meeting, and
we are now united together in the most intimate
manner, let us not have the devil to join with
us, and that is the rum. We desire you will
stop up the bung, and let none come to be sold
to our people. Let us be content with the drink
which God gives us from the heavens. Rum is
not necessary for our lives, but, on the contrary,
is the occasion of our losing them. We have
never any difference but through this cursed
liquor.

" Brother, we must correct you a little. You
desire us to unite and to live together, and to
draw all our allies near us ; but we shall have
no land, left, either for ourselves or for them.
When your people buy a small piece of land
from us, by stealing they make it large. Some-
times it is bought of two men who are not the
proper owners of it." * * *

Conochquieaie, the Oneida sachem, then rose
up and said :

" Brother, you promised us that you would

keep this fire-place clean from all filth, and that

no snake should come into this council room.

That man sitting there (pointing to Col. Lydius)

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LAKE GEORGE

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is a devil and has stolen onr lands. He takes
Indians slyly by the blanket, one at a time,
and when they are drunk, pnts some money
into their bosoms, and persuades them to sign
deeds for our lands upon the Susquehanna
which we will not ratify, nor suffer the lands
to be settled."

In his rejoiner Gen. Johnson said : " That if
the coming of Lydius was any offense to the
Indians, he was sorry for it. Lydius came to
Mount Johnson of his own accord, and without
any invitation from him. If Col. Lydius has
done as you represent, which I am afraid is in a
great measure true, I think he is very faulty —
and nobody should attempt to settle lands on
such unfair purchases."

The General having further wished them a
safe return to their homes, the Conference — the
most celebrated in Indian history — broke up,
having been in session fourteen days.

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CHAPTER VI.

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The expedition to ,ie georoe — composition of the regi-
ments— fout HARDV — FORT MILLER — COUNCIL OF WAR — PORT
LYMAN — ARRIVAL AT LAKE PT. SACRAMENT — NAME CHANGED TO
LAKE GEORGE — DEISKAU — BATTLE OP LAKE GEORGE — BLOODY
POND — T:IE CAPTURE OP CROWN POINT POSTPONED.

'LB ANY was selected as the plnce of
rendezvous for the troops destined for
the Crown Point expedition, who
^^^ began to assemble about the last of
June. It was composed of the following regi-
ments :

I^i7'st Connecticut — Major-General Phineas
Lyman, Lieut.-Col. John Pitkin, Major Robert
Denniston.

Second ConnectictU — Col. Eloaznr Goodrich,
Lieut.-Col. Nathan Whiting, JMajor Eleazur
Fitch.

First Massachusetts — Col. Timothy Euggles,
Lieut.-Col. Thos. Gilbert, Major Jonathan
White.

Second Massachusetts — Col. Moses Titcomb,
Lieut.-Col. Jonathan Bagley, Major Ebin
Nichols.

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LAKE GEORGE AND

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Third Massachusetts — Col. Epliriani Wil-
liams, Lieut.-Col. Setli Ponieroy, Major Noah
Ashley.

First Rhode Island — Col. Wm. Cockroft,
Lieut.-Col. Edward Cole, Major Robert House.

To these were added, on their arrival at Fort
Edward, Col. Joshua Blanchard's regiment of
New Hampshire.

In addition to the above regiments were the
following companies :

Capt. Phil John Schuyler, Albany, 87 men.

Capt. Edmond Mathews, Albany, 97 men.

Capt. Isaac Corser, Westchester, 95 men.

Capt. Peter Vandenburgh, Dutchess, 78 men.

Capt. Wm. McGinness, Schenectady, 89 men.

Capt. Samuel Dimock, Seabrook, Ct., 97 men.

Capt. John Slap, Durham, Ct., 97 men.

Capt. Street Hall, Wallingford, Ct., 97 men.

These companies were organized into the New
York regiment, which was placed under the
command of Major Fitch, of Connecticut.

About the first of August Gen. Lyman moved
up the river with the advance, building store-
houses and opening the road. At Saraghtoga he
constructed a block-house, to which he gave the
name of Fort Hardy, in honor of the New Gov-
ernor of New York. This fort was located on
the north side of Fish creek, on the west side

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

105

of tlie river. It was protected on two sides, hy
the creek and river, and on the remaining sides
hy a deep ditcli, wliich was crossed hy a draw-
hridge. Store-houses were also erected at the
second carrying place, to which the name of
Fort Miller was given. They were on the west
side of the stream, and were huilt npon the flat
at the head of the falls. This flat is protected
on three sides, by the river, wliich curves around
it in a horseshoe form, and one-third of the
remaining side by a narrow bay. To com})lete
these natural defenses a parapet of timber and
earth, with a fence in front of it, was extended
across the neck of land from the head of the bay
to the river bank.

The road was continued up the west side of
the river to the great carrying place and there
on the site of Fort Nicholson, and subsequently
of the fortified house of Lydius,* a large and

* John Henry Lydius was a man of extensive acquire-
ments and prominence. He was a son of John Lydius, the
second Dutch Reformed minister of Albany, who succeeded
Godfrey Dellius in his ministrations of the Holland church,
and from whom Lydius street (now Madison avenue) was
named. He died March 1, 1709.

Jolin Henry, the merchant and Indian trader, was horn
1693. From 1725 to 1730 he resided at Montreal, and mar-
ried Genevieve Masse, a half bre jd. While hero he carried
on a trade and clandestine correspondence with Boston.

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LAKK OEOUGE AND

expensive fort was laid out, whidi was called
Fort Lyman. It was built iindor the direction
of Capt. Eyre, who kept three hundred men
constantly at work upon them until the army
marched to Lake St. Sacrament. It was fifteen
hundred and sixty feet in circumference and of
an irregular quadrangular form. Two of its
sides were protected by Fort Edward Creek and
the river. Its rami)arts were sixteen feet high
and twenty -two feet thick, which were guarded

It is not true as has been stated, that ho abjured his
relijjion. On the contrary, he wan tried for heresy and tnni-
perinj? with the Indians. It was shown that he received
the Indians at his house, painted them, teliing them that
thus they should go to war. Ho also represented that the
Catholic mysteries which the missionaries were announcing
to them, were pure imiwsitions, which they ought not to
believe. He had objected to have his child baptized, anc.
secretly had exhorted an Englishman, at the point of death,
to persist in his heretical opinions, had assisted at his inter-
ment, and peribrmed the ceremonies according to the man-
ner of English ministers. In consequence of this h(^ was
tried by a court-martial, and was condemned to pay a fine of
three thousand livres and be banished the colony forever.

In 1744, on the 20th of February, Beaubassin visited
Lydius at his fortified house, at the great carrying place
(Fort Edv^ard), and slept there. Lydius then stated to him
that in the spring two Englishmen intended to build a grist
and a saw mill at the Little Fall (Whitehall), for the pur-
pose of locating a company of Scotchmen (Capt. Laughlin's
emigrants).

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107

by six cannon. Lient.-Colonel Bagley built a
bridge across the creek, whicli was known as
Bagley's bridge. The fort contained magazine,
barracks, store-honse and hospital, in addition
to which large store-houses and barracks were
reared on the island opposite, in the river. It
took several years to complete the fort, which,
when finished, was named Fort Edward, in
honor of the Duke of York, brother of George
the Third.

in I

In November, 1745, Lydius' house was plundere(' and
burned by the Indians, under M. Marin, on their way to the
capture of Saraghtoga. His son was taken prisoner. The
Bame winter Lydius went to Boston to represent to Gov.
Shirley the necessity of taking Fort St. Frederick.

In 1750 he was a citizen of Albany, and engaged in per-
fecting the exchange of prisoners between the two nations.
He excited the jealousy of Sir Wm. Johnson, who at one
time considered him a dar ^erous man, and charged that he
had sent a packet of letters to Canada, with an account of
a skirmish which the Indians had had with the Albanians.
Still he was recommended by Johnson, on his resignation
as superintendent of Indian affairs, in 1757, as the most
proper person to be appointed in his place. Lydius stood
high in the confidence of Gov. Shirley, who was in the
habit of intrusting to him his negotiations with the Indians.
He effected the purchase whereby Connecticut became pos-
sessed of the valley of the Wyoming. He owned extensive
tracts in, and settled the town of Durham, county of Char-
lotte. He removed to Lngland. 1776, and died near Ken-
sington, 1791, aged ninety-eight years.

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108

LAKE GEORGE AND

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On the 8tli of August Gen. Johnson left
Albany with the stores and artillery. He was
also accompanied by Ilendrick with fifty Mo-
hawk warriors. He reached the great carrying
place on the 14th, and was there joined by two
hundred more braves. Here information was
received that the French were concentrating a
force of at least 6,000 men at Fort St. Frede-
rick, that they intended also to fortify at Ticon-
deroga, and if the army marched by the way
of Wood creek, they would attack from South
Bay. These reports from the Indians were con-
firmed by Lieuts. Adams, ^Jutler and Stevens,
who each commanded an Indian company.

A scouting party of forty soldiers and three
Indians, having been sent out to reconnoiter,
Johnson laid before a council of war the above
information, and, at the same time, desired their
opinion in regard to re-enforcements, also which
way toward Crown Point the road should be
opened, and the number of men necessary for
that work.

The council unanimously decided that there
was great urgency for re-enforcements, that the
road to Lake St. Sacrament was the most eligible
route, and that two thousand men and half the
artillery and military stores, were the number
that would be safe and sufiicient to carry on

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LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

109

■:1

be
for

that work and build a place of arms and maga-
zines. The whole number of troops fit for duty
was 2,932.

The same day, August 24, Gen. Johnson
inclosed to Gov. Delancey the minutes of the
council of war, and stated that he had sent an
express to Col. Blanchard to join him with all
possible dispatch ; that he had many natural
obstacles to expect; that the French would
probably outnumber him, but he would take
post and fortify himself in some advantageous
place this side of Crown Point, probably at
Ticonderoga ; that they were greatly superior
in Indians, and, all circumstances considered,
very strong and speedy re-enforcements were
necessary to the acquisition of Crown Point.

The country, however, was already alive to
the emergency. The ^^ew York Assembly had
already resolved to raise 400, Connecticut 500,
and Massachusetts 2,000, additional troops for
this expedition.

Aug. 25. Johnson moved out with the iirst
division of fifteen hundred men, besides the
Indians. The troops reached the lake on the
evening of the 2Sth, and immediately went into
camp on its border,"^ their flanks being protected

* West of Fort George.
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LAKE GEORGE AND

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by a thickly wooded swamp, "where," he writes,
" no house was ever before built, nor a rod of
land cleared ; and the lake which the French call
St. Sacraraent* I have given the name of Lake
GEOEGEjt not only in honor of His Majesty,
but to assert his undoubted dominion here."

The plan of the General was, after building
the fort, to cause the bateaux, about six hun-
dred in number, to be brought up from Fort
Lyman, and proceeding to Ticonderoga, there
await re-enforcements, and then proceed to the
attack on Crown Point.

Sept. 3d. Gen. Lyman arrived, bringing up
with him the rest of the troops and the heavy
artillery. He left Col. Blanchard in com-
mand of the fort, with the New Hampshire
Eangers and five companies of the New York
regiment.

* Literally " Lake of the Blessed Sacrament," which
name it obtained in 1646, from Father Joques, the Jesuit,
who, on his way to the Iroquois country, passed through it
on the festival of Corpus Christi.

f The andent Iroquois name of Lake George is Andia-ti-
roc-te — "There the lake shuts itself." lis arriverant, la
Veille du S. Sacrament au bout* du lac qui est joint au
grand lac de Champlain. Les Iroquois le nomment Andia-
TiROCTE comme que disact la on le lac se feme. La Pere le
nomma le lac du S. Sacrament.

* 5oM<— The extremity as opposed to the other end.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

Ill

In the montli of March, 1755, a commission
was issued by Louis XI to the Baron de Dies-
kau,* appointing him to the command of the
French troops in Canada, and giving him six
battalions of 3,000 regulars, in addition to the
troops already there. M. de Yaudreuil, a Cana-
dian by birth, and lately Governor of Louisi-
ana, was appointed Governor of Canada, to
succeed Duquesne, and accompanied Dieskau.

May 3d. They embarked at Brest in a fleet
of fourteen ships and two frigates, and reached
Quebec on the 26th of June, with the loss of
two vessels, which were captured by the English
cruisers off Newfoundland.

On the 16th of August Dieskau moved up to
Fort St. Frederick. Ilis army for this purpose
consisted of the regiments of La Heine and
Languedock, amounting to 720 regulars, 1,500
Canadians and 760 Indians, in all 3,000 men.

Sept. 3d. The Baron moved down to Carillon
(Ticonderoga), for the purpose of building a fort
and occupying that important pass. On infor-
mation received here from a prisoner, it was
resolved " to turn the defensive into the offen-
sive," and attack and overwhelm the camp at
Fort Lyman.

* A lieutenant-colonel of cavalry under tlie celebrated
Marshal Saxe.

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112

LAKE GEORGE AND

In consequence of this, there were ordered
out a detachment of 218 regulars, 600 Cana-
dians and all the Indians, making a force of
1,500 men. By advice of the Indians, they
resolved to go up Lake Champlain rather than
by Lake St. Sacrament. The first night they
encamped at the Two Rocks, and September 5th
moved to the head of South Bay.

6th. They left the bateaux under a guard of
one hundred and twenty men, and marched
three leagues toward Fort Lyman, the detach-
ment carrying eight days' provisions on their
backs.

7th. Marched six leagues through the woods,
and encamped within a league of the fort,
intending to attack and carry the place the next
morning, by a " couj? de main.^^ Thereupon the
commander called together the Indian chiefs, to
explain to them his plan, and to assign to them
their positions. After a delay of an hour or
two, the chiefs returned to the Marshal, and
stated that the Iroquois of the Sanity to the
number of 300, had refused to join in the
attack, and as they were the oldest, the rest
of the Indians would be obliged to follow
their example. They had resolved " not to act
against the English on their own territory^ hut
if the General would lead them against the

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LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

113

English camp at St. Sacrament, which was
undoiihtedbj on French soil^^ they would follow
him there.*

In consequence of this determination, the
General changed his plans, and the next morn-
ing at day-break moved toward Lake St. Sacra-
ment, on the road which Johnson had built.
The troops marched in three columns, the Cana-
dians on the right, Indians on the left, and the
regulars in the center. After a march of some
hours a prisoner was brought in, who stated that
Gen. Johnson had been informed of the march
against Fort Lyman, and had detached 1,000
men from, his camp to re-enforce that place.
Upon this information, Dieskau ordered the
Indians and Canadians to move about three
hundred paces in front, there to lie flat on the
ground, so as not to be discovered, and not to
make the slightest noise or discharge a gun
until the French column had first fired, then to
rise suddenly so as to take the English on both
flanks. The center column having come to a

* Rev. Courtlandt Van Rensselaer, in his historical dis-
course on the battle of Lake George, states that the reason
why the Indians refused to go on with the attack, was on
account of their dread of cannon. But the above is from
the oflBcial return.
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LAKE GEORGE AND

halt, the plan of attack took the form of a cid
de sac / and, had the orders been obeyed, there

is not a donbt but the whole of the English
detachment would have been captured. Unfor-
tunately, some of the Iroquois, more curious
than the others, rose up, and, perceiving that
the English were accompanied by a party of
Mohawks, notified the rest, whereupon the Iro-
quois fired their guns in the air, as a warning
that there was an ambuscade.

Turning to the movements of the provincials,
we find that Sunday evening, September 7th, the
English scouts discovered the roads which the
French had made about South Bay, and gave in-
formation of their movements. One Adams, a
wagoner, volunteered to ride express with John-
son's orders to ^ol. Blanchard, directing him to
withdraw all his troops into the walls. The wag-
oner was captured by the French Indians, and
his dispatches carried to their commander.

LAKE CITAMPLAIN.

115

On the morning of the 8th a council of war
was called, in consequence of which one thou-
sand men* were detached, under the command
of Col. Williams and Lieut.-Col "Whiting, witli
two hundred Indians, led by Ilendrick and
Capts. Farrell, Stoddard and McKinnis. They
marched between eight and nine o'clock.

Meanwhile Johnson ordered a rude breast-
work to be constructed of felled trees and the
wagons and bateaux. lie also hauled .the can-
non around from the lake, and placed them in
position pointed toward the river road.f The
command of Col. Williams marched in two divis-
ions, the first led by himself, the second under
Lieut.-Col. Whiting. They proceeded to Rocky
Brook, about two miles, where Williams halted
until the other division came up, when the

* It was at this council, first proposed to send five hun-
dred men. Hendrick, when he was asked his opinion in re-
gard to the number to be sent out, is said to have presented
an arrow to Gen. Johnson, which he desired him to break
which was of course easily done. Then he offered a bundle
of arrows, with a similar request, which the general was
unable to do. " If," says Hendrick " you propose to have
them slaughtered they are too many, if to succeed, they are
too few.

f This and the action which followed was on the site of
Fort George, and between that and the site of Fort Wm.
Henry.

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LAKE GEORGE AND

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entire column moved on, preceded by the Indi-
ans, led by Ilendrick, who was riding on one of
Gen. Johnson's horses. Unsuspicious of the
proximity of the enemy, they press forward and
enter the fatal defile, the Canadians and Indians
being concealed on either side by thickets, trees
and rocks. Suddenly they were stopped by the
discharge of musketry and the terrific war-
whoop. The fire was immediately returned,
and Williams ordered his men to spread out
upon the hill on their right. Here, however,
they were met by the French Indians, who all,
except the Iroquois, poured a volley into them.
Col. Williams was, early in the action, shot
through the head.* Hendrick had his horse
shot under him. Being unwieldy, he was not
able to disengage himself, and was stabbed with
a bayonet.

* Col. Epliraim Williams was a prominent actor in the
scenes we commemorate. In the former war of 1744, he
commanded the line of forts on the western side of the Con-
necticut river, and resided principally at Fori M"- dsachusetts,
which was about three miles east of what is now Williams-
town. In passing through Albany, on his way to the seat of
war, he made his will on the 22d of July. After giving certain
legacies to his relatives, he bequeathed the remainder of his
property to the founding of a free school on the western
frontiers of Massachusetts, at a place which received the
name of Williamstown in honor of the donor. In 1790 the

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LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

117

Dieskau having ordered a general attack, tiie
English were doubled up like a pack of cards,
and hastily retreated. As the firing approached
nearer the camp, Johnson beat to arms, and
detached Lieut.-Col. Cole, with 300 men, to
cover the retreat. About ten o'clock the troops
came in in bodies. The breastwork was manned
by the whole army, and a field-piece advan-
tageously posted on the left flank on the rocky
eminence. The following is Gen. Johnson's
own description of the battle :

^'About half after eleven the enemy appeared
in sight, and marched along the road in very
regular order, directly upon our center. They
made a small halt about 150 yards from our
breastwork, when the regular troops (whom we
judged to be such by their bright and fixed
bayonets) made the f!jrand and center attack.

sum had accumulated to nearly $20,000, $6,000 of whicli was
used, with a similar amount from other sources, in erecting
a large building for the academy. In 1793 the academy
was chartered by the State as a college, and was called
Williams' College. It was a great thought in the mind of
Williams to establish an institution of learning. His fame
rests upon a more enduring rock than the reconnoitering
8+ , le of a military officer, and his monument ib seen, not
merely by glances in a mountain ravine, but on the high-
way of nations, and in the heathen as well as the civilized
world. Van Pensselaer.

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118

LAKE GEORGE AND

The Canadians and Indians squatted and dis-
persed upon our flanks. The enemy's iire we
received first from the regulars, in platoons, but
it did no great execution, being at too great a
distance, and our men defended by the breast-
work. Our artillery then began to play upon
them, and was served under the direction of
Capt. Eyre during the whole engagement, in a
manner very creditc-ble to him and those con-
cerned in its management. The engagement
now became general. The regulars kept their
ground and order for some time with great reso-
lution, but the warm and constant fire from our
artillery and troops put them into disorder.
Their fire became more scattered and unequal,
and on our left became very faint. They moved
then to the right of our encampment, and
attacked Col. Ruggles'. Col. Williams' and Col.
Titcomb's regiments, where they maintained a
warm fire for near an hour. The three regi-
ments on the right supported the attack very
resolutely, and kept up a strong and constant
fire upon the enemy. About four o'clock our
men and Indians jumped over the breastwork,
pursued the enemy, slaughtered numbers, and
took several prisoners, among whom was Gen.
Dieskau, who was brought to my tent about six
o'clock, just as I was having a wound dressed.

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LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

119

The engagement and pursuit ended about seven

o'clock."

The capture of Baron Dieskau is thus

described by himself :

" In moving toward the left so as to make signs to the
Indians to advance, I approached unconsciously so close to
the intrenchment that I received, in a moment, three balls
in my legs, and one across mv right knee, which precipitated
me near a tree, beliind which I crawled with the assistance
of Chevalier de Montreuill, who had followed me. As this
gentleman was the next to me in rank, and was unwilling
to leave me, I ordered him, in the King's name, to go and
assume the command, and, should he see its necessity, to
make the best retreat he could, but to send me some men to
remove me. Shortly afterward came two Canadians from
him, one of whom was killed outright and fell on my legs,
to my great embarrassment ; and as the other could not
remove me by himself, I told him to bring me some more
men ; but soon after I heard the retreat beaten, without see-
ing any thing, being seated on ground somewhat low, with
my back leaning against a tree. Having remained in that
situation about half an hour, I saw one of the enemy's sol-
diers within ten or twelve paces of me, taking aim nt me,
behind a tree. I made signs to him with my hand not to
fire, but he did not fail to do so. The shot traversed both
my hips. Leaping on me at the same time, he said (in very
good French), ' Surrender !' T said to him, ' You rascal,
why did you fire at me? You see a man lying on the
ground bathed in his blood, and you fire, eh V He answered,
' How did I know but you had a pistol ? I prefer to kill
the devil than that the devil kill me.' ' You are a French-
man, then ?' I asked. ' Yes,' he replied, ' 'tis more than
ten years since I left Canada.* Whereupon divers others
fell on rc.e, and stripped me. I told them to carry me to

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120

LAKE GEORGE AND

their general, which they did. On learning who I was, he
had me laid on his bed, and sent for surgeons to dress my
wounds, and, though wounded himself, he refused all attend-
ance until mine were dressed.

" Several Indians entered his tent soon after, who regarded
me with a furious look, and spoke to him a long time, and
with much vehemence. When they had departed, I
observed, ' Those fellows have been regarding me with a
look not indicative of much compassion.' 'Any thing else
but that,' he answered, ' for they wished to oblige me to
deliver you into their hands, in order to burn you, in revenge
for the death of their comrades and of the three chiefs who
have been slain in the battle, and threaten to abandon me
if I do not give you up. Feel no uneasiness ; you are safe
with me.'

" The same Indians returned, some time after, to the tent.
The conversation appeared to me animated at first, and
became more moderate at the close, when, smiling, they took
my hand in token of friendship, and retired. Gen. Johnson
afterward told me that he had made my peace with them, and
that they had abandoned all their pretensions. I observed,
that as he was wounded himself, I was afraid I incommoded
him, and requested him to have me removed elsewhere. * I
dare not,' he answered, ' for were I to do so, the Indians
would massacre you. They must have time to sleep.' To-
ward eleven o'clock at night, I was removed, under an
escort of a captain and fifty men, to the tent of a colonel,
where I passed the night. The guard had orders not to
Buffer any Indians to approach ^me Nevertheless, one of
them came next morning near the ^ent, and the sentinel,
seeing that he was not armed, allowed him to enter, but the
moment he was in, he drew a naked sword from under a
sort of cloak he wore, and approached to stab me, where-
upon the colonel, in whose tent I ..as, threw himself
bet^veen us, disarmed the Indian, and put lam out.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

121

"I remained nine days in the English camp, and Gen.
Johnson, having caused a litter to be made, had me
removed to his house at Orange,* and at the end of four
weeks to New York, where I fell into the hands of very
bad surgeons.

" This is all I can tell you about my unfortunate expedi-
tion, which has been unlucky, not for me alone, the English
having lost a much greater number of men than I, without
gaining an inch of territory."

Shortly after the commencement of the action
Gen. Johnson received a painful wound, which
obliged him to retire to his tent, when the com-
mand devolved on Gen. Lyman, who behaved
with distinguished bravery.

The misfortunes of the French were not over.
Col. Blanchard, at Fort Lyman, having heard
the firing, dispatched a party of two hundred
and fifty men of the New Hampshire and New
York regiments, under Capt. Maginness of
Schenectady, with orders to proceed to the as-
sistance of the General. Having arrived to
where the action took place in the morning,
they discovered the enemy's baggage lying in
the read, and at some distance, on the top of a
hill, five or six men keeping a lookout. They
got between the baggage and the men, and,
advancing up the road, discovered a party of

' I

* Albany.

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122

LAKE GEORGE AND

Canadians ai^d Indians to tlie number of three
hundred, sitting by Rocky Brook and the marshy
pond refreshing themselves from tlieir packs.
They attacked and defeated them, killed num-
bers and put the rest to flight.

The number that fell at this engagement was
so great that the brook issuing from the water
was the next morning observed to be discolored
with blood. Hence the name of Bloody Pond
was given to the pool.

Thus closed the battle of Lake George, com-
prising three engagements in one day. The
French loss was about four hundred men. It
included La Gardeur de St. Pierre, the same
who had defeated "Wasliington the previous year
on the Ohio. That of the provincials was two
hundred and sixty-two, besides officers, and
thirtj^-eight allied Indians. Among the losses,
in addition to Col. Williams and the great Hen-
drick, was Col. Titcomb, Major Ashley, Capts.
Keys, Porter, Ingersoll and twelve other officers.
The brave Capt. Maginness died two days after,
of his wounds, in camp.

The result of this action, being in glorious
contrast to the disasters elsewhere, caused great
rejoicing among the English. It was the event
of the campaign of 1755. " Solitary in the
honor of its military triumph^ and shining

U- i1,

BliOODY POND.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

123

out bright as Mars from the clouds of night."*
The House of Lords made an elegant address.
Parliament voted a gratuity of five thousand
pounds to Gen. Johnson, who was also made a
baronet. The Governor appointed Thursday, the
second day of October, as a day of thanksgiving
for the defeat of the enemy.

Two days after, the General received a depu-
tation from the Six Nations, who informed him
that pursuant to their custom after an engage-
ment, they now intended to return to their
homes, as their loss was very considerable, both
in numbers and in the personal consequence of
the slain.f

* Rev. C. Van Rensselaer.

\ Rev. Mr. Hartwick, missionary to the Mohawks, writing
to them under date of Jan. 15, 1756, in regard to the death
of the great Hendrick, says : " Let it be to your comfort that
he died in a good cause as a faithful ally and a brave cap-
tain, and sleepeth on the bed of honor, where his name will
be a good savior as long as a free Englishman and a faithful
Mohawk remains ; and as he hath been your brother, your
father and your captain, it is your duty to be a guard to the
bed whereon he sleepeth, that no perfidious Frenchman may
disturb the rest of his bones and ashes ; and if the French
and their slaves will not rest satisfied with the little revenge
you have taken from them, and desist from their encroach-
ments and cruel ravages, and restore what they have unjustly
taken, then stand up for your and your brethren's rights,
and revenge the dear blood so unjustly spilled."

I 'I

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124

LAKE GEORGE AND

On the 16th of September Gen. Johnson
writes to Gov. Hardy that the expedition " was
likely to be distressed for the want of wagons.
Most of the wagoners taken into the service
have deserted, the horses are quite jaded, and
some few killed by the enemy, ^/liile several
have ran away. Most of the provisions are at
Albany, a great part of the ammunition at the
lower camp (Fort Lyman), and all the boats,
except about 120. We have only sixty wagons,
and had not two days' allowance of bread when
they arrived. To bring up a sufficiency of pro-
visions will require 500 wagons at least."

Meanwhile the breastwork was strengthened,
and carried quite around the camp, the ground
cleared, and a picketed fort built, which Col.
Williams had in charge till the visit of the
enemy put an end to his life. Flat bottom boats
were also built for the transport of the artillery
and stores.

Johnson has been blamed for " not moving
directly upon the enemy's works ;" but the rea-
sons why he did not proceed must be obvious
to every military (or unmilitary) mind. 1. The
French outnumbered him at St. Frederick, 2.
They occupied and were fortifying the pass at
Carillon. 3. He had neither provisions, ammu-
nition or transportation.

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

125

By the time the re-cnforccments and supplies
liad come up, tlie cuuncil of war, consideriug
the advanced period of the year, decided that it
was not advisable to proceed further this season.

Sept. 10th. The General ordered up Col.
Blanchard, with his regiment, from Fort Lyman,*
in wliich were Capt. Robert Kogers, John Stark
and others of revolutionary fame.

After the fort was constructed, which was
named "William IIenry,f the troops, except six
hundred who remained in garrison at the two
places, were withdrawn to Albany and dis-
banded.

*Dr. Fitch states, on the authority of Timothy Eddy, that
Catharine, daughter of John Henry Lydius (referred to at
page 109, ante), was born at Fort Edward, about 1744, and
was the first child born of civilized parents in Washington
county. She married Henry Cuyler, and died about 1818, at
Greenbush.

f it was named in honor of the Duke of Cumberland,
brother to George III.

i HH

126

LAKE OEOBQE

References to Samuel Blodgett's map of the
Second Engagement.

6. Canadians and Indians,

7. French regulars attacking the center,

8. The road.

9. Provincials in action posted in front.

10. The trees felled for the breastworks.

11. Cannon.

12. A cannon posted " advantageously " on the eminence.

13. Place where Dieskau fell.

14. 15. Canadians' attack.

16. The man that shot Dieskau.

17. Reserves.

18. Woods and swamp.

19. Morass.

20. Cannon defending the flank.

21. Baggage wagons.

22. 23, 24. Stores and ammunition.

25. Mortars.

26. Road to the lake.

27. 28, 29. Store-houses.
80. Mohawks.

31. Gen. Johnson's tent.

32. Lyman's regiment.

33. Col. Harris' company.

34. Col. Cockroft.
85. Col. Williams.

36. Col. Ruggles.

37. Col. Titcomb.

38. Col. Guttridge.

39. Officers.

The map, besides being very unique, possesses great his-
torical value. Blodgett appears to have been a sutler for
the rangers. His name occurs three years after.

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25.

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Road

27,

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30.

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Gen. J

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Col. Hi

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Col. Cc

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Col. "W

36.

Col. Ri

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Col. Gt

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Officere

The map, I

torical value.

the rangers.

CHAPTER VII.

WiNSLOW'S EXPEDITION — BUILT A FORT AT 8TILLWATEH — JOURNAL
OF THE NRW HAHPSHIKE SCOUTS — ROGERS ~ PUTNAM — 8 YMS —
DOOLITTLE— ROGERS' SKIRMISH WITH THE FRENCH PICKET —
HENDRICK AND NICHLA8 — CAPT. ANGELL — CAPT. CONNER —
TUODAY — THOMPSON — PUTNAM AND SCHUYLER — FALE8 — ROG-
ERS' WINTER EXCURSION — HIS NAVAL ENGAGEMENT ON LAKE
CHAMPLAIN — DE LA COLUMBIERE — TICONDEROGA, PORT BUILT —
ROGERS' AND STARK's WINTER EXPEDITION TO CROWN POINT —
FRENCH WINTER EXPEDITION AGAINST WM. HENRT —CAPTURE OF A
TRAIN AT HALFWAY BROOK — PURSUIT BY ROGERS.

1756.

'N the summer of 1756, six thousand
troops were collected under Col. Seth
Winslow, who commanded the expe-
dition which the previous year had
reduced Acadia.* At Stillwater he built a
stockade known as Fort Winslow, which served
as a depot for supplies.f He advanced with his

■

*Bep. isley Glazier was made the adjutant-general of the
forces, and Col. E'eazur Fitch the third in command.

f The fort was on the elevated ground at the north end
of the villagro, about where the Presbyterian church now
stands, and on the flat below this, a few rods froin the river,
were the store-houses, two long buildings, which were kept
in good repair and continued to be used for the public l . •
nee through the revolutionary war. Dickinson.

ill. !

■;'i^

':r;

128

LAKE GEORGE AND

army as far as Fort Edward and Lake George,
but his orders did not permit him to go further,
and the tide of war swept over other portions
of the continent.

The two nations having now each a fort upon
either extremity of Lake George, and but thirty
miles apart, the same became a scene of petty
warfare, that has clothed every pass, island, river
and bay with some tradition of hair-breadth
escape, heroic endurance or startling incident.

1. From the journals of the New Hampshire
scouts we learn that as early as September 24,
1755, Capt. Robert Rogers commenced his fa-
mous partisan career, by setting forward with
two men to reconnoiter Fort St. Frederick, the
new works at Carillon, and the army there. He
returned on the 25th.

2. September 27, p. m. He set forward again
in a birch canoe, with five men, to reconnoiter the
encampment at *' Tirondarogue ; " past sundry In-
dian fires (their spies) by the side of the lake ; put
ashore seven miles from the carrying place and
went forward on foot ; about ten a. m. they
came in view of an encampment, on the lake, of
about one thousand men ; " we crawled through
their guards to within about thirty or forty rods
of the encampment ; there was no fort or artil-
lery there; we retired and went about a mile

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t If'

M- i

ISBAEIi PUTNAM.

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

129

and a half further and discovered their grand
encampment; crept tlirough their guards to
within about sixtv rods ; found a fort building
there and cannon mounted ; by the appearance
of the tents we judged there might be three
thousand troops ; ihe situation commands the
passage at the carrying place and also up and
down Lake Champlain ; on our return waylaid a
canoe with one Frenchman and nine Indians ;
disabled six and chased the remaining four."

3. October 7th. Went out with a party of
fifty men, including Capt. Israel Putnam ; saw
twenty-three of the enemy and made a decoy
for them, of one canoe, but they would not fol-
low it ; returned on the 11th.

4. Oct. 13th. Capt. Syms went out with fifty
men, about three miles on the west side of the
lake. Toward evening he posted a sentry, who
was shot and scalped, and a hatchet left in his
head. The enemy were probably four or five
Indians. Capt. Syms ordered all to arms, and
proceeded to the place, when, to his astonish-
ment, he had but fifteen men with him. On
looking back, they cried, " For God's sake call
us together, or we shall be cut ofi*," upon which
" I ordered tliem to spread out in the form of a
half moon in order to discover the enemy. I
was deserted by all but five or six men except

1 i
1' ?

■ '•' I

tJ'

r : A

130

LAKE GEORGE AND

the lieutenant. On my return to camp wo
found tlie men in great distress, tying up their
packs, upon which I doubled the guard, and
ordered all to stand their ground, upon their
peril. I could prevail upon but thirteen men
to proceed further, and therefore judged best to
return. I now stand ready upon ?11 orders to
pursue your coinmands to r. tittle on my part,
provided I can have such materials as are fit for
the purpose; and whenever I fail, let me be
stigmatized."*

5. Lieut. Jelled Fonda, with a sergeant and
twelve men, ha^ ing orders to go forward on the
scout, came upon a party commanded by Lieut.
Yan Schaick, and on asking the reason why he
returned so soon, or why they had not pro-
ceeded, stated that one of their men was sick
and unfit to proceed. He then came up with
the party above, commanded by Capt. Syms.
He gave them orders to march forward, which
they all, excepting two, refused to do. He then
directed hk own party to take their blankets
and provisions and go forward, which they
refused to give up excepf-, to their owr oflficci's.

Fonda says • " I then called and said, ^All you
that are cowards rome and I will take yon •

* Syms' report t'^ Gen. Johnpon.

't.-i

iff

I, ^ I,'

LAKE OIIAMPLAIN.

131

names clown ;' and they came so thick that I
could see but ten or twelve left of the wliolo
party, who were mostly New Yorkers. I then
asked the commander what he would do, or
whether he understood me that he was to go
forward. He said he believed he would come
back, so we returned to the camp."

6. October 14. Capt. Rogers and four men
embarked in a birch canoe, sailed twenty-five
miles, landed on the west side of the lake, then
traveled by land, and on the 18th arrived on the
mountain on the west side of Fort St. Frederick,
lay there that night and the next day, and ob-
served the enemy's motions. In the evening I
went down to the houses that were built upon
the lake, and went into a barn filled with wheat,
and proceeded with one man to make further
discoveries ; ambushed within sixty rods of the
fort until ab^ut ten o'clock ; judged the number
in the fort to be about five hundred ; at length
a Frenchman came out without his gun and
came within fifteen rods of us when I, with an-
other man, ran up to him to capture him ; he
refused to surrender, so we killed him, and took
off his scalp, within plain sight of the fort, and
then ran and made our escape ; the same night
came in sight of *' Tianarago," and upon a
mountain in plain sight of their fort, we saw

(

■' ';

111

'•;: -n

132

LAKE GKOKOE AND

large encampments and judged tliere were two

B.t . »

thousand men

got to our canoes

about elcrlit

o'clock in tlie morning and found all safe and
well.

7. October 24. Capt. Doolittle went out to
Carillon and found that the advance or flying
camp of the French, comprising about one hun-
dred men, was on the west side of the lake, below
the narrows.

8. October 26. Capt. Eeed passed over to
South Bay, but made no discovery.

Rogers' skirmish.

9. October 29. Pursuant to orders, went down
the lake with the party ordered to me, and on
the thirty-first discovered their fires situated on
a point of land on the west side of the lake,*
upon which we landed, on the same side, about
a mile and a half distant from their encamp-
ment, and the next morning sent out scouts for
further discovery ; in the evening Capt. Fletcher,
one of the scouts, returned and reported that
there were four tents and srndry small fires on
the said point ; I then took a bateau, with five
men, and went down within twenty-five rods of
their fires and discovered a small fort with seve-
ral log camps within it, which I judged to con-

* Probably at Friend's Point, in Hague.

t
n
t

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN

133

tain about a quarter of an acre. The next
morning Capt. Putnam returned and gave pretty
much the same account ; for a more critical ex-
amination of the enemy's proceedings he went
forward until he was so nigli that he './as tired
upon by a sentry within a rod of him ; but, unfor-
tunately, Putnam, upon preparing to fire back,
fell into a clay pit and wet his gun ; hearing the
enemy close upon his heels, he made the best
retreat he was able, and luckily escaped safe to
our party ; soon after there was a discovery made
of two Frenchmen upon a hill a small distance
off, which overlooked our ambush, who called
to us, but in a few minutes they retreated.
Two canoes then appeared and went by us, and
lay in the middle of the lake, about forty rods
distant from each other; so that finding there
was a party coming by land, I lay between
two fires ; on this, I ordered two bateaux into
the water, put Lieut. Grant, with six men, in one
and I went with six men in the other ; we ]3ut
them to rout, and surprised them so that they
made for the shore where Capt. Putnam, with
the rest of our party, lay. He was prepared for
them and shot and killed the cockswain, and bv
our wall pieces, we killed divers of them ; but
upon Putnam's firing into the boats, the enemy
that was upon his back fired upon him, and he
12

' <

ivh

LAKE GEORGE ANT)

had but just time to shove liis l^ntcau into the
water and j'ct into it heforc tlio cnemv wero
upon the water's edge and opened a brisk fire
upon him ; shot through his blanket in several
places, and through the bateau. We pursued
their canoes to within about eighty rods of their
fires; discovered a number of men within forty
rods of us on tlie shore, on each bide, gave them
each a broadside which sent them into the
bushes, and gave ns a clear passage homeward.
Had ono wounded after an enfrhijiement which
lasted two hours.

10. Nov. 2. Hendrick and T^icklas, two Mo-
hawks, went upon a scout toward Crown Point
and Carillon, but made no fresh discoveries;
returned on the 11th.

11. Nov. 3. Capt. Angell put out from the
camp, and about seven miles out saw a fire on
the east side of the lake, on a neck of lowland.
About fourteen miles, on the west shore, saw
another fire, which he passed at two or three
miles distant. The wind blew fresh, and it
rained and was very dark. Landed and went
on to a very high mountain; saw no smoke,
only at a great distance, toward Carillon, and
returned.

12. Nov. 6. James Conner, with five men,
went out to discover the position of the enemy's

LAKi: CHAMPLAIN.

135

incl.

iaw

^'ee

rent

)ke,
land

advanced camp. Lay at the inontli of the Nar-
rows that night. All ne\t day lay still till even-
ing, about seven o'clock, then went on, and
about ten o'clock came in between two of their
flank fires, and saw them relieving their guard.
A breastwork was around their encampment,
with pickets, and several log-houses ; judged it
might contain 150 men. Joined the other men
at the bateau; lay still till about twelve
o'clock at night, then set oft*; at three o'clock
in the morning struck up a little fire upon a
small island about twenty miles from home ;
half an hour afterward heard a whooping of
Indians on the west side of the lake ; kept a
strict watch till morning, and then returned
home.

13. Nov. 8. Michael Thoday* was sent out
on a scout to South Bay and the falls of Wood
creek (Whitehall). Discovered four Indians and
three Frenchmen by the rise of smoke from a
little hut on a side-hill; lay in ambush; shortly
the sentry discovered four of them coming
within a rod or two of him, but having a great
cold he was seized with a fit of coughing,
although he put his hand to his mouth ; upon

len,

'fl

* Thoday's name appears as a mustering officer in Aber-
Cf.T.nbie's expedition, in 1758.

136

LAKE GEORGE AND

wliich, thinking he was discovered, he fired
upon them; one dropped and screamed out bit-
terly. The party then returned.

14. 'Nov. 13. Sergeant Thompson, of the
Rhode Island regiment, with four men, went
down ths lake at seven o'clock in the evening.
Landed on an island about eight miles off;
struck up a fire and had supper, when Conner
joined them, and they set oif to a small island*
about a mile this side of the Narrows; went
ashore and r<33onnoitered ; then went around the
island tvAce in a bateau, by which time it was
sunrise, and immediately a large white flag was
hoisted on a point of the main-land on the east
side of the lake, supposed to be a signal of the
enemy.

15. 15th. Capt. Israel Putnam and Stephen
Schuyler passed over to South Bay ; went down
the lake ; saw a large body of ducks and geese,
but no enemy.

16. 17th. Capt. Tales, with a party, went
down the wagon road about three miles, turned
to the east and north, and returned to the camp.

17. Jan. 29, 1756. Capt. Kobert Rogers set
out with a party of fifty men on snow-shoes, to
look into Fort St. Frederick. The first day

* Possibly Dome island.

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

137

tliey marched eighteen miles, and so proceeded
till February 2d, when they " clambcied up a
great mountain west of Crown Point, and gave
it the name of Mt. Ogden. Took a particular
view of the fort and redoubts, and in the even-
ing came down ; marched through a small vil-
lage to about lialf a mile of the fort to the
southward ; then lay in ambush till nine o'clock
in the morning, when a Frenchman came along,
whom we captured. Two more came along, but
discovering our ambush, made their escape. So,
being discovered, we immediately set fire to the
barns and houses, where there was an abundance
of wheat and other grains. We killed their
cattle, horses and hogs, in number about fifty,
and about eleven o'clock of the 5th of Febru-
ary, set out homeward."

18. June 20. Pursuant to an order from
Major-General Shirley, Capt. Rogers set out
with a part}^ of fifty men, in five whale-boats,
and proceeded down Lake George about twenty-
five miles, then landed* and took their boats six
miles over a mountain to South Bay, where they
arrived July 3d, and passed down Lake Cham-
plain to within six miles of Ticonderoga. July
4th, in the evening, they set out again, and

* At Bosom Bay.

12*

Jts

138

LAKE GEOKGE ANL

passed by Ticoncleroga, altlioiigli they went so
near ab to hear the sentry's watchword. Judged
the number of the enemy to be about two thou-
sand ; " hauled up at daylight five miles from
the fort; lay quiet all day. 6th. Saw near a
hundred boats pass, seven of which came near
us, and asked to land at the point where we lay,
but their officer went further on, and landed
about tiventy-five rods from us, and dined in
our view. About nine o'clociv p. m. set out
again ; passed the fort at Crown Point about
ten miles, and hauled up the boats at break
of day 7th. Set out again ; proceeded fifteen
miles further down, and went ashore upon a
point upon the east side (Otter creek), and sent
a party further down the lake for discovery.
About three o'clock two lighters came up the
lake, who we found intended to land where we
were. We fired upon the vessels, and off'ored
them quarter if they would come ashore, but
instead they put off in their boats to the oppo-
site side, but we intercepted them, and found
twelve men, three of which were killed and two
wounded. One of the wounded could not
march, therefore i ut an end to him to prevent
discovery. As soon as the prisoners were secure,
we employed ourselves in sinking and destroy-

which were chieflv

ing vessels and

cargoes,

LAKE CHAjVirLAIN.

139

wheat, flour, rice, wine, and brandy, except
some few casks of the wine and brandy, whicli
we hid in very secure places, with our whale-
boats, at some distance on the opposite shore.
On the morning of the 8th we set forward on
our return, and pursued our march till the 12th,
when we arrived on the west side of Lake
George, about twenty-five miles from the fort.
Here we sent Lieut. Rogers for bateaux and
provisions to carry us in by water."

Meanwhile the French were not idle, and up
to the close of June had brought in seventy-five
prisoner" and forty-five scalps, two of whom
were oflicers.

19. At the end of July, a Canadian officer on
a scout, near Fort Wm. Henry, met two English
bateaux with thirty-five men ; killed thirty and
captured five.

20. Aug. 6. Capt. De la Columbiere, at the
head of sixty men, stopped sixteen English
horsemen, on the road near Lake George; killed
nine ; took seven prisoners ; and brought horses
and plunder to Carillon.

During the year the French, under the
direction of their chief engineer, M. de Lot-
biniere, completed their fortress at Ticonde-
roga ; although it was claimed that it was
improperly located and faulty in construction.

fi:,

LAKE GEOKGE AND

In October "Winslow retired from Fort Echvard,
and the troops, except what were required for
garrison duty, were disl)aiided. De Levi also
withdrew his outposts from Lake George, and
broke np his encampment at Carillon, not, how-
ever, before the snow was a foot deep, and
retired to Montreal.

21. January 21, 1757. Major Rogers, with
Lieut. Stark, of Blanchard's regiment, set out
on a reconnoisance and for the purpose of taking
some prisoners at Crown Point or Ticonderoga.
At a place since known as Putnam's Creek, on
Lake Champlain, they ambushed a merry-making
party who were convoying some provisions from
St. Frederick to Carillon ; seven of the sledges
were captured, with twice the number of horses.
The news was borne down to M. de Lusignan,
the commandant at Carillon, who ? wiftlj^ sent
out an avenging party of two hundred and fifty
men to intercept them ; they overtook the in-
truders about three o'clock, who retired to a
rising ground ; they received the first fire when
not twenty feet from the enemy ; Rogers was
wounded on the wrist and also on the head, and
the command devolved on Stark, who kept up
a steady fire from two o'clock until sunset.
While encouraging his men a bullet struck the
lock of his gun and shattered it in pieces.

LAKE CHiUIPLAIN.

1-il

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to a

1 was

an<

up
liset.
the

ices.

Springing forward on a reeling Frenchman, lie
wrenched his piece from his dying grasp and
resumed the fight.* Thus they stood, in snow
four feet deep, until, in the cold of that January
night, the French withdrew with a loss of eleven
killed and twenty-six wounded. f The provin-
cials now retired, with a loss of forty-two killed
and missing. All night they marched through
the woods to the borders of Lake George.
Here, leaving the command, Stark, with two
companions on snow-shoes, pushed forward to
"William Henry. Having obtained sleds for the
wounded, and refreshments, he without delay
set out for his companions, reaching their
bivouac the next morning, having traversed to
and from, a distance of forty miles. Finally he
drew a loaded sled back to the fort. He thus
stood out three days and two nights of excessive
toil, four hours of which was in the excitement
of battle, thereby presenting such a case of
heroism and physical endurance as has been
rarely equaled.

19. In the month of February an expedition
was fitted out at Montreal for an attack on Fort

* Headley.

f This battle is said to have been fought near the residence
of M. B. Townsend, in Crown Point.

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142

LAKE GEORGE AND

William Henry. It was composed of five com-
panies of picked men, from the regiments of
regulars, three hundred of the Colonial troops,
six hundred and fifty militia and three hundred
Indians ; the whole comprising fifteen hundred
men, under the command of Recazzd De Yau-
dreuil, brother of the Governor-General of
Canada; they marched in four divisions and
rendezvoused at Carillon.

March 15. The entire body of troops moved
out *' on snow-shoes, cairying their provisions on
sleds, drawn by dogs, and sleeping in the
enow upon a bear skin, under a simple sail to
keep off the wind."* On the 17th, at seven
o'clock in the evening, they arrived witliin a
league of William Henry.f Captain Poullan-
ing, with two other officers, was dispatched to
reconnoiter the fort, from a hill by which it is
commanded. J

* Montcalm to Argenson, Doc. x, 547.

f Probably Rattlesnake Hill. Ed.

:{: While going his rounds, on the evening of the sixteenth,
Capt. Stark overheard a squad of his men, who were of
the Scotch-Irish race, planning a celebration in honor of St.
Patrick, for the next night. He afterward said he had then
no presentiment of approaching danger, but disliked these
wild Irish demonstrations. He therefore called for the
ranger sutler, Samuel Blodgett, and gave him directions to

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

143

to
is

ith,

St.

len

iem

Ithe

On the 19tli Yaudreuil set fire to some of
the bateaux.

deliver the rangers their regular rations of grog until tho
evening of the seventeenth, and after that no more without
a written order from himself. On that evening he retired
to his quarters, directing his orderly-sergeant to say to all
applicants for written orders, that he was confined to his
bunk with a lame right hand, and would not be disturbed.
The Irish troops (regulars) secured an extra supply of rum
on the night of the sixteenth, and commenced their carousiJ.l,
which they carried on with unabated vigor through the
night and during the ensuing day in honor of St, Patrick
and his wife Sheelah. They drank so freely that the officer
of the day could find none of them fit for duty as sentinels,
and the rangers who were sober supplied their places. Tho
rangers, seeing the Irish thus enjoying themselves, desired
the same privilege. The sutler informed them of his orders,
and the captain's quarters were beset to obtain a written
order. The sergeant refused to disturb his officer, as he
was confined w:ith a painfully lame right hand, and could
not write. The soldiers felt somewhat cross, but bore their
disappointment like philosophers. At two o'clock on the
morning of the eightetnth, a ranger sentinel on the ram-
parts, observed a light upon the lake, and soon afterward
became a>v?re that a large force was advancing in the direc-
tion of the fortress. Notice was at once conveved to the
ranger captain. The lame hand was instantly restored to
health, and he was among his soldiers. The commander
of the fort was quietly notified, and the rangers silently
mustered. The near approach of danger d'ssipated the
fumes of liquor from the brains of the regulars, and the
gai risen wasi soon in condition for a rigorous defense,

Caleb Stark.

' ^ :n

;.h

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Ill

LAKE GEORGE AND

20th. He invested the fort and detached a
party of Indians on the road leadinj^ to Fort
Edward to cut oft' the communication. On the
nights of the 20th and 21st they burnt all there
was on side tUe ramparts, consist^rg of three
bundled ) I'^mx, four sloops of ten and sixteen
gunsj ^.wt 1 :;i^ boats of fifty oars, a saw-mill, a
large pile of ba^iJing timber, three hundred
cords of fire-wood, two magazines full of provis-
ions, including four hundred barrels of flour,
military stores and effects, and a small stockade
w^itli a dozen houses, which served as a hospi-
tal.* They retired with a loss of Ave killed
and two wounded. The fort at the time was
under the command of Lieut.-Col. Eyre, " en-
gineer in ordinary," who built the same.

Julv 21. Chevalier La Corne and M. Con-
treveur took their departure from Carillon, at
the head of a flying camp of 500 Canadians
and 200 Indians, and moved up to South Bay
to observe the motions of the English troops
between Fort Edward and Lake George. At
Half-way brook they fell upon a train of w^ag-
ons, under convoy of a body of troops, who

* The remains of one of the schooners can now be seen
on a still day, at the north-east of Fort William Henry, in
about twenty feet of water.

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CANAGHSIONB, OR PUT'S ROCK, ON LAKE CHAMPI.AIN.

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

145

LIN.

were transporting supplies, for Winslow s iirniy,
to Fort William Henry. The soldiers made but
little resistance, the train was plundered, and
the marauderr^ escaped with their booty down
toward Ticonderoga. Capts. Kogers and Put-
nam, with a hundred men and twenty-iive small
cannon, were immediately dispatched to inter-
cept them. Proceeding down the lake, they
hastened overland to the Two Rocks, about
eight miles below. Here, while concealed, they
espied the bateanx, laden with plunder and
unsuspicious of danger, approaching them. On
reaching the Narrows the rangers poured into
them a well-directed fire, by which many of the
boatmen were killed and some of the boats
were sunk, but, driven by the south wind, the
remainder swept through the passage, and
escaped to Carillon with the intelligence of the
disaster. The rangers now hastened back to
their boats, reaching them at the close of the
day. The next morning they embarked, and at
Sabbath-day point discovered the French and
Indians eagerly approaching them, and antici-
pating an easy victory. No resistance was
olfered until the enemy "svas within pistol shot,
Avhen from the cannon and muskets was sent
forth such a shower of balls as threw them into
confusion. Men were seen dropping overboard
13

li- '

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1 11!^

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140

LAKE OEOUOE

from the cneniy's boats, and of twenty IiKliiina
in one, only five remained. Tliey soon drew
back, and the rangers passed on without further
molestation, with a loss of one man killed and
two wounded.

22. A considerable detachment of Canadi-
ans and Indians, under Caj^t. De la Pierre,
caused the provincials to abandon some of the
islands in Lake George where they had estab-
lished themselves.

23. Lieut. Marin, having been detached with
one liundred men to reconnoiter the camp at
Fort William Henry, captured and killed a
party of fifty-two men and three officers, only
one of whom escaped.

^ m

CIIAPTEIl VIII.

Montcalm's kxpedition — comi'09ition of his armt — srouTiNo

PARTY op ST. OUUa — MABIN SENT TO FOHT KDWAUO — NAVAIi
TICTORV OVER COL. PARKER— TUB MARCH AND BAIL TO FORT WM.
UENRT — INCIDENT — THE 8EI0E — INDIAN Bl'RIAL — THE SURREN-
DER— THE MASSAt'UE — THE l'Hl5*ONER8 — SENT HOME — FORT DI8-
MANTLED AND DESTROYED — MONTCALM RETIRES TO CARILLON.

■HE cotninission to tl)e Marquis de
Montcalm, apj^ointing lii'm to the com-
rnaiid of the troops in Canada, which
became vacant by the capture of tlie

Baron Deiskan, was issued Marcli 1. 1756.*
He was accompanied by the Clievalier de Levi,

brigadier-general, and Col. Sieur Boulimaque ;

* Louis Joseph Marquis de Montcalm, was bora at the
Chateau of Candiac, near Nianus, 1712. At the affe of
fourteen he commenced his military career. He became
colonel in 1745. Received three wounds in the battle of
Placensia, in Italy, June 16, 1746, and two at Piedmont,
1747, in which year he was appointed brigadier. In 1756
he wa^ appointed major-general, commander of the order
of St. Louis in 1757, lieutenant-general in 1758, and
was mortal V wounded before Quebec, September 13., 1759.
His remains were interred, by torch-light, in the church of
the Ursuline convent. It is said he was buried in a hole
made by a shell — "a fit tomb for a warrior who die'l on
the field of honor."

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148

LAKE GEORGE AND

also by two additional regiments, which arrived
at Quebec by tliree sliips of war, and tliree
frigates, on the 12th of May.

August 10th. Montcalm invested Oswego.
In his train of artillery were six brass pieces,
captured from Gen. Braddock. Col. Mercer,
the commander of the fort, was iiilled on the
thirteenth, and the next day the garrison sur-
rendered. Hardly had the fort capitulated,
when the French Indians, exasperated by the
loss of some of their braves, nttered their territic
\var-cry, and with the tomahawk and knife were
about to tall upon the unarmed prisoners. The
massacre that would have ensued was, however,
prevented by the prompt action of Montcalm,
who ordered out a file of men and commanded
them to iire upon his red allies. Six of the
savages fell dead upon the spot, and the remain-
der, uttering threats of vengeance, sulkily put up
their knives, and skulked back to their quarters.'^
The fortresses were leveled to the ground, and
Oswego was left a solitude, unbroken, save by
the hooting of the owl or the scream of tlie
panther. Keturning triumphant, Montcalm lost
no time in arranging for the expedition against
Fort William Henry. At Montreal he held a

* Stone's Life of Sir Wm. Jolinson, ii, 28.

LA.KE CIIAMPLAIN.

149

council of Indian tribes, gathered from Nova
Scotia to Lake Superior, mingling in their
dances and chanting their war-song. July 12th
lie proceeded up Lake Cliamplain to Fort Car-
illon, accompanied by warriors of the following
tribes :

Algonkins,

Ayetois,

Foxes,

Iroquois of the Soult.

Micmacs,

Kepissings,

Ouillas,

Poutouatomes,

Santanes.
In all thev numbered 1,806.

As they traversed the lake, their dexterity in
fishing furnished an interesting spectacle. Stand-
ing up in the bow of the canoe, with spear in
hand, they darted it with wonderful address,
and struck the large sturgeons [muscalonges —
Ed.] without their little skiff (which the least
irregular motion w^onld have overturned) appear-
ing to lean in the slightest degree either to the
right or the left. Yet, useful as the fishing was,
it was not necessary to suspend the march to
favor it. The fisherman alone laid aside his
paddle, and in return was charged to provide
13*

Abenakis,

AmeleciteSj

Folles,

Huron s,

Loups,

Mirames,

Ottawas,

Puans,

Sacs,

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150

LAKE GEORGE AND

for the subsistence of all the others, an office in
whose duties he fully succeeded.*

After being six days on the route, they reached
Fort Carillon. But scarcely had they begun to
distmguish the summit of the fortifications,
wlien the Indians arranged themselves in order
of battle, each tribe under its own ensign. Two
hundred canoes, thus formed in beautiful order,
furnished a spectacle which caused even the
French officers to hasten to the banks, judging
it not unworthy of their curiosity.

In addition to the Indians, the Royal army
was composed as follows : Regulars, seven regi-
ments, 3,081 ; militia (Canadians), 2,946 ; artil-
lery, 188 ; total, 6,215. Deducting the sick, the
non-effective, and the garrisons left behind, the
effective force amounted to 5,500 men : addins:
the Indians, 1,806, made the whole force 7,306.

July 21st. A Canadian officer, M. de St.
Ours, who was scouting on Lake George in a
canoe, with ten men, in doubling a point of
land was ambushed by two English boats near
Harbour island, south of Sabbath-day point.
He gained the island, where the English eagerly
pursued him, but he made so vigorous a
defense that he was allowed to embark and

i (

* Jesuit Missions, by Bishop Kip.

MoNTCALM'S Attack.

EXPLANATION.

A ArtUkry C«v«.

B R«a4 to Treneii.

C fint Batt«r)r— length, 10 yard* ; kreMltli, 16 feet ; h^lglit,

7 fMk. : eiibrMnrea, 8 feet.
C D Lln« of Tr«Behei, t18 yardt.

D Second Bntlery -Icngitli, 14 yards ; brwidtk, M Met ; helgiit,

8 feet ; embrasartti, 10 fcot.
B €1 IitB« of Approach, S20 yards.

F Third Battery— not opened.

H Line ap the Hill and at the crest of the tardea.

I Clardea.

K rort WlUiam Heary.

L Maraaa.

H La Come aaid Caaadlaaa.

If Fort fleorge.

O iohaioa's BncaapMcat, Sept. 8, IIS*.

P Docks.

<} Fort WlUlam Henay Hotel.

R Lake Haase.

m^:-^.

f^mm^'

m-^:

,^s^

'.•vvk \ m

• 111

'<'-nnH<C,JIMM'**«4>>'itMMffW«0MUJM«

^N OF THK Sll,:^^.,

Ironi Actual Sur\^ey by

a.c . B u T L j:: r^

■',,y.

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■i.

MoNTCALM's Attack.

EXPLANATION.

A Artillery C«v«.

B R«.i4 to Troueb.

C tXrtt B«tt«r]r— iMftli, 10 jw** ; lire»4tli, le Kmi « brlfht,
7 fM>t « ftabrMnrMi, 9 feet.
C D Une of Trrncbpi, (78 yardi.

D SMOBd Ratlwy -Icagiii, 74 yards ; hrcMlii, t* iMt \ brigbv,
3 re«t ; ckibranam, 10 fc«t.
■ <1 Llae of Approarh, 190 y ardn.

r Third Batt«ry -not op«nM.

H Uaa ap the Hill aad at tb^ tre«t af the flardea.

I flardea.

K roH WilUav Heary.

L Beraaa.

■ La Carae aad C^vadlaaa.

K r*rt (le«rg«.

O bH^a'* KaeaaipMeat, gept. 8, lltC.

P xhs.

<) rt WlUiaai Hrkiy

R ake Maaac.

ftS?^

^j^i

m^.-

^>----

^i'-^i

iS&V-

w^y 'J"' ■^"'

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

151

quietly regain liis camp, with a loss of one
killed and three men woimded.*

On the 23d, M. Marin, a celebrated partisan,
made a bold iash at Fort Edward. lie arrived
in the morning, and first cut off a patrol of ten
m6n, who were all killed. The party then
came up with the guard of fifty men, whom they
swept away like a wafer. lie then advanced
boldly up to the fort ; but the English army
then formed in line of battle, to the extent of
two thousand men, and, marchiv^ out of their
intrenchments, advanced to the ^ . rders of the
woods where Marin was in ambush, who retired
in good order, losing but a single man. He
returned with thirty-tw'O scalps. " He was
unwilling to amuse liimself making prisoners,
and so brought in but one."

The following statement is made by Dr. Fitch,

w-ho refers to Dr. Silliman :

John, Bon of Cybrant Quackenboss of Albany, was im-
pressed, with his team and wagon, to convey a load of pro-
visions to Lake George. He was captured by a formidable
party of Indians, who previously had waylaid sixteen others.
Tlie prisoners were taken to where the village park in
Sandy Hill is now situated, but which was then a secluded
spot in the woods. Here they were securely tied and seated
upon the trunk of a fallen tree, with two or three Indiana
left to guard them ; Quackenboss being at one end, and a

ifP

<t:*

■ W' 1

* Jesuits in America — Father Roubard. Kip.

II A

152

LAKE GEORGE AND

soldier named McGinness l)einff next to )um. One of tlio
savages now went to tlus opposite end of the log, and delib-
erately sank his tomaliawk into the head of the man there
seated. The victim fell to the earth, and the next man
shared his fate, and so in succession the rest, until it came
the turn of Mc(iinness. Tie, with the suddenness of a pan-
ther, threw himself from tht> lojr, in an endeavor to break
his bonds — but in vain, In^'tantlv, on everv side, a dozen
tomahawks were u[)lifted ; but the poor fellow, lying upon
his back and si)inning around like a top, thrust his murderer
off with his feet, till, hacked and mangled, his eff'orts became
more feeble, when a blow was aimed at his head, and all
was over. The teamster now only remained. Already the
fatal hatchet was raised for the lasi and final stroke, when
the arm by which it was wielded was suddenly caught aside
by a squaw, who exclaimed : " You shan't kill him. He's
no fighter. He's my dog." He was unbound and taken in
charge by his Indian mistress, and the party started off for
Canada. He was shortly after purchased from the Indians
and brought to Montreal. Desiring to communicate with
his family, he gave a letter in charge of a trusty Indian,
who brought it as near Fort Edward as he dare venture,
and here, making a slit in the bark of a tree beside a fre-
quented path, inserted the end of the letter therein. It was
speedily discovered and forwarded to its destination.

Fro7n Ms nephew, Jacob Quackenboss, Schaghticoke.

25th. Lieut. Corbierie, with a force of fifty
Canadians and three hundred Ottawas, lay in
ambush, above Sabbath-day point, all day and
all night. At break of day they discovered a
body of three hundred English in twenty-two
barges, who had left Fort William Henry the
night before. They were under the direction

LAKE CIIAMrLAIN.

153

of Col. John Parker and eleven officers. Parker
liad succeeded Co). Schuyler in command of the
New Jersey regunent, Schuyler having been
taken prisoner at the Oswego surrender. The
engagement was commenced with great reso-
lution on both sides, but the French and
Indians, being in their frail canoes, could
liave no reasonable hope of victory except
by boarding ; but the English no sooner saw
tliem at hand, than terror caused them even
to drop tlieir arms. " It ceased to be a
conflict, and became only a flight." In an
instant they were seen pulling in the greatest
liaste for the bank, while some, to reach there
sooner, threw themselves into the water for tlie
purpose of swimming ; but all in vain.* The
speed of the rowers could not in any way
approacli the swiftness of a bark canoe. The
latter sails, or rather flies, over the water with
the velocity of the arrow. The English w^ere,
therefore, almost immediately overtaken. In
the first heat of the conflict all were massacred
without mercy. Those who had gained the
woods had no better fate. The woods are the
natural home of the Indian, and they can run
there with the sw^iftness of the deer. At length

I !

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iii

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* Doc. X, page 591.

I: !:'H

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154

LAKE GEORGE AND

If
!!

the Ottawas tlioii<^lit of malting prisonors. The
number amounted to one hundred and fifty-
seven, while one hundred and thirty-one had been
killed — twelve only escaped. On the French
side the losses were nothing, only one Indian
being slightly wounded. At night the Indians,
h:iving freely partaken of ardent spirits, cele-
brated their victory with one of those ferocious
orgies at which the heart of humanity sickens.*

* My tent liad been placed in the middle of the encnnip-
inent of the Ottawas. The first object \\^hich presented
itself to my eyes on arriving there, was a larg-e fire, while
the wooden spits fixed in the earth gave sii^ns of a feast.
Indeed, there was one taking place. But, O, heaven, what
a feast ! The remains of the l)ody of an Englishman was
there, the skin stripped off', and more than one-half the flesh
gone. A moment after I perceived these inhuman beings
eat with famishing avidity of this human flesh. I saw them
taking up this detestable broth in large spoons, and appa-
rently without being able to satisfy themselves with it.- They
infonued me that they had prepared themselves for this
feast by drinking from skulls filled with human blood, while
their smeared faces and stained lips gave evidence of the
t uth of the story. What rendered it more sad was, that
they had placed very near them some ten Englishmen to be
spectators of their infamous repast. I thought by making
some mild representation to these inhuman monsters I
might gain some hold upon them. But I was only flatter-
ing myself. A young man with a resolute air took up the
conversation, and said to me, in bad French : " You have
French taste ; I have Indian ; this food is good for me." He
accompanied his remarks by the oiBfer which he made me of

■! 11

II:

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

155

I \

jm
>a-

kiis

ile

Ihe

liat

ing

Tliecampai^.Jiaviiigtlins opened a\i8pi'M'onsly
for tlie Freiiel), no time was lost in enibarldrii^
the jirovisioiis and artillery. Tin* distribution of
the army was as follows : lligand, the same who
had led the expedition of the winter before
against William Henry, occupied the head of
the carrying place with the battalion of the
marine, the militia and the Indians. The regu-
lars were at the Water Fall, in command of
Chevalier De Levi, and two battalions were still
at Carillon with Bourlemaque. Montcalm was
at the head of the carrying place, superintend-
ing the transportation. The artillery, the muni-
tions of all descriptions, provisions to victual

a piece of the broiled Englishman. I could make no reply
to this ariTunient, which was so worthy of a savage, and it
may easily be imagined with what horror I turned from the
scene. * * As I approached the English prisoners, one of
their number, by whose military decorations I recognized
an officer, arrested my attention. My purpose was imme-
diately formed to })urchase him, and thus to secure for him
both his liberty and his life. With this vi w I approached
an aged Ottawa, believing, that the chill of age having
moderated his ferocity, I should find him more favorable to
my designs. I extended to him my hand, saluting him
politely, in the hope of gaining him to me by kindness of
manner. But it was not a man with whom I was dealing.
It was something worse than a ferocious beast, who was not
to be softened by these caresst*. " No " said he, in a thun-
dering and menacing tone, " No, I do not at all wish your

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IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)

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Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

-n^ ^

lljii ]|

150

LAKE GEORGE AND

the army for a month, two hundred and fifty
bateaux and two hundred canoes, were bi'ought
over by men's labor, without either oxen or
horses, and in the last days enta*e brigades,
headed by their lieutenant-colonels, relieved each
otlier at this work. As the number of boats was
not sufficient for the passage of the entire army,
and besides it was necessary that the forest, as
well as the landing, should be reconnoitered, the
Marquis arranged to move a body of two thou-
sand troops and a portion of the Indians by
land, in command of De Levi, and under the
guidance of Kanactagon, a celebrated Iroquois
hunter. Their orders were to march two days

favors. Begone." I did not think it necessary to wait till
he should repeat a compliment of this kind. I obeyed him.
* * * Next morning on awakening I supposed that
nc vestige of the repast of the previous evening would
remain about my tent. I flattered myself that, the fumes
of their liquor being dissipated, and the excitement insep-
arable to action having passed off, taeir spirits would have
become more; settled, and their hearts more human. But I
was acquainted with neither the genius nor the taste of the
Ottawas. It was through choice, through delicacy, through
duintiness, that they nourished themselves with human
flesh. Since tlie earliest dawn they had done nothing but
recommence their execrable cookery, and now were waiting
with anxiety for the desired moment when they should be
able to glut their more than canine appetite by devouring
the sad relics of the body of their enemy. Roxibard.

i|:i!

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

157

But I
of the
hrougli
j human
\ng but
waiting
lould be
rouring

ill advance of tlie remainder of tbe army, in order
to arrive simultaneously at the bay of Gaiious-
kie.*

27tli. Montcalm held a general conncil of the
Indians, at which the nations took their places
according to their rank, when he presented to
them, in the King's name, the great union belt
of six thousand beads, to bind all the tribes to
each other and to him, so that they might act
together, and not quit him until the close of the
expedition.

29th. De Levi moved off with his division at
night, and encamped about half a league beyond
llie portage, at a place called the " Burnt Camp,"
on the western shore of Lake George. This
detachment was composed of twelve companies
of regulars ; two of the marine, La Corne's, Yas-
saur's, and Repentigny's and Yillieur's regiments
of Canadians, and six hundred Indians. On the
30th, in the morning, the detachment left the
Burnt Camp without tents, kettles or equipage,
Villieur's volunteers and some Indians forming
the vanguard, the regulars in the center and the
Canadians and the rest of the Indians marching
as flankers. The same day the brigades of La
Reine and La Sarre occupied the Burnt Camp,

' !l

ii^

* North-west Vay.

* *:\

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158

LAKE GEORGE AND

while the troops under Bourlemaqne encamped
at the head of the Portage.

On Sunday tlie 31st, the Indians who were to
go by water set out at night, under command
of St. Luc, accompanied by Marin, Neverville,
Langlade, Laplante and Herbin, and moved
to a point above " Isle a la Barfju^j''^* where
they landed and encamped. There they saw
the proofs of the naval victory they had gained
over Parker, in the abandoned English boats,
which, after having for a long time been the
sport of the winds and waves, had at last been
thrown upon the shore, and also in the great
number of the bodies of the English extended
on the banks or scattered through the woods,
some cut to pieces and all mutilated in the most
frightful manner. The place assigned for the
camp was the side of a hill covered with bram-
bles and the haunt of a prodigious number of
rattlesnakes, which the Indians hunted out and
caught,

August 1. At two o'clock p. m., the army
embarked in two hundred and fifty bateaux and
set sail in the following order : A pontoon, con-
sisting of two boats united together by a plat-
form, and mounted with a twelve-pounder, the

* Odell Island, near Sabbatli-day Point.

mped

ere to
inaiid
rville,
iioved
where
y saw
gained
boats,
en the
it been
e great
:tended
woods,
le most
for the
bram-
iber of
Dut and

B army
mx and
on, con-
T a plat-
der, the

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£■'

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

159

regulars, the militia, the artillery, with a brig-
ade of lioyal Rousillon as an escort, the provis-
ions, manned by the Gaspd brigade, the field
liospital, and lastly the rear guard. The guard
left at Carillon comprised two hundred men,
under the orders of Captain Dalquier, of the
grenadiers, fifty men in possession of a redoubt
at the falls, erected in the middle of the rapid,
and a hundred and fifty men at the liead of the
carrying place where there was a supply of pro-
visions. Halted at five o'clock, at the point
where the Indians had encamped. These last
who lay waiting now took the lead, and the four
hundred boats, covering the waters from shore to
shore, swept majestically up the lake, until, per-
ceiving upon the mountain the three fires placed
in the form of a triangle, M'hich De Levi had
lit as a signal, at three o'clock a. m. they
landed at Ganouskie Bay,* to the left of the
land detachment, and proceeded to cook their
breakfast. The Chevalier had arrived at four
o'clock of the afternoon previous, after a march
which the excessive heat, the continual moun-
tains, the fallen trees, and the necessity of carry-
ing every thing on the shoulders, had rendered
fatiguing even to the Indians. At ^cn o'clock

* Bolton Landing.

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160

LAKE GEOKOE AND

A. M. l)e Levi resumed liis march and proceeded
about tlu'ee leagues to Great Sandy Bay,* and
went immediately to reconnoiter the environs
of the fort, its position and the proper place to
land the artillery. Toward noon the army re-
embarked and proceeded leisurely, to enable
the pontoons with the artillery to keep up. At
evening they reached the same bay where the
land troops had arrived, but hidden by a point
of land from the view of the English fort. A
little incident which occurred here was the pre-
lude of the siege; about eight o'clock two boats
sent out from the fort appeared on the lake, and
sailed along with an easy assurance and tran-
quillity which little betokened the scent of dan-
ger. The news was at once imparted to the
Indians, and the preparations to receive them
were made with promptness and in admirable
silence. One of the barges had a tent stretched
over it which formed a kind of dark object in
the air, easily discovered by the light of the
stars. Curious to investigate what it could be,
the English steered directly toward this spot.
Slight chance of escape had they, as to choose that
course was to rush on death. At this juncture

* Beyond the old Caldwell Manor House, now known as
Shaw's Bay.

LAKE CHAM PLAIN.

161

a sheep, in a provision boat, liaj^pened to bleat,
and disclosed tlie anibusb. Inunediately the
Enijrlish boats turned about and made toward
the opposite shore, using tlieir oars to the ntinost
to save themselves by means of the darkness
and the woods. This maneuver was immedi-
ately seen. Twelve Imndred savages were at
once in motion and flew to the pursuit, with
cries equally frightful by their continuance as
by their numbers ; nevertheless, both sides
seemed to be backward, as not a single shot
was discharged. The pursuers, not having had
time to form, feared to draw the fire upon them-
selves, besides they wished to take prisoners.
The fugitives employed their arms more use-
fully in accelerating their flight. They had
almost reached the opposite shore when the
Indians, who perceived that their prey was
escaping, fired, and the English, pressed almost
too close by the foremost canoes, were obliged
to return it. Then followed a fearful silence,
succeeding to all this uproar. The affair ter-
minated in a chief of the Nepistingue tribe
being killed, and one other wounded. Three
Englishmen were taken prisoners, with their
boats, the rest were scattered through the

woods.

14*

II i

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?,.

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Niii

162

LAKE OEOROE ASD

Hi.

III

Gen. "Webb* was now iu command of the
English forces in Nortlicrn New York, witli liis
head-quarters at Fort Edward. He visited
Lake George the last of July, under the escort
of Major Israel Putnam, with two hundred
men. July Slst. Putnam, with eighteen men,
in three boats, went down the lake on a recon-
noisance, but had only proceeded twelve miles
when he discovered an advanced party of the
enemy encamped upon an island, when he with-
drew. The next morning; Webb returned to

* Lieut.-General (Heaven save the mark ! ) Daniel Webb
was ensign of the Cold Stream Guards. He s icceeded Col.
Dunbar in the command of the Forty-eighth Foot, after Dunbar
was superseded for his cowardice at Braddock's defeat, and
arrived at New York from England, 7th June, 1756, to
relieve Gen. Shirley. In succeeding to Dunbar's regiment,
he also inherited that officer's disposition to take to flight at
the appearance of danger, for, being dispatched, in 1756,
with a considerable force to the relief of Oswego, as soon as
he got to the carrying place, now Rome, he became so
alarmed at hearing of the fall of the place he was sent to
relieve, that he filled Wood creek with trees to prevent the
approach of an invisible enemy. Strange that he should
be again put in any jwsition of responsibility ; yet next year
he was in command of the northern frontier, and shamefully
abandojued Col, Monroe at Fort William Henry, though at
the head of 4,000 men. In consequence he was ordered
home, but in some inexplicable way he was protected from
censure. Doc. x, page 574.

LAKE CIIAMrLAIX.

1G3

Fort Edward with his escort, and dispatdied
Col. Monroe witli his regiment to re-enforce and
command the garrison, of wliom four hundred
and fifty were in the fort, and the remainder,
seventeen hundred, were posted in tlie intrenched
camp, whicli, for all practical purposes, was
much the better fort of the two. Webb also
immediately sent expresses to the several Gov-
ernors, with a requisition to call out the militia.
The order was promptly obeyed. All the New
York militia north of the Highlands wero
immediately put in moti n. In Connecticut
every fourth man was draft jd. In New Jersey
four thousand were assembled ; and in every
direction troops were organizing and marching
toward Fort Edward, but, alas, too late to be
of any avail.*

Sir William Johnson w^as holding an import-
ant council with the Cherokees at his house
when the news arrived of the approach of
Montcalm. He abruptly broke up the confer-
ence, and hastily collecting what militia and
Indians he could, started, and arrived two days
after at Fort Edward. On the 8th he obtained
from Webb permission to march to the aid of
the beleaguered garrison. Putnam and his
rangers, and most of the provincial regiments,

* Fitch.

Rf ' "

ill

164

LAKE OEOIIGI-: AND

promptly volunteprcd ; l)ut they liad scarcely
bcjxnii their march when the order was counter-
manded, and they were ordered back to their
p(>ats.*

The French troops having all landed at Great
Sandy Bay, except the St. Ours brigade attached
to the artillery, and those detailed to guard the
bateaux and provisions, all under the command
of Lieut.-Col. Privat, they arranged themselves
in order of battle.

At two o'clock A. M., August 3d, the English
who had had their camp to the left of the fort,
broke up and retired into the intrenchments on
the right, on the site of Fort George. The same
day, at dawn, the French army moved in three
columns. De Levi led. the advance with his de-
tachment and the Indians, Montcalm with the
brigades followed in column bj* regiments.
Kigund was on the right with the Canadians,
and Bourlemaque on the left. Sheltered by the
w^oods De Levi was enabled to pass the fort un-
molested, and at ten o'clock a. m. took np a
position on the road leading to Fort Edward.
The Royal Rousillon Brigade was posted on the
crestf of a ravine, which is opposite the fort,

* Stone's Life of Johnson.

f To the left of the plnnk-road, on the north side of the
ravine, opposite and north of the court-house.

LAKE fHAMPLAIN.

105

wljcre it remained an hour in order of buttle,
and received orders to join the army on a phi-
teaii* beyond some liei<^ht8 to the left of the fort,
where all the troops remained until five o'clock
in the evening, during which time the fort ^va^i
reconnoitered as well as the intrenched camp,
which appeared too strong to be captured by an
assault. The Indians were intrusted with the
duty of protecting the right, which extended as
far as the French mountain, and also of sending
out scouts on to the Fort Edward road. Thev
kept up a sharp fire on the fort, rei^elled several
sorties, killed a hundred cattle, and one hun-
dred and fifty sheep, which belonged to the
commissariat of the fort, and also captured forty
oxen, and twenty horses, which were taken into
the French camp. The camp was laid out by
Bourlemaque, on the ground occupied in the
morning by the Royal Rousillon brigade, the
left resting on the cove,t where the artillery
w^as to land, and the right extending over
toward the mountain. A guard of fifty men
were then ordered to be posted in the cove, with
instructions to light fires at night-fall, to serve
as beacons for the artillery bateaux.

* Near where the Luzerne road turns off.
f Behind the court-house.

«.i'

M if

Li' ,JJ

166

LAKE GEORGE AND

Montcalm bivouacked with the rest of the
army on the Fort Edward road. In the even-
ino^ the scouts reported that a body of troops
had left Fort Edward* and were coming by the
mountains. Meanwhile the English were vigor-
ously at work fortifying the intrenched camp.

/^ugust 4. In the morning the brigade of
La Reine came to encamp on the right of the
Royal Rousillon, while two brigades of militia
took their posts immediately in their rear.

Montcalm liaving arrived at the camp early
in the morning, went to reconnoiter the fort with
Eourlemaque and the officers of the artillery,
to decide where the first batterv should be set
up. At noon, De Levi was directed to call in
his detachment, and to occupy the heights on
the right, but at some distance from the camp,
with the militia and Indians, and to have scouts
continually on the Fort Edward road. Tools
were distributed and orders issued for the con-
struction of fascines and gabions. It was also
judged best to bring the artillery, as it might
be w^anted, and unload it at night, in the little
cove above named. The command of the siege
was given to Bourlemaque. His detail for this
purpose consisted of seven regiments, and the St.

* Sir Wm. Johnson's command, afterward recalled.

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

167

rht

ttle

>st.

Ours and Gaspd brigades. De Levi, with the
five remaining Canadian regiments, and the In-
dians, had the duty of protecting the right of
the camp and the Fort Edward road. These
arrangements being perfected, Montcahn dis-
patched a summons to CoL Monroe, in the fol-
lowing terms :

" Sir : I have arrived with sufficient force
to take the place which you hold, and to cut off
all succor which can reach you from any quar-
ter. I number in my train a crowd of Indian
tribes, whom the least eifusion of blood will
enrage to an extent that will forever pre von t
them from entertaining any sentiments of mod-
eration or clemency. The love of humanity has,
therefore, induced me to summon you to sur-
render, at a time when it will not be impossible
for me to induce them to agree to a capitulation,
honorable to you and useful to all.

" I have the honor to be, etc.,

" Montcalm."

The bearer of this was M. Fontebrane, aid-
de-camp of De Levi. He was received at the
fort with politeness. The following answer was
returned :

"Monsieur: I am obliged to you for the
courteous offer joxi have made. I cannot
accept it. I have little fear of your Indian

ItJ

- ' 1:

i ;

samim

168

LAKE GEORGE AND

forces, and I have under my orders soldiers wlio
are determined, like myself, to die or conquer.

I am, etc.,

" Col. George Monroe,

" Com., etc.^^

This answer was followed by a general dis-
charge of the artillery from the fort.

While these preliminaries were taking place,
the N^epistingue tribe proceeded with the funeral
rites of their chief, who had been killed at the
boat attack on the first evening of their arrival.
These rites were celebrated with savage pomp
and splendor. The dead body was arrayed in
all its ornaments, collars of porcelain, silver
bracelets, pendants for the ears and for the nose,
and magnificent apparel were lavished upon
him. Paint and vermilion gave the counte-
nance an air of life. They had not been forget-
ful of any of the decorations of the warrior. A
neck-piece, bound with a red ribbon, hung neg-
ligently upon his breast, his gun rested upon
his arm, the tomahawk at his belt, the pipe in
his mouth, his lance in his hand, and the kettle
filled with provisions at his side. Clothed in
this warlike array, they seated him on an emi-
nence covered with grass, which served him for
his bed of state. The Indians, ranged in a
circle around the dead body, regarded it for

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

109

i, !•

some moments in a solemn silence, indicative of
grief. This was broken by tlie orator, who
pronounced the funeral oration for the dead.
Then succeeded the chants and dances to the
sound of a tabor hung around with little bells.
In all this there was an indescribable air of
sadness, which agreed well with the melancholy
ceremonial. At length the funeral rites were
ended by the interment of the dead, with whom
they took care to bury a supply of provisions,
for fear, without doubt, that for want of nour-
ishment he might die a second time.*

At eight o'clock p. m., Bourlemaque pro-
ceeded with 450 workmen, supported by a
guard of 300 regulars, to open the first paral-
lel within 700 yards of the fort. They also
commenced two batteries, and built a piece of
road from the cove to the " tail of the trench,"
on which to move up the guns. The artillery
consisted of thirty-two pieces. Twelve guns
were brought around that night, and as they
passed the point of land which brought tliem in
sight of the fort, they took care to salute the
same by a general discharge. The work rapidly
advanced through the obstacles presented by
the soil, the trunks of trees and abatis, which

'^ Jesuit Missions.

ii' I

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1 1

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1 .'■

: ■ )

'■ 1,

I 1

I 4

170

LAKE GEORGE AND

required the employment of the ax and saw,
and by day-break the men were entirely hidden,
except at the right battery where the work had
been slower. The left battery was 480 feet
from the tail of the trench, and the second bat-
tery 600 feet from the first.

During the day the English fired a great deal
of shell and shot. A soldier of the Hoyal Eon-
sillon, who was on duty, was killed ; and at
night-fall they lighted large fires at the
intrenched camp, where they continued indus-
triously at work.

Aug. 5. At day-break the working party was
dismissed, and a force of 200 men put on, who
perfected the trench. The shell and shot from
the fort reaching into the French camp, the
brigades were moved 400 paces to the rear.*

On this day Gen. Webb had sent out from
Fort Edward three couriers, with information
for Col. Monroe. The first was killed, the sec-
ond captured, the third saved himself by his
swiftness in running. The Indians brought in
the prisoner, and a vest, in the pocket of which
was a hollow musket ball, containing a letter to
Col. Monroe. It announced, in substance, that
he would advance to give battle to the French

* To the grounds of the Caldwell Manor House.

LAKP: CirAMPLAIN.

171

r was
wlio
from
, tlie

from
ation
e sec-
y his
ht in
kvhich
ter to
that
Trench

army as soon as the provincial militia arrived ;
that, considering the position of Fort Edward,
he could not march to the relief of Col. Mon-
roe, to extricate him, nor forward to him any
re-enforcements until the expected arrival of the
militia, to whom he had sent orders to join him
forthwith ; but should they arrive too late to
enable him to advance and engage the French
army, the commandant should look to obtaining
the best conditions possible.*

Aug. 6. The first or left battery, consisting
of eight pieces, of which three were eighteen-
pounders and one nine-inch mortar, was
unmasked, and discharged several rounds con-
secutively, afterward it fired every two minutes.
It was replied to with spirit from the fort.

* In De Lancey's address to the Colonial Assembly, dated
Sept. 2, 1757, occurs the following remark : " The troops
above the Highlands had already marched in consequence
of my orders, and many had proceeded to Fort Edward ;
but after a short stay Gen. Webb informed me that all the
militia, except those of the county of Albany, had deserted
in a mutinous manner. I did all I could to stop them, but
with little success. This step, whether arising from cow^-
ardice or disgust, or whatever other motive, deserves a very
severe animadversion, more especially as it was taken at a
time when the enemy were still at Fort William Henry,
only fourteen miles distant from Fort Edward, the most
advanced post we had in that quarter of the country."

I'i.

i ;? . f

172

LAKE GEORGE AND

iJt-

The guard was relieved at four o'clock p. m.,
by three compauies of grenadiers, and at seven
o'clock three hundred night workmen came on,
who perfected the parallel, finished the second
or royal battery, which consisted of two eigh-
teen, five twelve, one eight, two seven inch
howitzers, and a six-inch mortar, and proceeded
to run a trench from the parallel, three hundred
yards in length, directly toward the garden of
the fort. This battery threw shot in an acute
angle with the front of attack, and swept the
intrenched camp with a ricochet fire. It was
not possible for the English to stir out without
danger. An Englishwoman determined to go
and gather some vegetables in the garden con-
tiguous to the trench. She was bhot down on
the spot by an Indian concealed in a square of
cabbages. Having no means of recovering the
body, the conqueror, always concealed, remained
sentinel throughout the day, and at night took
away with him the scalp.*

The Indians were delighted with the noise of
the great guns and the prodigious echoes which
were made by the mountains. They were
always about the artillerymen, whose dexterity
they much admired. But their admiration was

*Roubard.

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

173

con-

on
fe of

the
lined
took

56 of

^liich

Iwere

levity

was

neither idle nor without its use. Some even de-
termined to become gunners. One, after having
sighted the cannon, found that the shot struck
the very angle of the fort which had been as-
signed to him as a mark. But he declined to
repeat the experiment, because, having reached,
in his attempt, that degree of perfection to
which he aspired, he did not wish to hazard his
reputation in a second trial. But their chief
cause of astonishment was the covert* ways.'
They examined, with the most eager curiosity,
the manner in which the French grenadiers
labored to perfect those works. Instructed by
seeing, they shortly began to exercise their own
hands in the practice. They might be seen,
with pick-axes, marking out a branch of the
trench, toward the portion of the fort which was
assigned to them to be attacked. They pushed
them so far forward that they were shortly
within musket shot.

De Yillieurs profited by these advances to
attack the outposts. The action was warm, but
the English were driven back.

* " Covert," Jddden. The earth is thrown up toward the
enemy, to hide the view, and for protection from the can-
non.

15*

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1 1

174

LAKE OEOKGE AND

On the night of the 7th, the workmen con-
tinued the trench to within six hundred feet of
the fort. There a tiiird battery was commenced.
The guard was composed of tliree companies of
grenadiers and seven pickets. At midniglit,
two deserters fell among the Indian pickets,
who had been posted on their bellies, in the
garden in front of their workmen. The night's
work brought the trench to a swamp, about a
hundred yards wide, bordered on the south by
an acclivity, which, except about sixty feet,
sheltered it from the batteries of the place. In
broad daylight the sappers applied themselves
to this, with so much activity, that before night
a road of round sticks and hurdles was made,
capable of bearing artillery. At nine o'clock
A. M., after a double salute from the batteries,
Montcalm sent to Monroe, through his aid De
Bougainville, the letter of Gen. Webb, which
had been intercepted two days before, as its
perusal, when the works were so far advanced,
might induce him to surrender. At three
o'(;lock the English made a sortie, with 500
men, to open the Fort Edward road. De Yil-
lieurs marched against them, with the Canadians
and Indians, who repulsed and drove them back
into the intrenched camp, with a loss, on the Eng-
lish side, of a number killed, and four prisoners.

Eng-

LAKE CIIAMl'LAIN.

175

Stli. The workinp^ V^^^J were relieved at
day-breuk, by tliree liutulred other men, who
proceeded to finish the new battery, and cun-
Btruet a road through tlie 8U)pe that leads into
the gardens. At three o'clock the Englisli
turned out, under arms, t^ repel a supposed
attack. The scouts reported to Montcalm tliat
relief was approaching from the southern road.
He immediately dispatched three companies of
grenadiers to De Levi, and followed with two
brigades. Bourlemaque ordered two guns to
bear on the garden and plateau, and to fire, at
an elevation, ever the fort, into the intrenched
camp, where the troops were observed in line
of battle. The relief proved to be a false report,
and at five p. m. the troops returned to camp.
At seven o'clock the guard of the trench were
relieved, and at eight arrived a party of 550
working men, 100 for the battery, and the re-
mainder for the bridge, and to take post on the
exterior crest of the ravine in the garden. Here
they opened a parallel, which was designed for
the fourth battery, and, also, by its prolongation,
to surround the fort and cut it off from the in-
trenched camp. The fire from the fort, that night,
was brisk, and resulted in two being wounded.
At day-break the parallel was sufticiently com-
plete to afibrd a secure lodgment for the meu.

'• ^' m

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LAKE OEOROE AND

Seeing tlie works so far advanced, on the
morning of the 9th, Col. Monroe hoisted the
wliite flag, ar.d 8 a. m. sent Lieut.-Colonel John
Young* to negotiate the articles of capitulation.
Montcalm, having agreed with him upon the
principal terms, refused to proceed further until
he could have a general council of the Indian
chiefs, which he forthwith called, and to whom
he explained the conditions whereon the English
were oflfering to surrender, and the terms he
was resolved to grant them, and demanded of
them their consent, and also whether they
could answer for their young men not violating
the terms. The chiefs unanimously assured
him that they approved of all he would do, and
would prevent their young men from commit-
ting any disorder.

The following were the articles of capitula-
tion:

1. The garrison of Fort William Henry shall
inarch out with their arins and their baggage ;
they shall proceed to Fort Edward, escorted
by a detachment of French and some ofiicers

* Col. Young was major in the Royal Americans. On the
reduction of Fort William Henry he was shamefully stripped
and plundered by the Indians ; and it is a curious fact that
he afterward recognized and recovered some of his property,
in 1759, on the reduction of Quebec

ntlie
ipped
, that
erty,

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

177

and interpretcM's attaclied to tlie Tiulians, and
nmrcli at an early liour on the morning of the
lOtli. Tlioy sliall not serve again in eighteen
months.

2. The gate of the fort to be delivered up to
the troops at the signing of the capitulation,
and the intrenched camp the next day on the
departure of the British troops.

3. All the artillery, stores and provisions to
be given up, and an inventory taken. The sick
and wounded who cannot be moved, to be under
the protection of the Marquis de Montcalm.
Provisions to be issued for two days only.

As a further token of esteem, on account of
their honorable defense, Monroe was granted one
field-piece, a six-pounder.

Montcalm also directed Bourgainville, his
aid, who conducted the capitulation, to have all
the wine, brandy, rum and other intoxicating
liquors in the public stores of the fort, spilled,
whi(;h was accordingly done before the evacua-
tion.

At 12 o'clock M. the English troops, arrayed
in beautiful order, marched out of the fort with
their knapsacks and effects, to go over to the
intrenched camp, while the French regiments
of the trenches, under Bourlemaque, advanced
in battle array to take possession. At the same

Is' i

i: **

I '(3

!■

Vi.\

LAKE OEOROK AND

liour a cloud seemed pjissin*^ over tlieir heads,
and looking ui)war(l they discovered that the}'
stood beneath the wide folds of the standard of
France.

As the troops left the parade, they passed by
the French artny, who stood to their arms,
attentive but silent observers of the proceed-
ings of the vanquished, failing in none of the
stipulated honors, and offering no taunt or
insult, in their success, to their less fortunate
foes.*

The march and ceremony were not marked
by any contravention of the laws of nations.

Montcalm sent, according to the agreement,
a detachment of three hundred troops,t under
command of a lieutenant-colonel, to the in-
trenched camp for tlieir protection. He also
ordered the officers and interpreters attached to
the Indians to remain until the departure of
the English.

Bourlemaqne took possession of the fort with
his division, and stationed p-uards npon the
pow^der magazines aftd the provision stores ; the
remainder was given r.p to pillage. The Indi-
ans made no delay. During the military cere-
mony which accompanied the taking possession,

* Cooper, f Doc. x, p. 615.

ca:
bl(

bei

rkcd

cnt,

nder

in-

also

d to

e of

with
the
, the
Indi-
cere
Ission,

LAKE CHAMl'LAIN.

179

they had penetrated into the tort, in crowds,
througli tlie enihrasuros, for the purpoBO of
piUage. But they did not contine thoni-
Belves to this. Tliere were still remaining
in the casemates some sick persons, whoso
condition did not allow them to follow their
countrymen in their honoral^le retreat. These
were, tlierefore, tlieir first victims on whom
they threw themselves without pity, and sacri-
ficed to their blood-thirstiness.*

The Indians then proceeded to the intrenched
camp, and, notwithstanding all tlie precautions
of those who guarded the same, got in, and
wuslied to pillage the chests of the otlicers. The
latter opposed this proceeding, and a serious
disorder was threatened. Montcalm proceeded
to the intrenchment, and found some of the
Indians drunk with rum obtained from the
officers. He " had recourse to prayers, menaces,
caresses, councils with the chiefs, and interfer-

* Koubard further says : " I was a witness of this
spectacle, I saw one of these barbarians come forth from
the casemates, which nothing but the most insatiate avidity
for blood could have induced him to enter, for the infected
atmosphere which exhaled from it was unsupportable. He
carried in his hand a human head, from whence streams of
blood were flowing, and which he paraded forth as if it had
been the most valuable prize he had been a jle to seize,"

ii < f

;■

'"Tmrwii

180

LAKE GEOKGE AND

■J

ence of the officers and interpreters, who
possessed some authority over these barharians,
to stop and restrain tliein."*

The disorderly conduct being abated, Mont-
cahii, at nine o'clock at nig.it, returned to his
quarters. Thi'* was, however, only a slight
introduction of the tragedy of the morrow.
Notwithstanding the remonstrances of Mont-
calm, the English furnished the Indians with
rum (on which, during the night, several of
them got drunk), on the supposition that by
such a course they would render these savages
more favorable to them. But they might as
well have undertaken to tame the famished
wild beast. Early in the morning they began
to assemble about the intrenchments, demand-
ing of the English, goods, provisions, in a word,
whatever their greedy eyes perceived. These
demands were made in a tone which announced
that a thrust of the spear would be the price
of a refusal. The English entertained for these
Indians an inconceivable terror. They undressed
and stripped themselves almost to nothing, to
purchase their lives at the hands of these in-
human monsters. But this compliance, which
should have softened the savage heart, only ren-

* Doc. X, 633.

LAKE CHAMPLAm.

181

jnt-

liis

iglit

:ow.

ont-

with

L of

t by

rages

tit as

islied

)egaii
and-
ord,
hese
need
price
these
essed

e in-

hicli

ren-

dered them more exacting. The same terror
determined the English to set out before the
escort was ready.

The Abnekas of Panouske, in Acadia, chiimed
to have experienced from the English some
ill-treatment, wherebv, under the pretense of
making a treaty, certain of their chiefs had been
inveigled into a fort and slain. They seized
this occasion to retaliate. The long columnof
English had scarcely filed out from their in-
trenchments to the number of two thousand
two hundred, and were approaching the vista
cut through the trees where the road to Fort
Edward entered the forest, when the Indians
uttered their dread war-whoop, and " woe be to
those who closed the march, or to the stragglers
whom illness or any other rea? >n separated
ever so little from the main body. They were
as good as dead, and their lifeless bodies soon
strewed the ground and covered the circuit of
the imcrenchments." *

The English troops, in place of meeting them
with resolution, and defending themselves with
their arms, were seized with a sudden panic, and
fled helter-skelter toward the wo^ds or toward
the French tents, then to the fort, then to any

* Roubard.

■

182

LAKE GEORGE AND

1,^

n f

place which promised them an asylum, throw-
ing away their guns, equipments and baggage.
The great number of women which accompanied
the garrison increased its terror.* This butchery,
which, at first, was only the work of some few
savages, became the signal, which transformed
.them into so many ferocious beasts. They dis-
charged, right and left, heavy blows with their
hatchets, on all those who came within their
reach. The massacre was, however, not of any
duration, nor by any means so considerabh as
so much fury would have seemed to give reason
to. It amounted to about forty or fifty men.

The French, meanwhile, were not idle. The
detachment of three hundred, appointed to
protect their retreat, arrived, and hastily ar-
ranged themselves in order of battle. The
Chevalier De Levi ran in every direction, to
where the tumult was the thickest, to endeavor
to arrest it, and periled his life, at the hands of
the savage arms raised to strike at him. The
French and Canadian ofKcers imitated his ex-
ample, with a zeal worthy of the humanity of
a civilized nation. But of what avail were
three hundred men, and a few officers, against
fifteen hundred infuriated savages, who could

* Doc. X, C33.

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

183

not, or would not, distinguish them from the
English? One of the sergeants, who had op-
posed himself to their violence, was struck to
the earth by a spear. A French officer, as a
reward of the same zeal, received a severe
wound, which brought him to the borders of
the grave. Besides, in the moment of alarm,
one knew scarcely where to turn, and the very
measures which seemed to be most dictated by
prudence, ended in disastrous results. Mont-
calm, whose camp was at a distance from the
spot, did not hear at first of what was going
forward. At the news of the occurrence he
speedily repaired to the spot, and after trying
prayers, menaces, and promises, he at last re-
sorted to force. He wrested the nephew of
Col. Young, with violence, from the hands of
the Indians, but his deliverance cost the lives
of a number of prisoners, whom the Indians
massacred for fear of a similar rescue.* The

i ^

J 'I

* A Froncli officor informed Father Roiibard that a Huron
had at that time an infant six months old, whose death was
certain if he did not hasten to its relief. The good father
hastened to the cabin of the savage, and after considerable
entreaty the latter was induced to give up the child, on
condition that he should receive back a scalp of an enemy.
'* De[)arting with haste," says Roubard, " to the camp of the
Abnakis, 1 demanded of the first person I met whether he

'v! '1

184

LAKE GEORGE AND

' 1 1

H"i

Indians tlien proceeded to take prisoners, and
the disorder was on the increase, when some
one happily tliought of ordering the English
to increase their speed, which was done.
The Indians, satisfied with their prizes, began
to retire, the remaining few were easily dis-
]3ersed, and the English, without further inter-
ruption, continuod their march to Fort Edward.
They arrived there at first to the number of
three or four hundred, and for two or three
days parties straggled la, being guided by the
sound of the cannon, which were fired at inter-
vals for that purpose. Many of the English
had found safety in the fort or in the tents of

had any scalps, and if lie wished to do a favor to gratify
me. He untied his ponch, and gave me my choice. I car-
ried it off in triumph, followed by a crowd of French and
Canadians, and in a moment had rejoined my Huron. See,
said I, your payment. You are right, he replied ; it is,
indeed, an English scalp, for it is red. I immediately took
the unfortunate little being in my hands, and, as it was
almost naked, I wrapped it in my robe, but my hands being
unaccustomed to this business, the poor infant uttered its.
cries, which taught me my own awkwardness as well a?
its sufferings. I arrived at the fort, and at the sound of its
feeble cries all the women ran toward me, each one flatter-
ing herself with the hope of recovering the object of her
maternal tenderness. They eagerly examined it, but neither
the eyes nor the heart of any one recognized their child.

LAKE ClIAMPLAIN.

185

the Frencli. The same day Montcabn made
the Indians surrender about four hundred pris-
oners. The majority of the nations gave them
up to him with the greatest respect and the most
ample apologies on tiie part of the chiefs, stating
they had no sense, etc. The wounded were
sent to Carillon. lie further sent a message to
Yaudreuil, at Montreal, that the nations who
were unwilling to surrender the English to
him, had gone away, contrary to usage, without
taking leave, and carrying their prisoners with
them.

Montcalm detained the men and officers for
three days. On the 14th he dispatched Lieut.
Wm. Hamilton, under the escort of thirty

They therefore retired again to one side to give free course
to their lamentations and complaints. Proceeding to the
camp, a shrill and animated cry suddenly struck ray ears. ^
Was it of grief, or was it of joy ? It was all this, and much
more, for it was that of the mother, who, from a distance,
had recognized her child, so keen are the eyes of maternal
love. She ran with a precipitation which showed that this
was indeed her child. She snatched it with an eagerness
which seemed as if she feared that some one might a second
time deprive her of it. It is easy to imagine to what trans-
ports of joy she abandoned herself, particularly when she
was assured of the life and freedom of her husband, to
whom she thought that she had bid a final adieu. Nothing
was wanting to complete their happiness but their reunion,
and this I thought should be the perfection of my work."
16*

i ^r

i )i

I I

LAKE GEORGE AND

grenadiers, commanded by Lieut. Sauvonier, of
the La Sarro regiment, accompanied by La
Corne, Lieut. Marin and two inter2:)reters, with
a couple of letters to Gen. Webb and Lord
Loudon.

The following day, 15th, the English and all
the officers recovered from the Indians set out,
escorted by 250 men under the command of
Captain Poulharies of the Rousillon grenadiers,
who delivered them up to a similar detachment
sent for that purpose from Fort Edward at Half-
way brook ; these troops took with them the
cannon w^hich had been allowed to Monroe by
the articles of capitulation.

Meanwhile T>e Levi had removed his camp
from the hill-side around to the front of the
intrenched camp on the Fort Edward road.
He had the brigade of La Heine, four brigades
of Canadians and the independent companies.
With the remainder of the army Montcalm pro-
ceeded to demolish the fort and to remove the
stores. These included seventeen cannon, of
which eight were brass, seventeen swivels,
35,835 lbs. powder, 2,522 shot, 1,400 lbs. balls,
6 chests of fire-works, grape-shot of various
caliber, and 3,000 barrels of flour and pork.

A thousand men were employed in transport-
ing these immense stores of provisions and war

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

187

pro-
the
of

vels,
alls,

•ious

port-
war

materials to the boats, and twelve hundred were
engaged in destroying the fort. The Indians
had all disappeared. The fort was entirely
demolished and even the ruins were consumed
l)y fire. It was only during the burning that
the greatness of the English loss became evident.
The casemates and the subterranean passages
were found to be filled with dead bodies, which,
for several days, furnished new aliment for the
flames. The French loss was twenty-one killed
and about twenty-five wounded. The English
lost between three and four hundred.

Montcalm, not having boats enough for the
entire «rmy, on the 16th ordered the Rousillon
and Bevu regiments to encamp on Fourteen
Mile island, and left at noon with the rest of
the troops. As they left the shore Putnam, who,
with his rangers, had been appointed to watch
the enemy's movements, approached the scene
of slaughter. !Not a living thing stood on the
plain. The flash of French bayonets was seen
for a moment in the distance, and then silence
and solitude fell upon the forest.*

* About five years ago, in excavating the foundation of
Dr. Cromwell's dwelling, on the plank-road, and upon what
was the garden of the fort, thirty-six skulls and other debris
were exhumed. They were principally women and children.

! \

il:5

^''H

CHAPTER IX.

AbEHCROMBIE's expedition — DE HABECOURT — ROOER8 — 0UTELA8 —
NEW YORK REGIMENT — DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS — LORD HOWB —
COMPOSITION OP THE ARMY — APPEARANCE ON LAKE GEORGE —
ARRANGEMENTS OF MONTCALM — THE LANDING — LORD HOWB
KII LED — THE BATTLE — THE RETREAT.

N July, 1757, A^illiam Pitt became
Prime Minister cf England. He
"knew himself to be called, neither
by the King, nor yet by the aristoc-
racy, but by the voice of the people."*

In December, 1757, he obtained the King's
order that every provincial officer, of a grade
below that of a colonel, should have equal rank
with the British, according to the date of their
commission. This proceeding removed a ground
of complaint, which had always caused bad
blood between the officers of the respective
corps. He abandoned the idea of raising money,
by the absurd mode of taxation, in the Colonies,
and w^iich had been a favorite hobby with his
predecessors ; and, in a circular letter, dated
December 30th, boldly invited them to raise as

* Bancroft.

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

189

many men as possible, at the same time provid-
ing for their arms, equipments, ammunition,
provisions, and artillery, and promised that tlio
King sliould strongly recommend to Parliament
to grant to them a proper compensation.* Tlie
colonies reposed undoubted confidence in the
upright designs of Pitt. His resi>ect for their
rights, joined to the prospect of making a iinnl
conquest of Canada, roused in them the -most
fervid zeal.

Great suffering existed at this time in
Canada. They were nearly cut ofT from sup-
plies from France. A famine existed, and
the troops were farmed out, at tlie rate of a
soldier to each family. Fifteen liundred horses
were purchased, distributed, and killed for sub-
sistence. In the month of January, Major
Robert Rogers came roving into the neighbor-
hood of Carillon, with a detachment of seventy
men. The artillery opened upon him and drove
him away. In his retreat, he burned a pile of
timber and charcoal, took a wood-cutter pris-
oner, and killed eighteen oxen or cows, whicli
were found in the woods, and served to subsist
the garrison. Rogers affixed a note to the horn
of one of the oxen, in the following words ;

, I

* Pitt's letter to the governors. Doc. vii, 340.

■K

190

LAKE GEORGE AND

"Sir: I am obliged to you for the roiwso you have
allowed mo to take. I thank you for the fresh moat you
have Bent mo. I shall take care of my i)risoner8. Pre-
sent my compliments to the Manjuis de Montcalm.

" (Signed) Roheht Kogerb." (Doc. x, 837.)

Feb. 28. Sieur Moiitignon retunied from a
reconnoisance to Fort Lydius, witli twenty-three
Englisli scalps, and five prisoners.*

March 13. Capt. De Ilebecourt, of the regi-
ment of La Heine, in command of Carillon,
dispatched a party of two hundred men, under

* General Lyman succeeded Webb in the command of
Fort Edward. Capt. Little was posted upon a tongue of land,
with a file of soldiers, to protect a hundred and fifty workmen
who wi e obtaining timber for the use of the fort. Early
one morning the sentinel discovered what he supposed was a
flock of birds, flying toward him from the morass, but he soon
discovered the true genus of these feathered messengers,
as an arrow struck in a tree at his side. The alarm was
instantly given, and the workmen fled toward the fort, the
Indians pursuing and firing upon them ; Capt. Little's party
now opened their fire upon the Indians, who, turning, at-
tacked him in such overwhelming numbers that his situa-
tion became critical in the extreme. Major Putnam and his
rangers were stationed, at this time, on an island in the river,
when learning the jeopardy of Capt. Little and his party,
he promptly leaped into the water, waded ashore and
hastened to the relief of his comrade. As they passed the
fort Gen. Lyman hailed them and ordered them to stop, but
" they could not see it." They swept through the swamp,
with a shout, and put the assailants to flight.

Fitch and Headley.

H'*

regi-

oat

»
O

il-

LAKK CMAMPIwVIX.

191

Durantuye and Siuiir dc Lanfjjy, to make uii
attack on llog'ers, who, witli a party of the sanio
nn:iil)er, was scouting in the neighborhood of
the fort. Tiogers was surprised, and utterly
defeated. The In^Mans brought back one hun-
dred and forty-four scalps, and some prisoners,
among the latter, of whom were two ollicers,
caj)tain, afterward Major-General Kenry Pringle,
and Lieut. Ivoche."'^ Rogers retired with fifteen
men and two officers. Three days afterward
the two otHcers, having wandered about in a
vain attempt to escape, came in and surren-
dered themselves to the French.

Rogers himself escaped by approaching Raid
mountain, at the place since called lioge)'^'' sllde^
then reversinoj his snow-shoes, and takinix a
back track for some distance, he swung himself
by a convenient branch into a defile and found
his way thence down into the lake. The In-
dians, following his tracks, approached the slide,
and were awe-struck at the apparent feat of
sliding down five or six hundred feet into the
lake, and gave up the pursuit.

June 2. Sieur Outelas, marching from Caril-
lon to Fort Edward, at the head of twenty-nine
Kepissings, and Algonquins, discovered a party

1.1

*Doc. X, 713.

\\\

iiiJ

LAKE GEOEGE AND

of Englisli, Loups and Mohawks. They " uttered
the cry of attack, and buried the hatchet to the
heft in the enemy, who, intimidated by the
quickness of the attack, took to their heels.
Four were killed and six taken prisoners." *

Three great expeditions were this year formed
for tlie conquest of Canada, One, led by Lord
Amherst and James "Wolfe, was intrusted with
the siege and capture of Louisburg, which com-
manded the entrance into the St. Lawrence.
Another, for the conquest of the Ohio Yalley,
was intrusted to General John Forbes.f The
third, against Crown Point and Ticonderoga, J

*Col. Haviland being in command at Fort Edward, the
barraf^ks, situated at the north-east bastion, accidentally
canght fire. The magazine, containing three hun\\red bar-
rels of powder, stood but twelve feet distant, to save which
the colonel ordered the cannon to play upon it, but without
much effect. Putnam, who was still at the island, hurried
across, and formed a line of soldiers, and, springing on to
the roof, emptied buckets of water upon the barracks, one
after the other, as they were passed up to him, until the
fire was subdued.

f Gen. Forbes reduced Fort Duquesne in 1758. He
died Sundriy, March 11, 1759, at Philadelphia. Dudley
Bean states that Howe was a grar Json of George I. But
it does not appear by what authciity. Knickerbocker Mag-
azine for 1850.

^ Variously spelled as follows :

Tianarago, Tiandrogo,

■

^^^

jred

the

the
eels.

'med
Lord
with
com-
ence.
alley,
The
aga, X

lid, the
entally
ed bar-
which
ithout
hurried
ig on to
|ck8, one
ntil the

58. He
Dudley
I. But

fcer Mag-

: r?

■^1^^!^

OUTLET OF LAKE ST. SACRAMENT,

TO ILLUSTRATE

ABERvOROMBIE'S ATTACK ON CARIL}.Ox\,

JULY 8, 1 758.

LitKot Weed Parfconj! &.Co .Alba/v X T

V'n

n V

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN. 193

was given to ^raJor-General James Abercrombie,
a Scotchman, while the second in command was
Lord George Augustus Yiscount Howe.

The orders came to rendezvous at Albany,
May 1. On the 9th of March Gen. Abercrom-
bie dined with Governor De Lancey, on his way
to town from the latter place. 14th. An embargo
was levied on all ships and vessels above fifty
tons, in order that they could be used for the
service. 15th. The assembly voted two thousand
six hundred and eighty men for the expedition,
besides those who had gone privateering, the
bateau men and the wagoners who were im-
pressed to convey up the provisions and stores.
Oliver De Lancey, brother of the Governor,
accepted the command, with the rank of
colonel.

The New York troops seem to have been
organized into a single regiment. The follow-
ing is a partial list of the officers :
Lieut.-Colonel Leroux.

Captain John Peter Smith, 134 men.

" Ebeneezer Seeley, 102 "

" John Yerplanck, 98 "

:'!!-"

I'P ]

Tianderogiie,
Atianerogue,
Atenderago,
Tic ndurogue,

Tyconderogue.

Tiantiroga,
Tionderoge,
Tiondorogo,
Tiyonduroga,

I I

194 LAKE GEORGE AND

Capt. Jonathan Fowler, 123 men

" Thomas Arrowsmith, 67 "

" Reuben Lockwood 103 "

" Stephen Nottingham, 100 "

" John Mclvers, 100 "

" Petrus Stuyvesant, 95 "

" Thomas Williams,

'* Richard Hulet, 74 "

" Jonathan Ogden,

" Guy Johnson,

" W. Heathcoat De Lancey,

Capts. Joseph Crane, Wright, Stillwell, Van Pelt, Suy-
dam, Brewerton.

Ten pounds bounty was voted to each volun-
teer.*

22d. General Abercrombie, by letter to the
Governor, apprehending that the army would
be short of provisions, caused to be impressed,
secured, and delivered to the contractors all the
provisions they could find, they paying a rea-
sonable price for the same. The ships, with
the ordnance, arms, tents, and stores, sailed
for New York, from Spithead, the first of

* The troops received also clothing, to wit : hat, coat- pair
buckskin breeches, two shirts, two pair stockings, two pair
shoes, one blanket, also each company had tents, and the
following rates of pay per day : To sergeants one shilling
and eight pence ; corporals and drummers one shilling and
sixnence ; privates one shilling and three pence. The officers
hau twenty shillings for each man they enlisted. De LaU'
eey'a Proclamation (unpublished), March 25, 1758.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

105

«
«

pair

the

filing

and

icers

\Lan'

April. The taxes levied for this year were
equal to one Imndred and thirty pounds out
of every two hundred pounds income.

The interest in this campaign was univer-
sal, and absorbed all the talent of the colo-
nies. Among the important names who ap-
])ear in the Ticonderoga expedition are Thomas
Gage, already distinguished by his services on
the Monongahela, in Braddock's disastrous cam-
paign, and at Lake George, in 1755, who now
was raised to the rank of colonel, and who,
seventeen years after, as Governor of Massa-
chusetts and general-in-chief, commanded the
British troops at Boston and Bunker Hill ; the
daring David Worster, afterward a major-gen-
eral of the Revolution, he who received his
death-wound while fighting the British force on
Ridgefield hill ; AYilliam, the son of Benjamin
Franklin, then not twenty-seven years old, sub-
sequently governor of New Jersey ; Rogers and
Stark, who commanded the rangers, five hundred
strong, each with a fire-lock and hatchet under
his right arm, a powder-horn, and a leather bag
of bullets at his waist, and to every officer a
pocket compass, as their guide through the for-
est;* Israel Putnam, now lieutenant-colonel

* Bftncroft.

■IMMia

19G

LAKE OKOROE AND

of one of the Connecticut regiments ; Captain
Schuyler (the Philip Schuyler of the Revolution),
■who was the aid-de-camp and right arm of Gen.
Howe, and now, in the commissary department,
was engaged in forwarding the bateaux and
supplies; Lieut.-Col. Bradstreet, famous for his
gallantry in this expedition, and in the s'lbse-
quent advance on, and capture of, Fort Fronte-
nac, with forty cannon and a vast quantity of
stores ; Duncan Campbell, a true Rob Roy ;*
Capt. Philip Skeene,t of the Enniskellen regi-

r! ■;

* In the burying-ground of Fort Edward, Major Campbell
■•"PS buried, and his inscription may still be seen on a red
eaadstone slab, as follows :

" Here Lyes the Body of Duncan Campbell, of Invershaw,
Esq., Major to the old Highland Regt., Aged 55 years.
Who died the 17th July, 1758, of the Wounds he Received
in The Attack of The Retrenchment of Ticonderoga or
Carillon the 8th July, 1758."

f In March, 1765, Skeene obtained a patent for the town-
ship of Skeenesborough. . In 1770 he established his resi-
dence there, now Whitehall, built mills and forges, and
opened the road to Bennington. In his obituary notice he
is styled formerly lieutenant-governor of Crown Point and
Ticonderoga, and surveyor of his Majesty's woods and forests
bordering on Lake Champlaiu. The buildings of Skeene
were of a very substantial kind. His house, situate on
William street, Whitehall, was of stone, thirty by forty
feet, and two and a half stories high. His barn, some dis-
tance south, was also of stone, one hundred and thirty feet

LAKE CIIAMPLATN.

197

)wn-
resi-

aucl
be he

and
rests
leene
on
forty

dis-

Ifeet

ment, who projected the settlement at AVuod
creek and South Bay, and settled about thirty
families there ; John Campbell, who commanded
the British forces in West Florida, and by
whom Pensacola was, in 1781, surrendered to
the Spaniards ; Charles Lee, appointed by Con-
gress, major-general in the Continental army ;
Capt. James Marsh, who served on the Briti^^h
side, through the Kevolutionary war, and died
a lieutenant-general in ISOtt; Ca])t. Bichard
Mather, of the Royal American battalion ; Capt.
Garin Cockran ; Major John Rutherford,* of
the Royal Americans, a member of the German
privy council, and who had served in Sir Peter
Ilackett's brigade, in Braddock's campaign ;
Capt. Joseph Schlosser, who afterward com-
manded " Old Fort Schlosser," at Niagara ; Col.
Henry Babcock,t a captain in the battle of
Lake George, in 1755 ; Capt. John Whiting,
afterward lieutenant-colonel of the Rhode

long. The doorway was arched, and the keystone is still
preserved in the wall of the Baptist Church. It bears the
letters P, K. S., and the date 1770.

* Major Rutherford was killed at the first attack onTicon-
deroga, July 8, 1758.

f Col. Babcock afterward entered holy orders, and was
engaged in founding a school for the education of the Mo-
hav/k Indians.

17*

MMM

198

LAKE GEORGE AND

Island regiincMit ; Major William Eyre, who
built Fort William Ilcnrv, and afterward was
ap[)ointed chief -en <!:ineer of the army, and laid
out a new fort at Ticonderoga ; Lieut.-Col. Wil-
liam Ilaviland, of the Inniskillinij^ foot, who
became a major-general in the army, and served
with distinction at the reduction of Havana.
As the troops arrived at Albany they went
into camp just below the city.*

Lord Howe was the soul of the army, and
possessed extraordinary powers of application.
His hair, of the fashion of the courtiers of
George II, was long and abundant. He had it

* May 27. Gen. Abercrombie wrote to Gov. De Lancey,
that a sentinel on duty at Albany had challenged one Bur-
gen Hassen. On the second challenge, Hassen replied,
" fire, and bo damned," whereupon the sentry had fired and
killed him. The coroner's inquest had found the fact to
be murder by the sentry. He desired the Governor would
order the civil magistrate to deliver over the prisoner to
the military authorities, to be tried by court-martial, that
His Majesty might not be deprived of the services of the
man and those who must attend as Avitnesses in the ordinary
course of law. It appeared to the council that the jury did
not clearly understand the case, and that the people in gen-
eral thought the deceased drew the punishment upon him-
self. They advised the Governor to order the coroner to
transm it the examinations of the witnesses, upon oath, to
the intent that the prisoner may be admitted to bail, if bail-
able by law. Manuscript Proceedings of Council.

LAKK CirAMPLAIX.

109

and

ianccy,
10 Bur-
'cplied,
:ed and
fact to
would
mer to
il, that
of the
[dinary
[iry did
in gen-
liim-
Iner to
lath, to
if baJl-

ciit short. lie also wore !i short coat, and
he obliiijed his regiment to follow his (example.
He forbade all di8})lays of gold antl scarlet among
botli officers and men. He Imd tl.c muskets of
his regiment shortened, {ind the barrels black-
ened, that they should not glisten in the sun,
and, to prevent the sting of mos([uitoes, he made
them all wear canvas leggins. He mixed gin-
ger with their water to ])revent them from hav-
ing the ague. His quarters were usually in the
camp with his men, instead of in town at the
houses of the hospitable Albanians, Always
courteous and amiable, he res])ected the opinions
and habits of those who had been differently
brought up. To the arrogant and presumptuous
unfledged officer of European birth, he used to
present the weapons of ridicule. " Knowledge
and respect," said his lordship, '* for the varied
maimers and opinions of others, will harmonize
our great army, and will make it invincible.
Any gentleman officer will find his equal in
every regiment of the Americans. I know
them well. Beware how you underestimate
their abilities and feelings, civil, social and
military."*

* Dudley Bean. Letter from camp. Boston News Let-
ter, June 22, 1758.

Itr

H !

200

LAKE OKOROE AND

Tlic British rcf^itiiciitrt munhercd tlio follow-
ing :

37tli, Iiiniskilliug foot, Lord Bliikency.

42(1, lli«^hlaiulers, originally " lite Black
Widch^^^ Lord John Murray.*

44th, General Lord Ahererombie.

4()th, Lieutenant-General Thomas Murray.

55th, Lord Viscount Howe.

COtli, Royal Arnericans.f

80th, Colonel Thomas Gage.

Among the Provincial regiments were :

New York, Colonel Oliver De Lancey.

Rhode Island, Colonel lEenry Bahcoek.

* In the Black Watch, among the subordinate otficf-rs,
appear the names of Graham, Campbell, McNeil, Graeme,
Stewart, Murray and Sterling. When Rob Roy was out-
lawed, the name of McGregor was forbidden and that of
Campbell was substituted. The Highland clans had their
counselors, bards and songsters, who clothed their deeds
with poetry and sang the songs of the departed. The
losses of this regiment at the battle of Ticonderoga, were
six hundred and forty-seven killed and wounded, including
Major Duncan Campbell, and all but two officers. Three
days after, when, at Fort Edward, the green sod was being
placed over the graves of the Major, and Captain John Camp-
bell, one, looking at the sad countenances of the others, who
were performing these rites, at length sail: " Who is our
counselor now, and who will perform our dirges?" Bean.

f The 60th Royal Americans was composed of four battal-
ions. The commander-in-chief of the forces in America,

r)ffic(;r8,
acme,

as out-
lat of
their
deeds
The
, were
uding
Three
being
Camp-
9, who
is our
Bean.
battal-
erica,

LAKE CH AMPLAIN". 201

Ist New Jersey, Culoiiel .Tolinst<in.

2d New Jersey, Colonel Partridge.

Ist Connecticut, Colonel Fiteh.

2d Connecticut, Colonel David Wooster.

3d Connecticut, Colonel Pliineas Lyman.
Massachusetts, Colonel Preble.

Five hundred Mohawks, Colonel Sir William
Johnson.

General Ahercronihie arrived in the city the
first of Juno, and the army, then numbering
thirteen thousand men, all in ^ igh spirits and in
tolerable discipline, presented a sliow of mili-
tary grandeur, such as Albany has never seen
before or since. Boats and canoes, ammunition
and supplies, were hurried forward to Fort
Edward in tlie charge of teamsters and boatmen
hired and impressed from all parts of the
country.

was usually the colonel ex officio of the regiment. Lord
Viscount Howe was colonel commandant, Feb, 25, 1757,
and was transferred to the 55th as colonel, Sept. 26, 1757.
At this time it had the following officers :

Colonel Commandant — Robert Monckton.

Lieutenant-Colonels — Henry Boquet, Frederick Haldin.aa,
St. John St. Clair, John Young.

Majors — James Robertson, John Rutherford, Augustus
Prevost, John Tullikens.

The 2d and 4th battalions were with this expedition.

1 t

202

LAKE GEOKGE AND

On the 5th, Lord Howe moved forward with
one-half of the army, arriving at Fort Edward
on the 8th.*

The second division, under the commander-
in-chief, followed, and extended, with their
trains, according to a writer of that day, a dis-
tance of seventeen miles.

Rogers, with fifty men, and boats in wagons,
pushed forward to make a reconnoisance of the
fort at Ticonderoga, and the for^e therein.
Returning without delay to report, he found

* Aunt Schuyler, as this amiable young officer familiarly
styles his maternal friend, had a high esteem for him, and
the greatest hope that he would, at some future time, redress
the evils that had formerly imjieded the service. In the
morning Lord Howe proposed setting out very early, but
when he arose he was astonished to find Madame Schuyler
waiting and breakfast ready. He smiled, and said he would
not disappoint her, as it was hard to say when he would
again dine with a lady. Impressed with an unaccountable
degree of concern about the fate of the enterprise in which
he was embarked, she again repeated her counsels and her
caution, and, when he was about to depart, embraced him
with the affection of a mother, and shed many tears, a weak-
ness she did not often give way to. A few days after, in the
afternoon, a man was seen coming on horseback from the
north, galloping violently, without his hat. Pedram ran
eagerly to inquire, well knowing he rode express. The
man galloped on, crying out that Lord Howe was killed.
Shrieks and sobs of anguish re-echoed from every part of the
house. Letters of a<, American Lady, vol. ii, p. 273,

I !

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

203

rd with
Edward

nander-
1 their
y, a dis-

wagons,

e of the

therein.

le found

familiarly
tr him, and
me, redress
ze. In the
early, but
■e Schuyler
d he would
he would
.ccountable
le in which
sis and her
jraced him
rs, a weak-
,fter, in the
c from the
'edram ran
ress. The
as killed,
part of the
73.

Lord Howe encamped at the Ilalf-way brook.

June 22 they arrived at. the lake ; Rogers

encamping with iiis rangers on the slope of the

hill occupied formerly by De Levi, near the

Hendrick Spring, and Lord Howe on th*" rocky

eminence known as Fort George.

" Putnam was here detached with fifty rangers to scout
along- Wood creek and South Bay. He proceeded down the
creek to " Fiddler's Elbow," aljput a mile below Whitehall,
where high rocks jut into the stream, and, compressing it
into narrow limits, make a short and sudden curve. On
this he erected a stone breastwork, about thirty feet long,
and concealed its front by pine trees, so placed as to present
the appearance of a natural growth of forest. On the fourth
day, at evening, a body of men from Carillon, in boats,
commtinded by M. Marin, was seen entering the mouth of
the creek. The moon was at its full, and shed its clear,
yello *v^ light upon every movement of the enemy, ^u the
dead silence was heard the murmur of voices, and even the
ripples that broke around the barges. Continuing to
advance, some of the boats had already passed tlie parapet,
when a soldier's musket, accidently striking a stone, gave a
ring so audible, in the stillness of the evening, that the
leading canoes stopped. The others coming up, they lay
upon their oars at the base of the cliff — five hundred men
crowded together, their upturned faces distinctly seen by
the light of the evening. They gazed intently at the para-
pet, upon the apex of which, like a bird of prey in his
eyrie, Putnam was watching his victims. The low "O'loish "
of the Indian stole over the water. A moment more, and
the word "Fire!" broke upon their ears in startling clear-
ness from the lips of the provincial commander. At onco
the flash of musketry gleamed from the. bushes, and a

,.:,t

204

LAKE GEORGE AND

Bhower of balls sent death into the mass beneath. All was
confusion ; and while some moved out from the thickest
of the crowd, others replied by a volley of bullets, which
cut through the trees and struck harmlessly against the rocks.
The fight, such as it was, was continued during the entire
night. The French detached a body of men to eflFect a land-
ing and charge upon the rear of the provincials. Lieut. Rob-
ert Durkee, with a detail of twelve men, was sent to oppose
them in this design, in which he succeeded. In the morn-
ing, his ammunition being exhausted, Putnam retreated,
leaving two wounded soldiers. As he was f: -lling back, the
commander was met by a party who had come out to his
assistance. Before they could be recognized, they received
a vcliey, which, however, was harmless. " Friends or foes,"
says Putnam, "you deserve to perish for doing so little
execution." Lieut Durkee was shot in the thigh at the
massacre at Wyoming, 1780."

June 28th brought to Lake George the
remainder of the army with Abercrombie,
whose white tents., defined with military pre-
cision over the hills pnd on the rising plains,
extended from the water's edge, and half
encircling it quite aronnd the west side
and outside the lines of Montcalm, beyond
the artillery cove.* The encampment formed
a scene of grandeur and display which had
never been equalled in the New World.
But not the brilliant appearance of military

* To and including the plateau of the Caldwell Manor
House.

LAKTi: CnAMPLAIN.

205

All was
thickest
its, which
the rocks,
the entire
)ct a land
ieut. Roh-
to oppose
the morn-
retreated,
J hack, the
out to his
ey received
ids or foes,"
ng so little
ligh at the

orge the
rcroit?bie,

tary pre-
plains,

,Tid half

est side

beyond

t formed

licli had

World.

military

;^ell Manor

equipage or the extent of the camp, wliich will
lead captive the imagination, formed the most
extraordinary characteristic of the drama ; it
was the marked individuality which character-
ized the whole. There were the courtiers of a
great kingdom, the high-born noblemen of a
race who had possessed their domain for a thou-
sand years, the red chiefs of IVorth American
wilds, the grenadiers who had grown brown in
the service of the 'east, their different corps;
their widely extended fame ; all these, with the
regulars from the North American colonies, and
the inimitable rangers— who could doubt their
success ? It was a regalia, a regatta party of
all nations costumed in the various colors of
military pomp, of royal courts, of clans, prov-
inces and the forest ; and the lake, calm and still,
faithfully reflected back the beauty of the
scene.

Such was the appearance of the encampment
on the evening of the fourth day of July, 1758.
At daylight on the morning of Sunday, the
fifth, according to the orier, the tents were
struck and the army in ",ast columns converged
to three points for the embarkation, two on the
bench in front of Fort George and "William
Henry, and the third from the temporary dock
on the west side.
18

I
II'

i lit - ' ■

H'l-'^

^■>!

s' •■

i*!l

206

LAKE GEORGE AND

The center division was formed of the gren-
adiers and highlanders. The wings were com-
posed of the provincials, led by Colonel Gage
on the right, and on the left by Major Rogers.
The army comprised 6,350 regulars and 9,000
provincials.

The fleet consisted of nine hundred bateaux,
one hundred and thirty-five whale-boats, nu-
merous rafts carrying the artillery, and two huge
castles, highly decorated, each with two mounted
caimon, and from which the English flag towered
the highest.* The parallel columns now moving
extended from shore to shore, and covered the
lake for six miles and a half. In the narrows
and passing the islands, they defiled, forming
subdivisions. "Leaving these, they reformed,
moving in stately procession down the beautiful
lake, bright with banners, cheered by martial
music, beaming with hope and pride, though
with no witness but the wilderness." f

Twenty-five miles brought them past where
the mountains " step down to the water's edge,"
and at a place already famous in partisan legend,
but henceforth to be known as Sabbath-day
Point, in the picturesque loveliness of the
forest, enhanced " by the richest hues of even-

*Bean. f Bancroft.

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

207

ing liglit," at five o'clock they landed. Here
was the scene of the unfortunate defeat of Col.
Parker last year, whose melanclioly remains,
both on land and shore, were still visible.

Lord Howe, reclining on a bear-skin in the
tent of his friend Stark, questioned him closely
as to the position of Ticonderoga and the fittest
modes of attack. Lighting immense fires they
favored the belief that they would remain all
night, but at ten o'clock the artillery and rear
brigades having come up, they moved on to the
landing place, which they reached early in the

morning.

Montcalm had arrived at Carillon, or Ticon-
deroga, on the 30th June.

July 1. At day-break he dispatched Bour-
lemaque, with three regiments, to occupy the
head of the j)ortage, and proceeded himself,
with four others, to the falls, on both sides of
which he encamped, leaving the third battalion
of Berri, to guard the fort.

July 2. At five o'clock a. m., two musket
shots were heard, which caused the regiments
to stand to arms, when word came from the
captain of the guard, that having "discovered
a feather," he had promptly retired behind a
tree, which saved him from a shot that was
fired by a hostile Lidian, who was ready to

■\.\\

208

LAKE GEORGE AND

:'f !

pounce npon him, tomahawk in liand. lie re-
turned the fire, wliicli the Indian evaded by
falling on the ground, and fled, when the officer
called out A moi Vohmtaires.''''

5th. Sunday, service as usual. At two o'cdock
p. M. saw a white flag or. the Black Mountain*
lioisted and lowered, wliich was a signal that
barges w^ere upon the lake. De Langy's detach-
ment of one hundred and seventy-eight vol-
unteers returned, reporting that they had been
lip as far as Ganouskie Bay and been chased
by sixty barges, Capt. De Trepezec, of the
Beam regiment, with a detachment of three
liundred men, was immediately sent off to
Bald Mountain, to observe the movements
of the English and to oppose their landing.
At day-light the English barges were observed
coming forward in order, and appearing in
search of a place for landing. At eight o'clock,
Bourlemaque gave orders to have the tents struck.
He remained with the rear guard, fired at the
barges as they approached, and withdrew. Ar-
riving at the falls, he was posted on the right
of the La Sarre brigade, at the foot of the
heights. The Rousillons were w'ithdrawn from

* Tlie Indian name for Bald Mountain was, Tekagli-
weanga-ra-negliton.

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

209

tTie right bank, and the bridges broken up. At
four o'clock several shcts were heard, which
proved to be fired at De Trepezec, who a few
minutes afterward arrived, with some soldiers
mortally wounded. He lost his way, through
the fault of his guide. After defending himself
for some time, fifty or sixty of his men escaped,
the rest were either killed or captured. On
landing, the English army formed and marched
in four columns, preceded by the rangers, who
were ordered to take post on the north moun-
tain. The right column of the center division,
commanded by Lord Howe, having advanced to
Trout brook, fell in with De Trepezte, as above
stated. In his column were Cols. Lyman, Fitch
and De Lancey, who formed the front, and
received the first fire. Capt. Burbank, with
one hundred and fifty men, was ordered to
remain at Kogers' first position, while the
latter, with the remainder of the force, fell
upon the enemy's left — the river covering the
right. Rallying from their bewilderment, and
desperate from their position, hemmed in on all
sides, the fire of the French and Indians was
severe, and the action became general. The
ground was uneven, and densely covered with
thick and tangled underbrush, so that there was
but little form or order to the battle. Rushing
18*

1 I

210

LAKE GEORGE AND

forward, Lord Howe saw the very musket aimed
at liim, pTirl witliin twenty feet of liim, which a
moment more he would have stricken down,
but which discharged the fatal messenger by
which he was instantly killed. Colonel Delan-
cey was within fifteen feet of him, and leaping
forward, with others who had watched him, the
pride of the army fell into the arms of those
who had loved him. " He is dead," said De-
lancey, "onward and avenge his death." The
provincials and rangers fouglit with renewed
earnestness.

The French wou id make no formal surrender,
but being overpowered and pressed in every
direction by the vastly outnumbering English,
were slain in parties of two or three in their
ambuscades or behind trees. Two hundred
were killed, one hundred and forty-eight made
prisoners, and about seventy -five escaped.
These were forwarded to l^ew York, under the
charge of Capt. Jeremiah Bichards, of the
Massachusetts forces.* The loss of the Eng-

* Headley says : " The prisoucrs were placed on a little isle,
since called Prisonei 's island , which is connected to the main-
land by a ledge rising to within eighteen inches of the sur-
face. This was, of course, unknov'n to the English ; buf in
tVte night the prisoners walked olT. As Montcalm dryly
remarked, 'they tooii. French leave,'" Bat,per co7itra: In

■:M i

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

211

aimed
liicli a
down,
2;er by
Delan-
eaping
im, the
f those
iiid De-
" The
enewed

•render,
1 every
Inglish,
n their
undred
t made
scaped,
der the
of the
le Eng-

^Ittle isle,
the main-
tlie sur-
jii ; bul in
Im dryly
intra: In

lish, induding Lord Howe* and those severely
wounded, was twenty-two. So closed the events
of the day, and the army that night rested on
the battle-ground.

7th. The next day, the troops, having been
greatly fatigued, by being one night on the
w^ater, the next day constantly on foot, and the
next night under arms, added to their want of
provision, returned to the landing place. About
eleven o'clock a. m., Lieut.-Col. Bradstreet, with
the Forty-fourth regiment, the iirst battalion
of Royal Americans, the bateau men, the
rangers, and provincials, set out to take posses-
sion of the saw-mill, within two miles of the

the manuscript council minutes for 1758, page 219, is the
account of Capt. Richards attending and acquainting the
council that he had brought down under his care one hun-
dred and twenty-five French prisoners, seven of whom are
officers. Whereupon * * ordered that the prisoi crs
do j)roceed to Brockhaven, in Suffolk county, there to be
delivered to George Muirson, Esq., high sheriff of that
county, who is hereby directed to receive them and to dis-
tribute them in proper places, having particular regard to
place the Canadians in places where they will be least liable
to mB,ke their escape.

* " He was," said Abercrombie, " very deservedly and uni-
versally respected and beloved throughout the wiiole army.
It is easy to conceive the grief and consternation his
untimely fall occasioned. I cannot help owning that I felt
it most heavily, and lament him as sincet.^ly."

': lAl

212

LAKE OKOROE AND

fort, wliicli was soon effected, as tlie Frencli had
retired the day before. Bradstreet hiid down a
new bridge, and the army marched that night,
and took np their quarters there. The French
Inid ah'eady proceeded to build an abatis, cover-
ing the wliole of the ground between the falls
and the reserved timber on Lake Champlain.
At five o'clock in the evening, *' the ground was
equally divided between each wheelbarrow,
and made one hundred and twenty-seven paces
for each." In the evening, the troops under
De Levi, which were designed for an attack on
the German flats, but had been recalled, arrived
and encamped in the rear of the three brigades.
8th. At five o'clock a. m., each battalion was
Bet to work to strengthen the abatis, one
hundred and fifty paces in front of which the
pickets were posted, to protect the workmen.
The same morning Abercrombie sent out Col.
Clark^ the chief-engineer, across the river, to
make a reconnoisance, from Mount Defiance.
Upon his return he gave a favorable report of
the practicability of carrying the works by storm.
The reports of the prisoners, having also given
information of the expected re-enforcements,
under De Levi, who, as before stated, had
already arrived, an assault was ordered that
very day.

LAKE ClIAMl'LAIN.

213

Ticonderoga is tlio part which inchidos tlio
military grounds, just as they now appuar, ox-
tending from the point of land made by the
confluence of the waters back on the shores of
each, for one mile, and here the first wall of the
fort — the old French lines, as they are called —
extend across from water to water, three-fourths
of a mile. In this triangular formation, within
their strong intrenchment, lay the entire French
army. Had Colonel Clark ordered a road huilt
up to, and a battery placed on, Mount De-
fiance, as Burgoyne afterward did, he would
have commanded the place and they would have
been obliged to retreat, without the power to
strike a blow. But this was not to be. De
Levi had charge of the defenses of the right,
with the regiments of La Heine, Beam and
Gayenne ; Bourlemaque of the left, with the
battalions of La Sarre and Lauguedock ; while
Montcalm retained the center,* with the bat-
talions of Berry and Housillon. In all, the
French force was 3,250 men. Each battalion
had a reserve of pickets and grenadiers stationed

* The spot where Montcahn stood is plainly identified
about ninety yards north of the traveled road and a few
rods in rear of the old lines. Montcalm had his coat off

durinff the entire action.

■■T ■

1*' ,

■\

■ ; !

; iii'

1 ' ^''

I !

214

LAKE GEOROE AND

behind it. The ri<;ht and left rested on a ravine,
proteeted each by a battery. The center fol-
lowing the sinuosities of the ground and keep-
iuiT on the summit of tl e heiijhts, flanked the
wings reciprocally. For additional defenses
tlie oak trees were felled in front of the lines
for a hundred yards, tlieir branches sharpened
and pointed outward.

Experience has shown a work of this kind,
when defended by resolute men, to be in fact
impregnable.

On the iiiorning of this day. Colonel Sir Wil-
liam Johnson joined the English army with live
hundred Indians from the Six Nations, who
took post on Mount Defiance, silent sj^ectators
of the extraordinary fight that was about to
take place.

The orders of Abercrombie provided for the
rangers, the light infantry, and the right wing
of the provincials to march immediately and
post themselves in a line out of cannon-shot of
the intrenchment ; their right " extending to
Lake George and their left resting on Lake
Cliamplain." These were supported by the six
regiments of Massachusetts and the first bat-
talion of the New York regiment. The gren-
adiers were to form in their rear, and they in
turn to be supported by the battalions of the

-^-•mm

LAKE CIIAMrLAIX.

215

Conneoticut nnd New Jersey regiiiientrt. Tlio
wliole were ordered to uiovo up briskly, and
not to deliver their fire until tliey were within
the enemy's breastworks.

Two rafts were constructed, each to receive
two six-pounders, which descended the river,
and took the intrenchment in the rear. Three
pieces of artillery were brought to bear xi]nm
these from the fort, aided by Barnard's and
Duprat's sharp-shooters, which sank one of the
rafts and a pontoon, and drove back some twenty
l)arge8 which liad advanced to support them.

At one o'ch)ck, when the midday sun poured
down its hottest rays upon the scene of strife,
Abercrombie gave the fatal order to attack.*
On the left were Rogers' rangers, in the center
the bateaux men of Colonel Bradstreet, and on
the right Colonel Gage's light infantry.

These marched up, and, having received the
fire from the works, they moved aside and the
regular battalions came to the front. These
again were sustained by the 42d Highlanders,
then in the height of deserved reputation gained
at Fontenoy and elsewhere, and the 55th, now
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Prideaux.
With steady step the intrepid columns pressed

^'!'ti

«f I

* Abercrorabie's dispatch. Warburton, ii, p. 93.

216

LAKE GEORGE AND

' M

■V I i

Oil through the heavy swamj^s and tangled under-
wood, tlieir ranks now shattered by tlie deliber-
ate fire of the French, now broken by the
uneven ground ; they passed into the fallen
timber and endeavored to force themselves
through ilie impenetrable abatis. The French
artillery played upon the center. Still, with
thinned but unbroken column, they pushed,
unfaltering, through the one hundred yards of
fallen trees. The Highlanders, who should have
been in leservu, rushed to the front ; active,
impetuous, they reached the trenches at the
parapet, which were here found to be twenty
feet wide. Captain John Campbell and a few
of the Rob Roys forced their way over the
breastwork, but were instantly dispatched by
the bayonet. *' Fresh troops pressed on, rival-
ing the courage and sharing the fate of those
who had led the way. For nearly four hours,
like the succeeding waves of an ebb tide, they
attacked again and again, each time losing
somewhat of their vantage ground ; now fiercely
rushing on, unuinchingly enduring the murder-
ous fire, then sullenly falling back to reform
their broken ranks for a fresh eftbrt. It was
vain at last, as it was at first, the physical dif-
ficulties were impassable ; and upon that rude
barrier, which the simplest maneuver would

LAKE CirAMPLAIN.

217

have avoMed, or one hour of well plied artillery
would have swe23t away, the flower of British
chivalry was crushed and broken.*

An accident at last arrested this melancholy
carnage. A British column, having lost their
way and Tjecome bewildered in the forest, when
they finally emerged upon the open ground,
perceived a fire close in their front, and, as they
supposed, from the French intrenchments.
Promptly they poured in a volley upon the sup-
posed enemy. But when the breeze from the
lake lifted up the smoke, they saw, to their con-
fusion, that their shots had fallen with fatal
precision among their own brethren.

At five o'clock the columns concentrated
themselves upon the angle defended by the
battalion of Gnyenne, so that the danger became
imminent there. De Levi hastened thither
with some troops from the right, and Mont-
calm, also, with part of the reserve.

.A-t six o'clock both columns turned upon the
right against the battalions of Rousillon and
Berry, and, being again repulsed, made a part-
ing charge on the left. " The fire on the one
side and the other, was like that at the battle
of Parma."

* Warburton's Conquest of Canada, ii, 94.
19

218

LAKE GEORGE AND

t M

■!!-

,»i'

At seven o'clock tlie English, covered by tlie
fire of Uie rangers and provincials, retreated,
abandoning, with the field of battle, the dead
and a large portion of their wounded. The
slanghter, which had been almost uninterrupt-
edly carried on for five hours, now ceased, the
fortunes of the day were decided, and a mass
of human bodies, dying and dead, covered the
ground even far beyond the lines and strong
battlements of the enemy. The number killed
and wounded was 1,942, of which 1,608 were
regulars, and 334 were provincials. The loss
of the enemy proved to be 380.

The English regiments retired successively.
Most of their ofiicers had been struck down.
There was no one to command, Abercrombie
being two miles to the rear at the saw-mills.
As they fell back, their disorder became irre-
trievable, and those who had been foremost in
the assault, were soon the first in the disgrace-
ful fiight. Highlanders, rangers, provincials
and grenadiers scarce looked behind them in
their terror, when no man pursued.

The fugitives rallied at the saw-mill around
the rear guard which were posted at the head-
quarters. But before confidence was restored,
an extraordinary command of Abercrombie, to
fall back to the landing, increased the panic.

iV '

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

219

Tlie trooj^s, breaking from all order and control,
crowded toward the boats. Fortunately Brad-
street, w^lio seems always to have been in the
right place, still had a small force, which, like
himself, were not shaken by the panic. lie
threw himself wuth prompt decision before the
landing place, and wonld not suffer a man to
embark. After awhile regularity was restored,
and the troops held their ground for the night.
On the morning of the 9th, orders were issued
to re-embark the army, notwithstanding that it
contained still 12,000 fighting men and several
good intrenched camps. The army reached
Fort AVilliam Henry in the evening, having been
absent five days. The wounded ofiicers and
men w^ere sent to Fort Edward and Albany.

At the time of his death Lord Howe was
thirty-four years old. Massachusetts Bay voted
£250 for a monument to his memory, which
was placed in "Westminster Abbey, and bears

the following inscription :

" The province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England,
by an order of the great and general court, bearing date
February 1, 1759, caused this monument to be erected to
the memory of George Lord Viscount Howe, Brigadier-
General of his Majesty's forces in North America, who was
plain July 6, 1758, on his march to Ticonderoga, in the
thirty-fourth year of his age, in testimony of the sense they
had of his services and military virtues, and of the affection
their oflficers and soldiers bore to his command. He lived

11!

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220

LAKE GEORGE AND

respected and beloved. The public regretted his loss ; to
his family it is irreparable."

His body was conveyed back through Lake
George in the midst of the army of which he
had been the pride and the idol. Under the
cliarge of his friend and companion, Capt. Philip
Schuyler, the remains were forwarded to Fort
Edward, thence taken to Albany, and found a
temporary resting place in the vault of the sor-
rowing family who mourned him as one of
their own. Subsequently, with all the pomp
of military display, to the tolling of the bells,
the discharge of minute guns, and the playing
of a dirge, in the presence of thousands, the
relics were borne in state to the "English
Church." There, with solemn Episcopal rites,
and to the singing of a requiem, the coffin,
wrapped in a prepared canvas, disappeai od from
public viev/, and was placed in a vault under
the chancel, marked with the heraldic ii:signia
of his family.

Forty-four years glided away. Two gen-
erations of men had succeeded. Those ideas
which the imaginations of the great Franklin
and other fathers, near this spot — "glancing
from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven " —
had bodied forth as the forms of things divine,
were called into shapes ; and the airy nothings

his loss ; to

Ligli Lake

which he

Jnder the

ipt. Philip

d to Fort

1 found a

f the sor-

,s one of

the pomp

the bells,

e playing

^ands, the

" English

)pal rites,

he coffin,

li ed from

ult under

i insignia

PHIL. SOHVYIiEB.

WO gen-
lose ideas
Franklin
glancing
iaven " —
fs divine,
[nothings

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

221

funnel II local habitation and a name. The
" Albany plan of union" had assumed a reality,
revised and enlarged, as the basis of one of
the most powerful nations on the globe. A
new and stately house of worship had been
erected to take the place of the low-browed
church in the street. In the presence of those
to most of whom the events chronicled in these
pages had become a matter of tradition, the
vault was opened. The decayed coffin of rich
mahogany was revealed that contained the
ashes of the gallant dead, enshrouded in habili-
meiitb of gorgeous silk. The hair, dressed in the
fasliion of the age, was found to have grown
several inches; the ribbon that bound it was
yet black and glossy. All, on exposure, shrank
into dust. The remains, inclosed in a new chest,
were reverently placed along the north wall
of the modern edifice. Twenty-four others,
who, in a former age, had, either from their
social position or the sanctity of their lives, been
deemed worthy to bt buried under the former
church, were also removed, and their bones
placed side by side near the foundation.

Fifty-seven years had elapsed, and again in
March, 1859, the " Spirit of the Age" sv^ept
over, and touched the place with its magic wand

of improvement. Under its inspiration the now
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LAKE GEORGE

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venerable stone building disappeared, its place
to 1)0 taken l)y the beautiful gotliic St. Peters,
which now occupies the ground.

Again the sacred remains, inclosed by a
double f ffin. - er» revealed to view, and still
the «:wo j>icr'L? of ribbon which bound his hair
together w '^ ?i\ served. Once more the coffin
was inclosed by ai.uiher, and, by the new gene-
ration, carefully and reverently, near the south-
west corner of the new church, was placed in a
prepared receptacle, tliere to remain until, at the
bugle call at the last reveille, his bones will
start, and his soul will answer to the FIKAL
MUSTER.*

* Chancellor Kent's Historical diGcourso. Agricultural
Transactions, 1852. Winslow C. Watson. Albany Evening
Journal, April, 1859. Letter of Mrs, Cochran. Lossing.

No monument marks the spot where Lord Howe fell, or
where his remains are deposited. The records of St. Peter's
contain no mention of the spot. Would it not he appropri-
ate that at least a tablet should be placed within the tower
of the church to commemorate the deceased ? The esteemed
author of the " centennial address " suggests, among others,
a monument to Hcndrick, the Mohawk chieftain, but he
strangely omits the mention of one to the memory of him
with whom his family were on such intimate terms of friend-
ship. To raise a monument to the representative of the
wild Indian, and omit to do similar honor to the heroic
chivalrous leader of the Anglo-Saxon, seems like raising
Caliban to the throne of Prospero, the rightful heir.

ciiaptp:u X.

Fkontknac taken — ambl'sii at tiik four-mile post — AMBrSII AT

HALF-WAY BUOOK — HOOERS' AND PITTNAM'S BATTLE — PCTNAM
taken prisoner — AMHERST IN COMMAND — CAMPAIGN OF 1759 —
HALF THE ARMY AT LAKE GEORGE — THEY MOVE ON TO CARILLON -
FORT FREDERICK ABANDONED — CONCLUSION.

L^BERCIIOMBIE, with "his now n..-
less " army, proceeded to fortify lii.n-
self at Lake George.* His intreiic ■
"th^nj ments extended from the soiitli side
of the rocky eminence on a general course about
north fifty degrees west, until they struck the
ravine, under Rattlesnake hill, near the Garri-
son mill, and included the lines known as Fort
Gage. He also occupied Diamond and Long
islands, with a guard of four hundred n) an each,
and built a sloop of war carrying sixteen guns.
The dashing Col. Bradstreet was detached, with
a force of two thousand seven hundred men.

* Bancroft says: "He sent artillery and ammunition to
Albany for safety. But, per contra, they intrenched on the
ruins of Fort William Henry, retaining all their artillery
and ammunition." Doc. x, 819.

"Since the 8th July, Abercrombie has g^>cnt the time
in fortifying himself, and threatening Carillon with a
second visit." Montcalm, 2\st Sept., 1758.

224

LAKE GEORGE AND

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Rfijainst Fort Frontenac, on Lake Ontario, 'n
'vvliicli enterprise lie was eminently snccessfnl,
and after razing the fortress and destroying the
vessels and sncli stores as could not be brought
off, he returned to Lake George.

The French were never idle. July 10th, a
party of twenty soldiers and three officers were
ambushed by a detachment of Canadians and
Lidians. " The impatience of the Indians pre-
vented the detachment destroying a party of
three hundred English, who had taken refuge i7i
a small stockaded fort^ lately erected to serve as
a depot^ on the Fort Edward i^oad^'^

July 30. A train of fifty-four wagons, each
of which was drawn by two yoke of oxen, was
leisurely proceeding over the road to Lake
George, escorted by a lieutenant and forty men.
The wagons were loaded with flour, pork,

* I am inclined to think that this fort is the one located on
Isaac Smith's farm, about one-fourth of a mile below Brown's
tialf-way house. The last of the pickets was visible in 1845 ;
but the ground has since been industriously plowed over,
and is now nearly obliterated. There were two fortn, one
liere, and the other at the seven-mile post, which was at the
Half-way brook. The latter was built, by Col, Grant, the
year following, as will be seen. I find the following French
references: August 1. A deserter reports that they have
seven hundred men at the Half-way depot. Doc. x, 850.
September 29, An English deserter reports he left six thou-

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

225

li(|iior8, effects, niercliandise, and some bag<^ai!;c
belonging to Gen. Abercronibie, among which
was his music. They were also accompanied
by sutlers, traders, women and children. Near
Half-way brook they were attacked by M. do
La Oorne, commanding a body of four hundred
Canadians and Indians, who killed the oxen,
two hundred and thirty in number, knocked in
the liquor barrels, and pillaged and burnt the
wagons. La Corne secured one hundred and
ton scalps, and took, including the officers,
eighty-four prisoners, of w^hom twelve were
women or girls.* On the receipt of the news
of this attack Abercrombie sent out a detach-
ment of five hundred men, commanded by
Majors Rogers and Putnam, to intercept the
French at South Bay. But they were too late,
and La Corne reached Carillon in safety. Rogers

Band at Fort George, eight hundred in the Entrepot Fort,
and one thousand five hundred at Fort Edward. Doc. x,
855. It was intended doubtless to prevent a repetition of
the scenes of Johnson's campaign of 1755, of which Aber-
cronibie would be likely to entertain a wholesome dread.
It protected the entrance to the Bloody defile, and would
certainly prevent any large body from planting an ambus-
cade. It is curious that Tryon's map locates this as Fort
Amherst. But this is, of course, a mistake. The latter was
the fort at Half-way brook. (See page .)
♦Bancroft, Doc. x, 818.

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220

LAKE GEOIiGE AND

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was on tlie point of returning:, when he received
advice tluit M. Marin was on liis way from
Carillon M'ith a detacliment of five Inuidred
men, and was ordered to scout down toward
Fort Edward. The divisions, which liad become
separated, one liaving j^one over to Wood creek,
were now ordered to reunite, and measures were
concerted to withdraw as directed. The com-
mand moved in three columns : two led bv
Rogers and Putnam, respectively, and the third
by Capt. Daly ell. At evening they encamped
on Clear river, about a mile west of Fort Ann.
The next morning Rogers amused himself by
firing at a mark with one of his officers.

At this time Marin was but a mile and a
half distant, and by means of the firing was
enabled to place himself in an ambuscade for
them. The engagement took place about seven
o'clock A. M., Aug. 8th. Marin put in two vol-
leys, which caused the provincials to waver.
Putnam halted and returned the fire. Dalyell's
detachment came up and supported him. Rogers
made a detour toward Wood creek, in order, as
he said, to prevent the enemy from passing in
that direction and falling upon their rear. The
men, scattered behind trees, maintained their
ground, there being little distinction between
officers and privates.

LAKE CIIAMPLAIX.

227

it:

! received
vay from
hundred
u toward
id become
ood creek,
snres were
The colli-
de led by
\ the third
encamped
Fort Ann.
iiimself by
prs.

lile and a
iring was
luscade for
bout seven
n two vol-
to waver.
DalyelVs
n. Bogers
n order, as
passing in
•ear. The
ined their
between

As Putnam thus stood lighting, a powerful
Indian, tonuduiwk in liand, sprung upon liim.
Ilis nmsket, liehl to the very breast of tlie sav-
age, missed fire. Tlie latter immediately l)()und
him to a tree, and left him tlicre, to mingle
again in the fight. A young brave passing by,
took deliberate aim, and hurled his tomahawk
directly, to appearance, at the head of the (;ap-
tiv^e. It barely missed its mark, and stuck in
the tree, the handle quivering in the face of the
prisoner. A second and third time he repeated
the experiment, till it became apparent he was
merely amusing Iiimself at the expense of the
captive, and did not intend to hit him. At
length he retired.

The engagement continued for about one
hour, when the Americans proved victorious,
and Marin withdrew, taking with him some
prisoners, including Putnam, whose hands w^ere
tied, his shoes and stockings taken off, and his
back loaded down with the packs of the Indi-
ans. At night they stripped him, bound him
to a tree, anc? prepared to roast him; but a
shower exthigui.hed the fire. At length the
flames caught and began to wreath and crackle
and shoot up their spiral folds around him,
while the Indians danced and sung and filled
the forest with their discordant yells. At that

■*' 1;

Mil

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228

LAKE GEORGE AND

moment the commander, who had just arrived,
seeing the entertainment to which his savage
allies had invited themselves, dashed in, and,
scattering the fire-brands, released the victim.*

Marin retm*ned to Carillon with his prisoners,
who were forwarded to Montreal, and the suc-
ceeding winter, through the agency of Col.
Schuyler, of the New Jersey regiment, Major
Putnam was exchanged.

The news of the disaster at Carillon soon
reached Lord Amhei*st, now the conqueror of
Louisburg. He immediately, without orders,
embarked with four regiments, and a battalion
of the Royal Americans, for Boston. They
landed in September, and at once marched
throuffh the woods to Albany. Amherst has-
tened to Lake George, where he arrived on the
fifth. On the third of T^ovember, Abercrombie
was recalled and returned to England, and Lord
Amherst was appointed commander-in-chief in
his place. The season was too far advanced for
oifensive operations. The intrenchments were
therefore abandoned, the barges conveyed to
Fort Edward, and sent down the river, the
sloops scuttled and sunk, some of the guns
buried, and the army retired into winter quar-

* Bancroft ; Fitch ; Headley.

t"^

it arrived,
[lis savage
d in, and,
le victim."^
i prisoners,
id the suc-
ly of Col.
ent, Major

rillon soon
>nqueror of
ant orders,
a battalion
on. They
;e marched
nherst has-
ved on the
hercrombie
d, and Lord
'-in -chief in
vanced for
ents were
>nveyed to
river, the
the guns
inter qnar-

.■I:'l

liOBD AMHERST.

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Ijiiiir'

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LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

229

ters, at Albany, Schenectady, New York, and
Virginia. Eight hundred men were left at the
lake, fifteen hundred at Fort Edward, and one
hundred and fifty men at Fort Miller.*

The seventh army for the conquest of Canada
commenced assembling at Albany, for the final
movement, on the first of March, 1759. It was
composed of the 1st, ITtli, 27th (Inniskillings),
42d, 55th, 77th and 80th regulars, and the .pro-
vincial regiments of Schuyler, Lyman, Ruggles,
Whiting, Worcester, Fitcli, Babcock, Lovewell,
and Willard, and a detachment of artillery
under the command of Major Ord. Four hun-
dred bateaux awaited the troops at Half-moon
(Waterford).

May 29th. A detachment, under command
of Major West, composed of regulars, light-
infantry, provincials and rangers, moved up and
took post on the road from Fort Edward to Lake
George, and there constructed a small stockaded

i'j

* While lying in his canoe, near this place, Putnam
found himself suddenly surrounded by a party of Indians,
There was no outlet of escape from being shot, except by
" shooting the rapids." To attempt this seemed certain
death, yet he boldly turned, and, to the amazement of the
savages, as they saw his boat whirled amid the foaming
eddies and the rocks, he steered his frail craft safely
through.

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230

LAKE GEORGE AND

fort, with two bastions and a moat.* The
movement of the army had ah'eady commenced.
The advance was under the command of Col.
JIaviland. June 1. The Highlanders moved
up to Half-moon, and took charge of the artil-
lery, which, with the supplies, went up by water,
and on the sixth they went into camp at Fort
Edward. Gen. Gage remained at Albany, to
bring up the heavy stores. As the troops arrived
at Fort Edward they were placed in camp in
the positions assigned to them in order of battle,
the first and second brigades being in the cen-
ter, the grenadiers and light-infantry from right
to left, according to seniority, and the flanks
composed of the provincials.

All sutlers who had passes and were not
attached to regiments, were encamped on the
ground in the center of the army, and a market
was kept there for selling whatever they might
bring for the use of the army.

Colonel Haviland remained at his camp, oppo-
site Fort Miller.

IJrth. The Highlanders, with a detachment of
500 provincials under Lient.-Col. Paysan, and
two six-pounders, the whole commanded by

* Knox's Journal, This was probably at the four-mile

po.^i l>elow Pro WD V,.

LAKE ClIAMPLAIN.

231

Col. Grant, moved out to Half-way brook, and
built a stockade there, known as Fort Amherst.
Captain Stark, with a company of rangers from
the four-mile post, and a company of Indians,
was ordered to join them.*

The same day the General was pleased to
approve the following sentences of court-mar-
tial : Andrew Yates, 1,000 lashes with a cat-
o'-nine-tails ; John Half worth, 500 lashes ;
Thomas Smith, 1,000 lashes ; Samuel Pearce,
1,000 lashes. " Smiti. is to receive his in the
following manner: at 1 ? m. he is to be marched
by a provost to the right of the line, and is to
receive 100 lashes at the head of each regiment.
A. mate of the hospital will attend to the pun-
ishment."

15tli. The 55th regiment, together w'th fif-
teen pieces of the royal artillery, moved up this
day to the seven-mile post, and reported to Col.
Grant.

18th. The first lattalion of the Massachusetts
moved up to Ilalf-wa^ brook, taking with theui
a large convoy of provisions, bateaux and
stores. .

19th. The Royal, with the New Jersey regi-
ment and Connecticut troops, marched to the

ill

232

LAKE GEORGE AND

i I

seven-mile post under the command of Colonel
Forster. Thence they proceeded, with tlie
addition of two field-pieces, a company of
rangers and some Indians, and took post about
three miles this side of Lake George, where the
Colonel proceeded to clear the ground, throw
up an intrenchment and fortify it with the
trees that were felled.* Eight hundred men
were detailed for mending the roads.

21st. This day the stockade at the seven-mile
post was iinished. Lieut.-Col. Paysan remained
in command, with 1,000 provincials and seven
iield-pieces. Provisions, bateaux and whale-
boats continued to arrive at this point, which
the Colonel was very alert in forwarding to the
lake. The weather was intolerably hot, and
the teams could scarcely perform their duty.
The same day Gen. Amherst moved up with the
bulk of the army to the lake, and encamped on
its woody banks. The next day he traced out
the plan of Fort George.

27th. Some boats of the enemy appeared on
the lake near Diamond island, and attempted
to surprise a couple of officers who were fishing
there, but did not succeed.

* Knox.

Colonel
ith the
)any of
st about
here the
cl, throw
,vith the
red men

jven-mile
remained
nd seven
d whale-
nt, which
12: to the

lot, and
eir duty.

with the
imped on ^_^^^

aced out | ruins of fort george.

eared on
ttempted
•e fishing

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LAKK CIIAMPLAIN.

2:>3

July 1. The sloop of war ILilitax, which was
scuttled last year, was raised. The troops were
employed in constructing the stone fortress,*
" which is of an irregular form, situated upon
a rock ; has one front to the lake, and a large
morass on the other sides. A casemate is to he
built sufficient for 400 men, and there is plenty
of good limestone and brick-clay on tlu.' spot."
Sixteen men of the New Jersey regiment went,
without leave, on the west side of the camp, to
cut spruce. About a mile out they were
attacked by a party of Canadians and Indians,
who killed and wounded eleven of them ; the
rest escaped.

4th. The engineers made great progress with
the fort, having obtained a new supply of brick-
layers and masons. A number of men were
employed in making brick and lime. The men
w^ere daily, at 5 a. m., practiced at target firing,
and " the camp was not to be alarmed at the
firing here or at the four-mile post, where they
will fire at the same hour."

6tb. Capt. Loring, of the navy, in addition to
raising and rigging the sloop Halifax, also built
a raft to carry nine twelve-pounders.

* Fort George. The fort was never finished.
20*

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LAKE OEOROE AND

21. Lord Amherst embarked with the troops.
The force consisted of six battalioiib of regulars,
numbering, officers included, 5,743 men, nine
regiments of provincials, comprising 5,279 men,
and 111 of the royal artillery, with tifty-four
pieces of ordnance of various kinds, in all num-
bering 11,133. For the last time a great army
passed through the lake, and on the following
day they landed near the spot where Aber-
crombie had disembarked the year before.

The French troops at Carillon numbered two
thousand three hundred men, under the command
of Bourlemaque. Montcalm had withdrawn the
flower of the army to the defense of Quebec.
He met the English near the landing, and
skirmished up to the intrenchments. Amherst
pressed on and took up a position at the saw-
mill. The troops lay upon their arms that
night. The same night Bourlemaque aband-
oned the fort, with the largest part of his
army, and took a position about ten miles down
Lake Champlain, leaving Hebecourt and four
hundred rnen, with orders to blow up the fort,
and retire as soon as the English had estab-
lished their first batteries.

23d. The grenadiers, perceiving the intrench-
ments to be deserted, immediately occupied them.
In the center of the works the French had erected

tlie troops,
jf regulars,
men, nino
5,270 men,
1 fifty-four
in all num-
^reat army
3 following
lere Aber-
)fore.

ibored two
3 command
idrawn the
)f Quebec,
ding, and
Amherst
t the saw-
arms that
ue aband-
art of his
ailes down
t and four
ip the fort,
liad estab-

! intrench-
pied them,
lad erected

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Sciences
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33 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80

(716) 873-4503

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LAKE CIIAMPI^VIX.

235

a lofty cross, in celebration of the victory of tlic
year before. On the cross was aftixed a plate
of brass, with the following inscription :
" Pone principes eoi am sicut Oreb et Zeber et Zalmunna. '*

The French received them with a shower of
shot and shell, and at night made a sudden
attack upon the trenches, killing and wounding
sixteen, and caused such confusion that in the
darkness of the night the British troops iired
upon each other. Col. Townshend, deputy
adjutant-general, a young and gallant officer,
the Lord Howe of the army, was struck down
by a cannon-shot.

26th. The English approaches having been
advanced within six hundred yards of the fort,
and the batteries finished, Ilebecourt retired with
the French, from the contested walls of Caril-
lon, having left every gun loaded and pointed,
several mines charged for the destruction of
the defenses, and a lighted fuse communicating
with the well stored powder magazine, which
shortly blew up, with a tremendous explosion.
The wooden barracks, the stores, and other
combustible matter were burned. At daylight
the next morning, a sergeant succeeded in strik-
ing the French flag, and raising that of England

*See Judges vii, 25, also, viii, 12, and Ps. Ixxxiii, 11.

i, i

I .

236

LAKE GKOROE AND

in its place, wliicli for the lirst time now waved
over this gloomy fortress. Soon after a detwcli-
ment was sent in to extinguish the flames, whicl ,
was speedily accompli^ihed. Lord Amherst set
to work at once to repair the fort, Avhich was
comparatively uninjured. Most of the ram-
parts, the covered way, and the walls of the
buildings remained.* He devoted himself to
leveling his own siege works and completing
the road from the shore. The loss of the Brit-
ish, in the seige, was seventy-six killed and
wounded. The French leisurely retired to Fort
St. Frederick.

" Peace, peace, my Lord," writes Doriel. " No
matter at what sacrifice, as regards boundaries.
'Twill be so much gained, if the people will only
work well when it is concluded." But it was
not to be. There was to be no peace until the
whole French government in America had sur-
rendered to the Anglo-Saxon.

Around Fort St. Frederick, which for twenty-
eight year? had been a menace and a challenge
to the English colonies, as far as the eye could

* Mr. Watson speaks of this venerable fortress as " with-
out assimilation to any thing in America, and exhibiting
the appearance of an ancient castle of Europe, enveloped in
the mist of ages, and surrounded with the associations of
centuries."

low waved
r a det feli-
nes, whicl
inliersit bct
which was
the ram-
lUs of the
himself to
completing
)f the Brit-
killed and
ired to Fort

oriel. "No

boundaries.

le will only

But it was

e until the

a had sur-

|for twenty-
challenge
eye could

3S8 as "with-

id exhibiting

enveloped in

Issociations of

'II ,11'

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

237

extend, a rich and beautiful country met tlio
view. The verdant turf, and wheat growing
field;^, extended from the water's edge back to the
base of the mountains, and a popuhition of fif-
teen hundred people found shelter around the
fort. A town was already built. They had their
fruit trees, their gardens and their vineyards.
An avenue swept in a wide curvature around
the margin of the Lake, beyond which lay the
principal street, extending into the country.
The cellars were excavated from the solid rock,
and their compact arrangement, and the narrow-
ness of the avenue, find their counterpart in
many an ancient village in Canada. The side-
walks formed of flagging, the stones smooth and
worn, still attest the generation who once
thronged them in the busy scenes of life. Aspara-
gus, shrubs, and the celebi ited Adirondack
grape flourished here. A church stood within
the ramparts, and several stores furnished the
convenient mart for commerce and the profita-
ble exchange of civilized products for peltries.
The ambitious politicians of the day dreamed of
the time, subsequently attempted under Amherst
and Skeene, when a new province miglit be
founded, extending from St. Lawrence and the
Connecticut, embracing the Green Mountains
and the Champlain valley, with Crown Point as

;J''S

ftl

■ I

238

LAKE GEORGE AND

its capital. The seignories of AHania and Hoc-
quart had been already laid out and surveyed,
the first extending down to Carillon, the latter
covering the fertile valley of Otter creek. If ad
this event occurred, Northern New York would
not now exhibit a vast expanse of uncultivated
and unreclaimed wilderness.

Kegiochne* was the recognized boundary be-
tween the Mohawk hunting grounds and those
conceded to the St. Lawrence Indians. Had
the French confined themselves to the country
above this well established point, it is evident
that the boundary line of New York and Canada
would have been the parallel of latitude extend-
ing through from this point to Wells river, on
the Connecticut ; and on the west to the Thou-
sand Isles, opposite to Frontenac ; and at this
day the magnificent province of Canada would
doubtless have been preserved as the most
illustrious jewel of the French empire. But
imbecility ruled the hour ; and from the time
when the order was given for an army of
occupation to possess Fort St. Frederick, the
doom of Canada was sealed.

Deep was the sorrow of the Canadians when
they abandoned forever that lovely land, adorned

* Doc. vii, 576. v

N'-

LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.

239

a and Hoc-
l surveyed,
1, the latter
reek. Had
^ork would
incuUivated

(ouudary bfi-
is and those
diauB. Had
the country
it is evident
a and Canada
dtude extend-
ells river, on
to the Thou-
; and at this
lanada would
as the most
iinpire. But
"om the time
an army of
rederick, the

Inadians when
lland, adorned

by their taste and industry, rescued by them
from the dominion of the wolf and the ])ear,
strengthened by their skill and toil, defended by
their best blood, and endeared to their gallant
hearts by memories of glorious victories. But
it was impossible to resist the overwhelming
advancing force. Their barges were therefore
loaded, and the mournful procession moved
down the lake into the narrows, until, in round-
ing Regio Rock, for the last time and for-
ever, their country disappeared from their view.
The French retired to Isle au Noix, where,
with one hundred pieces of cannon, thirty-five
hundred men, and four armed vessels, com-
manded by naval officers and a picked crew,
they presented an impregnable front on the very
threshold of Canada.

Meanwhile Major Rogers was sent forward
with two hundred rangers, to feel of the enemy
and seize upon some safe position, which he
was to hold until relieved by the advancing
army.

August 4. Lord Amherst arrived and took
possession of Fort St. Frederick with its guns,
stores and intrenching tools. A portion of the
works liad been blown up three days before by
the retreating French. After encamping his
troops, he proceeded, in accordance with his

240

LAKE GEORGE.

instructions from Pitt, to trace out and build a
new fort, to be in future time known as Crown
Point, " which, froui its situation and strengtli,
will most effectually cover the whole country,
and insure its quiet and peaceable possession."
Although never completed, this fort is said to
have cost the English government more than
two millions of pounds sterling. The ramparts
were about twenty-five feet thick and nearly the
same in height, and were built of solid masonry.
The curtains varied in length, from fifty-two to
one hundred yards ; and the whole circuit,
measuring around the 'amparts and including
the bastions, was eight hundred and fifty-three
yards. A broad ditch surrounded the work.
On the north was a gate, and from the north-
east bastion a covered way leading to the water.
But the glory of Crown Point is departed.
The cattle ruminate in its bastion, sheep feed
upon its walls, and the wild grape may be
plucked from the ruin|^of its magazine.

" There is given,
Unto the things of earth which time hath bent,
A spirit's feeling, and, where he hath leant
His liand, but broke his scythe, there is a power
And magic in the ruined battlement,
For which the palace of the present hour.
Must yield its pomp, and wait till ages are its dower."

nd build a

as Ckown
d strength,
le country,
possession."
t is said to

more than
lie ramparts
d nearly the
id masonry.

fifty-two to
lole circuit,
,d including
d fifty-three
i the work,
n the north-

the water.

is departed.

, sheep feed

,pe may be

kine.

bent,
)wer

Is dower."

'i\

LAKE GEORGE.

FORT WILLIAM HENRY IIOTKL

IS OPEN FOR THK RKCEPTION OF CiUKSTS.

This Hijtel has been completely rebuilt and refurnished, and

now compares favorably with any first class Hotel in

Europe or America. It is situated on the site of

Fort William Henry, adjoining Fort (Icorge

and the old French Battle Ground.

The Building contains 450 rooms,

which may be had in

Suites or Private Parlors, as Desired.

Water ia carried to ovory part of tho House, which is
supplied with

COLD AND WARM BATHS.

The entire House is brilliantly lijflit<.'d with gas made on tho

premis '8.

A Celebrated Band is Engaged for the Season.

THE TELEGRAPH

Connects with all lines through the State, and gives reports

of tho

STOCK MARKET THREE TIMES A DAY.

A Livery Stable is connected with the Hotel,

Together with an abundance of stable and barn room,
for private horses and carriages. The drives on the Lake
shore and through the surrounding country are unsur-
passed.

FRENCH COACHES,

(With seats on top and rear) connect with the Glens
Fulls Railroad. Time, from Glens Falls, one hour.

T. KOESSLE & SON, Proprietors,

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LAKE GEORGE.

LAKE HOUSE.

Open for the Beception of Ouests from June 1 to Oct. 15.

The Lake House is situated in si;;lit of Fort Willinm Ilenry and
Fort (leor-ze. and tiie old French Biiryinp and Battle Grounds. The
HouHc ie furnii^hed in a ntyle not surpassed by any City Hotel. The
building is 300 foot in length, and contains

Over 100 Rooms and Private Parlors.

The Eoome are airy, large, and in Suits or Private Parlors, as may
be desired. The House contains two spacious Piazzas— one'fronting
on the Lake, and giving a magnificent view of Lake and Mounlain
Scenery. On the broad Lawn, as it descends towards the Lake, are
two fine Cottageb— one containing nine and the other three rooms.

THE STEAMER MiNNE-H/-HA

Leaves the Lake House dock every morning (Sundays excepted) at 8
o'clock, for Ticonderoga— connecting with Lake C'hainplain Steamers
going North and South— returning in the afternoon Ui on the arrival
of the Lake Champlain Steamers, and lands jjassengers at the Lake
House dock immediately after lauding at the Fort William Henry
Hotel.

STAGES LEAVE TIIE LAKE HOUSE EACH DA^,

Connecting at Glens Falls with all trains for Saratoga, Troy, Albany,
New York and Boston, giving passengers choice of seats. The House
is constantly supplied with

Brook Trout, Venison and Birds* in their Season.

And the Proprietor will at all times be prepared to furnish Game
Dinners to parties.

GAME DINNERS AT TABLE D'HOTE ON SUNDAYS.

{^~ A Livery Stable is connected with the Hotel. Persons wiehinef
to bring their horses and carriages can have private etabl^'s and car-
riage houses. The drives on tne Lake Shore and through the sur-
rounding country are unsui-pasaed.

Lake George is p. good point of departure for the Adirondacke.

Board per Day, $3.50; Board per Week, $14 to

$17.50.

H. J. ROCKWELL,

PltOrRIETOR.

GLENS FALLS, LAKE GEORGE AND CHESTER
STAGE COMPANY.

New Coaches and Equipments, Fast Horses.

LAKE GEORGE PASSENGERS

Who take this route will leave the Railroad at

OREAT FALLS,

And, passing over the Plankrond, will witness the exquisite river

scenery of

GLENS FALLS,

So graphically described in Cooper's "Last of the Mohicans ;"
The scenes of the Border Conflicts in the

Old. Z*x'ex3.olx X/K/ekJCm

And across the battle ground of

DIESKAU AND SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON.

The Stages connect with the three trains going Forth, and the
Mid-day and Evening trains going South.

The morning line also runs to ♦

WARRENSBURGH, CHESTER, POTTERSVILLE, SCHROON LAKE.

From which place good Liveries are always in readiness
to carry passengers to the

ADIRONDAGKS, LONG LAKE, RAQUETTE LAKE AND
MOUNT TAHAWAS.

E. PUTNAM, Superintendent.

CHESTER

Horses.

LAKE GEORGE.

THE STEAMER

^^MI^HE«H1.«HA

lat

jxquisite river

Mohicans ;"

forth, and the
ith.

[ROON LAKE.
Icadiuces

LAKE AND

mdent.

Capt. E. S. HARRIS,

MAKES DAILY TRIPS THROUGH THE LAKE,

connecting with the boats on

Lake Champlain for Montreal, Quebec, Niagara,

White and Franconia Mountains,

Mount Mansfield,

and the Railway to

SARATOGA, TROYp ALBANY and NEW YORK.

THE

"MII^]^E-HA-HA"

Leaves her doclc, at Caldwell, every morning, Sundays excepted,

at 1)4 o'clock— steams down the Lake among the islarda,

and through to Ticonderoga, connecting with

LAKE CHAMPLAIN STEAMERS

OOINO NORTH AND SOUTH,

Returning in the afternoon upon the arrival of the Lake Champlain
Steamers, arriving at her dock at the Fort William Henry Hotel at 6
o'clock, P. M.

Passengers by the HUDSON RIVER and HARLEM RaILROADS
(four trains daily), and by the DAY BOATS, arrive at the Lake in time
for Tea same day; by the HUDSON RIVER STEAMERS (night boats)
in time for Dinner next day.

■.^\i

^liiil

LAKE GEORGE

BOLTonsr.

This well known House is situated on

GANOUSKIE OR NORTHWEST BAY,

TEN MILES FROM CALDWELL.

Affords Accommodation for Sixty People.

Situate opposite the
And its Location is the most delightful upon the Lake.

S. W. CLSMANS,

Proprietor

)
i

BAT,

iople.

the Lake.

Irietor

LAKE GEORGE.

Vieitors at

LAKE GEORGE,

By driving down to

FOUB MILES ON THE FLANKBOAB,

Will pass the battle ground of

Gens, Johnson and Dieskau, Bloody Pond, and

Eocky Brook,

The place of the ambuscade and death of

COL. WILLTAilS AND KING IIENDUICK, IN SEPT , 1755,
They can also visit the place of t>G

STOCKADE AT THE FOUR MILE POST,

Built by Abercrombie, in 1758,

And the scene of an engagement and capture

BY THE FRENCH AND INDIANS IN THE SAME YEAR.

And by driving to the

Corning; Ox'o Heel,

About a mile distant, persons may witness the interesting

process of

SINKINGS A SHAFT.

Refreshments of all kinds at the Hotel, and dinners for parties got-
ten up at very short notice.

GEORGE BROWN, Proprietor.

NORTHERN NEW YORK.

FOE SALE!

3S^ETiI^ITT Sc S^S^EET'S

MAP OF THE

CREAT WILDERNESS

NORTHERN NEW YORK.

Engraved on Stone in the Finest Style,

And printed for convenience in thirty-six flections,

Together with a Leather Case for holding the same.

I=>I^IOE $6.00-

WEED, PARSONS &. CO.,

ALBANY, N. Y.

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK.

«»<

This Hotel is i)nrticnlarly (U'sirablc for n Summer Kt-Hort.
Sitiuitcd u|)on the banks of

Ita broad piazzas offer heautifiil views of

lESS

st Style,

llone,

the same.

!0.,

Cr.MIIKlll.ANl) ll.W,

CY'lcbratcfl as tho scene (»f tlu^

Naval Engagement of 1814.

Willie from the Promenade on the roof a fine view can be obtained,
including the village, the surrounding country, and in the distance llu-

GREEN MOUNTAINS AND THE ADIEONDAOKS,

Which togelluT with tlu^ jjurc water, tlu; beautiful I"'lo\ver, I'lea>uro
and ('ro(|uet (Jrounds; the pleasant drives; the si)acious and well
ventilated roi)ni->, otl'i-rattraetion-' to tlie seeker after lieallh and pleas-
ure tliat cannot be surpas^ed.

A new and spacious

In connection with the Hotel affords ample accommodations to per-
sons wishing to bring with them their lu)rses and carriages.

A STEAM FERRY

Wilt make daily trips between Plattsbt'ugh and St. Albans Bay,
passing between Noutii and SorTn Hkho Islands, and touching at
the best tishiug localities lliere are to l)e found on Lakk Chami'Lain.

Sportsmen

Enroiitf for the AniuoxnACKs will find private conveyances at
Pi.ATTsBt'KOH to t.ike them to Pail S.mith's, Milote Hakkh's, Mah-
tin's. VinoiL Hahtlett's and other ft)resi resorts, at as low rates as
are offered on any other route.

D. L. FOUQUET fk SON,

Proprietors.

f !

LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

LAKK CHAMPLAIN

STE a.:m:e K.S.

ADIRONDACK,
CANADA, - -
UNITED STATES,
MONTREAL, -

Capt. Wm. H. Flagg.
Capt. Wm. Anderson
Capt. J. C. Babbitt.
Capt. Henry Mayo.

Make close connections for

LAKE GEOEGE,

Mount Mansfield, White and Franconia Mountains,
Montreal, Ogdensburgh, Quebec,

ADIRONDAOK MOUNTAINS;

AND THE

nsroi^TH: "wooids.

The day boat enables the tourist to see Plattsburgh,
Cumberland Bay — the scene of McDonough's victory in
1814 — Burlington, Kegio Rock (Split Bock), Kanondoro(the
Narrows), Ojf-haronde (Windmill Point), Point au Cheva-
lure (Crown Point), Carillon (Ticonderoga), Mt. Defiance,
Canaghsione (the Two Rocks), Putnam's Rock (Fiddler's
Elbow), places renowned in American Uistory. Connects at

WHITEHALL

with Morning and Evening Trains on the Great Southern
and Western route for all parts.

O. €. MITCHE!.!^, Supt.,

Burlington, Vt.

ADIRONDACK IIAILWAV.

H. Flagg.
Anderson
Babbitt,
ry Mayo.

Mountains,

bs.

Mattsburgh,
victory in
[londoro (the
it au Cheva-
It. Defiance,
|k (Fiddler's

Connects at

it Southern

ipt.,

JTON, VT.

Now n])on to TIIURMAN, u diHtanco of 10 inili'M. Stnm>.'t'rrt
hIiouM not leave Saratoj^a, before tliey havt; taken a trip on tlio
Ailirondaek Hallway to

T H XJ R. JVE -A. N,

A DISTANCE OF FORTY MILKS,

And see for thomrtolves its pietureaqne scenery, iuehiding the

Kayaderosseras Mountain, the "Potash," Constitu-
tion Hill, Phelps Bay, the Sacandaga Rapids,
the High Bridge, loo feet above the
wa'er, Jessup's Little Falls,
and the ronnantic

LAKE OF LUZKRNE.

Also, the
VALLEY OF THE UPPER HUDSON,

The most beautiful country in tlie world.

EXCURSION TRAINS

Leave Saratoga Spiungs daily at 9A5 o'clock a. m. and 3.02
r. M. Returninj,', leave TufitMAN daily at 8 o'clock a. m. and 3
o'clock r. M., connecting with trains North and South on the Rens-
selaer and Saratoga Railroad.

Coaches connect at Thurman with Lake George, Schroon and
the Adirondacks.

THE ADIRONDACK EXPRESS

Runs daily between Sakatooa and intermediate places to

Luzerne.

S. M. SEYMOUR, Superintendent.

LUZERNE, NEW YORK.

VOCKWELL'STlOTEL.

Thia Uotol U Bltii'itcd umouy thu ru god hills of

X(JUTlIb:iiX XKW YORK.

It has accommodations for abcnt one hundred people.
FISH \m GA^ie DLWERS

May be relied on at all times in their season.

FINK iriSHING- J^NXJ BOATING

ON THE

HUDSON AND SAOANDAGA EIVERS,

and on the celebrated

I.AKE OF LUZERIVIi:.

Only twenty miles from Saratoga Spkings and ten miles
from Lake George.

Illi:

aZSOROXS K. ROCSlXrEIiL,

June, 1868. Proprietor.

PHOPLE^S mt OF STEAMERS,

EL.

9d people.

iiKTw r.r.N

NEW YORK AND ALBANY.

Leaves Pier foot of Canal Streot. New York, Daily
except Sundays, at 6 o'clock P. M.

ison.

Captain 8. R. Roe,

TING-

ES,

Leaves Albany Tuesdays, Tliurs<lays an<l Satiinlays at X o'elock

Captain W. H. Christopher,

Leaves Albany Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

id ten miles

Close eonneetions made with the Rensselaer and Sarato^'a Uail-
load at All)any, to and from Saratojfa, liake (Jeorjjfe, Luzerne,
White Mountains and Adlrondacks.

»roprietor.

BAGGAGE CHECKED THROUGH, PASSENGERS CARRIED TO BOATS FREE.

J. W. HAROOURT, Agent.

SARATOGA SPRINGS.

TIIK

LARENDON

^ VT^

OTEL

IS NOW

OPEN FOR THE SEASON.

No piiins liuvo ln'cn spared to iiiakf tliis well known Hotel
perfi'et in every respect.

Cn ARISES K. J. ML AND,

Proi)rietor.

• 1 1

*i:

WASHINdTON SPRING.

Tlie "WAsniMiT )N' SiMUNO," situated in the grounds of
the '•('i.Ai{KNJ)ox IIoTKi,," has for more tlian sixty ((10)
years oci-upicd a jironiinent place anu)n<if the adebratcd
waters of Sakatooa,

It ran be used at all hours of the day, hy all classes of
invalids, whih; to those who are in perlect healtli, it is a
deliiihtful and in ■ii^oratiu'i: beveratre.

Put up in Pint Bottles only, and carefully packed in
cases of four dozen each for shipping.

CHARLES E. LEIAND,

Proprietor.

SARATOGA SPRINGS.

TEL

nown lloti'l
n])riot»)r.

In sixty m
lie cnilebratiul

Lill claPSC'S of
leallli, it is a

ly packed in
]ing-

('()N(iKESS iriLL,

Erected on the site of the Old Congress Hall,
Adjoining Congress Spring,

AT A COST OF FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS,

AM)

COVERING OVER THREE ACREC OF GROUND,

IS NOW (H»r:N.

The front is 400 X +8 feet, five stories higli, with Freiieh

roof. Tlie building is divided into seven fire

proof compartments, and has been

erected in the most thorough

and substantial manner.

THE WINGS ARE 230 BY 50 FEET.

It contains 000 Rooms, ouch furnishod with Hells, (ias,

and water.

ONK IITJNURKr) PRIN^^VriG I'Am^OKS.

The Dining Room is 212 by 50 feet.

The Public Parlors, Heading and Poception Poonis

and OHices, arc on a scale unsurpassed, it

is believed, in this country.

Iroprietor.

H. H. HATHORN, Proprietor.

Urn

mm RIVER & HARLEM RAILROADS

K1{()M

f m

isr E w Y o R, k:.

The 8 o'clock Express Train

Vlil

HUDSON RIVER RAILROAD

■^ i

Connofts at TKOY with mid-day Traiiiis for

SARATOGA, Ft. EDWARD AND LAKE GEORGE.

11 o'clock ExprcsH via flarkni and 1I.:10 Flxprcp;* via Iliult-on
River I^iiiroad, connect at TROY with evening trains for

Saratoga, Whitehall, Lake George, and Steamers on
Lake Champlain to

:m: o ]sr T RE -A. L.

3.45 via Iludi^on River, connects at TROY with Sleeping Car for
Montreal.

I».:{0 p. M. and II r. >r., via Hudson River, with Sleeping Car
attached, connect at TROY with morning trains for Sar.aoga, Lake
George and Lake Champlaii'.

FROM TROY TO NEW YORK.

9.'l.1 A. M., 1 1 ..'10 A. M., 3.|.'5 i>. M. via Hudson River Railroad.
4.15 P. M. via Harlem. U.I5 r. m., with Sleening Car attached.

I. M. TOUCEY.

Supt. Jfudson R. E. .'.*.

J. C. BU'JKHOUT,

Supt. Harlem li. li.

.ROADS

ALBANY, N, Y

DELAVAN HOUSE,

3AD

GEORGE.

3pa via lluilson
trains for

Steamers on

OPEN ALL THE YEAR ROUND

HAS 850 liOOMS,

INCLUDING TWENTY PRIVATE PARLORS!

Families or parties travcliiifr I'ur pleasure will always
find hero the conveniences and comforts of a

bleeping Oar for

li sifH'piiiir Car
iSar-.to-ra, Lake

FIRST CLASS HOTEL.

IVIealrrJ at all hours on ai'rival of the
Trains^ oi* Boatr^.

lor TJailroad.
I'ar aiiached.

// R. R. IC.

loUT,

\rlcm R. R.

CIIAS. E. LELAND,

Proprietor.

jr^"

III

ALBANY, N. Y.

Durkee &, Jenkins,

51 ST-A.TE STPi^EET,
ALBANY, iV. r.,

AND

STATIONERS.

TlieoloEical aud SiiMay School Pilicatioiis.

BLANK AND SCHOOL BOOKS.

Orders by Mail promptly and carefully

attended to.

PAOLI DURKEE,

CLARENCE T. JENKINS,

CORNELIUS E. DURKEE.

HENSSELaEn Km saaaToca

Great Northern and Southern Route

Connects with all Lines and Points.

TRAINS G^OI^S^Gr

IN^OKTII.

=^i^

Leave Albany, 7.10 a.m.,

12.50 p.m., 5.10 p.m

Schen'tady,. 7.30 "

" 4.20 "

Troy, 7.30 "

1.10 '• 5.20 "

Saratoga,... 9.10 "

2.50 " 7.10 "

Ft. Edward, 9.53 "

3.40 " 8.00 "

Glens Falls, 10.15 "

4.05 " 8.25 "

Arrive Whitehall, • 11.22 "

" 9.53 "

■

miA-IN^S GOIN'Gi

soua^H.

cations.

Leave Whitehall,.. 6.00 a. m.,

4.08p.m

Glens Falls,. 6.50 "

12.50 p.m, 4.40 "

Ft Edward,. 7.13 "

l.iO " 5.00 "

Saratoga 8.10 "

2.05 " 5.50 "

[S.

Arrive Troy, 9.40

3.40 " 7.30 "

carefully

Schen'tady,. 9.55

3.55 " 7.40 "

MORNING AND EVENING TRAINS

DURKEE.

Connect at Saratoga with Adirondack Railroad, at Fort
Edward with Glens Falls Railroad and coaclies for Lake
George, and at Wliitenall with steamers on Lake Chaniplain.

I. V. BAKER,

Superintendent.

3fr

^ii

■ )

jNiEW liOUTE

To or from the

AVEST, SOETIT AND SOETinVEST.

]Makini: all RKOAl) GAl'GK bctwct-n

ALBANY AND ST. LOUIS.

ONLY DIKECT ROUTE TO

Sharon Springs, Howe's Cave and Oooperstown.

For beauty, variety and (.■xtciif, Howe's f'avo is only equaled by the
Mauiuioth Cave lu Kentucky.

CONDEITSED TIME TABLE.

WEST.

EAST

llhFAKFAST.

Iliimliiimton

l.p.

;.:io

1. M.

:to

v. JI

Allmny

I,.'. i.:j<»i'. m.

s.oa.i. M.

lliiinlirlduc.

Ar.

U. 1

0.'>

lloH('">. (';ivc.

\r. :t. Hi ilo

!>.45 do

riiadilla, . .

».:»;

:io

('iil)l(>Nkill, . .

do :i.:ti) <i<i

10.0(1 do

Oiirontii. . .

lo.'j;

1.-.

CoUicis. . . .

(ii» ».:>« do

t 1.40 do

( ollUrs. . . .

10.4'-'

:to

Iliiiiiliriil!.'!'. .

do (i.:i7 do

l.'-M) A.M.

(ohit'skill.. .

VI. VI

1'. M.

.-|!»

IllllgllilllltOII.

do S, 10 do

:t.oo do

I^>iv<''» Ciivo.

1 •.•.'-•;

t:t

Scholiario.. .

i'j.:t5

■JO

i Alliuii.v, . . .

•i.'i:.

4.'i

J. W. VAN VALKENBURGH, Supt.

[WEST.
TIS.

perstown.

(iu:\led by the

. M.

2.:J0 1'. M

tlo

4.0.') tlo

4.:ii> tlo

till

d.l.'l tit)

<lo

i'l.ao tlo

•. M.

n..')!* tlo

tlo

7.1:1 do

tlo

7.-.>0 tlo

tlo

8.4:> du

•H, Supt.

^^iTcti? ^ooks

rU'DI.ISllHD BV

G. P. PUTNAM & SON.

Norman Leslie.

A NEW YORK STORY.
By Hon. Theo. S. Fay, late United States Minister to Switzeilnni

l2ino. Cloth, $1.75.

II.

Color.

By Elizabfth Cave, author of " Drawing without a Master."
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A STORY OF SEA AND SHORE. By L. Clarke Davis.
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Edited by his Widow.
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ITS ORIGIN AND PROGRESS.

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New and Final Volume of IUyard Taylor's Travels.

G. P. Pi'TNAM & Son will publish early in 1S69

BY-WAYS OF EUROPE,

By the aiuhdr uf " Views Afoot,"' " Home and Abroad," &'C.

CONTENTS :

A Familiar Letter to the Reader. 'I'lie Orande Cliartreuse.

A Cruise on Lake La.coda. The K>ffhaiisor and its Legends.

l?ft\veen Eiirojie and Asia. A Week at Capri.

Winter- Life in .St. Petersburg, A Trij) to Ischia.

The Little Land of .Aijpenzell. 'I'he Laiul of Paoli.

From Perjiij-'nan to Montserrat. 'I'he Isj.nid of ALiddalena.

Pinlearic IJays. In the leutsber^er Forest,

Catalonian Uridle-Roads. 'I'he Suabian Alb.
The Republic of tl;e Pyrenees.

In one vol. i2mo. (uniform with his other works), blue cloth, $2.25,

THE NEW WEST;

Or, California in 1867 and '68.

Hy CHARLKS L. IIRACF,

Author of " Races of the Old World," " Home- Lite in Germany," " Hungary in
1851," &c. i2mo. Cloth ;^i. 75.

This work contains an account of what till lately has been a frrrn incni^tiifn to
Ameiicans themselves, — the Pacific Slope. Mr. Hrace in liis California journey
lias described what most travellers have omitted, the minute features of natural
scenery and [Products, the diflereiU world of veuelation, and climate, and landscape
which characterizes the Pacific coast. He has investi!;ated closely the vine-growing
regions, and the wine-making of California ; its wonderful ^;ardens and orchards, tiie
new branch of silk-growinn; jusi beginning, and the remarkable agricultural cajiaci-
tie.s of the State. He pictures that wonder of the world, the Yose.mite Valley.
and the Giant Trees, and the Geysers.

.Social Life, Schools, and Education are also treated, and several chapters are giver
to the Cliinese in the State. Much practical advice is given to emigrants and fa'"-
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It is a work which all Americans who desire to understand their own country,
should possess.

A MEMORIAL OF THE REV. DR. TAYLOR.

SERMONS

Preached in Grace Church, New York. 1846-67. By the la.e Rev. Thomas

House Taylor, D.D. With a fine Photographic Portrait from Elliott's Picture. In

one volume. 8vo. Tinted Paper. Price, $3.00.

"f...* This volume is printed specially for Subscribers and Memners of Grace
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printed, are requested to send their names at once.

} :i

Tra\t:ls.

PE.

ADMIRAL FARRAGUrS REMARk'ABLE CRUISE.

&'C

treiise.

nd its Legends.

li.

iddalena.
;r Forest.

)tli, $2.25.

ND '68

Hungary in

rra iiicoi^nita to

alitornia jniiniey

latures of nauiral

|te, and landscape

the vine-growing

and orchards, the

liiricultiiral caiiaci-

KMITE Vai.lky.

Icliapters are giver
Imigrants and fa""-
Ibers and Diggei-

lieir own coinitry,

AYLOR.

Ia:e Rev. Thomas
liutt's Picture. In

lemoers of Grace
Jill be liandsomelji

Messrs. G. P. PUTNAM & SON

Are entrusted with tlie publication of a work of National and Historical

Intekkst, entitled.

Our Admiral's Flag Abroad;

The Cruise of the U. S. Flagship Frankhn^

ADMIRAL D. G. FARRAGUT,

In 1S67-8,

By JAMES EGLINTON MONTGOMERY,

Of the Admiral's Staft

ILLUSTR.VTED wiili Drawings by Tiios. Nast and Granvulk Pkrkins,
from sketches by Lieut.-Commander Hoff, and Park IIenjamin, Jr., of the U. S.
Ship F'-nnklin, engraved in the best manner and printed in tints. IN ONE
VOLUME, LARGE OCTAVO.

The In'storical significance and the unique circumstances connected »ith this ex-
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The first (limited) edition of this work, for Subscribers, is intended to be specially
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NOTABLE SCENES IN THE ADMIRALS RECEPTION BV
THE GOVERNMENTS OF EUROPE.

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The price of this edition, to Subscribers only, will be $7 in cloth, or $12 in mo-
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Those who desire one or more copies of it, will please sign the annexed order, and
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Putnam's iinontl)ly Jltagajinc

LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ART,

AND

NATIONAL INTERESTS.

i«i:^

' t -v

The re-issue of Putnam's Magnzine has been hailed with acclamation in
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•#•► Mr. B.WARD TAYLOR w.'ll be associated with the management of
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agajmc

RT,

I Mcclamation in
at being able to
good-will from
y." It is tlieir
eet the exp cta-

upported by the
ountry. High-
R SCIBNCK, In-
rroN on impor-
>, healthy enter-
carefully chosen
itort.

vo copies to onf
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YoiinR People
d Table {pric«
le same propor-

LISHIRS,

Nkw VotK.
nanagement of