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 NOTES "^^.^ 
 
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 ^hi0V\) of /urt ^eovQc 
 
 DURING THE 
 
 COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY PERIODS, 
 With Contemporaneous Documents 
 
 AND AN APPENDIX. 
 
 
 By B. F; DeCOSTA, 
 
 AUTHOR OF "lake GEORGE: ITS SCENES AND CHARACTERISTICS," AC, &C. 
 
 Embosomed amid its green hills . . . and alone in its picturesque beauty, spreads, sparkling to 
 the day, the picturesque Lake George, with its hundred islands and their silent woods. Here, 
 exhaustless as those pure waters, the poet, the novelist, the sober historian, or the excursive dram- 
 atist, may find by the cottage fire»ide, materials for their respective purposes. — Bryant. 
 
 J. SABIN & SONS, 84 NASSAU STREET. 
 
 LONDON: zz BUCKINGHAM STREET. 
 187I. 
 
.L-t 
 
 "^U. 
 
 '^^ ; 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 HE fragments embodied in the following sketch were, 
 for the greater part, accumulated by the writer while 
 engaged in preparing a popular work on Lake George. 
 They are now given in a separate and permanent 
 form, not as constituting anything like a complete history, but rather 
 as interesting materials affording some fresh illustration of the annals 
 of one of the most beautiful and celebrated localities in our land. 
 
 These'gleanings have come from every source accessible to the com- 
 piler, and include nearly everything of interest that he has found in con- 
 nection with the history of Fort George. Many of the documents thus 
 embodied appear in print for the first time, being transcripts from the 
 original MSS. It will be a subject of gratulation if this publication 
 stimulates fresh, and successful, search for additional material. 
 
 Nbw York, 1871. 
 
NOTES 
 
 ^t0torg of Jfort George. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 3 N THE EARLY TIMES, the waters of Lake 
 George owed their importance to the fact that 
 they formed a part of a great route of communica- 
 tion between New York and Montreal. In pur- 
 suing this route, the traveller could pass nearly 
 the whole distance between these two points in 
 boats and canoes. Hence the many struggles of 
 the French and English, and, later, the English 
 
 and the Americans, for the possession of this route.* 
 
 Born of the clouds, and cradled among the overhanging hills. Lake 
 
 George sleeps almost as tranquil as a sea of glass, the ideal of loveliness 
 
 * To help out a theory, it has been stated that the route by Lake St. Sacrament was the ex- 
 clusive route in early times. The truth, however, appears from the following: "The Route 
 from Montreal to Albany is begun by ferrying over to la Praire, and thence a Land Carriage, 
 over low, wet Ground, fifteen Miles to St. Jean. From this Fort, which is truly but a Maga- 
 zine, they go in a Schooner to Crown Point, a very considerable Fortress, at the Head of Lake 
 Champlain, and the Mouth of Wood Creek. Two Ways lead from hence towards Hudson's 
 River; the one by Lake St. Sacrament, in which there is a Mile Portage, in the Streight be- 
 tween the Lake and Wood Creek. 'Tis very dangerous passing this Lake at the Change of 
 Weather, by Reason of the great Waves arising without much Wind, and the inaccessible Cliffs 
 of vast high Mountains on the East Side. At the Head, the Lake divides into two Bays, from 
 the Eastermost of which is a Portage twelve Miles, or more, to Hudson's River. And from 
 this Portage to Albany, you go down Hudson's River, without any other Interruption than two 
 little Portages of about Haifa Mile each. The other Way from Crown Point towards Hudson's 
 River, is altogether by Wood Creek, and you are only interrupted with a Portage of a Stone's 
 Throw or two in Length, at a Place called Kingiaguaghtenec. The Portage from Wood to 
 Hudson's River is twelve Miles also; and the Passage thence to Albany is by the same River, 
 and with the same Interruption. The whole performed in five or six Days." — Lewis Evans' 
 " Essays," etc., pp. 19. 
 
2 NOTES ON THE 
 
 and peace. First seen and named by a white man in 1646,* it retained its 
 original appropriate appellation — Lake St. Sacramentf — until 1755, when 
 it witnessed the first pitched battle, and, through the victory of the Eng- 
 lish, lost the only name worthy of its beauty and renown. Previous to 
 this year, however. General Johnson had visited the lake. In 1746, 
 just one hundred years after its discovery by Jogues, he went thither 
 with various Indian tribes, who put up their symbols, or totems^ to 
 "alarm the French;" still no action took place. 
 
 But, in 1755, the bold aggressions of the French had caused much 
 apprehension, and the home government, in connection with tlie col- 
 onists, resolved to force the intruders from the advanced positions every* 
 where assumed, and especially from Ticonderoga, at which place they 
 had established a fortress and planted the French flag. An army was 
 accordingly assembled, under General William JohnSon, at the head, or 
 south end of Lake George ; but before he could move against Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point, the PVench, led by General Dieskau, on the 
 28th of August, attacked him in his camp, when Johnson fought the 
 Battle of Lake George, and, by the aid of skillful officers, gained his 
 well-known victory, for which he was knighted, finding, at the same 
 time, great popularity among all the people.^ The story of this battle 
 has so often been told, that it is only necessary, for our present purpose, 
 to observe that, at the close of this memorable summer day, the French, 
 near Bloody Pond, received the last blow at the hands of the English, 
 and fled in confusion to Ticonderoga. § 
 
 * May 29, 1646, Isaac Jogues, S. J. and Jean Bourdon, the engineer, were on their way from 
 Montreal to the Mohawk region to perfect a treaty with the Indians; and on the eve of this 
 day, the festival of Corpus CAristi, tliey reached the lake, and named it " Lake of the Blessed 
 Sacrament" {Lac du St. Sacrement). 
 
 t Poets and others fable that the name was given in commemoration of the purity of its 
 water, yet the Jesuit is particular to state that it was in honor of the festival. See "Relations 
 des Jesuites," 1646, p. 15. It may also be noticed here that Champlain, in 1609, saw the falls 
 at the outlet of the lake, but there is nothing to indicate that he ever saw the lake itself; he 
 knew it only through the accounts of the Indians. That Jogues saw the lake prior to 1646 is 
 a mere fancy, unsupported by due evidence. 
 
 t The credit of this victory, nevertheless, belonged to Gen. Wyman, who assumed com- 
 mand early in the day, when Johnson was wounded and carried from the field. 
 
 I The following is an additional item of interest recently contributed to the history of this 
 battle: "Our Cannon (which under God it appears to me) saved us were heard down as low as 
 near Saratoga, notwithstanding the wind was in the south, & sumethmg considerable, & which 
 by the way was a great disadvantage to our troops, as the smoke was drove in our faces. The 
 wounded was brought in very fast, & it was with the utmost difficulty that their wounds could 
 be dressed fast enough, even in the most superficial manner, having in about three hours neat 
 fort^ men to be dressed, & Dr. Pvnchon, his mate & Billy (one of his students) & myself were all 
 to do it, my mate being at Fort Lyman attending upon divers sick men there. The bullets flevir 
 like hail-stones about our ears all the time of dressing, as we had not a place prepared of safety, 
 to dress in the wounded in, but through God's goodness we received no hurt any more than the 
 bark of the trees & chips flying in our faces by accidental shots, which were something frequent. 
 Our Tent was shot through in diver places, which we thought best to leave and retire a few rods 
 behind a shelter of a log house, which so loose laid as to let the balls through very often. 
 I have not time to give a list of the dead which are many, by reason I have not time to attend 
 the wounded as they ought to be." — The Campaigns against Crown Point in 1755 and 1756, 
 Correspondence of Dr. Thos. Williams. " Historical Magazine," New Series, Vol. vii, No. 
 iv, April, 1870. 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. ^ 
 
 Nevertheless, General Johnson failed to follow up his advantage, and 
 interested himself with building a fort on the bank of the lake. This 
 fort he named "Fort William Henry,"* and, at the same time, he 
 caused the name of the lake to be changed to Lake George,f in honor 
 of the reigning sovereign ot England. 
 
 Having finished the fort. General Johnson retired, leaving a small 
 garrison to hold the place. Quite a number of old powder-horns are still 
 in existence, which show, in their rude carvings (the work of soldiers 
 during idle hours), the plan and appearance of the fort, which, in the 
 official reports, is depicted with scientific accuracy. 
 
 From the inquiry into the military conduct of General Shirley, then 
 having the general command of the British forces in America, we learn 
 that, on Nov. 4, 1 755, he was at Albany, devising a winter expedition 
 against Ticonderoga and Crown Point; but nothing was done, for the 
 reason, it is averred, that the ice was too thin. (" Inquiry," p. 53). 
 
 On following year, the weak and inefficient Earl of Loudon assumed 
 the military command in North America, but nothing was eventually 
 done, and the time was filled up with inconclusive skirmishes around 
 the lake between the French and English scouts. In the same way the 
 winter was passed; yet, in the sprmg of 1757, the French became 
 more demonstrative, and, on the night of March i8th, led by Rigaud, 
 they attempted to surprise the fort, but failed. With the advent of 
 summer, however, the gallant Montcalm was afield, and, by August 3d, 
 he had invested Fort William Henry, which was surrendered by the 
 commander, Colonel Monroe, after a siege of six days, an event that 
 might have been averted but for the dastardly conduct of Webb, the 
 commander of Fort Edward. At this time occurred the well-known 
 massacre of the English, the details of which event, though sufficiently 
 shocking of themselves, have, nevertheless, been made the subject of 
 wild exaggeration by prejudiced historical writers. 
 
 When Montcalm once more retired to the North, he left Fort Wil- 
 liam Henry a heap of smoldering ruins, which were never afterwards 
 disturbed, as the site possessed no real advantages. 
 
 The French had now fully revenged the defeat of 1755, and were in 
 confident possession of Ticonderoga. Accordingly, the next summer, the 
 English moved again to dispossess them. Led by the ill-starred Aber- 
 crombie, they embarked on the lake in beautiful order, from the docks 
 near the charred remains of Fort William Henry, and, sixteen thou- 
 
 * The remains of this fort may still be seen in front of the well-known "Fort William Henry 
 Hotel," Caldwell. In the " Paris Documents,'' the French speak of this Fort as "Fort George," 
 though it never was so called by the English. See " N. Y. Coll. Doc," Vol. x, p. 596. 
 
 ■j- Cooper, in one of his novels, teaches that the Indian name of the lake was " Horicon,"— 
 Sil-very IVater — which, of course, is not the case. Parkman says : "I have seen an old Latin 
 map on which the name 'Horicini' is set down as belonging to a neighboring tribe. This 
 appears to be only a misprint for * Horoconi,' that is 'Irocor;!,' or • Iroquois.' In an old Eng- 
 lish map, prefixed to the rare work, 'A Treatise of New England,' the 'Lake of the Hierocoyes 
 is laid down.'" — "Jesuits in America," p. 219/1. I may add, that an old Dutch map puts the 
 country of the " Horikons" near Cape Cod. 
 
. NOTES ON THE 
 
 sand strong, confidently moved to assault the French. But, after the 
 display of a peerless valor before the walls of Ticonderoga, on July 7th 
 the army was forced to retreat in haste to the south end of the lake, 
 leaving behind a large number of dead and wounded. On Sunday 
 evening, July 9th, the troops landed at Fort William Henry, broken 
 and disheartened. 
 
 On his return to the head of the lake, Abercrombie began to send 
 cannon and ammunition to Albany, and, at the same time, occu- 
 pied his troops -n the construction of' intrenchments, as stated by the 
 French and other authorities; but the extent and character of these 
 works do not appear to be known.* 
 
 The following year a new English army was raised, and placed under 
 the direction of General Amherst. f This commander resolved, at all 
 hazard, to retrieve the disaster of Abercrombie. He accordingly made 
 every preparation to drive the French from Ticonderoga, and recover 
 the free use of the lakes. 
 
 It was in June 21, 1759, that Amherst reached Lake George with 
 the bulk of the army designed to operate against Ticonderoga. Mante, 
 in his account of the campaign, says : 
 
 " In the evening he encamped on the banks of Lake George, and 
 the next day, with the assistance of Colonel Montressor,| the chief en- 
 gineer, traced out the ground for the erection of a fort." (" History of 
 the War in America," p. 207.) 
 
 * August I, 1758. The French report that the English "occupy two islands on the lake, in 
 each of which they have a guard of four hundred men; that Captain Rogers is out every day 
 scouting; sometimes north, at other times, south ; that they have intrenched themselves w'.th 
 trees ; that there isn't any cannon in their intrenchments, but in the little fort." (" Coll. Doc," 
 Vol. X, p. 850.) The French commander also says that the " English were intending to amuse us 
 only by seizing the islands in Lake St. Sacrament." Where was the " little fort"? 
 
 Montcalm says, in a memoir on the situation : " The enemy will remain in force at Chou- 
 aguen until winter; in eight days they will have constructed there, as at the head of Lake St. 
 Sacrament, an intrenchment impregnable to an assault of five thousand men, of whatever 
 description. {Ibid, p. 871.) Possibly one of the places fortified at this time was Recluse Island, 
 where there are still to be seen the remains of earth-works. 
 
 f Jeffrey Amherst was of Kentish descent, born at Riverhead, England, Jan. 20, 1717. He 
 was an ensign at fourteen, and, at twenty-five, aid-de-camp to Lord Ligonier. In 1756 he com- 
 manded a regiment, and in 1758 he was appointed to service in America, with the rank of major- 
 general. He commanded at the capture of Louisburg, and afterwards succeeded Abercrombie as 
 commander in America. After the peace he returned to London. In 1763 he became Gover- 
 nor of Guernsey, and afterward took a seat in the Privy Council. Advanced to the peerage, he 
 servfd as commander-in-chief of the British forces. In 1795 he was superseded in his command 
 by the Duke of York, for which he was compensated by an earldom, and the title of field-mar- 
 shal. He died August 3, 1797, aged eighty-one years. 
 
 t "James Montresor became Director of Engineers and Lieutenant-Colonel in the British 
 Army 4th January, 1758, in which year he was at the head of the Engineer Department, in the 
 expedition against Ticonderoga, under Abercrombie. He drew the plan of Fort Stanwix and the 
 surrounding country in the summer of the same year. Ncw-Tork Documentary History^ 8vo, iv, 
 425. He was Chief Engineer also to Amherst's Expedition, and superintended the^ construction 
 of the Fort at the head of Lake George, in July, 1759. Knox's jfourna/, i, 403. He obtained 
 m 1 77 1 a grant of 10,000 acres of land at the Forks of the Pagkatagkan or Otter Creek, in the 
 present town of Panton, Vt., and in May, 1772, became Colonel in the army. He died in De- 
 cember, 1775. '^rmy Lists; New-Tori Land Pafert." (" N. Y. Coll. Doc," Vol. x, p. 911.) 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. e 
 
 The fort thus planned was Fort George, which, though never finished, 
 has always maintained a prominent place in the recollections of the 
 people, and often figured in connection with important historical events 
 from that time down to the close of the Revolution. Since that period 
 it has been the subject of neglect and decay. 
 
 The fort was laid out on the brow of a low rocky hill, and was situ- 
 ated about five or six hundred yards from the border of the lake. The 
 situation was one of no strength, being easily commanded from all the 
 neighboring heights; yet, perhaps, with the means and men at com- 
 mand, they could hardly have done much better at that time. 
 
 For the best published plan of the work, we are indebted to a woman, 
 Mary Ann Rocque, "Topographer to His Royal Highness the Duke 
 of Gloucester," who, in 1765, published at London "A Set of Plans 
 and Forts in America, reduced from Actual Surveys." Sketch fourteen 
 of this work shows the general plan of Fort George, and indicates the 
 portion actually finished, which consisted of the south-west bastion. 
 Its ruins may be seen to-day. 
 
 In this plan a temporary stockade, with two guns, is shown at the 
 north, a little more than halfway to the lake; while the quarters of the 
 officers and men, together with the magazine and storehouse, are also 
 delineated. The author of the sketch states that, at this time, there 
 was a saw-mill in the swamp or low land to the south-west of the fort. 
 On the north-east an octagonal space appears to have been devoted to 
 a kitchen-garden, while a rude stone wall extended from the stockade 
 in a curved line running north-east and south-west to the vicinity of the 
 fort. The remains of this wall, which appears to have covered the 
 front of the encampment, may still be traced for a considerable distance.* 
 The left wing of the troops appears to have rested on the lake. 
 
 In the journal of a Massachusetts soldier connected with Amherst's 
 army, the eminence upon which the fort is situated is called "Element 
 Hill," though the name does not occur elsewhere. The situation is 
 one of great beauty, and commands a fine view of the lake. 
 
 The march of Amherst to the lake is best described by Samuel 
 Warner, one of the volunteers from Wilbraham, Massachusetts. As 
 will be perceived, his sketch is very rude in its orthography, and could be 
 bettered in other respects, yet he nevertheless gives a vivid idea of the 
 fatigues endured on the day in question. Warner writes in his journal : 
 
 "Thursday 21st this Day we marcht from fort Edward with about 
 ten Regiments we struck our tents about brake of Day slong our packs 
 about Run Rise and stood yf" on a full ouer then marcht forword Nor 
 onloaded Nor Rested till we got within five miles of Lake gorge there 
 Rested about one ouer and half varey hot men allmost Beet out By 
 
 * The description is limited to the following: "A. Fort showing what was finished. I. 
 Officer's Barracks. 2. Soldier's Barracks. 3. Powder Magazine. B. Stockaded Fort erected to 
 serve while the other WIS building. Guard Room. The Kitchen. 66. Store Houses. 7. Saw 
 Mill in swamp southwest." 
 
6 NOTES ON THE 
 
 going without vittuals in the morning about 500 teems and wagins the 
 officers had no packs the general and other big officers had horsis and 
 Servens they did not consider the poore Solders Had they Had any Com- 
 pashoon upon poore Solders they wood not a dun as they Did one man 
 Dyed By Reason of such Hard traveling and Drinking of Warter this 
 was a Conectucut man and two or three more it was said they ware a 
 Dying the armey was marcht of in the moring on a sudden and had not 
 time to git any Refreshment to Carey with them But God in His provi- 
 dence has spared men's Lives & Carried them bather to we shall not 
 Dey Before our time." (" Wilbraham Centennial," p. 210.) 
 
 So scanty are the records of these movements, that it is necessary 
 to resort for information to the crude, but truthful, journals of the 
 soldiers of the day. 
 
 Under the date of July 1st and 2d, Knox says : 
 
 "Wet weather: the troops are employed in constructing a stone 
 fortress fit to contain a garrison of six hundred men ; it is of an irregular 
 form, situated on a rock, has one front to the lake, and a large tract of 
 morass surrounds the other faces of it; a casement is to be built in the 
 fort, spacious enough to receive four hundred men at least; and there 
 is a plenty of good limestone, and excellent brick and clay on the spot." 
 ("Historical Journal," Vol. I, p. 379.) At this time, he says, there 
 was also "a redoubt which covers our left flank at a distance of about 
 five hundred yards." This is probably the temporary stockade deline- 
 ated in the sketch by Mary Ann Rocque;* though, by referring to the 
 scale of this female topographer, it will appear that the distances do not 
 agree. Mary Ann Rocque's distances are evidently miscalculated, being 
 too small. 
 
 Quoting, again, from the journal of Warner, whose meaning, not- 
 withstanding the style of his composition, is tolerably clear, we read, 
 under date of Tuesday, July 3d : 
 
 "There was four Brase 18 pounders or 22 Brought in to Day Sum 
 Small pesses the 2d Recruits from Boston and harford came in to 
 Day — Capt Jacob with 30 Men went out to day to find the inemy 
 if could find any 24 more was dug up out of one hole whare we did 
 Build the fort four Iron guns 22 pounders came in and afterwards two 
 more Brase guns in the Hole making 10 22 or 24 pounder and 12 
 twelve pounders." (" Wilbraham Centennial.") 
 
 * Some distance south-east of Fort George, and on the south side of the old military road, are 
 the scarcely distinguishable remains of an earth- work, or redoubt, known as " Fort Gage." 
 The author, with the most careful inquiry, has never been able to ascertain its origin, though it 
 figured in a colonial story, published in the "Knickerbocker Magazine." It is evidently of about 
 the same age as Fort George. In 1812, there was still some portion of the woodwork remain- 
 ing, though it has now disappeared. It is quite curious, on the whole, that the residents in this 
 vicinity are able to give no clear tradition in connection with the fort, while they furnish so many 
 ttoriet on every other antiquarian topic. 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. n 
 
 The guns thus unearthed were buried by Abercrombie the previous 
 year. Perhaps that general transported fewer guns to Albany than the 
 French supposed. 
 
 While these operations were going on, the French ascended the lake 
 from Ticonderoga, took possession of the adjacent islands,* and boldly 
 attacked parties of English who were at work near the forts chopping 
 fire-wood, the Indians even scalping a number of the "Jersey Blues," 
 and flourishing their bloody trophies in sight of the English lines. f 
 July 4th, Knox writes : 
 
 " Our engineers make great progress in erecting the new fort, and 
 have got a fresh supply of bricklayers and masons." And, again : 
 
 " A number of men are employed in making brick and lime ; others 
 in works of various kinds, relating to further operations of the cam- 
 paign, particularly at the new fort, the sloop, batteaus, &c." (" His- 
 torical Journal," p. 381-2.) 
 
 Next, for information regarding the state of affairs, we turn to the 
 journal of Warner, which, unfortunately, is too brief: 
 
 " Thursday 5th. *** alarum At Night By Y^ Reson of an Indians 
 fiering on one of the Senterey and he Riturned a Shoot again and 
 wonded him by the Sine of Blood there is a fort a Reacted the North 
 end of Element Hill." 
 
 Again, we read : 
 
 *' Saturday 7th I went about the Element Hill on the North End of 
 it there is a fort of 14 squares or turns in it made with wood and Stoane 
 the Length of about 8 Roods, the wedth about Eighteen feet from out- 
 side to outside the thickness of the Wall two feet and ^ the hith about 
 five feet." 
 
 But Warner appears to refer to the temporary stockade, already men- 
 tioned on page 5, unless, indeed, by "Element Hill" he meant the 
 hill on which was situated the fort now called Fort Gage, spoken of 
 
 * " Early this morning [July 12] a detachment of grenadiers and rangers, with a few Indians, 
 in all about four hundred, commanded by Major Campbell, imbarked in batteaus, and proceeded 
 to the islands on the lake to drive tiie enemy from thence; they were convoyed by a floating- 
 battery of one gun, with a Sargeant and six artillery men; and the rangers and the Indians were 
 advanced in whale-boats. About eight, the van with the light troops were fired upon, whereby 
 a Sergeant was killed and an Indian wounded, which brought on a smart firing on both sides, 
 until the Major ordered to cease and retire, that the Proe might come into action; accordingly 
 she worked up and gave them a fire, which obliged the enemy to abandon their posts, and 
 return to their canoes; the Major then endeavored to come up with them, but found it impossible, 
 their canoes, which were made of birch bark, being lighter and easier worked than our boats, 
 &c. We fired several shots at them, but are uncertain as to any execution. After chacing for 
 some time, the Major went back to the islands, burnt and destroyed all their works and huts, 
 and returned with his detachment to the camp." (" Knox's Journal.") The reference to the 
 "Proe" is explained under date of July 7, where Knox says: "An iron eighteen pounder was 
 mounted to-day, in the stern of a new-built Proe, and was afterwards loaded and discharged for 
 trial ; she rolled considerably, which is imputed to her being too narrow for her length. 
 
 f See " N. Y. Mercury," July 9, 1759. 
 
g NOTES ON THE 
 
 in the note page 6. This, however, does not appear probable. At that 
 time, the work on Fort George went on with much rapidity. Knox 
 writes, July 20 : 
 
 *' The different forts and posts between this camp and Albany are 
 garrisoned by independent companies and provincials, all subjected to 
 the command of Colonel Montressor, who remains here for that pur- 
 pose, and to forward the new fort." (" Historical Journal," p. 396.) 
 
 We find, however, that Amherst did not wait for this fort to be 
 finished before moving to attack the French. 
 
 July 2 1st, he advanced against Ticonderoga, embarking his fine army 
 in whale-boats and batteaux, sailing in perfect quiet in four columns. 
 But as it is no part of the author's plan to write a general history of these 
 proceedmgs, it will be sufficient to observe, here, that he reached the 
 foot of the lake without meeting any opposition from the French, who 
 abandoned their outworks and retreated to Ticonderoga, upon which 
 fortress Amherst opened fire with his artillery, and, on the 27th, cap- 
 cured the place, with a total loss of thirty or forty in killed and wounded. 
 Thus easily did he accomplish that for which Abercrombie, with a great 
 sacrifice of life, fought in vain. 
 
 Amherst, nevertheless, repeated the policy pursued by Sir William 
 Johnson after the Battle of Lake George, and neglected to follow the 
 retreating French, applying himself instead to the improvement of the 
 fortifications. 
 
 In the meanwhile, the labor at Fort George went on, as it was the 
 policy of Amherst to make his line of communication with Albany per- 
 fectly safe, and accomplish his work so that it might stand securely 
 in after times. 
 
 Knox writes, at Ticonderoga, under date of July 28: 
 
 " By our last accounts from the south side of Lake George, Colonel 
 Montressor had got the new fort in a respectable posture of defense, 
 which is now called Fort George." ("Historical Journal," p. 403.) 
 
 But, with the completion of the bastion, the work finally ceased, and 
 most persons appear to have forgotten that anything more was originally 
 intended. The ultimate fall of the French power in America at last 
 made the completion quite unnecessary ; we have, therefore, little to 
 add to the sketch of this period, as, with the discontinuance of Am- 
 herst's operations on the lake, the whole region lost its importance. 
 Even as early as September 21, 1759, Lieutenant-Governor De Lancey 
 issued a proclamation announcing that the iew inhabitants who had pre- 
 viously established their abodes in the vicinity of the fort could safely 
 return to their homes. 
 
 During the time intervening between the Colonial and the Revolu- 
 tionary period, the fort appears to have attracted no attention, and was 
 allowed to decay under the hand of time. Governor Tryon said, in 
 1774, that Fort Edward was wholly abandoned, and that only "a few 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. q 
 
 men are kept at the works at the south end of Lake George to facilitate 
 the transportation to the next posts, which are Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point." ("N. Y. Doc. Hist.," Vol. i, p. 512.) The fort was practi- 
 cally abandoned in 1768. At this time, Mr. Samuel Deal had built a 
 petti-auga^ a vessel like that in which Cornelius Vanderbilt began his 
 career as a Staten Island ferryman, and designed to use it on the lake, 
 "if any freight offers worth going over." This vessel was placed in 
 charge of one John Jones, at Fort George. Mr. Deal, himself, sought 
 to establish business at Ticonderoga. As early as 1773, ^''* ^^^'>. 
 who was a merchant of New York, was interested in improvements at 
 Ticonderoga, and petitioned the government for the exclusive right to 
 establish a ferry* over the lake. With him was associated one Lieu- 
 tenant Stoughton, who was drowned in the lake near the close of 1767, 
 when his boat went to the bottom with all its valuable freight. 
 
 Already there was quite a number of settlers within a few miles of 
 the fort; and the Indians, likewise, resorted to the region to pursue 
 their occupation as hunters. Frequent scenes of violence took place, 
 as the white man questioned the Indian's rights, and^ in the conflicts 
 that ensued, the latter sometimes fell before his murderous foe."(" The 
 inhabitants were, m some instances, of a rude and lawless character, 
 while the lives of the people"* generally were more or less disturbed, at 
 this period, by the operations of reckless men on the New Hamp- 
 shire Grants, who engaged in aggravating broils, and whose leaders 
 were, at last, proclaimed felons, having a price set upon their heads. J 
 Such was the general condition of the country around Fort George 
 down to 1775, at which time, one Philip Skene, of Skenesboro', had 
 received a commission from England that was intended to give him 
 authority, not only as "Governor" of Ticonderoga and vicinity, but 
 also of Fort George. Subsequent events prevented the assumption of 
 the duties of the office, for, when the Revolution broke out, all things 
 assumed a new aspect. 
 
 * July 19, nys, Peter T. Curtenius is addressed by Jno. Burger, from Ticonderoga, who says : 
 *• I have seen the petition oi Mr. John Spardin to the Provincial Congress of New York, who' 
 lives at this landing; was placed here by his Majesty King George, for the sole purpose of car- 
 rying, and seeing carried, everything for him and others across the lake; and am sensible that 
 he did agree with Colonel Arnold to do the whole business for the pu'blic, as he has crafts and 
 carriages convenient for that purpose, for twenty shillings per day; and I do verily believe the 
 method they now have taken, will, in the main, amount to four or five pounds per day. This 
 Mr. John Spardin, to my knowledge, is a very worthy man, and is both willing and capable to 
 do the business tor us, so that we may not be in want of provision as often as we now arc; and I 
 believe him to be a hearty son of liberty." ("Jour, of N. Y. Prov. Congress," Vol. ii, p. 67.) 
 
 •)• See Beardsley's " Reminiscences," p. 16. 
 
 \ The peaceful Quakers, however, had settled at Queensbury, in the following Revolution sym- 
 pathising with the Crown. Ethan Allen, a ringleader, was priced at £150. 
 
to 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 AY TENTH, 1775, Ticonderoga was captured 
 by a party of volunteers, under the command 
 of Benedict Arnold* and Ethan Allen, f with 
 whom was associated Bernard Romans, the 
 able and celebrated engineer. Romans im- 
 proved the occasion to seize Fort George. It 
 is true that local traditions have assigned this 
 capture to others ; yet, when we examine the 
 claim, it is clear that it was instituted by those 
 •who knew nothing whatever of the state of the fort at the time. The 
 traditional account says, in substance, that on the reception of the news 
 
 * Benedict Arnold is, perhaps, one of the most thoroughly abused men of the Revolution, 
 £ven Sparks, who tried to treat him fairly, reveals a strong prejudice, and portrays him as prac- 
 tically disgraced when superseded at Ticonderoga; whereas the confidence of the authorities was 
 unimpaired, he being returned afterwards to the lake in a still higher capacity ; and when, a 
 little later, Washington devised the overland expedition against Quebec, upon the success of 
 ■which he believed the salvation of the country depended, he turned at once to Arnold as the 
 man for the work; while, down to the very hour of his treason, Arnold occupied the highest 
 place in his estimation. In connection with his Ticonderoga experience, the following letter 
 •»o Arnold may well have a place : 
 
 " CoLLONY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BaV 
 
 " fVatertoivn June I, 1775. 
 
 "Sir 
 
 "This Congress have Received yours of the 19 and a3d of May ult, a copy of 
 has been sent to N. Hampshire & Capt. Brown & Capt. Phelps they highly approve of and take 
 great satisfaction in the acquisitions you have made at Ticonderoga Crown Point on The Lake 
 •&C ; as to the State you are in respecting your Provision &c we have advices from Connecticut 
 and New York that ample preparation is making with the Greatest Dispatch in those two col- 
 Jonies from whence you may Depend on being seasonably supplied — they are Sorry to meet with 
 ^Repeated Requests from you that some Gentleman be sent to succeed you in command; they 
 assure you that they place The Greatest Confidence in your Fidelity Knowledge Courage and Good 
 'Conduct and they Desire that you at present Dismiss the Thought of Quiting Your Important Com- 
 mand at Ti'jonderoga Crown Point Lake Champlain &c and you are hereby requested to continue 
 your command over the forces raised by this colony Posted at those several Places at least untill 
 the Collony of New York or Connecticut shall take on them the maintaining & commanding 
 thi; same agreeable to an order of the Continental Congress." (MSS. in Mass. Archives.) 
 
 •|- The following unpublished letter, addressed to the Connecticut committee, suggests the origin 
 of the disorder that prevailed immediately after the capture of the post: 
 
 "Sir Whereas the Fortress of Ticonderoga has fallen into the Hands of the Colonies 
 together with the Ordnance Stores &c and whereas Capt, William Delaplace has in the fort 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 II 
 
 of the Battle of Lexington, one Daniel Parks, of Sandy Hill, raised a 
 band of volunteers, and afterwards marched to Fort George, which, 
 together with " Fort Gage," was garrisoned by two companies of artil- 
 lery. On his arrival at the fort, he drove the garrison down the lake to 
 Diamond Island, where they intrenched. The commander, it appears, 
 was captured, and, on surrendering his sword, is represented as telling 
 Parks that his neck would "stretch" for this "thing." 
 
 The story, in former days, edified the villagers of Sandy Hill and 
 vicinity, and, latterly, has crept into print, being embodied in patriot 
 historical sketches and sermons ; but it is, nevertheless, destitute of a 
 real foundation, as we have already seen that the fort was without a 
 garrison at the time. The facts in connection with the transfer of Fort 
 George to the American authorities are narrated in the following peti- 
 tion of John Nordberg, now preserved in the " N. Y. Miscellaneous 
 Papers," Vol. xxxi, p. 15 : 
 
 "The most respectable Gentlemen, 
 
 "Provincial Congress in New York. 
 
 " I beg leave to represent to the most respectable Congress this cir- 
 cumstance. 
 
 "I am a native of Sweden, and have been persecuted for that, I have 
 been against the French faction there. 
 
 "I have been in His Britanick Magesty's Service sinse January 1758. 
 
 "I have been twice shot through my body here last war in America, 
 & I am now 65 years old — reduced of age, wounds & and gravels, 
 which may be seen by Doctor Jones's certificate. 
 
 " 1773. ^ g*^*^ permission in Jamaica to go to London where I petition 
 to be an Invalid officer, but as a foreigner I could not enjoy a commis- 
 sion in England, or Ereland His Magisty was graciously pleased to give 
 me the allowance for Fort George 7 shilling sterling per day, with liberty 
 to live where I please in America, because the fort has been abandoned 
 this 8 year and only 2 men remain there for to assist any express going 
 between New York and Canada. I arrived here in New York last year 
 in September with intention to live in New York: as I heard nothing 
 els than disharmony amongst Gentlemen which was not agreeable to my 
 age. I resolved to go to Fort George and livj there in a little Cottage 
 as a Hermit, where I was very happy for 6 months. 
 
 "The 12 of May last Mr. Romans* came & took possession of Fort 
 
 Ninety Gallons of Rum of his own property which is greatly wanted for the Refreshment of the 
 Fatigued Soldiery — This is therefore to desire the Treasurer of the Colony of Connecticut to Pay 
 him the Sd Wm De la Place Eighteen Pounds Eleven Shillings & Nine pence Lawfull money, 
 as the Rum is appropriated for the use of the Garrison — Your Compliance will oblige the Garri- 
 son 
 
 " and your Humble Servant 
 
 "Ethan Allen Commandt of Ticond." 
 
 (Conn. Rev. MSS.) 
 * "Bernard Romans was born in Holland; but, in early life removed to England, where he 
 itudied the profession of an engineer, and was employed by the British Government in America 
 
12 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 George, Mr. Romans behaved very genteel and civil to me. I told that 
 I did not belong to the army and may be considered as a half pay officer 
 invalid, and convinced him that I was pleagd with Gravell, Mr. Ro- 
 mans give me his passport to go to New Lebanon for to recover my 
 health, & he told me that in regard to my age, I may go where I please. 
 
 *' As I can't sell any bill for my subsistance, & I can't live upon wind 
 and weather, I therefore beg and implore the most respectable Congress 
 permission to go to England, and I intend to go to my native country, 
 I could have gone away secret so well as some others have done, but I 
 will not upon any account do such a thing — I hope the most respectable 
 will not do partially to refuse me, because major Etherington, Captain 
 Brown, Captain Kelly which is in the army have been permitted to go 
 to England, and it may happen they return here again on actual Service, 
 which old age & infirmities render me incapable of. 
 
 ••'As it is the custom among the Christian nations and the Turks, 
 that they give subsistance to every Prisoner according to their Rank 
 should the most respectable Congress, have any claim upon me to be a 
 prisoner here, I hope they will give me my subsistence from th 12 of 
 May last, according to My Rank as Captain I implore the favor of the 
 most respectable Congress answer. I have the honour to remain with 
 great respect, 
 
 "Gentlemen 
 
 "Your most obed* humble Servant 
 
 "John Nordberg. 
 
 "New York, decembr 1775." 
 
 It appears that Romans, finding it impossible to manage the leaders 
 at Ticonderoga [See "Conn. Hist. Coll.," Vol. I, p. 169), improved 
 the opportunity to perform a separate service. How he conducted* ihe 
 
 sometime before the Revolution. Subsequently he was employed as a botanist by the same gov- 
 ernment ; and, while in New York, engjged in the publication of a natural history of Florida, 
 he was offered a position as military engineer by the New York Committee of Safety. In the 
 capacity, he submitted to Congress, on the i8th of September, 1775, plans for fortifications to be 
 erected in the Highlands, opposite West Point. Colonel Romans remained in service (Cap- 
 tain Pennsylvania Artillery, Feb. 8, 1776) until near the close of the war, when he was captured 
 at sea by the British, en route from New Haven or New London to Charleston, S. C. He is 
 reported to have died about 1783." (Boynton's " West Point," p. zin.) 
 
 * The following accounts from unpublished M3S. may be of interest here : 
 
 "Stillwater 6tA Clock p.m 1775 
 
 "Sir I have sent three barrels of Pork to Pawlet & one to Fort George with two barrels 
 of FlowT that that I Bought of Esqr. Palmer who has sent his son with a waggon to Carry 
 the same — There is due to Esqr. Palmer for the flower & grain for the horses, Four Pounds 
 two shillings, which sum Please to Pay him & take his Recr. for the same, I shall get the 
 Wagon forward as fast as Possible. Esqr. Palmer can inform how we have proceeded. I am Sir 
 yours — 
 
 " Jno. Stevens 
 "To Capr. B. Romans.—'* 
 
 "Reed from Barnard Romans Three Pounds Sixteen Shillings L. money of Connet^ for 
 Traveling expence — rtcd. P — Jno. Stevens — 
 *' May 5. 1775. — " 
 
 "Reed. Stonacbice ^th May 1775. of Benjn. French two pounds sixteen shillings on acco/ 
 of Barnard Romans — \tcd. P me — 
 £2. 16 o "Jno. Stevens." 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. I^ 
 
 affair, is shown by Nordberg's petition ; but as he failed to give any 
 public account of the transaction, whatever credit his act may have 
 deserved was appropriated by others for the benefit of Daniel Parks, the 
 inscription upon whose gravestone, however, represents no more than 
 that he was the man who "took the key" at *'Lake George."* 
 
 The only printed reference to this subject that appeared, beyond what 
 is contained in the American Archives, before the writer gave his atten- 
 tion to the subject, is contained in a letter by Governor Tryon to the 
 Earl of Dartmouth, dated Aug. 7, 1775, in which he alludes to 
 " Capt" Nordbergh who was taken prisoner at Lake George the 12^^ of 
 April last." ("Coll. Doc," Vol. viii, p. 597.) The date is too 
 early by one month. 
 
 The accounts of Bernard Romansf with the Colony of Connecticut 
 show something of his movements at this time. One item runs "To 
 Expend on road at mead"' runbridge & Fort George: 16 men. £1. 10." 
 
 That Daniel Parks may have been one of the sixteen men employed 
 in various ways by Mr. Romans, at a cost of "Xi. 10," is not unlikely, 
 though this is a mere conjecture, destitute of proof. Nevertheless, the 
 winter-evening gossip of the region made Parks something of a hero, 
 averring that he was commander of the fort after the "capture." A 
 nephew of Parks, some years since, also stated that, " while his Uncle 
 Daniel Parks commanded at Fort George, a party of Tories and Indians 
 
 "Fort George i6tA May 1775. Rec^. of Bernard Romans Esqr. the Sum of £4. 2. — for the 
 use of the Colony of Massachusetts — Peter Caswell. — " 
 
 " Rec(^. Stonacbicie 5M May 1775 — of Mr. Bernard Romans Sixteen Founds N York Cur- 
 rency in full for 4 bb/i of Pork — 
 £16. o: o — £n. — Lm. y. P. me Benjn. French." 
 
 " Recif. at Bennington this 3^/ May 1735 of Bernard Romans the sum of Sixty Pounds Law 
 full money of Connect/, for the use of the Colony. 
 
 " Elisha Phelps." 
 
 "Col. of Conn To Josiah Stoddard D 
 
 "To my Expences at Fort George while Comisary of Stores 11 days £11. 6 
 
 " To horse traveling once to Skensboro :, once to Fort George c 
 
 "300 Miles from Salisbury — p 31/." ( 3- S'~" 
 
 ("Conn. Rev. Papers," Vol. iii, pp. 28-35.) 
 
 * The following is the inscription chiselled upon a white marble tablet: 
 
 " In memory of 
 DANIEL PARKS 
 
 Who departed this life 
 
 March the 3 1818, aged 
 
 78, one of the veterans of the 
 
 Revolutionary war. he was 
 
 the man who took the key 
 
 from the brittish officer at 
 
 Lake George in 1775." 
 
 "The little rural (and family) burying ground containing this grave," says a correspondent, 
 who sends the above, "is in the town of Moreau, Saratoga County, on the south bank of the 
 Hudson (from the Big-Falls to Sandy-Hill, the course ot the Hudson is eastward), and about one 
 mile from Baker's Falls, the starting point of the base lines of the great Kayaderosseras Patent." 
 
 f Published, in full, from the original MS., by the author, in "Lake George: its Scenes and 
 Characteristics." Appendix i. 
 
,. NOTES ON THE 
 
 killed, at South Glens Falls, his brother Ephraim Parks and their Fathei 
 Elijah Parks ; & captured his other son Elijah Parks, Jun., & carried 
 him to Canada. (Lewis Brown, a brother-in-law of Ephraim Parks 
 having escaped by the way.) This happened during the autumn of 
 1775. The Tories & Indians were pursued by Ferguson, a refugee 
 from the Great Bend above Glen's Falls, & commanded by . one 
 Richardson, who wished to obtained the title deeds which Elijah 
 Parks had received from John Glen. The principal purpose, however, 
 was to avenge the Capture of Fort George^ for which Daniel Parks had 
 frequently been threatened. He, however, escaped, although laid-in- 
 wait-for by the Richardson party, which (after the Glen's Fall massacre) 
 returned via Schroon Lake to Montreal."* 
 
 A good-sized volume might be filled with similar narrations, con- 
 nected with this and kindred subjects of the time ; yet, it will be found, 
 by a careful examination, that the accounts have no consistency and little 
 foundation, the truth of the matter being like Gratiano's reasons, which 
 were "as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chafF." About all 
 that is clear is the fact that broils were constantly taking place at this 
 period all through the lake region, families and neighborhoods being 
 divided on the great question of the day. The Parks family appear to 
 have suffered in body and estate, but not, however, on account of the 
 services of Daniel Parks in the *' capture" of Fort George. It is 
 clear that he was never engaged in the military service at all; while the 
 assertion that his progenitor was an officer in the Royal Army is put to 
 flight by an examination of the British Army Lists, which do not contain 
 the name. We must, therefore, dismiss Daniel Parks from connection 
 with the command of this post, and leave undigested and indigestible 
 tales like these to take care of themselves; while we note what cer- 
 tainly occurred after the dismantled fort was taken possession of by 
 Bernard Romans. 
 
 The first thing done after Captain Nordberg was dispossessed on .May 
 12, was to prepare for the removal of the cannon from Ticonderoga. 
 We learn this from the letter of Benedict Arnold to the Massachusetts 
 Committee of Safety, where he says : 
 
 " I am, with the assistance of Mr. Bernard Romans, making prepar- 
 ations at Fort George for transporting to Albany those cannon that will 
 be serviceable to our Army at Cambridge." In a postscript, he adds : 
 ** Since writing the above Mr. Romans concludes going to Albany, to 
 forward carriages for the cannon, &c, and provisions, which will soon 
 be wanted, i beg leave to observe that he has been of great service 
 here, & 1 think him a very spirited judicious gentleman, who has the 
 service of the country much at heart, and hope he will meet proper 
 encouragement. "t (" Amer, Archives," Ser. iv. Vol. 11, p. 585.) 
 
 * MS. letter of an old citizen of that locality. 
 
 •j- Another account furnished by this enterprising individual, though not immediately con- 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 \s 
 
 May 23d, he says : " I have sent expresses to Fort George & Skenes- 
 borough to rally the country." (Ibid., p. 694,) This was done with 
 reference to an anticipated attack by the British. 
 
 Thus, in accordance with a sound policy, they proceeded to reap the 
 fruits of their venturesome undertaking at Ticonderoga. 
 
 That one of the main ideas had in view in the capture of Ticon- 
 deroga, was the possession of the cannon and stores for revolutionary 
 purposes, is perfectly clear, notwithstanding the subsequent shuffling of 
 the Continental Congress. Arnold and Romans were therefore right in 
 providing for the safety of the cannon ; and yet, in a few days, when 
 their eyes were opened to the possibility of the recapture of Ticon- 
 deroga by the British, they began to feel less haste than formerly about 
 removing the war material. The Continental Congress, in session at 
 Philadelphia, had, nevertheless, in the meanwhile, taken action, and 
 ordered the captured property to be removed at once to Fort George. 
 Its action was somewhat curious, and shows that the members still saw 
 hope of a peaceable agreement with the mother country, and were 
 willing to return the cannon on the conclusion of a peace. The 
 Resolution of Congress, passed May i8th, runs as follows: 
 
 '^Resolved, Whereas there is indubitable evidence, that a design is 
 formed by the British ministry, of making a cruel invasion from the 
 province of Quebec, upon these colonies, for the purpose of destroying 
 our lives and our liberties, and some steps have actually been taken to 
 carry the said design into execution; and, whereas, several inhabitants 
 of the northern colonies, residing in the vicinity of Ticonderoga, and 
 immediately exposed to incursions, impelled by a just regard for the 
 defence and preservation of themselves and their countrymen from such 
 imminent dangers and calamities, have taken possession of that post, in 
 
 nected with our subject, may properly be introduced here. It is from the MSS. in Connecticut 
 State Library ("Revolutionary War," Vol. in, p. 25). 
 
 "Acer, of monies advanced by Bernard Romans in Expedition against Ticonderoga as 
 '775 f*"" ^^'^(- '^''Pt Hirr Wto. Nichols Clerk of the Committee. — 
 
 May 1st Expences at Doctr. Wheelers 34J I i for a Gun dd Mr Mott 
 
 do. at Dewey's is 4 — do. Smiths u 2 — do. at Stockbridge 91 8 
 do at Pearls U 4 Expj. from Hartford to Salisbury 431 
 
 Cash pd. Isaac Peck's Exps. from Pittsfield 
 Expeni. at Jewits u 4 — Provisions Phelps & Heacocks 151 
 for Provisions at Bennington 275 8 — do. & Shoes 231 6 
 for Cloth for Knapsack 51 4 — horse shoeing zs 
 
 for keep^. Haliey's horse 4s 6. Halsey & Stevens Exp*, at Albany 42s 1 
 for shoeing horse 2S 5 — Cloth for Knapsacks 141 
 Paid Edward Mott 351 3d — do. Nichols 6s 6 — do. Bull 9* 4 
 Sundries of Heman Allen 
 for Cloth for Knapsack 51 4. Exp*, at Jericho 30* 
 
 **The above is a True Copy of the Acco/. as kept Per 
 
 " Wm Nichols Clerk Comtec." 
 
 £4. 
 
 4- 
 
 II 
 
 
 12. 
 
 2 
 
 2. 
 
 4- 
 2. 
 
 4 
 8 
 
 
 16. 
 
 4 
 
 2. 
 
 II. 
 
 2 
 
 2. 
 
 7- 
 
 6. 
 
 i6. 
 
 4 
 7 
 S 
 
 2. 
 
 II. 
 
 I 
 
 I. 
 
 0. 
 
 — 
 
 I. 
 
 '5- 
 
 4 
 
 £19. 
 
 8. 
 
 4 
 
l6 NOTES ON THE 
 
 which was lodged a quantity of cannon and military stores, that would 
 certainly have been used in the intended invasion of these Colonies: 
 this Congress earnestly recommend it to the committees of the cities 
 and counties of New-York and Albany, immediately to cause the said 
 cannon and stores to be removed from Ticonderoga to the south end of 
 lake George; and, if necessary, to apply to the colonies of New-Hamp- 
 shire, Massachusetts-Bay, and Connecticut, for such an additional body 
 of forces as will be sufficient to establish a strong post at that place, and 
 effectually to secure said cannon and stores, or so many of them as it 
 may be judged proper to keep there. And that an exact inventory be 
 taken of all such cannon and stores, in order that they may be safely 
 returned, when the restoration of the former harmony between Great- 
 Britain and these colonies, so ardently wished for by the latter, shall 
 render it prudent, and consistent wi:h the over-ruling law of self-preser- 
 vation." ("Journal of Congress," Vol. i, p. 71.) 
 
 Thus feeble and apologetic was the language, of that Congress in 
 whose name Ethan Allen pretends to have demanded the surrender of 
 the fort. 
 
 But, as already observed, a feeling of alarm arose, and the various 
 authorities of Massachusetts and New-Hampshire remonstrated. Yet, 
 on May 29, Jonathan Trumbull wrote to his brother: "I am glad to 
 find by our letters from New York, that their Congress do not construe 
 the resolution of the Grand Congress to intend an evacuation of Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point, but only a removel of such stores, &c, as 
 necessary, to Fort George." (" Amer. Archives," Ser. iv. Vol. 11, p. 
 733.) In the meanwhile, also, on the representations of Arnold, the 
 Congress voted to let such cannon remain at Ticonderoga as might be 
 temporarily needed. But, eventually, the alarm subsided, and the British, 
 instead of becoming the aggressors, as was anticipated, yielded the 
 ground far and near, having no sufficient force with which to meet the 
 Americans. 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 >7 
 
 g^^ 
 
 ^^^^^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 HERE BEING NOW no immediate prospect of an 
 attempt to recapture Ticonderoga, Arnold wrote to 
 the Continental Congress from Crown Point, as fol- 
 lows, under date of May 29 : " I have sent to Lake 
 George one brass twelve pounder, six large brass & 
 iron mortars and howitzers, & am making all possi- 
 ble preparation for transporting all the cannon here, 
 and as many as can be spared at Ticonderoga, to Fort George." 
 (" Amer. Archives," Ser. iv, Vol. 11, p. 734.) 
 
 Still we find that, on June lOth, Ethan Allen is "much surprised 
 that your Honours should recommend to us to remove the artillery to 
 the South End of Lake George, & there make a stand ; the conse- 
 quence of which must ruin the frontier settlements." He wanted the 
 "northerly part of Lake Champlain as a frontier, instead of the south 
 promontory of Lake George." {Ibid, p. 734.) 
 
 The Massachusetts Provincial Congress also wrote to the Governor 
 of Connecticut, arguing against making "William Henry," meaning 
 Fort George, the base of military operations, showing that, if Ticon- 
 deroga were given up, the whole country would be open to the enemy. 
 {Ibid, p. 736.) But New York had interpreted the meaning of the 
 Continental Congress aright, and all these protests were, on the whole, 
 quite needless. 
 
 While Ticonderoga was still retained, the common cause benefited 
 from the capture, and soon a portion of the artillery found its way to 
 the camp of Washington, at Cambridge. 
 
 To transport the artillery, flat-boats were built. The following 
 appears among the memoranda of Arnold : 
 
 " To be built on Lake George , 2 flat-bottomed boats, forty feet 
 
 long, twelvcwide, and four deep, with strong knees, well-timbered, & 
 
J 8 . NOTES ON THE 
 
 of four inch oak plank — these may be built at Spardens,* where there is 
 timber & a saw-mill handy. * * There will be wanted at Fort George 
 ten good teams or four yoke of oxen each." It, is added, that Colonel 
 Webb may inform himself about procuring them in the neighborhood. 
 
 A letter, written by Barnabas Deane, at Albany, about three weeks 
 after the capture of Fort George, shows the condition of things at the 
 fort and in the neighborhood, and, at the same time, testifies to the 
 superior public spirit of the New Englanders; we hear nothing, how- 
 ever, of Daniel Parks. Deane says : 
 
 ''There are now about 150 men at Crownpoint, 18 men at Ticon- 
 deroga, and 25 men at Fort George j which is not one quarter of what 
 is actually necessary for holding those important posts until the cannon 
 &c. can be removed. Everything is in the utmost decay at Ticon- 
 deroga and Crownpoint. It struck me with horror, to see such grand 
 fortifications in ruins. Crownpoint is one heap of i-ubbish, and the 
 wood-work of Ticonderoga not much better. Fort George is a small 
 stone fort, and secure against small arms, but not bear cannonading. 
 
 " You no doubt have had an exact ace* of the ordnance taken at 
 Crownpoint and Ticonderoga. There are four iron mortars and three 
 brass howitzers sent down to Fort George, which came in the boat that 
 I crossed Lake George in. I met 70 men on their march to Crown- 
 
 * " Memorial of John Sparding to New York Congress. 
 
 " To the Honourable the President and Members of the Provincial Congress now assem- 
 bled at New York : 
 " The Memorial of John Sparding, living at Ticonderoga Landing, the north end of Lake 
 George, June I, 1775, humbly sheweth : 
 
 " That your memorialist has, for upwards of six years past, been at a great expense in providing 
 boats and carriages for the ease and convenience of persons travelling this way with their baggage 
 and effects, over the lake, and carrying, at an easy rate; likewise providing batteaus on Lake 
 Champlain, for the conveniency of gentlemen and others travelling to Canada. The unhappy 
 differences now subsisting between the Colonies and the Mother Country, have put a stop to any 
 business your memorialist was formerly engaged in. Your memorialist has, ever since the tenth 
 day of May, (the day on which the fort at Ticonderoga was taken,) assisted with boats, men, 
 &c., in transporting the troops, with their baggage and provisions, over Lake George and the 
 carrying place, upon no other security than a verbal agreement with Colonel Arnold, for twenty 
 shillings, currency, per day, for a perryaugre capable of crossing the lake with seventy men, 
 besides a quantity of provision, and a batteau for carrying expresses; and when there was not a 
 sufficient loading for the perryaugre, to have the privilege of conveying such private property as 
 might offer, of which your memorialist is at present deprived ; your memorialist have like- 
 wise carted the greatest part of the baggage and provisions over the carrying place, the whole 
 amount of which, to this day, is near seventeen Pounds. And as the gentlemen appointed here 
 have this day intimated to your memorialist that his teams are not to be any more employed, 
 they having brought teams over the lake for said service ; your memorialist, therefore, trusting 
 in the known justice and humanity of the gentlemen in New- York, who scorn to let any indi- 
 vidual suffer, which must inevitably be the case of your memorialist, unless your goodnes prevents 
 it, by confirming the agreement made by Colonel Arnold : your memorialist therefore humbly 
 hopes, as he has done his utmost endeavour for the good of the common cause, and is disabled 
 at present from providing for his family, you will take the same into consideration. And your 
 memorialist will ever pray. 
 
 "J. Sparding." 
 
 ("American Archives," Fourth Series, Vol. n, pp. 873-4.) 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. ig 
 
 point to reinforce that place, and believe there will be 500 men there in 
 ten days' time. 
 
 "The people of this county have sent a considerable quantity of 
 provision up, and are now sending off men; but they don't act with 
 that spirit and life that the N. England men have on such occasions. 
 Wherever we find a number of them settled down, we find men who 
 are ready and willing to go immediately in defence of their country, 
 which is not the case with people here in general, altho' they seem well 
 disposed in the Common Cause. 
 
 "I met the Express with the Resolutions of the Congress to remove 
 all the artillery to the south end of Lake George, which gives the 
 greatest anxiety to the inhabitants back, as it leaves the whole of them 
 exposed to the inroads of the Canadians and Indians if they should take 
 up against us, as Fort George is no barrier against them ; hut if we hold 
 Ticonderoga, which is the key of the whole communication between 
 Canada and the English settlements, it will effectually secure the whole 
 of our frontiers and keep us masters of the Lake. I am really in hopes 
 the matter will be reconsidered in Congress, and that Ticonderoga may 
 be held, as it is a place of the last importance in this critical juncture. 
 There will be a sufficiency of artillery for the fort at Ticonderoga when 
 we have removed 100 pieces to Fort George. This will be handed 
 you by an Express, who carries the opinion of this city and county to 
 the Congress, on this important affair. 
 
 "I expect to leave this place in a day or two for home, as I can be 
 of no further service here at present. I never have had so fatigueing a 
 journey in my life as this has been. The intolerable heat in crossing 
 the Lakes in open boats, and being out all night exposed to the cold 
 fogs that arise from stagnated waters, gave me a violent cold, which 
 bro't on a fever for two or three days, but is now in some degree mod- 
 erated. I can say nothing new to you from home, as you have likely 
 heard from there since I have." (Correspondence of Silas Deane, 1775. 
 "Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll.," pp. 248-9.) 
 
 But, in the meanwhile, who was in command at Fort George? This 
 place, not having been otherwise provided for, was controlled from 
 Ticonderoga. There is no trace whatever of the interference of Ethan 
 Allen, but Benedict Arnold boldly asserted his authority, and made 
 himself felt. Fort George was, at this time, a mere dependency of 
 Ticonderoga. The name of the petty officer in charge at the "Land- 
 ing" does not appear. Soon, however. Colonel Hinman, of Con- 
 necticut, superseded Arnold,* when the former sent the Connecticut 
 
 * For a short time after the capture of Ticonderoga, Ethan Allen was able to hold his sway, 
 notwithstanding the fact that, as Arnold tells us, in one place, they had, before the capture, 
 agreed "to issue further orders jointly," and, in another, that they had agreed upon a "joint 
 command of the troops." (Letters of May ii and 29, 1775, in "Archives.") But Allen was 
 soon weariea out by the pertinacity of his rival, who was left to sign himself as the " Com- 
 manaer," without let or hinderance, until superseded by Colonel Hinman. July 31, Schuyler 
 
20 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 engineer to examine Fort George. Hinman writes from Ticonderoga, 
 July 3, to the New York Provincial Congress, that Col. Mott had sur- 
 veyed Fort George, and found it indefensible against artillery. He was 
 of the opinion that "a sufficient number of troops should be stationed at 
 Fort George, with a constant scouting party, in order to prevent any 
 sudden attack of the enemy, & to keep up a safe communication with 
 Albany." ("Cor. N. Y. Prov. Congress," Vol. 11, p. 28.) He was 
 also desirous of having a force repair the roads and bridges between 
 Half Moon and Fort George. 
 
 In this month, we come to something more tangible. On the 24th 
 of July, Col. Van Schaick made a return of his men, and testified that 
 five companies were there "on actual service at Lake George & the 
 posts adjacent." [Ibid^ p. 68.) Van Schaick himself was at Albany, 
 one of his captains being at Fort George. 
 
 During the summer of 1775, the northern military operations were 
 conducted chiefly within the enemy's lines, and the work of the gar- 
 rison was confined to the forwarding of reinforcements* and supplies. 
 There was an abundance of hard work, in which they were cheered by 
 the news from the North, where at one time the Americans were likely 
 to meet with permanent success. There were, indeed, rumors of flank 
 movements on the part of the British, while a lawless band from Ver- 
 mont, June 5th, improved the disturbed condition of public affairs to 
 descend from the region of the Green Mountains to break up the court 
 sitting at Fort Edward, with the intention of "abolishing the law." 
 But, fortunately. Captain Mott was at that time marching from Con- 
 necticut with reinforcements for Ticonderoga, and, being notified of 
 the intentions of these roving ruffians, who were mostly " poor debtors," 
 with nothing to lose by a reign of anarchy, he marched to the relief 
 of the court, and drove the desperadoes back to their native fastnesses 
 among the hills, where men of their stamp had long been accustomed to 
 
 writes, from Ticonderoga, that ''a controversy has arisen between Alien & Warner; the 
 former, you will perceive is left out altogether by the Green-Mountain Boys." ("Cor. N. York 
 Prov. Congress," p. 43.) 
 
 * "Order to Mr. Dally, (i77S) 
 
 "You are Desirea By the General Committee of the Association for the City & 
 County of New York To Proceea With all Convenient Speed with the Carpenters here named 
 
 Daniel Lawrence Barnet Christopher 
 
 James Sharp Isaac Dodge 
 
 Thomas Hunt Jno. German 
 
 To Albany and there Apply to tne Committee for what Assistance you may want In Forwarding 
 you to Lake George Where you are to build scows and what other Crafts may there Be Wanting 
 and when you have Completed all that is to be Built or Repared there, you are to return directly 
 to New York and you are to have the Following Stipulated Wages from the Day you Sett of To 
 the Day you Return to New York Except you are detained By your own Neglect By the Way 
 John Daly foreman 12s per Day and found Every Thing Except Liquor — all the rest of the 
 above Named Carpenters to have nine Shilling & Sixpence per Day & Everything found Except 
 Liquor." (" N. Y. Misc. Papers," pp. 34, 93.) 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 21 
 
 scenes of lawlessness and disorder. With this efFort, the operations 
 of these lawless men, so far as this region was concerned, but elsewhere, 
 led on by designing men, they created great dissensions.* See (" Corr. 
 Prov. Congress," Vol. ii.) 
 
 Finally, the summer wore away, and winter settled down up the lake, 
 covering St. Sacrament with a bridge of ice hardly adapted to advance 
 the military operations. 
 
 But when the season of activity opened again, the scene on the 
 lake became more animated than before, and the slow-moving barge 
 was, in a measure, superseded by the light batteaux, which everywhere 
 ploughed the lake, impelled by hurrying oars. Accordingly, Fort George 
 assumed all of its earlier importance, and became a locality of deep in- 
 terest to both soldier and civilian. 
 
 But, to make the situation clear, it must be stated, in brief, that during 
 the previous year, 1775, the campaign in Canada had been conducted 
 by Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, the army, as we have seen, 
 being supplied by transports on Lake George. Early in that year, 
 Schuyler had been forced from the field by disease, leaving his coadjutor 
 to capture Fort St. John and Montreal. At Quebec the brave Mont- 
 gomery fell in the assault, and his defeated troops wintered at Sillery ; in 
 the spring, receiving General Wooster as their commander. 
 
 But the second attempt upon Quebec also failed, and, for the lack of 
 reinforcements, the Americans were under the necessity of retreating 
 from Canada. The command of this army was now given to General 
 Thomas, and was included in the department commanded by Schuyler. 
 General Thomas, though an efficient officer, strove in vain to stay the 
 tide of defeat. April 17, 1776, he left Fort George, and, the next day, 
 five hundred troops followed him down the lake; while, two days later, 
 it was estimated that fifteen hundred were already on the way, and 
 expecting to make a "respectable figure before Quebec." But they all 
 failed to realize their wishes, while General Thomas died of the small- 
 pox, which erelong decimated the army, and inspired deep dismay. 
 
 At this period, some distinguished visitors reached Fort George. 
 These were Benjamin Franklin and his associates. Chase and Carroll, 
 who had been appointed by Congress, as commissioners, to visit and 
 treat with the Canadian authorities. They were also accompanied by 
 the brother of Commissioner Carroll, a clergyman who afterwards 
 became the Roman Catholic Bishop of Baltimore. 
 
 The party ascended the Hudson by sloop and batteau, and crossed 
 
 * The leaders in Vermont who had previously encouraged and led the way in the disturbances 
 of the times, discountenanced this act; but some of them relapsed into their old ways. Among 
 these was Ethan Allen, the leader of the "Bennington mob" of 1774. May 25, 1779, he fell 
 upon the peaceable inhabitants of Brattleboro', calling out the appeal of Samuel Minott to Gov. 
 Clinton, wherein, he says, " Our situation is truly critical and distressing, we therefore most 
 humbly beseech your Excellency to take the most speedy & effectual Measures for our Relief; 
 otherwise our Persons and Property must be at the disposal of Ethan Allin, which is more to be 
 dreaded than death with all its terrors." (" N. Y. Doc. Hist.," Vol. iv, p, 581.) 
 
22 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 from the Falls of the Hudson to the lake by land. Though charged 
 with a grave mission, all were fully alive to the romantic interest of 
 the region through which they had passed; but they arrived at Lake St. 
 Sacrament too early in the season to enjoy its rare scenery. The ice on 
 the lake had just broken up, and the hills were verdureless and gray. 
 Speaking of the approach to the lake, Carroll says, in the journal : 
 
 " iSth. We set off for Wing's tavern about twelve o'clock this day, 
 and reached Fort George about two o'clock; the distance is about eight 
 miles and a half; — you cannot discover the lake until you come to the 
 heights surrounding it, — the descent from which to the lake is nearly a 
 mile; — from these heights you have a beautiful view of the lake for 
 fifteen miles down it. Its greatest breadth during these fifteen miles 
 does not exceed a mile and a quarter, to judge by the eye, which, how- 
 ever, is a very fallacious way of estimating distances. Several rocky 
 islands appear in the lake, covered with a species of cedar here called 
 hemlock." (Carroll's "Journal," p. 49.) 
 
 The philosopher, Franklin,* and his party embarked in a flat-bot- 
 tomed boat, thirty-six feet long, propelled in part by *'a square sail or 
 blanket," and proceeded down the lake. Before starting, however, 
 they took a general view of the situation, and examined Fort George, 
 concerning which, Mr. Charles Carroll wrote in the journal, as follows: 
 
 "Fort George is in as ruinous a condition as Fort Edward, it is a 
 small bastion, faced with stone, and built on an eminence commanding 
 the head of the lake. — There are some barracks in it, in which the 
 troops were quartered, or rather one barrack, which occupied almost the 
 whole space between the walls. At a little distance from this fort," 
 the writer adds, "and to the westward of it, is the spot where Baron 
 Dieskau was defeated by Sir William Johnson. About a quarter of a 
 mile to the westward the small remains of Fort William Henry are to 
 be seen across a little rivulet which forms a swamp." (/^/c/, p. 49.) 
 
 May 2ist, General Schuyler had established his head-quarters at Fort 
 George, where he was visited by Mr. Graydon, who came to bring 
 money for the troops. Speaking of the road from Fort Edward to Fort 
 George, Graydon says : 
 
 "It was almost an entire wooa, acquiring a deeper gloom, as well as 
 from the general prevalence of pines, as from its dark extended covert, 
 being presented to the imagination as an appropriate scene for the trea- 
 sons, stratagems and spoils of savage hostility. "f (" Memoirs," p. 
 
 * General Schuyler says, at this time, in one of his letters: "A vile ague seized me some 
 days ago, but Doctor Franklin and the other gentlemen administered such a number of doses of 
 Peru-vie. bark, that it has left me, and I hope that 1 shall last at least this campaign." (" Am. 
 Archives," Ser. iv. Vol. v, p. 1098.) 
 
 •}• While on these subjects, we may also call attention to " Blind Rock," a place where the 
 Indians are said to have tortured their prisoners, put out their eyes, and indulged in other charac- 
 teristic pastimes. The locality is pointed out in a letter addressed to the author, by the Rev. A, 
 S. Fennel, of Glen's Falls. He writes : 
 
 " * Blind Rock,' one of the boulders which are numerous in this region, lies about half way 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 23 
 
 142.) Again, speaking of Bloody Pond, near Fort George, on the 
 occasion of his approach, he says: "The descending sun had shed a 
 browner horror on the wilderness; and as we passed the Dismal pool, 
 we experienced that transient emotion of commisseration which is natu- 
 ral to the mind when contemplating past events involving the fall of 
 friends, the fortunes of war, and the sad condition of human kind." 
 {Ibid.) 
 
 General Schuyler, at this time, occupied such narrow quarters that 
 he appears to have had few facilities for extending hospitalities, yet he 
 had his family with him, and kept his table furnished with wine. He 
 did not invite every one to drink it, however; and Graydon, who was 
 in sympathy with Schuyler and hostile to "Yankees," speaks, with 
 satisfaction, of the contemptuous and undignified manner in which 
 Schuyler, in moments of forgetfulness, allowed himself to treat certain 
 of the Nev/ England officers under his command. This unfortunate 
 peculiarity, undoubtedly, led the way 10 the loss of his place, and 
 deprived the country of the services of an otherwise valuable officer 
 and an upright man. 
 
 At this time Schuyler had an abundance of batteaux, and could move 
 three regiments at a time. Accordingly, he was very busy forwarding 
 troops. He had, also, a flat-bottomed boat with sails. It was capable of 
 carrying two hundred barrels, and made the trip in five days. Eleven 
 batteaux carried thirty barrels each, and, with seven men, made the 
 trip in four days. 
 
 On the 26th of May, he had only one hundred and eighteen men at 
 the post, while but forty-five were fit for duty, and these, even, were 
 *'raw & undisciplined." He well remarks, that a force so trifling 
 *' leaves us exposed to the insults of any very inconsiderable party, who 
 may destroy our boats & buildings." (" Archives," Ser. iv. Vol. 
 VI, p. 582.) 
 
 June 15, Schuyler says: "As to fortifying Ticonderoga & Fort 
 George, and opening the road by Wood Creek, it is utterly impossible 
 with the men I now have left; they are so fully employed in batteaus 
 &c., that I do not believe there is now a relief at Fort George for a 
 subaltern's guard." {Ibid, p. 912.) 
 
 In June, General Gates succeeded General Thomas in the command 
 at the North, but his army having been driven from Canada within the 
 department of Schuyler, he was, therefore, properly subordinate to him, 
 as a vote of Congress finally decided on June 12th; yet, on the 17th, 
 Gates issued the following from his head-quarters at Ticonderoga : 
 
 up the first hill we reach in passing to Lake George — about 2^ miles from this village, & 20 
 rods East of the plank-road. It was upon the margin of the old high-way, which, at that place, 
 was on the same spot as the old military road. It is a little more than half way from Fort Edward 
 to the Lake, & is on high & dry ground, while for considerable distance on this side the ground 
 must have been originally somewhat wet & swampy. This rock is repeatedly mentioned by 
 f)ame in our early town records, as a land-mark recognized & well known. The legends in regard 
 to this as a place of Indian resort, & where their captives suffered, arc too numerous for me to 
 attempt to indicate." 
 
2 A NOTES ON THE 
 
 "Sir: I understand that there is a wanton waste of powder at your 
 post, in firing a morning & evening gun, and in unnecessary salutes. 
 It is my positive order that this practice be immediately discontinued, 
 and no ammunition expended on any account whatever, except in oppo- 
 sition to the attacks of the enemy. I am, sir, your humble servant. 
 
 "Horatio Gates, Major-General. 
 "To the Commanding officer at Fort George." 
 
 July 17, Gates also wrote from Ticonderoga to Colonel Gansevoort, 
 in command at the fort, to prevent desertions, as "some villains may 
 perhaps feign themselves sick" to the end of escaping the service. He 
 also complains that letters are broken open and detained at Fort George. 
 
 John Trumbull wrote to Colonel Read, from head-quarters, July 22, 
 1776: 
 
 *'Sir: By the General's order, I wrote you four or five days since, 
 desiring you to collect all the well at Fort George of every corps and 
 return to the army with them. Perhaps you have not received that 
 letter. There is now a still more urgent necessity for your immediate 
 return, as you are appointed to the command of a brigade, with whom 
 your presence is absolutely necessary. You will therefore, sir, on 
 receipt of this, immediately collect all who are able to return to duty, 
 and repair with them to this place as soon as possible. 
 
 "I am, sir, your very humble servant 
 
 "John Trumbull. 
 "To Colonel Read." 
 
 ("Amer. Archives," Vol. i, p. 511.) 
 
 The following distinctly indicates who was the actual commander at 
 Fort George: 
 
 "Fort George, ■^oth July^ '^11^ 
 " Sir: I have only time to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of 
 the 13''^ Instant which came to my hand this morning And in answer 
 thereto inform you that the Companies of Col. Wyncoops Regiment 
 which were here are gone to Ticonderoga and some to Skenesborough. 
 " I am Sir your Humi Svt 
 
 "Peter Gansevoort Lt. Colonel 
 
 " Commanding Fort George. 
 "To John McKesson." 
 
 {Ibid^ p. 93 ; 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 ^5 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 1^1 
 
 T THIS PERIOD, the army under Gates was 
 
 suffering from infectious diseases, and especially 
 from the small-pox, which led to the establish- 
 ment of a general hospital at Fort George. On 
 this subject, Schuyler* wrote to Washington, 
 July 1 2th, as follows: 
 
 "By advice of the General Officers, I have 
 ordered all the sick to Fort George. Two 
 houses, capable of containing about three hundred and fifty, are ready 
 for their reception, and a sufficient quantity of boards is collected, under 
 which to "shelter the remainder comfortably until hospitals can be 
 erected." (Force's "Archives," Ser. v. Vol. i, p. 232.) 
 
 In a letter, of the same date, to Governor Trumbull, he says : "I 
 believe the last of these unhappy people will be there this evening, or 
 to-morrow at farthest." {Ibid^ p. 237.) 
 
 The terrible condition of the army, at this time, is shown by General 
 Gates, writing from Ticonderoga to Washington. July 29th, he says : 
 
 "Everything about this army is infected with pestilence: the clothes, 
 the blankets, the air, and the ground they walk upon. To put this evil 
 from us, a General Hospital is established at Fort George, where there 
 are now between two & three thousand sick, and where every infected 
 person is immediately sent." (Ibid.) 
 
 July 31, Trumbull writes to Colonel Ganesvoort: 
 
 " It has been told the General that some officers at your post (not 
 yourself) have presumed to give furloughs to the sick, when discharged 
 from the hospital. You will inquire into this, and let any gentleman 
 who may have done it heretofore know, that if he is found guilty of 
 
 * Schuyler wrote to Governor Trumbull, July 25 : "Before I last went to Crown Point, I 
 gave directions ro Lieutenant-Colonel Buell to collect all the boards he possibly could for erecting 
 hospitals for the sick at Fort George, & temporary barracks for the troops wherever they might be." 
 
26 NOTES ON THE 
 
 conduct so unprecedented and so prejudicial to the service, he will be 
 immediately put in arrest, and tried for his presumption and breach of 
 orders by a general court-martial." [Ibidf p. 698.) 
 
 About this time Baron Woedtke died at Fort George, though the exact 
 date of the event cannot now, at least by the writer, be ascertained.* 
 General Wilkinson also tells us, in his " Memoirs," of his own narrow 
 escape at this place : 
 
 *' Disappointment & chagrin exasperated my desease, until it was con- 
 sidered necessary to remove me to the south end of Lake George, under 
 the personal attendance of Doctor Jonathan Potts, the surgeon-general. 
 There aid, in spite of medical, I was reduced to the last extremity; every 
 hope of my recovery had expired ; I was consigned to the grave, and a 
 coffin was prepared for my accommodation." (" Memoirs," Vol. i, p. 86.) 
 
 * The following documents bear on the subject of Baron Woedtke's death : 
 
 "Fort George, yu/y 20, 1776. 
 "Sir: I have to inform you that I still lie in a very weak and low situation. I find the 
 Canadians are gone on to Albany. I beg leave to advise the General to recall them to this place, 
 with the person who has assumed to himself the title of Major, one Mr. Hare, who, when he 
 arrives here, I pray may be put under arrest, and deprived of that Commission which he has 
 assumed to himself, which, I assure you, I never authorised him to take. 
 
 " I have the honor to be your Excellency's most obedient Servant, 
 
 " Baron de Woedtke. 
 *'To Major-General Gates." 
 
 (" Amer. Archives," Ser. v. Vol. i, p. 475.) 
 Gates to President of Congress, Ticonderoga, July 29, 1776. 
 
 "Brigadier Baron de Woedtke went by my permission, to the General Hospital, at Lake 
 George, about a fortnight ago. His health was indeed so much impaired, that I doubt his 
 recovery." {^Ihid^ p. 649.) 
 
 General Gates write to Congress, from Ticonderoga, August 6, 1776, as follows: 
 "Brigadier-General Baron de Woedtke died at Lake George the beginning of last week. He 
 was buried with the honors due to his rank." [Ibid, p. 796.) 
 
 "Baron de Woedtke had been for many years an officer in the army of the King of Prussia, 
 and had risen to the rank of Major. Coming to Philadelphia with strong letters of recom- 
 mendation to Dr. Franklin from persons of eminence in Paris, he was appointed by Congress a 
 brigadier-general on the i 6th of March and ordered to Canada. He died at Lake George, and was 
 turied with the honors due to his rank." (" Washington's Writings," Vol. iv, p. 6.) 
 
 General Gates also wrote to Doctor Potts, as follows: 
 
 "Ticonderoga August 12, iTjS. 
 "Sir: I am informed that Baron de Woedtke^ some time before his death, made a solemn 
 declaration to you of matter that highly concerns the interest of the United States. You will 
 pleast forthwith communicate to me the substance of the Baron's declaration. The bearer, Mr. 
 Lucas, has my orders to wait for your letter, and return with it immediately to me. 
 
 "I would not wish to give unnecessary trouble; once a fortnight is full often enough to make 
 general return of the Hospital. 
 
 " I desire Dr. Stringer may come here as soon as he arrives at Fort George, and bring with him 
 a Surgeon, properly provided for, for the Service of the fleet. 
 
 " I am &c Horatio Gates. 
 
 *'To Dr. Potts at Fort George." 
 
 ("Amer. Archives," Ser. v, Vol. i, p. 924.) 
 
 The Baron used to say, very often : " Ah Liberdy is a fine ding, I like Liberdy : Der Koernig 
 A'on Prusse is a great man for Liberdy." {^Ibid, p. 139.) 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 27 
 
 Wilkinson revived, nevertheless, and lived to play an important part 
 in connection with subsequent events. 
 
 A letter from Ticonderoga, of August 5th, 1776, says that *' the sick, 
 about one thousand five hundred, are at Fort George, and recruiting 
 fast." ("Amer. Archives," Ser. v. Vol. i, p. 857.) 
 
 The following official reports from Dr. Potts to General Gates 
 throw much light upon the subject under consideration: 
 
 "Fort George, August 8. 1776. 
 
 "Honoured Sir: The return of the sick remaining in the General 
 Hospital, which you were pleased to order to be made weekly, will be 
 delivered to you by Captain Craig. I hope you will not attribute its 
 late appearance at this time to any neglect on my part, as I can with 
 truth assure your Honour nothing is left undone in my power to reduce 
 every matter relative to the hospital into order. The number of the 
 sick being great, they employ our whole time; and having but one clerk, 
 who has to enter the names of every person admitted, discharged, died, 
 or deserted, as well as to superintend the issuing of provisions, makes it 
 almost impossible to comply with your orders so punctually as I would 
 wish. 
 
 " I am your Honour's obedient and very humble servant 
 
 " JoNA. Potts." 
 
 "Fort George Aug^ 24"^. 1776. 
 "Honoured Sir: Your Honour's favour of the 23<i instant by Mr. 
 Watson, I received this morning. I assure your Honour I have spared 
 him from our Huckster's Shop every article in my power. What keeps 
 Mr Henry with the Medicines I am at loss to know, I sent one of my 
 Mates three days since to Albany to expedite his coming, and to pur- 
 chase if possible some Articles we are wholly out of. I have also wrote 
 to the Committee of Albany & Salisbury to send me as soon as possible 
 all the old Linen Rags they can procure, as well as to recommend to 
 the farmers & others to cure a quantity of Herbs for the use of the 
 Hospital, it pains me much to think of our destitute situation, for should 
 your Honour be attacked we have have not bandages or lint to dress fifty 
 
 Again, Trumbull writes to Lieutenant-Colonel Gansevoort from Ticonderoga, July 31, 1776: 
 "Sir: The bearer. Major Hubly, late Major of Brigade to General Woedtke, comes to take 
 an inventory and appraisement of the late Baron Woedtke's goods. This you will permit him to 
 do, and to bring such goods &c., as he shall think proper, with the will, to this place, where 
 Colonel D'Haas proposes to administer on the Estate." 
 
 The Baron stands poorly in Wilkinson's "Memoirs." Speaking of his meeting with the 
 Baron in Philadelphia, a Roman Catholic prelate says : 
 
 "Though I had frequently seen him before, yet he was so disguised in furs, that I scarce knew 
 him, & never beheld a more laughable object in my life. Like other Prussian officers, he appears 
 to me as a man who knows little of polite life, and yet has picked up so much of it in his passage 
 through France, as to make a most awkward appearance." ("Life Arch. Bishop Carroll," 
 p. 42.) 
 
 Somewhere near Fort George, the remains of the poor Baron lie in their unknown grave. 
 
28 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 men, I can with confidence assure your Honour nothing shall be left 
 undone in my power to procure every necessary for the good of the 
 Army in my Line of Duty — I heartily thank your Honour for your 
 Orders respecting the Returns of the Regimental Surgeons,* as well as 
 your approving my sentiments in regard to D"" Mc Crea — I was greatly 
 surprised in having some patients sent here with the small-pox from the 
 new levies. I have strictly examined them & cannot find that they 
 have been inoculated, should I discover such a thing, shall be careful to 
 transmit to your Honour every matter relative to it — as well as eff^ectually 
 secure the patients. — One thing I would recommend to your Honour's 
 Notice, which I hope you will not think foreign to my Duty, as the 
 Army is greatly exposed to Intermittents & bilious complaints from their 
 situation I am humbly of opinion it would conduce to their Health if 
 every Man was allowed half a Gill of Bitter Rum p"" day, it can be 
 made with four pounds of Gentian Root & two pounds of Orange peel 
 to a Hogshead if these articles are not to be had, the Regimental Surgeons 
 
 * Return of the sick of the General Hospital at Fort George, from the 12th to the 26th 
 July, 1776, inclusive : 
 
 REGIMENTS. 
 
 Colonel Patterson's, 
 Colonel Burrells', 
 Colonel Bond's, 
 Artillery, 
 
 Colonel De Haas's, 
 Colonel Bedel's, 
 Colonel Reed's, 
 Colonel Maxwell's, 
 Colonel Porter's, 
 Colonel Greaton's, . 
 Colonel Wind's, 
 Colonel Stark's, 
 Batteau men. 
 Artificers, 
 
 Colonel Van Schaick's, 
 Colonel Wynkoop's, 
 Colonel Wayne's, 
 Colonel Van Dykes , 
 Colonel St. Clair's, 
 Colonel Irvine's, 
 Colonel Poor's, . 
 
 men for Nurses, 
 Total, 
 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 Q 
 
 w 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 H 
 
 
 
 
 h 
 
 < 
 
 
 
 S 
 
 X 
 
 
 
 Q 
 
 M 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 H 
 
 < 
 
 Q 
 
 Q 
 
 D 
 
 73 
 
 26 
 
 g 
 
 
 164 
 
 69 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 116 
 
 31 
 
 3 
 
 ... 
 
 56 
 
 24 
 
 
 
 118 
 
 22 
 
 
 
 21 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 127 
 
 40 
 
 3 
 
 
 17^ 
 
 «3 
 
 5 
 
 ... 
 
 59 
 
 9 
 
 3 
 
 
 43 
 
 15 
 
 ... 
 
 
 129 
 
 35 
 
 5 
 
 
 105 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 
 113 
 
 55 
 
 5 
 
 
 14 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 83 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 
 31 
 
 2 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 49 
 
 
 
 
 1497 
 
 1 
 
 439 
 
 51 
 
 3 
 
 39 
 85 
 82 
 
 3^ 
 95 
 20 
 
 84 
 84 
 
 47 
 28 
 89 
 96 
 
 53 
 
 3 
 64 
 
 27 
 
 49 
 
 1004 
 106 
 
 (" Archives," Ser. v, Vol. i, p. 854. 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 29 
 
 can readily procure some Snake root, Centaury or Dogwood Bark, 
 which will answer as nearly as well — Inclosed have sent your Honour 
 the returns of the Hospital, on which I have only to observe, that we 
 have a greater Number than appears from the return, owing to the names 
 being struck out from the Hospital Book but I still detain them under 
 the name of convalescents, who will be sent forward in a day or two. 
 I have taken the Liberty to send your Honour a tolerably good weather 
 & a Cask with some Beans, squashes, Cucumbers & a itvf small 
 Melons, the moment I can procure any good vinegar it shall be for- 
 warded to you. 
 
 "I am your Honours most Obedient & very humble Servant 
 
 "JoNN. Potts." 
 (Gates' MSB. in N. Y. Hist. Society, p. 178.) 
 
 About this time, there came to be a feeling of general alarm, and 
 Gates wrote to Schuyler, Sept. 6th, that he would be obliged if he would 
 "immediately reinforce For; George with all the troops that be spared 
 from Albany." As there were too few men to forward provisions over 
 the lake, he would send Colonel Phinney's New Hampshire Regiment 
 to the fort "to batteau the flour thence." 
 
 Sept. 18, Major Carnes wrote to Gates, from Fort George, "the 
 sickness here rather abates." There was, also, an insufficiency of men. 
 
 Oct. I, Schuyler wrote to Gates on the strength of information sent 
 him by General Washington: 
 
 "It is probable that a blow is meditated on the communication. The 
 Garrison at Fort George* is too weak to encounter a vigorous attack, 
 and as the fate of the army depends on the regularity of the supplies, 
 you will please detach a battalion to its support, which may again join 
 you in time, should General Arnold be unable to keep the Lake. A 
 sufficiency of batteaus should for that purpose be kept at Fort George." 
 ("Amer. Archives," Ser. v. Vol. 11, p. 833.) 
 
 Oct. II, Dayton's regiment was ordered to Fort George with des- 
 patch. 
 
 Oct. 15th, the New York Committee of Safety requested liberty of 
 the Continental Congress "to send a Commissary to Ticonderoga and 
 Fort George, in order to take Charge" of the hides wasted at those 
 posts. {Ibid^ p. 250.) 
 
 * " Meeting of the Committee with General Schuyler & Lieut Col Gansevoort Saraytoga 
 " 22^. October 1 776 
 " lit. Marked the Officers fit for service. 
 " ind. Agreed to appoint Col Van Shaick's Regiment to recruit: 
 
 " Capt Andrew Fink 1 
 
 *' Lieut Charles Parsons >■ at Fort George" 
 
 " Ensign John Deuny J 
 
 (" New York Miss. Papers.") 
 
^Q NOTES ON THE 
 
 The following shows how certain Tories had busied themselves with a 
 futile scheme for the seizure of Fort George. It is the "Information 
 of Stephen Ketchem," under date of October 29th : 
 
 "The Information of Stephen Ketchem, who saith 
 
 "that on Friday last he saw one Simen Warner, and after Common 
 Complyments Said to this Informer I suppose I may say anything, upon 
 which this Informer Replyed you may. then said Warner, last night I 
 saw Barret Dyre in New Britton, and said Warner Said, it was orders 
 from an Officer above for the tories to form Themselves into a Body, 
 for they expected when our Ermy got Defeated at the northward, the 
 wigs would destroy all the tories they could find, and that the tories 
 where to imbody for Defence, this informer further says he was with 
 the said Warner yesterday and told the Said Warner he came on pur- 
 pose to see him, and wanted to know if there was any way to escape to 
 the Kings Army to which the said Warner Replyed there was no other 
 to Escape but to go over the North river and so round to our Ermy. 
 this informer asked the said Warner if Barret lived some time in New 
 Britton, and sometimes north of that place with Pallmatire. The said 
 Warner told this Informer that they (the tories) had but a ievf guns 
 now, but that Dyer told him they expected some up the North river, 
 this Informer asked the said Warner, if he could go to Dyer, he said he 
 thought not for he changed his headquarters often, the said Warner 
 told this Informer that Pallmatier was with Dyre the day before he saw 
 Dyre. this Informer asked Warner how Dyre and the rest of the tories 
 lived, he said about and amongst the rest of their friends, this Informer 
 says Warner further told him that Dyre kept in the woods there till 
 Day light, then came a Cross the Mountains, and by Captain Baldwins 
 and to me good fellows (who is a Corporal in the Grenadier Company) 
 and when he the said Dyre got to good fellows he whistled and good 
 fellows came to him. the said Warner told this Informer that' John 
 Savage had with him about five hundred men, and that they had dis- 
 armed our Colb of the Militia, and taken some guns and other war- 
 like store from him. the said Warner told this Informer that there 
 had been a Post Ridder kept from Army to Army Viz the Kings 
 Armies but lately had been broke up. the Said Warner told this In- 
 former that there was no orders. Particularly now for the tories from 
 Kings Army. But as soon as our headquarters were smash<i the tories 
 would then have orders what to do. this Informer asked the said War- 
 ner what they would do as to guns, we the tories will have them all in 
 the district, for he look^ up it there was tories enough in this Govern- 
 ment to manage what wigs there were in the same, the Said Warner 
 told this Informer the tories had orders to March in this Alarm to the 
 northward in the name of Congress men and to draw Provisions until 
 they got to Fort George, and then take possession of the same and keep 
 it. the said Warner further said that there would be tories enough 
 going to the Kings Army, If the Militia came back, for that would be 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 3' 
 
 their Orders. If any torie was going to be Carryed ofF only let him 
 Know of It, and there should not a man be carried off, for they would 
 be resqued. and further this Informer saith that Warner told this In- 
 former, If he would come on the hill and Wisstull he would show the 
 Informer People that knew better where Dyre was than he did. the 
 
 said Warner told this Informer that John Briggs & wait that lived 
 
 with Brigs, was good friends, and that Joseph Chapman could go throu 
 the woods, meaning as this Informer supposes to the Kings Army. 
 
 "Signed Stephen Ketchem." 
 (" New York Mil. Corr.," 25 : 349.) 
 
 Oct. 30th, Schuyler says: "the movements of the tories in this 
 quarter give me great reason to suppose that the enemy intended to 
 penetrate by the Mohawk river, or to throw themselves on some part of 
 the communication between this and Fort George." (" Archives," 
 Ser. V. Vol. i, p. 582.) 
 
 Nov. ist, General Schuyler wrote to the New York Convention that, 
 in case the army went into winter quarters, a garrison of four hundred 
 would be left at Fort George. 
 
 General Schuyler also wrote, from Saratoga, to President of Con- 
 tinental Congress: "I hope by Sunday next to have two thousand bar- 
 rels of flour at the north end of Lake George and Ticonderoga," and 
 that " Colonel Stark's and Colonel Poor's regiments, with that lately 
 belonging to Brigadier Reed (the three amount to about five hundred 
 men) came across Lake George. Two of the regiments I have left at 
 Fort George to forward on the provisions." 
 
 Nov. 2d, Schuyler, at Albany, requested Gates to " hasten the regi- 
 ment to Fort George," as he was afraid that Carlton was seeking to dis- 
 lodge the Americans from Ticonderoga. But, on the 9th of this month, 
 Gates wrote to Colonel Gansevoort, at Fort George, that "there was 
 not an enemy within a hundred miles of the post." The proposed 
 attack was every way made light of. 
 
 Gersham Mott, at Johnstown, writing the 5th of this month to Colonel 
 Lamb, at West Point, says: "Our accounts from Tie are, that Carl- 
 ton's army are within five miles, and expect them to attack Every 
 Day." (Lamb's MSS.) Yet the attack did not take place. 
 
 Nov. iith, Schuyler wrote to Washington tiiat he had not over four 
 hundred men at Fort George. 
 
 Thus, with but a handful of men at this post, winter again came on, 
 while the enlistments expired Dec. 3rst, and he was obliged to say that 
 he feared that they could not be prevailed upon to remain after that date. 
 Still the patriots persevered, and Colonel Van Schaick used his best 
 efforts to reorganize his command. The following, addressed to Robert 
 Yates, shows what he accomplished: 
 
 "Albany y^«««ry 8"^ 1777- 
 *' Gentlemen: In my last to the Committee I sent a list of Officers 
 
^, NOTES ON THE 
 
 in the first Battalion who had declined the service. I also Recommend 
 Lieut Nathaniel Henry and have by the General's approbation ap- 
 pointed him Lieut advanc'd him money, he has already inlisted near 
 his Complement of men and is vi^ith them gone on Service to Fort 
 George, so that the Committee I hope will not fail of appointing him. 
 
 *'I have also recommended Guy Young & Henry Defendorf for 
 Lieuts ; for Ensigns Jonathan Brown, Thomas Hicks, Jacob Ja. 
 
 Klock, James Bennett, Pecke Recommended by Col. Van 
 
 Dyck: Ensigns Brown & Hicks have been on the Recruiting Service 
 these four Weeks I wish to receive the approbation of the Committee 
 Soon. A Surgeon ought to be appointed without the least loss of tii;pe 
 & sent to me that I may forward him to Fort George, where part oi 
 the Regiment is Stationed. I am with perfect Esteem. 
 
 "Your & the Committee's Most H^'l^ Serv<: 
 
 "Goose Van Schaick." 
 ("N. Y. Miss. Papers," 38: 443.) 
 
 Feb. 2, Colonex Van Schaick writes again : 
 
 " At Fort George there is a detachment of nearly two hundred men 
 of mine; many of them are daily falling sick, who with the help of the 
 medicines at that post, and a Surgeon's care, might be enabled in a short 
 time to perform their duties." 
 
 Of one. Captain Cobb, he says, that he ordered him "on immediate 
 service with the men under his command, to Fort George, where he 
 has continued ever since with a considerable part of his company." He 
 is pronounced a very faithful and efficient officer. ("Cor. N. Y. Prov. 
 Congress," p. 374.) 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 33 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 INTER FINALLY WORE AWAY, 
 and spring returned, finding the garrison at Fort 
 George unmolested. In the meanwhile, motives 
 of prudence dictated the re-establishment of the 
 hospital at Fort George ; and, under date of 
 April 3d, 1777, Dr, Potts writes to General 
 Gates: "I arrived in this city the day before 
 General Schuyler left on his way to Philad : He 
 has ordered to establish the General Hospital 
 at Fort George instead of Mount Independence." 
 
 At a later day, the following was addressed to Gates, the writer having 
 in view the enforcement of stricter discipline: 
 
 "Fort George May 4"^ 1777. 
 "HoNBLE Sir 
 
 "I beg leave to inform your Honour, that there are 
 several Men of Col. Van Schaicks Regiment confined for Crimes not 
 triable by a Regimental Court Martial, one for Desertion and the other 
 for attempting to desert themselves and advising and persuading others 
 to do the like, and as Examples are necessary to be made in the Pres- 
 ence of the Corps the Criminals belong to — I request your Honour to 
 order a Court for their Trial — if you should judge it improper to order 
 the Court to sit at this place, I should be glad to have your Honours 
 Orders what to do with the Criminals — 
 
 "I have forwarded the cannon and ■ Artillery Stores to Ticon- 
 
 deroga, and am now busy to transport the Provisions a cross — 
 "I have the Honour to be with 
 "Great Esteem 
 
 *'Your very Hble Serv* 
 
 " C. V. Dyck. 
 "Honbie Majr Geni Gates." (Gates' MSS., p. 70,) 
 
 The spring passed in turmoil, and midsummer brought the invasion 
 of Burgoyne. General Patterson, writing to General Gates, from Ti- 
 conderoga. May 5, 1777, says: 
 
 c 
 
34 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 '' By a Scout which this Day Returned I have Certain advice of a 
 party of Indians &c. Who have come up the Lake as far as Crown 
 point. And by their Tracts Taken there Rout towards Lake George — 
 In Consequence of which Captain Whitcomb with one hundred men 
 has gone in pursuit of them, upon whose Return I hope to have the 
 satisfaction of Giving You a good Account of." (Gates' MSS., p. 105.) 
 
 The next document is from Gen. Wilkinson, and refers to the com- 
 mander at Fort George : 
 
 Fort George, May ii*^ i777« 
 " Dear & honor» Sir 
 
 " I arrived here last Evening and am obliged to wait 
 this Day for the returns of this Garrison. I set out for Tyconderoga 
 Tomorrow Morning with Major Hull's detachment which will be here 
 this evening. 
 
 " It is with pleasure I retract my apprehension respecting a detention 
 of Stores at F. Edward, I find the A. Q"" M: at that Post to be one of 
 the few who make the Public Interest a first object, and therefore exerts 
 Himself for His Country; The Cap' McCrackin who Commands here 
 wou<^ figure better on a Scout than as a Commanding Officer; instead 
 of cooperating with. He Counteracts the Measures of, the Q. M: & 
 Comsy, however as his Conduct is the result rather of Ignorance than 
 design and as He is a brave Man who may be Serviceable in His way, 
 they only wish to have Him removed, as the Command would then 
 devolve on an active and judicious officer. 
 
 "T'was 111 natured. 111 judged and impolitic to remove Genl Wayne 
 from Tyconderoga. All the accounts which I now meet from that 
 Post are blacken^i by despair the Child of Terror. Imaginations big 
 with apprehension may easily form an Indian in a Stump, Picture a 
 floating Chunk for a Batteaux full of men. I hope my efforts may be 
 of some Service as they shall not be spared — Inclosed you have the 
 Commissary & Commanding officers returns at Ft Edward, as also the 
 ordinance Stores & A Q^ Masters at this Place The Garrison and 
 Commissary returns I shall enclose you Tomorrow. And am 
 "My Dear Geni 
 
 '*'Your most obliged 
 
 " Obdt & ready Serv* 
 
 "James Wilkinson. 
 
 "The Commissary has this Minute produced His return, as also the 
 strength of the Garrison both which you have inclosed 
 
 "J. W." 
 (Gates' MSS.) 
 
 June 28, Schuyler wrote to Washington, from Albany, that should 
 *' General Burgoyne make a push to gain the south part of the Lake, I 
 know of no obstacle to prevent him: comparatively speaking, I have 
 not a man to oppose him ; the whole number at the different posts & 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 35 
 
 on this side of the lake, including Fort George & Skeensborough, not 
 exceeding seven hundred men." [Ibid., p, 462.) 
 
 June 26, St. Clair writes to Schuyler, that a very large party was 
 reported on the west side of the lake "to fall upon Fort George." 
 They were said to consist of a thousand Indians and Canadians. [Ibid.^ 
 p. 465.) 
 
 We have nothing more to present, in connection with the fort, until 
 we reach the period of Burgoyne's actual approach. We find that, as 
 he advanced over Lake Champlain, the alarm increased. Hence the 
 following, written at Fort Edward, by General Schuyler to Washington : 
 
 "I am here at the head of a handful of men, not above fifteen 
 hundred, without provision, with little ammunition, not above five 
 rounds to a man, having neither balls, nor lead to make any; the 
 country in the deepest consternation; no carriages to remove the stores 
 from Fort George, which I expect every moment to learn is attacked." 
 ("Washington's Writings," Vol. iv, p. 492.) 
 
 According to their anticipations, the Americans were forced to 
 retreat, first from Ticonderoga, and then from Fort George. Dr. 
 Potts reached Albany, and from thence addressed General Gates, as 
 follows : 
 
 " My Dear General, 
 
 "Your very affectionate letter by John Keys came 
 fortunately safe to my hands — give me leave to assure you it was a 
 Cordial to my then drooping spirits — I scarce know what to say in 
 respect to the late retreat, one thing however I firmly believe that 
 Geni St. Clair will with the Candid & impartiall still be considered the 
 Great Soldier Honest Man even after the most narrow scrutiny — With 
 regard to a certain General who was not on the Spot — the Clamors of 
 the People are great indeed & in case of an attack from the Enemy 
 God only knows the consequence. — The army are now at a place called 
 Moses's Creek having Evacuated Fort Edward, the militia as usual 
 desert by Regiments, if this part of the Continent is really to be 
 defended, it must be in my humble opinion by a considerable supply of 
 Continental Troops — . A strong party of the enemy are at Castleton 
 in the Grants with Govorner Skene at their Head cajoling the Inhabi- 
 tants & I fear meet with too much success — Col: Warner is also there 
 with a party of Militia to watch their motions — In Short My Dear 
 General I look upon our present situation to be a critical one indeed, 
 but I still hope your Warm prayer will be heard & our Rightious Cause 
 not suffered to perish because Sinners are concerned in the defence of 
 it — . Your Friends are well and at Camp which I left yesterday. 
 The Indians are daily scalping around the camp even below Fort Ed- 
 ward . — I send this by Express by return if your business would 
 
36 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 admit, I should be happy to receive a line from you. — My most 
 affectionate compliments to your good Family & believe me to be 
 
 *'My Dear General your 
 "much obliged & most humble 
 "Servt 
 
 "JoNN Potts. 
 "Albany July iS'^ i777- 
 
 "P; S: I fortunately saved the bulk of my medicine, have my 
 Hospital here, another at Saratoga & the third at Camp, the army are 
 very Healthy, the vi^hole of the Sick & urounded not exceeding 200. 
 
 " Jufy 28"'' 8 o'clock A: M: 
 
 ^'A letter from Col: Lewis this moment arrived mentions that last 
 evening a party of the Enemy of about looo attacked our Picquet near 
 Fort Edward of 150 men drove them in Kill'd five men among whom 
 is a Lieut: they also Kill'd a young Lady Dr McCrea's Sister all of 
 whom they scalped & butchered."* (Gates' MSS., p. 39.) 
 
 The scene having now changed, the English aurhorities are now able 
 to contribute something to the history of Fort George. 
 
 It appears that, when St. Clair's retreat of July 6th became known. 
 Major Yates, who was in command at Fort George, marched away to 
 Fort Edward with seven hundred men, carrying his baggage and stores, 
 and setting the fort on fire. This took place July 16th. Burgoyne, 
 who was then moving victoriously southward, thus writes of the affair: 
 
 "The garrison of Fort George in manifest danger of being cut off by 
 the direct movement from Skenesborough to Hudson's River, took the 
 measure I expected of abandoning the Fort, and burning the vessels, 
 thereby leaving the lake entirely free. A detachment of the King's 
 Troops from Ticonderoga, which I had ordered to be ready for that 
 event, with a great embarkation of provisions, passed the lake on the 
 same day that I took possession of this communication by land." 
 
 General Schuyler justified the abandonment of Fort George ; on 
 which point Washington, when writing, suspended his own opinion, 
 remarking that others had informed him, "that a spirited, brave, judi- 
 cious officer, with two or three hundred good men, together with the 
 armed vessels vou have built, would retard Burgoyne's passage across 
 the Lake for a considerable time, if not render it impracticable, and 
 oblige him to take a more difficult and circuitous route." 
 
 To this Schuyler replies : 
 
 "The fort was part of an unfinished bastion of an intended fortifica- 
 tion. The bastion was closed at the gorge. In it was a barrack capable 
 
 * It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to delay here to remark that the whole question in regard to 
 the death of this unfortunate young woman, is one involved in doubt. Whether she was killed 
 by accident or design is not clear to all. 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. ^^ 
 
 of containing between thirty and fifty men ; without ditch, without wall, 
 without cistern; without any picket to prevent an enemy from running 
 over the wall. So small, as not to contain above one hundred and fifty 
 men, commanded by ground greatly overlooking it, and within point 
 blank shot; and so situated that five hundred men may lie between the 
 bastion and the Lake, without being seen from this extremely defensible 
 fortress. Of vessels built there, one was afloat and tolerably fitted ; the 
 others still upon the stocks ; but, if the two had been upon the water, 
 they would have been of but little use, without rigging and guns." 
 ("Washington's Writings," Vol. iv, p. 494.) 
 
 This was clearly a time of very great depression and distress. Gov- 
 erneur Morris, in writing to John Jay in regard to the trials of Valley 
 Forge in 1780, suddenly turns from the spectacle, saying, "But I have 
 seen Fort George in the summer of 1777." ("Life," Vol. i, p. 154.) 
 
 The air was filled with rumors, and the wagons sent to Fort George 
 to bring away stores were reported "cut off," which aroused Schuyler, 
 who marched to the rescue with five hundred men. This episode is 
 thus told: 
 
 "Head Quarters, Fort Edward, July i^th., ^777- 
 "Gentlemen — A report having been propagated here a few hours 
 ago, that a number of wagons, which had been sent this morning to 
 Fort George to remove some stores from that place, had been cut oft 
 by a large party of the enemy's Indians, General Schuyler immedi- 
 ately marched with a body of troops towards Fort George. On his 
 way he received a letter from Colonel Ashley, who commands at the 
 Five Mile Run, of which the enclosed is a copy ; by that it seems the 
 enemy's numbers must have been very inconsiderable, as we had near a 
 hundred wagons on the road, and we cannot learn that they have been 
 molested. 
 
 *' I am, gent, respectfully, 
 
 "Your most humble servant, 
 
 "John Lansing, Junr." 
 ("J. N. Y. Prov. Congress," Vol. 11, p. 112.) 
 
 July 16, Govcrneur Morris writes from Fort Edward: "Fort Ann 
 is abandoned, & Fort George will be so by tomorrow this time, if not 
 sooner taken." He says, also, in a postscript: "If we get our stores 
 from Lake George, & accomplish a safe retreat to this place * * our 
 affairs will wear a more smiling aspect." 
 
 The next day he wrote again from Saratoga : 
 
 "I left Fort Edward with Gen. Schuyler at noon, and shall return 
 thither some time to-morrow morning. Fort George was destroyed 
 yesterday afternoon, previous to which, the provisions, stores, batteaux, 
 &c. were removed, and this morning about ten o'clock the last of them 
 passed us about three miles to the northward of Fort Edward, at which 
 
38 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 place all the troops from the lake have arrived, and these, together with 
 some others, from our advanced post towards Fort George; about 
 twelve hundred, perhaps more, are somewhat farther advanced upon 
 the road to Fort Anne. The enemy have not yet made any motion 
 that we know of, nor indeed can they make any of consequence until 
 they shall have procured carriages, and then they may find it rather dif- 
 ficult to come .this way, if proper care be taken to prevent them from 
 procuring forage. For this purpose, I shall give it as my opinion to the 
 General, whenever he asks it, to break up all the settlements upon our 
 northern frontier, to drive off the cattle, secure or destroy the forage, 
 &c; and also to destroy the saw mills. These measures, harsh as they 
 may seem, are, I am confident, absolutely necessary. They ought 
 undoubtedly to be taken with prudence, and temperately carried into 
 execution. But I will venture to say, that if we lay it down as a 
 maxim, never to contend for ground but in the last necessity, to leave 
 nothing but a wilderness to the enemy, their progress must be impeded 
 by obstacles which it is not in human nature to surmount; and then, 
 unless we have with our usual good nature, built posts for their defence, 
 they must at the approach of winter retire to the place from whence 
 they at first set out. The militia from the eastward come in by degrees, 
 and I expect we shall soon be in force to carry on the petite guerre to 
 advantage, provided always, Burgoyne attempts to annoy us, for it is 
 pretty clear that we cannot get at him." (" New York Congress," 
 Vol. II, p. 508.) 
 
 The garrison at Fort George had a somewhat narrow escape, as 
 appears from a minute dated, in camp at Fort Edward, Aug. 6. 1777 : 
 
 "Very fortunately for the garrison at Fort George, they had passed 
 this place about an hour before our arrival; had they been that much 
 later, they must have been inevitably cut off." ("Anbury's Travels," 
 Vol. I, p. 363.) 
 
 Burgoyne clearly aimed at the capture of the garrison, as, on the nth 
 of July, he wrote to Sir Guy Carlton: 
 
 " My present purpose. Sir, is to get a sufficient number of Gunboats 
 upon the Lake George to scour that Lake as expeditiously as possible, 
 to support them them with a proper force to attack Fort George on that 
 side, while with the main army, as soon as refreshed and supplied, I 
 attack Fort Edward from hence [Skenesborough] and thereby cut off" 
 the communication from Albany to Fort George, & consequently pre- 
 vent the succour or retreat of that garrison." (" Burgoyne's Report," 
 
 Ap. XLII.) 
 
 Evidently Burgoyne considered this an important point. We find 
 that the enemy had accurate knowledge of everything of consequence 
 in relation to the positions and the fortifications. 
 
 Fort George, wrongly called "Fort Edward," is thus described in 
 Riedesel's papers of 1777, at a time when the Americans were still in 
 posssssion: 
 
 ri 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. -g 
 
 *'ist. The citadel has been recently repaired and provided with two 
 nine pounders. It contains, also, twelve cannon, which are not yet 
 mounted. Barracks for i,ooo men lie within twenty yards east of it. 
 
 "2d. Close to the shore is a large magazine in which there is an 
 abundance of provisions. 
 
 "3d. To the west of this magazine, where Fort William Henry 
 formerly stood, is a large hospital, a building of great dimensions, & 
 used for the sick from Fort Carrillon.* This is said to be surrounded 
 by palisades, and to have a small redoubt on the hill south of it. A 
 strong guard is posted here every night. The rebels at Fort George 
 are very busy cutting down trees & carrying them to the shore, to be 
 used in the construction of six strong vessels on the lake. A so-called 
 Commodore Wyncoop, is said still to be in command at this post; only 
 one regiment, it is further said, remains here during the summer; but as 
 yet there are only 400 men there. There is also considerable scarcity 
 of ammunition." ("Riedesel's Journal," Vol. i, p. 295.) 
 
 As Burgoyne himself relates, a British force passed over Lake George 
 and took possession of the fort on the day it was deserted by the Ameri- 
 cans. Whoever may have commanded this detachment at the time, 
 Colonel Anstruther appears to have held Fort George, where he after- 
 wards received the Baroness Riedesel,'!' the wife of the general, when on 
 her way to join her husband in Burgoyne's army. 
 
 The materials for this period are exceedingly scanty, as no one 
 appears to have been interested in compiling notes. 
 
 * The French name of Ticonderoga, meaning a chime, and given on account of the music of 
 the Fall, which are of considerable height. 
 
 f The Baroness says, in her Journal : "The following day passed Ticonderoga, and about noon 
 arrived at Fort George, where we dined with Colonel Anstruther, an exceedingly good and 
 amiable man, who commands the 6zd regiment. In the afternoon we seated ourselves in a 
 calash, & reached Fort Edward on the same day, which was the 14th of August." (MunscU'i 
 Reprint, p. 91.) 
 
40 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 the removal.' 
 
 URNING AGAIN to " Riedesel's Journal" we 
 take the following: '*On the 15th July General 
 Riedesel was ordered to Ticonderoga to superin- 
 tend the removal of Ships to Lake George. Of 
 the two regiments yet remaining at Ticonderoga 
 — the tid English and Prince Frederick's — one 
 half of each, under the command of Colonel 
 Anstruther and iVlajor Von Hiller, was to cover 
 {Ihid^ p. 124.) 
 
 "26 July. The Ships & baggage were to be transported by Canadians 
 to Lake George, & thence to Fort Edward on the Hudson River." 
 [Ibid, p. 124.) 
 
 July 31. "General Phillips — having accomplished the rerhoval of the 
 Stores and artillery from Ticonderoga — had arrived at Fort George, and 
 was busily engaged in building a road from that fort to Fort Edward." 
 [Ibid, p. 125.) 
 
 ''Camp near Fort Edward. Aug 5. 1777. 
 "An Officer and 20 men with Non Commission Officers in propor- 
 tion from the Line will conduct all the prisoners taken from the Enemy 
 to Fort George, to-morrow morning." ("Burgoyne's Order Book," 
 p. 64.) 
 
 "Camp near Fort Edward. Aug. 6 1777. 
 " Four companies will embark at Fort George in the First return 
 Boats, and the remaining four companies are to wait for the boats that 
 bring the 62d Regiment from Ticonderoga." [Ibid, p. 68.) 
 
 Aug. 9th. " Brigadier Powell was ordered to take with him the 53d 
 Regiment and relieve Brigadier Hamilton at Ticonderoga : at the same 
 time the 62d. was ordered to rejoin the army. The company of Cana- 
 dian Militia, under Boucherville, was to remain at Fort George." [Ibidy 
 p. 126.) 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 41 
 
 Aug. 17. Burgoyne "entrusted to Riedesel the duty of maintaining 
 communication with Fort Anne and Fort George." 
 
 Aug. 31. Burgoyne says, though with some misapprehension in 
 regard to the facts of the case, that, 
 
 " Regarding Fort George, it is my intention to leave there four com- 
 panies of the 47th Regiment, two of which will occupy the fort, & the 
 remainder the island three miles distant from the land. I take it for 
 granted that the fort is safe against surprise, no matter how strong the 
 attacking party may be. In case of assault, the garrison can still retreat 
 through the open ditch, to the island, whither the enemy can never go, 
 being destitute of ships, while we, on the contrary, have gunboats.'* 
 {Ibid, p. 274.) 
 
 The officer placed in command, in accordance with this resolution, 
 as we shall see further on, was Lieutenant Irwine. 
 
 Sept. 1st. All the heavy baggage of Burgoyne's army was sent back to 
 Ticonderoga. "Those articles, however, which might be most needed, 
 were only sent back as far as Diamond Island in Lake George — seven 
 [three?] miles from Fort George — that they might be close at hand in 
 case of need. At the same time two companies of the 47 Regiment 
 were sent with them as a garrison ; only thirty men & one officer being 
 left at Fort George, as the communication with that lake was to be 
 given up for the present. In pursuance of this plan the two companies 
 of the 53d. Regiment, which had been hitherto stationed at Fort George, 
 were sent to Ticonderoga to reinforce that post." (" Riedesel's Journal," 
 P- 134-) 
 
 On Sept. 3d, "Riedesel left Fort George for the purpose of expediting 
 the transports for the army." 
 
 Sept. 10, Burgoyne again writes, "The last [secret] orders have 
 been given to have nothing remain in Fort George. The last of the 
 wagons will accordingly pass Fort Edward Either tomorrow evening or 
 Friday morning." In the same letter, he says, that General St. Leger 
 had been obliged to retreat to Oswego, and was expected at the lake, 
 adding, "I have sent him orders as to the necessary measures of pre- 
 caution he is to take upon arriving on the island at the lower end of 
 Lake George." [Ibid, p.. 275.) 
 
 Sept. iith. General Riedesel "was very much occupied in transport- 
 ing stores from Fort George to Fort Edward, whence they were carried 
 down the Hudson." ("Journal," Vol. i, p. 138.) 
 
 In the meanwhile, a movement was planned by the American Gen- 
 eral Lincoln to make an important raid upon Burgoyne's rear. The 
 plan of the enterprise is sketched in a letter from Lincoln to General 
 Gates : 
 
42 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 "Pawlet September li^th. 1 777. 
 *'Dear General, noon. 
 
 "I just now received your favor of yesterdays date. By 
 a scout which hath been near Fort Edward, and from one of the Inhabi- 
 tants in that neighbourhood, I have a confirmation of the enemy's 
 movements mentioned in your letter. I think it is most probable, their 
 design is on your post; however, I will keep the most watchful eye 
 over them, and, if possible, prevent a surprise. 
 
 "On being informed, by almost every person who came in, as well 
 as by letter you inclosed me from General Palmer, of the weak state of 
 Ticonderoga ; and also advices that a considerable number of our men 
 were prisoners in the enemy's hands, and kept at Lake George landing, 
 under a very small guard; at which place the enemy had a large Maga- 
 zine of stores; and supposing a movement that way, would perfectly 
 coincide with the original design, of my being here; vizt. if possible, to 
 divide and distract the enemy; — was induced yesterday, with the advice 
 of the officers, to send Colonel Brown, with five hundred men, to the 
 landing at Lake George, to relieve the prisoners, and distroy the stores 
 there, — the same number of men under Colonel Johnson, to mount 
 independence; the latter to give a divertion to the enemy, while the 
 former should execute his commission; and if an opportunity should 
 offer, without risking too much, to push for mount independence, while 
 Colonel Browne would attempt Ticonderoga — and further, to amuse, 
 and divide the enemy, by attacking their out posts &c. — alike number 
 of men were sent under Colonel Woodbridge, to skeensboro, thence to 
 Fort Ann, and on towards fort Edward. — I hope these movements will 
 meet your approbation; I should have mentioned y^ design before, and 
 not put the plan in execution, without your advice, could I have been 
 sure the information would not have fallen into the hands of the enemy. — 
 I suppose you intended to hint to me your apprehension of danger in this 
 way, and that I must be cautious what I wrote, when in the close of 
 your favor of the lO^^ instant you say: 'I desire you will not fail, fre- 
 quently to acquaint me with your movements, and, as far as is prudent, 
 with your designs.' 
 
 "I am dear General with sincere regard 
 
 "Your most obedient and humble servant. 
 
 "B : Lincoln. 
 "The Honble Major Geni Gates." (Gates' MSS.) 
 
 At Ticonderoga Colonel Brown accomplished considerable ; even as 
 when he first proved his courage at the capture of the place. May 10, 
 1775, by bravely supporting Benedict Arnold, who was the first man to 
 enter the fort. At the beginning of this the second attack. Brown 
 was again successful, but, in the end, he was obliged to abandon the 
 enterprise, and retire with his trophies and the American prisoners whom 
 he had succeeded in liberating. But not yet satisfied, he resolved to 
 make an attack first upon Diamond Island, and afterwards upon Fort 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 40 
 
 George, using for this purpose the vessels captured from the British at 
 the north end of the lake, an event that Burgoyne never anticipated. 
 The results of this movement are given by Burgoyne, who writes: 
 
 "On the 24th instant, the enemy upon Lake George attacked Dia- 
 mond Island in two divisions. Captain Aubrey* and two companies of 
 the 47th regiment had been posted at that island from the time the army 
 passed the Hudson River, as a better security for the stores at the south 
 end of Lake George than Fort George, which is on the continent, and 
 not tenable against artillery and numbers. The enemy were repulsed 
 by Captain Aubrey with great loss, and pursued by the gunboats under 
 his command, to the east shore, where two of their principal vessels 
 were retaken, together with all the cannon. They had just time to set 
 fire to the other batteaux, and retreated over the mountain." f 
 
 Brown arranged the plan of the attack with skill, but the artillery of 
 the British was too powerful for the sides of his little lake craft, and he 
 was obliged to retreat, though with a trifling, instead of "great loss," as 
 Burgoyne phrased it. 
 
 It must be remarked, however, as a singular fact, that the fullest 
 published account of the "Life of Colonel Brown," an able and meri- 
 torious officer, makes no allusion to this affair at Diamond Island, but 
 represents that he was ordered to Fort George to release the American 
 prisoners there, when the prisoners, whom Colonel Brown happily lib- 
 erated, were confined at Ticonderoga. 
 
 As an account of the history of this campaign is not included in the 
 plan of these "Notes," it will be sufficient to say that, eventually, 
 defeat crowned the efforts of Burgoyne, and his army was surrendered 
 to General Gates. | 
 
 The small force of British that now remained on Lake George after 
 the surrender of their chief withdrew to Ticonderoga, where General 
 Powell held command. 
 
 Nov. I. Samuel Herrick, colonel commanding at Pawlet, attacked 
 Powell in his stronghold at Mount Independence, with the following 
 characteristic letter : 
 
 "Pawlet Nov i' 1777. 
 
 *«Sir: 
 
 "By the time this comes to hand, I hope you will have recovered 
 from the surprise with which you have been repeatedly effected since my 
 
 * Thomas Aubrey, second son of Sir Thomas Aubrey, of Glanborganshire, entered the army as 
 ensign in 1762, and served in Florida. He was at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and was made a 
 major in 1782, and afterwards rose to the rank of colonel. He died, January 15, 1814. 
 
 i " Burgoyne's Report," App. liii. For the/a// account of this transaction, with the original 
 reports, see the author's paper on "The Battle of Diamond Island," now about being published 
 in a separate form. 
 
 J Two days before the surrender of Burgoyne, Sept. 15, being then at Fort Edward, David 
 How says, in his "Diary:" "This morning our Scouts Brought in upwards of 50 Indians that 
 were made prisoners Yesterday Near Fort George — They had With them Silver & Gold And a 
 Number of Blankets And other Valuable Bagege." (" Diary," p. 48.) 
 
.. NOTES ON THE 
 
 44 
 
 correspondence with you — You Impute my conduct to Ignorance of the 
 rules of War, I hope Sir I have not been Guilty of 111 manners 
 
 "if you please sir, I am ready to conclude the Trifling correspondence 
 with you provided you will Quit the Ground immediately, on which you 
 now pretend to teach me military rules, Otherwise I shall endeavour to 
 convince you at the Head of my Green Mountain Boys, That your 
 dominion is but Temporary 
 
 "I am sincerely sir 
 
 "Your most Humble Serv* 
 
 "Saml Herrick Cob Comd 
 '* To the Honorable Brigadier Genl Powel Commanding at mount 
 independence." ("Gates' MSS.) 
 
 General Powell, however, does not appear to have been greatly 
 alarmed by the "Green Mountain Boys," whom he estimated by his 
 own ideas of value; yet, when he found that he could no further sup- 
 port the sinking cause of the King by holding his position, he retired to 
 the North. Herrick, however, supposed that General Powell believed 
 him "serious," and that the belief caused a "precipitate" retreat. 
 Probably what the general feared was another letter. But we must 
 allow Herrick to tell his own story. 
 
 **PowLET November 14'-^ 1777' 
 
 "Sir 
 
 "I have the pleasure to inform you, that the Enemy have aban- 
 doned Tyconderoga Mount Independence &c on sattarday Last After 
 dimolishing all the Fortifications, Bridges, Burning all the Houses, and 
 destroying all stores Cannon &c. which they could not bring off, — their 
 retreat was precipitate inded, as appears by many circumstances. 
 
 "A few days before I was informed by deserters that their shipping 
 and a number of Boats were Loaded for St. Johns, who had orders to 
 return immediately to fetch more Loading . — About that time I 
 ordered Capt. Hem" Allen with 60 Rangers down to Lake Champlain 
 with orders to Take two Armed vessels by stratagem, and to secure 
 what provisions, Forage &c. he could, Capt. Allen was join'd by Capt. 
 Ln at Rutland, and a considerable number of the Inhabitants & 
 
 hunters a few days after which enlarged Capt. Aliens ditachments to 
 about 200 men. 
 
 "I suppose they had not yet recovered from the surprise which my 
 letter of Nov is* occasioned them, when Capt Aliens detachment was, 
 discovered on the Lake a few days After, which made them suppose I 
 was serious [x/V] in my hinted projects, and being afraid, that their retreat 
 would be cut off at the Narrows, they immediately began their retreat 
 on the 2^ Instant and finished the whole on Sattarday Last, 
 
 "Major Wait is gone with 75 men to cake possession and to secure 
 Stores, Cattle, Horses, &c boats, if the enemy have left any. Capt. 
 Allen is now harrassing the Enemies rear, endeavoring to take some 
 ^catring boats. 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 45 
 
 "The Coast is now clear and the season is far advanced and nothing 
 more is to be feared from the Enemy in this Quarter til Spring." 
 ***** (Gates' MSS., Vol. ii, p. 5.) 
 
 Military criticism is the proper work of soldiers, and yet it may be 
 allowable to advert briefly to the reasons that led Burgoyne to choose 
 the route by South Bay in preference to that of Fort George. Here, 
 therefore, let us insert Burgoyne's own defence. He writes: 
 
 " Question has been made by those who began at this period to arraign 
 my military conduct, whether it would not have been more expedient 
 for the purpose of rapidity, to have fallen back to Ticonderoga, in order 
 to take the convenient route by Lake George, than to have persevered 
 in the laborious & difficult course by land to Fort Edward. My motives 
 for preferring the latter were these: I considered not only the general 
 impressions which a retrograde motion is apt to make upon the minds of 
 both enemies & friends, but also, that the natural conduct of the Enemy 
 in that case would be to remain at Fort George, as their retreat could 
 not then be cut off, in order to oblige me to open trenches, and conse- 
 quently to delay me, and in the meantime they would have destroyed 
 the road from Fort George to Fort Edward. On the other hand, by 
 persisting to penetrate by the short cut from Fort Anne, of which I was 
 then master, to Fort Edward, though it was attended with great labor, 
 and many alert situations, the troops were improved in the very essen- 
 tial point of wood service; I effectully dislodged the Enemy from Fort 
 George without a blow; and seeing me master of one communication, 
 they did not think it worth while to destroy the other." (" Burgoyne's 
 Report," p. 12.) 
 
 It is clear, from what he says about opening trenches, that he knew 
 nothing of the real indefensibility of Fort George. Again, he writes to 
 show how he gained time: 
 
 *'I therefore shall add only two short remarks; the one, that the fact 
 of gaining considerable time by allotting the whole service of the water 
 craft to the transport of provision & stores over Lake George, instead 
 of employing great part of it for the transport of troops, is incontestably 
 proved by the evidence of Captain Money and Lieutenant Colonel 
 Kingston: the other, that to have reached Fort Edward with the troops 
 sooner than the 29th of July (the day that the first embarkation of pro- 
 visions reached Fort George) would not only have been useless but also 
 highly impolitic." [Ibid., p. 97.) 
 
 Still further, he declares that, in case he had moved his whole force 
 over Lake George, 
 
 "To maintain the communication with Fort George during such a 
 movement, so as to be supplied by daily degrees at a distance, continu- 
 ally increasing, was an obvious impossiblity." (/^/^, App. xxii.) 
 
.5 NOTES ON THE 
 
 In the course of the official inquiry into Burgoyne's military policy, 
 the following questions were put to the Earl of Balcarras : 
 
 "^. Had the army proceeded to Fort George by Ticonderoga and 
 Lake George, might not the enemy have remained at Fort George till 
 the trenches were opened, and have still had their retreat secure? 
 
 " y^. That is a matter of opinion upon speculation. 
 
 *' ^. Do you think that the British army, being well provided with 
 the artillery, was a probable reason for their not defending entrench- 
 ments ? 
 
 " y/. The reason they did not defend their entrenchments was, that 
 they always marched out of them and attacked us." 
 
 To the first question the answer is an idle one, while the reply to the 
 second is simply pert. Every one who inew anything ot Fort George 
 knew that a fox could have run over its walls. The idea of a siege 
 • would have made the commander smile. It is true that Washington 
 himself was ''informed"* that a brave commander could have held the 
 fort, and delayed the advance of the British, but what shall we say of 
 his informant ? 
 
 In regard to the allegation that the Americans were accustomed to 
 march out of their intrenchments to attack the British, we need only to 
 remember that such was simply not the case. 
 
 The misfortunes of a military commander always inspire hostile critics 
 with an astuteness that is remarkable and a wisdom that is profound. 
 Still we must do justice to King George by quoting his declaration, 
 written before the advance of Burgoyne, wherein he says : 
 
 "If possible, possession must be taken of Lake George, and nothing 
 but an absolute impossibility of succeeding in this can be an excuse for 
 proceeding by South Bay & Skenesborough."f 
 
 The seat of war having been removed by the surrender of Burgoyne, 
 and the return of the remaining British forces to Canada, Fort George 
 remained in quiet until 1780. The life of the little garrison, though 
 dull enough, no doubt, in fact, would now, if it had been placed on 
 record, aft'orded many incidents of interest to the historian. But the 
 record we do not possess, though many an old diary bearing on the sub- 
 ject may now be reposing amid the dust of ancient alcoves and garrets, 
 waiting to be drawn forth to light by the antiquary's hand. 
 
 Still the war was not destined to end without further adventures, for, 
 in the autumn of 1 780, Fort George suddenly came out once more into 
 public notice. 
 
 Impelled by the desire to recover three barrels of silver-plate, then 
 buried in the cellar of his house at Johnstown, and encouraged, perhaps, 
 by the prospective results of the treason of Benedict Arnold, Sir John 
 Johnson threaded his way down from Canada through the gorgeous 
 
 * See p. 36, ante. f Albermarle's " Memoirs of the Marquis of Rockingham," Vol. ii. p. 331. 
 
HISTORT OF FORT GEORGE. ^y 
 
 October forests, bore off his treasure, and retired northward again, pur- 
 sued by Governor Clinton, and marking his line of invasion with flames 
 and smoke. Major Carlton likewise improved the occasion to come 
 up Champlain and strike a blow at Forts Ann and George. The first- 
 mentioned post fell on October loth, and Fort George met the same 
 fate on the following day. But as we have in the "Garrison Orders" 
 of the few days previous some glimpses of the condition of things, let us 
 give them here: 
 
 " Garrison Orders Fort George 
 
 ''Sepr 26 178- 
 
 " Every Non Commissioned officer and Soldier that has drew Bayonet 
 Scabords and Belts from the public are to return them to Public Store — • 
 
 "The Commanding officers of Companies to see the above articles 
 Colected and the Regimental Quarter master to Recpt for the Same — 
 
 "John Chipman Capt Comdtt. 
 
 "Garrison Orders Fort George 
 
 " Octob'- 2 1780 — 
 
 "Where as Complaint is maid by the Adgnt and Sargnt Magor of 
 the great Difficulty they meet with in giting the men out the Perade in 
 consiquence of which there are to direct that the Revile is Beat every 
 morning at break of day when every officer Non Commissioned officer 
 and soldier are to attend the perade, except one officers S.-irv^t to each 
 room — the men are also ordered to keep their arms and accoutrements 
 in good order and in such position that they can lay their hands upon 
 them in the dark and if ocation Calls be ready for action in a moment — 
 They are also to observe to be on the perade on every call of the drum 
 without the least delay — The Sargeant of the gard is to awake the 
 drumer every morning — 
 
 "The Commanding officer Expects these orders will be complied 
 with in the strictest sence of the word, and who ever disobeys may 
 expect the severest punishment. — 
 
 "John Chipman Capt Comd^ 
 
 "Garrison Orders Fort George. 
 
 ''Ocf S'^ 1780— 
 
 "Court Martial to set immediately to such prisoners as shall be 
 brought before them 
 
 "Thomas Sill is President 
 "Ens" Grant 
 
 ti J T ^ Members 
 
 "d Lighthall [ 
 
 **The Court to set where the President shall appoint. 
 
 ■P John Chipman Capt Comd^ 
 
 (( 
 
 "The Court Convened and bemg duly sworn proceeded to the tryal 
 of Corp'l John Fretcher of Capt Wollcotts Company confined Neglect 
 
48 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 ot duty — Pleads not guilty The Court after hearing the evidence finds 
 him guilty ; and sentince him to be reduced to a private Sentinal and do 
 duty as such. 
 
 "Thos Sill Pris^t 
 
 "The above Judgment approved of and ordered to be Complied with 
 this evening at Rool Call — 
 
 "John Chipman Capt Comd^. 
 
 "Garrison Orders Fort George. 
 
 "■Octhr II 1778 
 
 *'Sir as it is reported to me that their is a small party of savages near 
 Bloddy pond, you will immediately take Forty Eight men, officers 
 included and Proseed on the main road until you make discoveries of 
 them, keeping a Suffiscient advance and Flank gards in Such a manner 
 as to prevent being surrounded, if you find a large party you will Em- 
 mediately Retreat to the fort except they should be savages only in 
 which case you will attack and immediately Charge upon them — " 
 
 ("Hist. Mag.," 1867, p. 378.) 
 
 But here the garrison orders suddenly came to an end, and the fort, 
 with its single mounted gun, sooh changed masters. 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 49 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 N V A S I O N S like the so-called " Northern 
 Invasion" had often been predicted, and Fort 
 George, as we have seen, had often been threat- 
 ened. Now, however, the act longed for by the 
 Tories took place. On the nth of October, 
 ignorant of the surrender of Fort Ann, and mis- 
 taking the advancing force of Major Carlton for 
 a handful of roving savages. Captain Chipman 
 sent out a party to reconnoitre. Meeting the enemy, they advanced to 
 the attack, and were defeated. Captain Sill and two ensigns being 
 killed, while the rest, with the exception of an ensign and fourteen men, 
 surrendered. Those who thus escaped fled to the fort, which Carlton 
 quickly surrounded. Resistance being useless. Fort George soon capit- 
 ulated to the enemy, obtaining honorable terms. 
 
 But, notwithstand-ng the commander acted with all the bravery and 
 circumspection that the case demanded, there was not wanting an accu- 
 ser to misrepresent the circumstances. 
 
 Concerning this affair. Governor Clinton reported to General Wash- 
 ington, Oct. 30, that: 
 
 "The little post and garrison of Fort Ann, appeared to me to have 
 been surrendered through treachery or cowardice. Capt Chipman, the 
 commanding officer of Fort George, having on the first alarm sent out 
 his whole garrison, (supposing the enemy to consist of only ab' 30 Indians 
 and tories), except 14 men obtained a very honorable capitulation, before 
 he could be induced to surrender." ("Letters to Washington," Vol. 
 "i> P- 133-) 
 
 Aspersions like these very naturally brought out a defence from Cap- 
 tain Chipman, and he accordingly addressed the following letter to the 
 public press:* 
 
 * This communication appears to have escaped the attention of those who have written on this 
 subject. 
 
CO NOTES ON THE 
 
 "Mr. Green, 
 
 "The Singularity of the Misfortunes which happened at 
 Fort George, on the nth of October last, will justify a Desire that you 
 will publish the following just Narration of the Circumstances of that 
 unhappy Affair through the Channel of your paper. 
 
 "In the Beginning of October last, having the Command at Fort 
 George, I was informed by my Scouts from the North End of Lake 
 George, that they had discovered two Sail of the Enemy's Vessels at 
 Anchor at Crown Point; which Intelligence, though nothing unusual, 
 I communicEted to Colonel Malcom, Commanding Officer in the 
 Northern Department. 
 
 "The Enemy's Force consisting of 800 British, one Company of 
 Yagers, 175 Indians and 200 Tories, under the Command of Major 
 Carleton, gained a rapid Passage from Ticonderoga to the Head of South 
 Bay, in the Night of the 8ih of October, detaching a Party to return 
 with their Boats to the Carrying-Place into Lake George, in Order to 
 transport their Howitzer, Shells, Sec. across that Lake to the Fort, 
 which though dignified with that Term is but an unfinished Angle of 
 the Intended Fort.* 
 
 "Monday the 8th of October, Capt. Sherwood, who commanded at 
 Fort Ann, (a small Stockade, seven Miles South of the Head of South 
 Bay, 20 E. N. E. from Fort George, and 14 from Fort Edward, gar- 
 risoned with two Lieutenants and seventy-five Men) was informed by 
 his Scouts of the Approach of the Enemy, which Intelligence he Imme- 
 diately communicated to Col. Henry Livingston, who commanded at 
 Fort Edward; but Col. Livingston not forwarding the Intelligence to 
 me, I was totally in the Dark with respect to the Enemy's Incursion 
 into the Country against Fort Ann and the Vicinity. 
 
 "Tuesday the loth, about Noon, Col. Livingston was inform'd by 
 two Gentlemen who had occasionally rode out and narrowly escaped 
 being taken, of the Enemy's having captured Fort Ann, and were 
 making a rapid Progress through Kingsbury, burning and destroying all 
 before them : Expresses were dispatched from Fort Edward upon this 
 second Intelligence into the Country, but none to Fort George, altho' 
 the Communication was open 'till 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon. Upon 
 my being informed of the two Vessels before-mention'd at Crown-Point, 
 I thought it necessary to keep a strict Eye upon them, and accordingly 
 dispatched a Batteau in the Night to the North-End of Lake George, 
 to watch their Motions, not knowing of their Troops having pene- 
 trated the Country by the Rout of South-Bay. This Boat went within 
 eight Miles of the Landing, andf to 
 
 Reconnoitre the Enemy, when they discovered the Party with the 
 Howitzer, &c. fearing for Fort George; my Party finding their Retreat 
 thus cut off wisely made their Escape by Land. 
 
 * See Schuyler's " Letter," p. 36, ante. 
 
 ■}■ The letters are blurred here and undecipherable. Copies of the paper are scarce. 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. cf 
 
 "Wednesday the nth. The Garrison having been two Days without 
 Provisions, I sent an Express to Fort Edward to have some forwarded, 
 but he returned, having discovered a Party of Indians near Bloody-Pond, 
 about a Mile and Half from the Fort. Thus situated without Provision, 
 Artillery, and but a small Quantity of Ammunition, I thought it most 
 advisable to reconnoitre this Party, with a View of falling upon the best 
 Method of saving the small Garrison, and accordingly issued the follow- 
 ing Order, from which I hoped some Advantage would arise either by 
 clearing the Road of the Savages or of protecting any Convoy of Pro- 
 vision that might be coming to the Fort. 
 
 "Garrison Orders. 
 
 •'Fort George, October nth, 1780 
 
 "Sir, 
 
 "As it is reported to me that there is a small Party of Savages 
 near Bloody-Pond, you will immediately take the Command of a Party 
 of forty-eight Men, Officers included, and proceed on main Road until 
 you make Discoveries of them, keeping sufficient advanced and flank 
 Guards in such a Manner as to prevent being surrounded; if you find a 
 large Party you will immediately retreat to the Fort except they should 
 be Savages only, in which Case you will immediately attack and charge 
 upon them.* 
 
 "John Chipman, Capt. Commandant. 
 "To Capt. Thomas Sill. 
 
 "Capt. Sill immediately marched, hut unfortunately taking a Rout 
 different from his Orders, he passed the Enemy on their Approach, and 
 on his Return fell upon their Rear, which effectually prevented a Possi- 
 bility of his Return to the Fort, and reduced him to the desperate Al- 
 ternative of attacking a Body of at least thirty to one^ or to march ofF 
 through the Woods and expose himself to the infamous Reflections of 
 Ignorance and Detraction; like brave Men they unanimously agreed 
 on the Former and formed their Line, advancing (each Officer in com- 
 mand of his proper Section) near a Mile upon the Enemy, when they 
 formed and were instantaniously attacked by this handful of brave Men 
 who soon forced them to give way, and advanced on with charged 
 Bayonets; but their Numbers being now known to the Enemy they 
 soon surrounded and killed or took the whole, except Ensign Grant 
 with 14 Men who made their Escape, and wisely kept clear of the Gar- 
 rison, Capt. Sill and two Ensigns fell in the Action, and the Enemy 
 immediately invested the Fort, and were opposed from the Wall by a 
 six Pounder (being the only Piece of Ordnance mounted in the Fort) 
 and 15 small Arms until they summoned a Surrender, which was granted 
 after obtaining the following Terms, which I have the Confidence to 
 declare I am not ashamed of, and could not have expected better if I 
 had ten Times the Number. 
 
 * This is the same order already quoted, revised for the printer. 
 
52 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 "This, Mr. Printer is a plain State of the Facts, and it will imme- 
 diately appear to every One that the want of Men, Artillery, Ammu- 
 nition and Provision is Cause sufficient for the Surrender of tenable 
 Forts, much more for the wretched Production of a cantrous Jebb, and 
 that the sending Capt. Sill was the only Step that could produce Ad- 
 vantage, by bringing in the Provision had it been upon the Road, or by 
 making such Discoveries as would have authorized an Evacuation ; but 
 when Orders are disobeyed, it is not surprising that Plans are not 
 executed. I obtained my Parole of Maj. Carleton until the 15th of 
 next May, which has been a Matter of Cavil to the busy Propagators 
 of unmerited Abuse and the pittyful Retailers of groundless Slander. 
 "I am, Sir, 
 
 "Your most humble Servant, 
 "John Chipman, 
 
 "Col. Warner's Regiment.*' 
 ("Connecticut Gazette," Feb. 16, 1781.) 
 
 To this he appends the articles of capitulation which were revised. 
 Therefore we give them verbatim: 
 
 " Articles of Capitulation between Major Carleton, commanding a 
 detachment of the King's troops, and Capt. Chipman, Commanding at 
 Fort George. 
 
 '■^Article V The Troops of the garrison to surrender themselves 
 prisoners of war. 
 
 ^'■Article 2"^ That the women & children be permitted to return to 
 their homes, with two waggons & their baggage. 
 
 ^'-Article 3^^ Each officer shall be allowed their servants 
 ^^ Article 4'^^ No Indian to enter the fort until a British detachment 
 takes possession of the fort. 
 
 ^'•Article 5"^ Major Carleton passes his honor that no levies on the 
 fort shall be lost, nor any person to be molested. 
 '•^Article 6(^ Each Soldier to carry his Knapsack 
 '■^ Article y'^ Ensign Barrett shall be permitted to return home with 
 his family & the regimental books, on giving his parole to Major Carle- 
 ton 
 
 "John Chipman, Capt Coms 2^ Battalion. 
 
 "James Kirkman, Lt. 2g^^ Regt. 
 
 "Wm Johnston, Lt. 47th Regt. 
 
 "Ch" Carlton, Major 29th Regt, &., &., &." 
 
 ("Almon's Remembrancer," 1781, p. 81.) 
 
 To this may properly be added the return of the killed, wounded, and 
 prisoners taken at Forts Ann and George, the loth and nth of Octo- 
 ber, 1780: "Killed, I Captain, 2 Lieutenants, I Ensign, 23 privates. — 
 Wounded, i Lieutenant, one private. — Prisoners, 2 captains, 2 Lieu- 
 tenants, 114 privates." 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. co 
 
 The English loss is given as follows: 
 
 "Return of the Killed and wounded of the detachment under the 
 command of Major Carleton, the nth of October, 1780. 
 
 ti^^th regiment, i private Killed, i Sergeant and i private wounded. — 
 King's rangers, i private Killed. — Major Jessop's corps, i private wound- 
 ed. — Indians, i Killed, i wounded." (//^/V, p. 82.) 
 
 To make the documentory portion of our story complete, we must 
 add some extracts from the correspondence of Col. Gansevoort with 
 Major Carleton. The former says: 
 
 "A certain James Van Deusen, who deserted from our service to 
 you, and who, since you were on this side of the lake, has stolen back 
 into the country, has been apprehended, & will suffer death as a deserter. 
 He confesses that after the recontre near Fort George, with some of 
 Col. Warner's men and your party, in which one of the Indians was 
 Killed, your Indians, in cold blood. Scalped one of Warner's men alive, 
 tormented him a considerable time, & afterwards cut his throat — and 
 all this in your presence." 
 
 To this Major Carleton replied: 
 
 "I should have expected Captain Chapnan [Chipman] would have 
 given a flat contradiction to James Van Deusen's confession. No 
 prisoner was scalped, or tortured alive. I saved the lives of several of 
 the prisoners, who were neither stripped nor insulted in the smallest 
 degree when the affair was over. I heard of one man being killed after 
 he was taken during the firing, owing to a dispute between the two 
 Indians, of different villages who had taken him. He was either a 
 negro or a Stockbridge Indian I believe. & he would not suffer himself 
 to be conducted to the British guard by a loyalist officer." (Stone's 
 "Brant," Vol, 11, p. 134.) 
 
 In regard to the manner in which the capture was accomplished. Gov- 
 ernor Haldimand wrote, Oct. 25th, commending Major Carleton, say- 
 ing: "The Secrecy and despatch with which this detachment pene- 
 trated, prevented any opposition of consequence on the part of the 
 enemy; and on the lO^^^ and ii'h instant, the garrisons of Fort Ann & 
 Fort George surrendered prisoners of war." ("London Gazette" in 
 *'Almon's Remembrancer," 1781, p. 81.) 
 
 It will be seen that Captain Chipman was expecting an enemy by the 
 way of Lake George, but was misled, and that, after the capture of Fort 
 Ann, he was not apprised of the fact. The information sent to others 
 did not reach him. 
 
 Oct. 13th, Col. Malcom wrote to Gen. Van Rensselaer that "a 
 very considerable body of the Enemy appeared on Tuesday at Fort 
 Ann, which was instantly given up by Cap' Sherwood. They came 
 
_. NOTES ON THE 
 
 54 
 
 on to the river & burnt a number of houses about Fort Edward. Yes- 
 terday they returned towards Lake George." (Hough's "Northern 
 Invasion," p. 93.) 
 
 The day previous, Stephen Lush, communicating with Governor 
 Clinton, says *' Col° Livingston writes, that his intelligence is, that 
 Carleton with his party are now at Fort George, and are to be joined 
 by a party from Ballstown under command of Sir John [Carleton]: 
 and that he [Col. Livingston] means if he can, with safety to his post, 
 march to the relief of Fort George." [Ibid, p. 90.) 
 
 But though there was considerable alarm, nothing was actually done 
 to stay the progress of the invaders ; and finally. Hall's " Poughkeepsie 
 Journal," of Oct. 16, announced to the public : 
 
 *' We hear from the northward, that a considerable body of British 
 Troops, Indians and Tories from Canada, by way of Lake Champlain, 
 have taken our posts at Fort George & Fort Ann, with the small gar- 
 rison ; and that the enemy are still burning & ravaging the country, in 
 the neighborhood of Fort Edward." 
 
 Little blame can, on the whole, be thrown upon the commander at 
 Fort George, especially as General Schuyler himself, writing the pre- 
 vious April, thought that the prospect of danger from the enemy was 
 small. 
 
 Governor Clinton appears to have taken a very active part in the de- 
 fence of this year, and May 29th was at Fort George, having come 
 thus far in pursuit of Sir John Johnson's band of marauders. Yet, when 
 the danger was really at hand, no adequate force was prepared to meet 
 it, and thus fort George fell, the English invaders, on the whole, earn- 
 ing the commendation that General Haldimand bestowed. 
 
 In regard to the disposition of the garrison of Fort George, we find 
 that, on Oct. 17th, 1780, Capt. Sherwood wrote to Colonel Henry 
 Livingston, from on board the Carleton, " Major Chipman is also 
 prisoner here with about forty men from Fort George." 
 
 There are various documents which show the measures taken to effect 
 the liberation of their prisoners, but they are not of sufficient interest to 
 quote here. 
 
 During the following winter both the English and the Americans 
 appear to have been in a poor condition to resume hostilities. Though 
 the former had withdrawn to the north, the latter had no heart to 
 advance their lines, and had no force northward of Saratoga. The 
 main line appears to have rested parallel to the Mohawk River. Thus 
 the cold season passed in .quiet, and the deserted ramparts of Fort 
 George were left undisturbed. 
 
 Yet the people of the entire region lived in continual fear. Though 
 the lakes were frozen, and the routes of travel were buried in snow, 
 they knew that the spring would come upon them, unfettering the 
 easily-navigated waters, and flinging wide all the gates. Therefore, on 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE cc 
 
 January 23, 1781, Joseph McCracken, in behalf of the people of White 
 Creek, addressed the Legislature of New York, saying that the march 
 of Burgoyne left the region of Skenesboro' ruined, while the capture of 
 Forts Ann and George, together with the ravages in Kingsbury and 
 Queensbury, left the people to conclude that the British were bent upon 
 their destruction. Moreover, the people had been kept "so long under 
 arms" that they had been obliged to neglect their crops, and, unless 
 immediate relief was given, they would withdraw altogether from that 
 part of the country. 
 
 The I/Cgislature, however, was poorly qualified to afford them any 
 special aid, and if anything was done in response to this appeal, the 
 record does not remain. 
 
 But, as the season advanced, the situation became invested with new 
 complications, and the people of New York found that they might any 
 day be obliged to contend with an enemy from Vermont, whose people 
 had worked themselves up into a high state of excitement, in conse- 
 quence of what they considered the aggressions of the government of 
 Albany. 
 
 Moreover, the leaders of the people in Vermont were engaged in a 
 system of double dealing; and, while representing themselves as friendly 
 to the union of the States, and ardently desirous of an American vic- 
 tory, were, at the same time, carrying on secret negociations with the 
 British. And whatever may have been the real designs of these men, 
 it is clear that they managed all their negociations in such a way as to 
 be ready to drop either party at any moment when it might serve their 
 purpose. 
 
 It is true that they cordially hated both the British and the people of 
 New York, and yet the more intense dislike appears to have been 
 reserved for their foes of the common American household. Ethan 
 Allen probably reflected the spirit of the leaders; and what he thought 
 we may gather from a letter written by General Schuyler, at Saratoga, 
 May 19, 1781. He says: 
 
 "Yesterday Major McCracken was with me and informed me that 
 Ethan Allen had some days ago been at White Creek attempting to 
 seduce the inhabitants from their allegiance to the State, that in conver- 
 sation with him, he asked what part the Grants would take in case the 
 enemy attempted to penetrate into the country. Allen replied that he 
 would neither give nor take any assistance from New York." ("Clin- 
 ton Papers," No. 3729.) 
 
 And, while this state of things continued, a transaction occurred which 
 is of interest at this time, chiefly for the reason that it relates to the his- 
 tory of Fort George, the subject now under consideration. 
 
 We find that, on April i6th. Governor Clinton wrote to General 
 Schuyler ("Clinton Papers," No. 3632) in regard to the secret nego- 
 ciations of the leaders in Vermont, and inclosed a letter on the subject 
 from General Washington. In regard to Harris and Fish, who are 
 
56 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 mentioned therein, he says that he has " some reason to believe that 
 they may both be confided in." 
 
 The letter of Washington, which does not appear in his published 
 *' Works," edited by Sparks, runs as follows, excepting one paragraph, 
 which has no bearing upon the subject before us: 
 
 "Head Quarters, New Windsor 15. Jpril 1781. 
 "Dear Sir 
 
 "The bearer Mr Fish of Saratoga district came to me this 
 morning, with the intelligence of which the inclosed is a copy. How 
 he obtained it from one Harris, he will inform your Excellency. Harris, 
 whose character perhaps your Excellency may be acquainted with, is to 
 meet the party under Ensign Smith the 20th of this month — is to con- 
 vey a packet to Albany and to carry another back to them. He pro- 
 posed to Fish to seize him at a place to be agreed upon and to take the 
 letters from him. But I think a better way would be to let him carry 
 the letters and answers in the first instance to General Schuyler, who 
 might contrive means of opening them without breaking the seal, take 
 copies of the contents, and then let them go on. By this means we 
 should become masters of the whole plot, whereas, were we to seize 
 Harris upon his first tour, we should break up the chain of communica- 
 tion, which seems providentally so thrown into our hands. Should your 
 Excellency approve the measures which I have suggested, you will be 
 pleased to write to Gen^ Schuyler upon the subject, and desire him, 
 should business call him from Albany, to leave the conduct of the affair 
 in proper hands in his absence. I have promised Fish that both he and 
 Harris shall be handsomely rewarded if they execute the business with 
 fidelity. 
 
 :)( * * * * . * 
 
 " With the highest Respect and 
 "Esteem I am 
 
 "Y"^ Excellency 
 
 ''Most o' Sere. 
 
 "G. Washington." 
 ("Clinton Papers," No. 3633.) 
 The communication referred to is to the following eff^ect : 
 
 "(Copy) March 29. 81 
 
 "Being on the frontier in the neighborhood of Skenesborough 
 on t\\e ^6^^ instant and being taken to be a tory were introduced to a 
 party of the Enemy from Canada as commanded by Ensign Thos Smith 
 late of Albany and David Higginbottom, Caleb Closen and Andrew 
 Rukeley the whole four in number come on to a plot to destroy the 
 independence of this and other States, it not being possible for me to 
 betray them in safety concluded it best to act the hypocrite for once and 
 succeeded so far as to draw from them that the grants had capitulated 
 privately to lay down their arms on the approach of the British, which 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. en 
 
 is to be done early this spring, when the British arc to proceed to Fort 
 George and take possession and fortify on Gages Hill,* for what pur- 
 pose they now have their boats and shipping ready framed at St Johns 
 and other places, to bring and put into Lake George with all other 
 preparations, even their pickets to fortify the above post with. I further 
 learned that their strength consists in eight thousand troops and Loy- 
 alists, and many in the State of New York were concerned, gentle & 
 simple, not only on the frontier, but throughout 
 " From the M at Evening 
 
 "to the 22." (" Clinton Papers," No. 3633.) 
 
 What was the result of the foregoing transaction it is impossible to 
 say. Possibly the men were well-meaning babblers, excited by the 
 prospect of reward. As regards General Schuyler, however, he ulti- 
 mately came to the conclusion that the leaders of Vermont, instead 
 of plotting against the American cause, were engaged in the equally 
 dangerous and dishonorable part of deceiving the authorities of Great 
 Britain. t Nevertheless, he continued to watch the Vermonters, and, 
 on May 4, 1 781, he wrote to Governor Clinton that he intended to 
 make a full examination of the subject. 
 
 * For a reference to this, see note on Fort G.ige, at page 6. The author does not remember 
 having seen any ocher allusion to "Gage's Hill" in the many contemporaneous manuscri[ts that 
 he has examined. Beyond doubt, the hill referred to is that which afforded the site of the old 
 fort, called " Fort Gage." 
 
 ■j- The author here desires to express no opinion in regard to the real intentions of Vermont, 
 as represented by her leaders. Nevertheless, the regret may be expressed that any should attempt 
 to justify what they claim to be the precise intentions of those men. There is something that it 
 worth more than immunity from temporary inconvenience, and which can never compensate for 
 the loss of good faith between nations, as also between man and man. 
 
58 
 
 NOTES ON THE 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 R I T I N G to Governor Clinton, May 4, 1781, 
 having his attention all the while closely given 
 to the movements on the Grants, Gen. Schuy- 
 ler says : 
 
 '^ That the enemy intend to take post more to 
 the south than were [j/V] they are at present, I 
 really believe, but I cannot imagine that they 
 mean permanently to do it on this side of Lake 
 George ; — should they fortify there at present it 
 must evidently be with a design to take advantage of any movement 
 of Sir Henry Clinton. A few days ago I advised General [James] 
 Clinton that some of the British ships were arrived at Crown Point." 
 
 In the same letter he also says : 
 
 *' The garrison here has been ten days without any meat, except what 
 they procure by marauding, every eatable animal in this part of the 
 country is already expended. Not a single scout can be kept out and I 
 fear that Harris's last account will speedily be verified, and that a great 
 majority of the troops here will go off to the enemy, (they may move 
 leisurely to Fort George or Skenesborough and be there received into 
 the enemies' boats) unless provision is instantly procured for them." 
 ("Clinton Papers," No. 3691.) 
 
 At this time the condition of affairs on the frontiers of New York was 
 trulv deplorable. North of Saratoga, in the region of Lake George, the 
 people were without defence, it being impossible to maintain a force at 
 so distant a locality as Fort George. 
 
 In the meanwhile, the deplorable dissensions with Vermont grew 
 apace, and frequent appeals were made to violence, so that troops were 
 urgently needed for the protection of the citizens against the Green 
 Mountain desperadoes. Happily, therefore, the British did not advance 
 far on the lakes. Nevertheless, the summer air was thick with rumors, 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 59 
 
 and the British were ever "coming." At last the imaginations of the 
 inhabitants took on the form of the following communication from 
 General Stark: 
 
 "Head Quarters 
 "half past 6 O ck Saratoga 
 
 "nth Qctbr I 78 I 
 
 " Dear Sir 
 
 "By Information this moment receid I am Informed that the 
 Enemy are now in reality on this side of Lake Geo:ge. for Gods sake 
 hurry on with all the Force you can collect as perhaps this may be the 
 Last Information I can give you until they are in reality here I can 
 Give no Information of their Force but we must be prepared for the 
 Worst. 
 
 **I am Dear Sir you 
 
 "very Hum^ Servt. 
 
 John Starke. 
 "B. Geni- Gansevort." ("Clinton Papers," No. 4060.) 
 
 The next day, October 12, General Schuyler followed up Stark, in a 
 letter to Governor Clinton, saying : 
 
 *'This moment I received an express from Gen: Stark advising me 
 that the Enemy had landed between Lake George & Saratoga." ("Clin- 
 ton Papers," No. 4064.) 
 
 Governor Clinton immediately ordered General Rensaelear to be in 
 readiness to march with his brigade ; and, meanwhile, the alarm was 
 spread abroad in print; for the "New York Journal," giving the Fish- 
 kill news of October 18, 1781, says: 
 
 " Accounts from the northward, give us strong indications of a hostile 
 visit in that quarter. It is said that they have advanced to the South 
 End of Lake George, in some force, but their numbers not ascertained 
 . . . Energetic measures are taking by the militia in that vicinity; a 
 brigade of regular troops, part of which are already at Albanv, passed 
 through this town last Monday, on their way to Fish-Kill Landing, and 
 there to embark on board of vessels to carry them up." 
 
 But the old cry of "Wolf!" did not, at least in this particular re2;ion, 
 again meet its traditional reward; and, October 26th, General Heath 
 wrote to Governor Clinton, from Continental Village, saying 
 
 "It is really surprising that accounts from the northward are so 
 vague and uncertain — At one time the Enemy are beyond the lakes,— 
 at another between them, and sometimes it is not known where they 
 are." ("Clinton Papers," No, 4097.) 
 
 On the same day, October 26, the Assembly of New York, in an 
 address to Governor Clinton, in which they said: 
 
^O NOTES ON THE 
 
 "It gives as great satisfaction to find that, notwithstanding the Extent 
 of our frontier Settlements and the desultory War, carried on by a bar- 
 barous Enemy, fewer depredation have been committed than we had 
 Reason to apprehend j Attributable, under God, to the Vigilance and 
 activity of the Forces Stationed for their Protection, and with you, wc 
 confide that the regular Troops and Levies lately detached for their 
 Defence, will be sufficient to repel the threatened Invasion of the 
 Enemy. 
 
 "Permit us. Sir, to express the high Sense we entertain of your 
 judicious Arrangements of our State IVoops, and of the distinguished 
 Exertions, which have on every Occasion, been made by your Excel- 
 lency, to defend the Frontiers against the hostile attacks of our merciless 
 Enemies." ("Journal of Assembly," 1781, p. 9.) 
 
 Yet their applause had hardly died away when the enemy actually 
 appeared; and the "New York Packet," of November i, reported 
 truly that a party of British, under Major Ross, had come down Oneida 
 Lake, burning dwellings and committing depredations, afterwards cross- 
 ing the Mohawk River. Colonel Willett met them, however, and 
 secured a decided victory. 
 
 November 3d, a second victory was reported as achieved by the same 
 •officer. From the "New Jersey Journal," of November 21, 1781, we 
 learn that the commanding general at Poughkeepsie, issued an order 
 recognizing the victory of Colonel Willett, and saying: 
 
 **The General has the pleasure of acquainting this army, that the 
 enemy have been completely disappointed in their designs on the northern 
 frontiers of this state, in consequence of the measures adopted to receive 
 them in the vicinity of the Lakes * * * * That part of their force 
 which was to proceed over the Lakes, has not dared to land on this 
 side."* 
 
 In all these operations Fort George made no figure, as neither party 
 found it advisable to throw forces forward to such an undesirable point; 
 and, when winter came again, the position was hemmed in by the ice 
 and snow. 
 
 With the return of spring (1782), the enemy, now disheartened by 
 the reverses sustained in the South, made no effort to renew hostilities ; 
 and the people on the border of New York were quite as much in fear 
 of the Vermonters as of anything. Yet, in the autumn, the alarm was 
 sounded, and, in October, Jacob Bayley wrote to Governor Clinton, 
 from Mowbury, as follows: 
 
 *' Ten days ago I had intelligence which I depended upon from St. 
 Johns that the enemy were moving in force up Lake Champlain that an 
 Expedition [would go] Southward from that place, the Tenth of Oc- 
 
 * The full report of Willett may be seen in the " New Jersey Journal," November 28, 1781, 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 6 1 
 
 tober, also that a force was going by the way of Oswego *** The enemy 
 will try to destroy Albany and Establish Vermont this season as well as 
 to support Vermont in opposition to Congress *** I lay on my arms 
 night and day being in Danger both from Britton and Vermont." 
 
 In a postscript, he adds : 
 
 "this minute I have Certain Inteligonce that the Enemy are Deter- 
 mined to Destroy Albany this fall that Vermont will make a great noies 
 by calling in the militia &c but you may depend it will not be to oppose 
 the Enemy but to Deceive the populous and prevent the militia from 
 assisting you." (" N. Y. State Legislative Papers," MS.) 
 
 Thus, we have another illustration of the declaration of Ethan Allen, 
 already quoted, that he would neither give nor take aid from New York. 
 
 Yet, notwithstanding all these threatening appearances, a peaceable 
 solution of the Vermont difficulties was reached, while the return to 
 friendly relations with the mother country extinguished the prospect of 
 foreign invasion, and left Fort George in the wilderness, a forgotten 
 relic of the past. 
 
 After its surrender by Captain Chipman, in 1780, it does not appear 
 that Fort George was ever of any real practical use, or even that it 
 possessed a garrison. Occasionally it may have furnished a refuge for 
 raiders, and lodgings for the strolling scouts; but a position selected 
 originally with so little judgment, and fortified with such limited strength, 
 must of necessity find its level in the estimate of military, men, by whom 
 it was ultimately abandoned as a post which it was not worth while to 
 keep. In the War of 181 2 it was not thought of. 
 
 But, though the military authorities lost all interest in the locality, 
 civilians were fully alive in regard to the financial importance of the 
 entire region. While of very moderate agricultural value, it possessed 
 forests of no mean worth; and, besides. Lake St. Sacrament still pos- 
 sessed its advantages as a route of travel for passengers bound to Canada. 
 Accordingly, many old soldiers who had served in the campaigns around 
 the lake, and consequently had claims upon their country, remembered 
 the sites of their former watch-fires, and petitioned for grants of land, as 
 was also done by many of the survivors of the French war previous to 
 the outbreak of the Revolution. When hostilities with England ceased, 
 among other petitions laid before the authorities was the following: 
 
 "The Petition of Jonathan Pitcher, Gurdon Chamberlin, Wyatt 
 Chamberlin and Isaac Doty residing on a Tract of Land at the South 
 End of Lake George commonly called Garrison-Land, humbly sheweth ; 
 That Your Petitioners, some time since, being desirous to emigrate 
 from the Old Settlements and to fix ourselves on the Frontier of the 
 State, did obtain, from the Surveyor Gen^ of the State, Leases of the 
 Lands whereon we now reside, which Leases being only for the Term 
 of One Year induceth us to address Your Hon'ble Body on the Sub- 
 
62 NOTES ON THE 
 
 ject — Your Petitioners having removed our families to this place at 
 great Expence from a very considerable distance, ardently wish to con- 
 tinue on the same, and do, most humbly pray that our Leases may be 
 renewed for as long a Term of time as your Hon'ble Body shall deem 
 most eligible; or that any other mode may be adopted whereby your 
 petitioners may be allowed to occupy the premises. 
 "Lake George Dec. 30 1783." 
 
 ("New York Legislative Papers," MS.) 
 
 December 19, 1784, Jacobus Van Schoonhoven and Gerardus Clute, 
 of Half Moon, say in their petition to the Legislature : 
 
 **That your Petitioners are desirous of accepting a Lease from the 
 State of the Landing Place at Fort George and fifty acres of meadow 
 land adioining the Same — as also the Exclusive right of Ferriage from 
 said landing to Ticonderoga — also the sole Exclusive privilege of Keep- 
 ing a Tavern at the Same Landing insomuch that no other person is to 
 be permitted to keep a tavern within the distance of half a mile from 
 Said Landing. That your petitioners propose and are willing to enter 
 into a Covenant for erecting a House & Barn and a sufficient number 
 of Ferry Boats for the purpose aforesaid."* 
 
 February following, William Cobb and Lyman Hitchcock made a 
 similar request, though apparently with poor results. Eventually the 
 greater portion of the land in this vicinity was granted to James Cald- 
 well, and the town which sprang up at the end of Lake George took 
 the proprietor's name, which it still bears. 
 
 In course of time the shores of this beautiful lake possesssd quite a 
 numerous population; and the number of the inhabitants is. now slowly 
 increasing year by year, many of whom are attracted by the romantic 
 recollections of the place, and the rare beauty of the scenery, which, 
 whatever may be the changes that are to come, can never lose its inef- 
 fable charm. 
 
 But the student of History may always enjoy a twofold pleasure 
 in visiting and lingering around the site of Old Fort George. The 
 flippant tourist who visits the lake as an act of fashionable propriety 
 
 * Connected with the petition of those wanting lands and other emoluments, is one bearing 
 date of January 4, 1784, from Lieut.-Colonel Robert Cochran, of " the Second New York Regi- 
 ment of foot in the Service of the United States," who "■ Humbly sheweth " to the «' people of 
 the State of New York in Senate and Assembly convened," 
 
 "That very shortly after the commencement of Hostilities by the British Troops, your Peti- 
 tioner at the head of a small party of Volunteers, and at the evident Risk and Hazard of his 
 Life attacked and carried with the British Garrisons at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, by which 
 fortunate and unexpected Event a very considerable quantity of heavy artillery and military stores 
 were secured for the use of the United States, as many of the members of this Honorable House 
 now present can attest." (" N. York Legislative Papers," MS.) 
 
 This statement is, of course, about as trustworthy as that by Ethan Allen, who likewise pro- 
 fessed that he was "at the head" of this same "small party," and who claimed the exclusive 
 glory of the capture of Ticonderoga. 
 
HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 63 
 
 will, indeed, hardly appreciate the feelings of the intelligent antiquary 
 who seeks to make himself familiar with each storied site. The forces 
 engaged around the lake were trivial compared with the armies that 
 have since done battle to maintain the Independence which was in 
 northern New York, at the outset, so largely achieved. Then, as 
 regards Fort George itself, we might have dismissed the subject with a 
 few words, saying that there never was any Fort George, since the 
 structure that bore the name was simply the bastion of an intended 
 fortification. But here the interest does not depend upon numbers 
 and architecture. In a historical point of view, the strength of an 
 army is of little more concern than the stature of its commander. It is 
 the morale of the struggle that chiefly excites reflection. At least the 
 antiquary finds it so at Fort George, where he hears no story of num- 
 bers, and is not impressed, as is some times the case at Ticonderoga, by 
 the extent of the military remains. Only one insignificant ruin is now 
 found on the old grounds at the head of the lake for which kings con- 
 tended through many long years. So obscure is the site, that those 
 who go rapidly over the route often do not see it at all ; while others 
 confound the ruins of Fort George with the remains of an ancient lime- 
 kiln that lie, an almost undistinguishable heap, near by. But the site 
 is, nevertheless, readily discovered, and, in approaching the lake from 
 Glen's Falls, it will be found on the right of the ancient military road, 
 embowered among the hemlocks and pines. The sally-port is gone, and 
 the rudely-built walls are crumbling to their fall. Plants and creepers 
 in many places hold together the loose stones laid by tired hands that 
 long since found rest. Within the inclosure, sheep browse among the 
 mullein stalks, and the tinkling of the cow-bell floats out from among 
 the trees, falling musically upon the car. It is a quiet place, indeed. 
 Fort George has known its last alarm, and fired its last gun. On a 
 mild summer day, everything is bathed in the atmosphere of peace, 
 which is only intensified by the glimpse of the sleeping Lake St. Sacra- 
 ment, which, from the ramparts, may be seen through the sun-smitten 
 haze. Here the antiquary may generally meditate undisturbed ; though 
 occasionally the silence will be invaded by some solitary visitor like 
 himself, or by some noisy troop of young tourists from the hotel, who 
 rush suddenly from out the wood, and, with shut sun-shades and um- 
 brellas, charge, in mimic war, and with a merry shout, upon the defense- 
 less walls of Fort George. But, anon, the enemy retreats, when he 
 is left again to dwell at leisure upon his historical notes, to identity the 
 localities, and recall the great memories of ambitious England, in con- 
 nection with the struggles of proud but dreaming France. Yet, as 
 regards the dreams of France, they were not altogether baseless. While, 
 in the nature of things, it was hardly possible, under ordinary circum- 
 stances, for descendants of the effete Latin race to become the rulers 
 of the New World, yet, at one time, French ambition seemed almost 
 on the point of realization. And it is, therefore, worth while here to 
 remember the fact, that, in connection with Fort George, the movement 
 
64 
 
 NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 was begun which was destined to end in the complete demolition of the 
 French power in America. And more ; the founding of Fort George 
 was the initiatory act in Amherst's campaign, during which the tide of 
 French prosperity turned, and the French themselves were driven from 
 the beautiful lake to which they originally gave the name. When 
 Montressor laid out the plan of the work, he in reality inaugurated the 
 Anglo-American success that led the way for the establishment of the 
 Great Republic. Therefore, however little we may owe to the strength 
 of the structure itself, its connection with American Independence is 
 every way deeply interesting. This circumstance alone will justify 
 the antiquary in the bestowal of much study upon the history of 
 these venerable ruins, which at no distant period are destined to pass 
 entirely away. 
 

 APPENDIX. 
 
 I. 
 
 ORDER Lr BOOK OF JAMES McGEb, 
 
 AT FORT GEORGE, JULY AND AUGUST, I776. 
 
 [C0»Y FROM THX ORIGINAL MS. IN THE NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY, 187I.] 
 
 Fort George July I'j'^i'j'jb 
 Rigmental orders 
 
 Parole Schylar 
 Gaurds to Be Mount«i As Usial officers for tomorow Cap" Martin 
 3y order of the Comanding officer Petter B. Tiars Adujant 
 
 Rigmental orders Fort George July the i6'^ 177^ 
 
 Parole Washington 
 All officers and Soldiers are forbid to go Among the Small pox and 
 ]8y no maner Enoculate or Sufer them Selves to Be Enoculated on pain 
 to be punishc^ Without the Benifit of A Court Martial Guards to Be 
 Mount<i as Usial Officers for tomorow Cap" Wright ^y order of the 
 Comanding officer Petter B Tiars Adujant 
 
 Rigmental orders Fort George July i8"^ 1776 
 
 Parole 
 A Rigmental Court Martial to Sett Emediately to try Such prisoners 
 as may Be Brought Before them. Gaurd to Be Mount<i as Usial officers 
 for tomorow Cap" Van ranselar By order of Co^ Ten Eyck 
 
 Petter B Tiars Adujant 
 Rigmental order Fort George July the 19 1776 
 
 Parole Ecopus 
 The Rigmental Court Martial to Be contin<i to try Such Prisoners 
 as may Be Brought Before them Gaurd to Be Mount^ as Usial officers 
 for tomorow Cap" Edmerson By order of Col Ten Eyck 
 
 Petter B. Tears Adujant 
 
66 APPENDIX TO 
 
 yH . INDEX TO NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 Rigmental orders Fort George July the 20'^^ 1776 
 
 Communications threatened, 31; El^ur at, I McKesson (John), 24. 
 
 Recruits for, 32 ; Surgeon for, 3i;Ag^gt].MPCE;W(IvKqjflKeath of, 36. 
 
 -....ri^nn^c^me %/ 
 
 bchuyrer marches for, 37 ; the fort destroyea,- 
 37 J Garrison escapes, 38 ; Called HFort Ed- 
 ward," 39 ; Col. Anstruther at, 39^ Wyrf- 
 
 Afolitcatm jtJ 
 
 iunroe 
 few, 
 
 Adujc 
 
 id.), Disperses rioters, 20, 45. 
 ptures Fort William Henry, 3, 53. 
 
 , Plans Fort George, 4. 
 
 oop'sSft8eui?l3^1eiR^tyie3t,igi9 Cftjyri- Ww"R^§^a' 
 
 ce/nmgi;'^'! nPorR'^fff!^^ tft)Jr5's4?i, <pffic ;ps,fyi(iDamp;-owTdQapfeeMajr,t1ni3Byhb 
 onftC Wi«ynTf©fi §3^^^ "^^' '='"'■' 45 ; ^ t^biet^ i3.p£TTER B Tears Adujant 
 
 edi- 
 
 Be 
 
 rder 
 
 the Fort G 
 
 46; Parks (Elijah), 14. 
 
 49; his vindication, 49; an "interPj^ptfyj^g 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 ser 
 
 enemy to take possession of Fort George, '5 6 ; 
 
 61; Petitions for land around, 61; Tavern Riedesel (The Baroness), 39; Journal of, 39. 
 at, 62: Ferry at, 62 ; the ruins of, 6f;^0 Ljgos^I/Bi^F^X6o 
 
 flectiiGaftPKcfstoOS^iyM^lirlfeJ't^ tJsii 
 
 Garr^D^d^^^f,g8^,6 
 
 Garrison land petitione 
 
 05 verms oj surrenfl^r, SI.5 Prisoners taken, rotts (Noah), 10. 
 
 7^m,%mxM%, ^pW?ffc^p9fi)vi»ot«#(lJJ<i^iak;oJffi!cerso feite<iomc«)v»5Capn 
 
 srV^P^^tResult of invasion, 5^; PMyj^I dfel^lB^f (slgrfj^^^l Ten Evclc 
 
 Rjgimer^.ft'lre^^j^JgAi^^ ^dujant 
 
 rf^ea^fGen.), 39. 
 
 rT^^i Eyck 
 
 Gat^(G0tra^;ly,s(J;^5^^4^y th ^7- 
 
 Gage's Hill, 57. a J J T / / 
 
 levoort (Col. Peter), 53, 65. PaROL i^^MfetogW^f? 7°, 73- 
 
 n MoiMtain Boys, aboijsh the Jaw, 20. Shirtev fGen. William), 3. 
 
 doi^a^'g^nerttal Court Martial tc sBdcaS^ts.Emediately 
 
 expresses, ^ETTER B TeARS Adujant 
 
 Rocque (Mary Ann), Plan of Fort George, 5. 
 igaud attacks Fort William Henry, 3. 
 
 Liai{G$t'.)fiS9.Usial officer for 
 
 Jog 
 
 ^"'"^SclS'ckScC} H^*"^-.^^^^ % ^^^^^ ""^ *^"' 
 
 Schuyler to^f Sffi^^o^22Tf A^^, 4(i^^^ 
 ^eatdeiiidjohn), his Memorial, 18. 
 
 'ncorldtroga, 2; Winter expedition against, 3, 
 les scaipt-d, 7. PaROLE ?^T^¥tf i^'^'"'''^^ Ticonderoga, 8 ; Delays at, 
 
 Gen, W.), jknighted, 25 flails to im- S, l§ ; in ruins, 18; Reinforced, 20; Plan 
 
 ^^£ffvati9agfie3 jv^WfttSr teouaro-v/ tfsr ItldkJ 4oifi£eicuf»!i, 46fliorow Cap" 
 
 Horipeti -Eyck 
 
 Indians (Disfurbjnces with), 9. 
 
 Jessop (Major), 53 S J J 
 
 Jersey Blues scai^i 
 
 Johnsafh(( 
 
 provVm p__, J, „. . 
 
 sMaffttH. By order of Col Ten Eye 
 
 gues (Rev. I.), 2. 
 
 Ka;fi(i|libss0^ je^n6^?6>f^ 7«/y 26'^ I77 3Try> 
 Ketchem (Stepnen), Information ot, 30. ' ' Tru 
 
 Knox (his Journal), 4. 
 Lake 
 Me 
 LaJKCJlfPSV, 
 
 Gov.j, 13. 
 mbuU (John), 24. 
 PAROL^Tfcoh^dribnaf^'an), 16. 
 
 yerjjaont, her negotiations with the British, 
 
 >e^l^et%sm,%-^m the Main Gaurd to- 
 1 IVgarhos|St'alis'!EHer'ai-e'f<:6> fake care of 
 
 :jWa#biPiiU)ru(Qsn,.)i.LfLtigr_on^56._ . , 
 
 ters with 
 
 Lit4i*il:fbartis4an(iwr3af?6f*=t>idfie to BW^feh'"a^I^-)bv tKe°ck?npiup 
 SE«m,'f/ing" or Col Buel. Ml^^^tEU .TmLw : 
 
 Mhi§m{Qm9,^S.iOl- tomorow Cap" 'VJ%ig(h«son (Sickness of), 26; Letter to Gates, 34. 
 
 "^'^^"r^R^^MWddki D Co// 
 
 row as 
 
 McCracken (Joseph), 55. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 67 
 
 R'lgmt orders fort George July 27'-^ '77^ 
 
 A Rigmental Court Martial to Be Set to morow Morning to try Such 
 prisoners as may Be Brought Before them Gaurds to Be Mount^ to 
 Morow As Usial officer for tomorow Cap" Edmenton 
 
 Petter Gansevoort 
 
 D Coll 
 R/gm' Orders Fort George July the 28'-^ 1776 
 
 Parole Gadson 
 
 Gaurds to Be Mount^ as Usial officer for to morow Cap" V" Ran- 
 selar Petter Gansevoort D Col 
 
 Rig' Orders July the 29/^, 1 776 
 
 Parole Liberty 
 Gaurds to be Moun<i as Usial officer for tomorow Cap" V" Nasa 
 
 Petter Gansevoort D CoU 
 Garison Orders fort George 30 July ijlb 
 
 Parole Success 
 Every Oficer Station^ At this Garison is order^ to Aply to the Adu- 
 jant of CoU V" Shaccks Regm^ for General Schuylers Orders of the 
 24th of May Last And As far as it relates to Ether of them they will 
 Comply With Said orders if Any officer After this Should Be found 
 Neglijent of Complying With Said order I Shall Be O Biige^ to take 
 Such Steps As Will Be Very Disagreeabel to Both them and Me the 
 officers Not on Duty Are Likewise order^ to Attend the Parade At the 
 Beating of the Troop and the retreat they are likewise order<i to turn 
 out to Exercise Every Afternoon At 4 oclock With the More Gaurds 
 to Be Mount^ tomorow As Usial officers for tomorow Cap" Mercelis 
 
 Petter Gansevoort D Col^ 
 
 Rigtnent^ orders Fort George July 3H' '77^ 
 
 Parole Shuylar 
 A corporal and Six privates to fitch A Batteau Load of fire Wood 
 for the use of the Generals family Gaurds to be Mounf^ as Usial officer 
 for tomorow Cap" Wright Petter Gansevoort D Col 
 
 Garison orders August the l'-^ 1776 
 
 Parole Sandy 
 the Court of Enquirery Sat this Day is order"^ to Sett tomorow Gaurds 
 to be Mount<i tomorow as Usial officers for tomorow Cap" Martin 
 
 Petter Gansevoort D Col 
 
 Garison orders Fort George August the 2'^ 1776 
 
 Parole McDougal 
 A Garison Court Martial to Set tomorow morning at Nine O'clock 
 
58 APPENDIX TO 
 
 to try Such Prisoners as may be Brout Before them Gaurds to Be 
 Mount<i as Usial officer for tomorow Cap" V" Renselar 
 
 Petter Gansevoort 
 
 D Col 
 Garison orders Fort George Augm the 3^^ 1776 
 
 Parole Industry 
 
 Gaurds to be Mount<l As usial officer for tomorow Cap" Merceles 
 
 Petter Gansevoort 
 
 D Col 
 Garison Orders Fort George August the /^'^ 1776. 
 
 Parole Grant 
 
 Gaurds to Be Mount^ as Usial Officer for tomorow Cap" Martin 
 
 Petter Gansevoort 
 
 D Col" 
 Garison crders Fort George August 5"^ 1776 
 
 Parole Coots 
 Gaurds to Be Mount^ as Usial officer for tomorow Cap" Edmuston 
 
 Petter Gansevoort D Col* 
 Garison Orders Fort George August the 6'^ 
 
 Parole Lewis 
 A Garison Court Martial to Be Sett at Eight Oclock tomorow 
 Morning to try Such prisoners As may Be Brought Before them Gaurds 
 to Be Mounfi as Usial officer for tomorow Cap" V" Nasy 
 
 Petter Gansevoort D Cob 
 Garison Orders Fort George August the 7'^ 1776 
 
 Parole McDougal 
 
 Gaurd to Be Mount^ as Usial Officer for tomorow Cap" Merceles 
 the Court Martial Sat yesterday is to Continue Seting to Day 
 
 Petter Gansevoort D Cob 
 Garison Orders Fort George August 8'* 1776 
 
 Parole Schuylar 
 Gaurds to Be Mount<* as Usial officer for to morow Cap" V" Ran- 
 selar Petter Gansevoort D Cob 
 
 Garison Orders Fort George August the 9'* 1776 
 
 Parole Froman 
 three privates to Be Detach<i from the Main Gaurd to the Corporals 
 Gaurd Which is Kept at the General Hospital from Which Place they 
 Are to furnish one at the point formerly CalH fort Wilam henry Gaurds 
 to Be Mount"! as Usial Officer for tomorow Cap" Edmeston 
 
 Petter Gansevoort D Cob 
 
NOTES ON THE HISTORT OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 6q 
 
 Garisott orders Fort George August the lo'^ 
 
 Gaurds to Be Mounts as Usial officer for tomorow Cap" V" Neys 
 
 Petter Gansevoort D Colo 
 
 Parole Tilton 
 
 Garisott orders parole Ten Eyck August \V^ ^11^ 
 
 A Garison Court Martial to Set tomorow Morning to try Such 
 prisoners as shall Be Brought Before them Gaurds to Be Mount** as 
 Usial officers for to morow Cap"^ Merceles 
 
 Petter Ganesvoort D Col 
 
 Garison Orders Fort George August the 12''^ 1776 
 
 Parole Anderson 
 Gaurds to Be Mount** as Usial officer for tomorow Cap" V" Ranselar 
 
 Petter Gansevoort D Co^ 
 
 Garison orders Fort George August the 13''* 1776 
 
 Parole Ranselar 
 Gaurds to Be Mount** as Usial officer for tomorow Cap" Edmeston 
 
 Petter Gansevoort D Col* 
 
 Garison orders Fort George August the 14'^ 1776 
 
 Parole Lisbon 
 one Sergt and 15 privates to go over the Lake tomorow Morning Gaurd 
 to Be Mount** to morow as Usial officer for to morow Cap" V" Neys 
 
 Petter Gansevoort Lt Col 
 Garison orders Fort George August 15'^ 
 
 Parole Vn Shaick 
 A Garison Court Martial to Sett tomorow Morning to try such 
 prisoners as shall Be Brought Before them Gaurds to Be Mount** as 
 Usial officer for to morow Cap" Martin 
 
 Petter Gansevoort Lt Col 
 Garison Orders Fort George August 16'^ 
 
 Parole 
 
 Gaurds to Be Mount** tomorow as Usial officer for tomorow 
 Cap" V" Ranselar Petter Gansevoort Lt Colo 
 
 Garison orders Fort George August i']th 1776 
 
 Parole Philadelphia 
 one Sergt and 15 Privates to Embark to morow Morning in three 
 Batries to cary Provision over Lake George Gaurds to Be Mount** as 
 Usial officer for tomorow Cap" Edmeston 
 
 Petter Gansevoort Lt Col 
 
70 74 APPENDIX TO NQJMPmbmQ:diISTORr OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 For twice she crosseiT Lake? George anc 
 
 Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and tSli^e^Fffrrol^'^m sing when my head is some night more at 
 
 Gaurda'ite; Be Mounts as Usial officer tor ?«ftiorow Cap" Martin , 
 
 Saint Peter's, Saint Francis, and Lake Saint p^'^^eQO^^^|(V fc^u^h, n^^ht^ reader, 
 Clair, thrice ; displeaTe,— 
 
 Gariso^^iVih^'Pam^ru^^f'hVFGm^ge 
 
 TJie^nger she 'scaped on those fresh water 
 ' 4eas,* 
 And from the salt Western Ocean, 
 
 J My limbs, too, require locomotion. 
 
 Gaur4sp,^pJ^^3MiOayWg^^Stye§i4kft^q!i6yfenr^<3ienx%«aH6Capn Vn Ran- 
 selar Petter Gansevoort 
 
 (From Miscellanies by an Officer [Arent Schuyler De Peyster], Vol. i-jW(^°l]^^-' 
 
 II. 
 
 DE PETSTER'S TOUR TO QUEBEC. 
 
 The days that have left no history are sometimes illustrated by old 
 ballads. In connection with the early history of Fort George, we may 
 therefore give some lines, of a slightly humorous character, from a now 
 scarce volume of " Miscellanies by an Officer," printed at Dumfries, 
 Scotland, in 1813. The author of the volume was Colonel Arent 
 Schuyler de Peyster, an officer of the British army, who appears to have 
 crossed Lake George twice before the outbreak of the American Revo- 
 lution. The date of the !W.^5S£3££i^ ^^ P^'^^^^B^}^?^ '" '■^^ accom- 
 panying lines cannot, peFtpj^^^ ^ ^^gg ^^^^ ^^^^^^ugh it appears 
 to have taken place while tM^^^MjgMMjp'^l^^r George to fire an 
 evening gun, since it is not ra^#^^)5pEjMfeg5/pW^nave heard the gun 
 from Ticonderoga. ^^ 
 
 The narrative is very eliptical, but, while the story lacks unity, we 
 have some glimpses of the condition of things not otherwise afforded. 
 The allusion to Vaudrueil is, of course, incorrect, as he had nothing to 
 do with the massacres of Bloody Pond. 
 
 At the time Colonel de Peyster crossed the lake, there appears to 
 have been no place of entertainment of any sort at the head of the lake, 
 as they encamped for the night. At this time the Indians were prowl- 
 ing about, and the batteau-men, as they worked their way along, were 
 accustomed to sing snatches of French songs. 
 
 The wolves appear to have been in full force, and the grim humor 
 Implied in the collection of bones by "Susan," is very likely founded in 
 fact. Sabbath- Day Point was the scene of many a bloody transaction, 
 and, at that period, abounded in such souvenirs. It is not at all won- 
 derful that, amid such scenes, "She" should start in afright at every 
 unfamilar sound. 
 
 But we must make a few remarks in regard to the author of the lines 
 in question. Valentine's " New York Manual," page 571, says, that 
 
NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. -j ^ 
 
 Colonel Arent Schuyler de Peyster, son of Colonel de Heer Abraham 
 de Peyster, was born in New York, June 27, 1736, and died at Dum- 
 fries, Scotland, at the advanced age of about eighty-seven. It is said 
 that he was not only "a soldier and diplomatist, for he wielded a vigor- 
 ous pen, and even shone in poetry, sufficiently so to merit a poetic 
 notice from the celebrated Burns, with whom he broke a lance in 
 verse." 
 
 One of Burns' fugitive pieces was addressed to him, beginning: 
 
 " My honor'd Colonel, deep I feel 
 Your int'rest in the poet's weal; 
 Ah ! how sma' head ha'e I to speel 
 
 The steep Parnassus 
 Surrounded thus by bolus pill 
 
 And potion glasses." 
 
 Colonel de Peyster commanded at Michilimackinac, in the North-west, 
 from 1774 till 1779. Probably he crossed Lake George on the way to 
 his department, in 1774; but it was clearly a visit prior to that which 
 he now describes. 
 
 Of the merit of his composition the reader will probably judge ; and 
 we need only observe here that, if with Burns he " broke a lance in 
 verse," then, " in verse," he has also cruelly *' cracked the legs of 
 Time," to say the least. But we give the composition now, with the 
 author's notes. 
 
72 
 
 APPENDIX TO 
 
 jTrom Saratoga to ti)e laiber g>t. JLaiurence, 
 
 ON HER WAY TO QUEBEC. 
 
 The wise and active conquer difficulties, 
 By daring to attempt, sloth and folly 
 Shiver and shrink at sight of toil a^d hazard, 
 And make the impossibility they fear. — Rowe. 
 
 SHE left Saratoga, at dawn of the day, 
 And passed bloody pond without fear,* 
 (Where the troops of Vaudrcul, with 
 dread Indian allies. 
 Scalped hundreds of Britons, ta'en there by sur- 
 prise). 
 And dropt, as she passed it, a tear. 
 
 Encamped at Lake George, as the sun disap- 
 peared. 
 The bull-frogs in thorough bass croaking, 
 Soon brought on a tenor from perched whip- 
 
 her-will,-}- 
 The screams of the wood-frogs,J in trebles so 
 shrill. 
 And buzz of muskettoes provoking. 
 
 On a wind-fallen tree, where I sat by her side, , 
 
 To guard my best treasure from harm, 
 She heard the screech owl, from an old blasted ^ ^hey landed, and dragged their batteau up the 
 oak. 
 
 The war-whoop of Ihdians, returning from 
 
 war ! 
 While the lone evening gun, discharged from 
 afar, 
 Re-echoed twelve times from the hills. 
 
 When all else was still, at the dead of the 
 night, 
 A boat, in the moon's wake, she spied; 
 In time went the oars, to the strokes-man's 
 
 boat-song, 
 When all joined in chorus, and pulled all so 
 strong, 
 She swift through the water did glide. 
 " Papillon vol, il vol, 
 Papillon vol, sur L'aviron."^ 
 C^rus — " Hotirre galere au fond. 
 Ho tiere galere. "11 
 
 Set up a dead cry, at the wood-pecker's stroke, 
 Which caused in her some small alarm. 
 
 beach \ 
 A fire was soon made for the pot ; 
 Each stuck up a forked stick, with bear's meat 
 
 I to roast. 
 
 And then pitched their tents on the musical 
 neara ; i coast. 
 
 And what every traveller's blood chills, — | As if to sojourn on the spot. 
 
 * The Indians who surprised the British, being in Canada. 
 f Called quack-qua-rie by the Indians. 
 
 I Their noise almost deafens. 
 
 ^ There' are two lines of a song set by the strokesman of the boat, to which every rower in 
 turn composes as much. 
 
 II A chorus the Canadian boatmen attach to most of their aquatic songs. 
 
NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 n 
 
 The guide stove a keg, ready placed on its 
 end, 
 
 Before he sat down on his pack. 
 To take up his calumet; when, in a trice 
 The commis cut every batteau-man a slice 
 
 From a roll of his bourgeois* tabac. 
 
 To them came the warriors, twelve in a canoe, 
 
 Who eyed her ascaunt for a while, 
 And but fur the war-pole,-|- 'twas pleasing to 
 
 view 
 How they laughed, danced, and sung, as familar 
 they grew, 
 O'er a cup of dashed yankeyj in style. 
 
 The war-chief invited my help-mate to dance, 
 
 To which she so kindly complied, 
 And stept so in time to their hollow-tree 
 
 drum. 
 The chief drank her health in a bumper of 
 rum. 
 While she by the fierce band was eyed. 
 
 This joyous scene changed to a dread thunder- 
 storm. 
 The rocks, woods, and waves, seemed on 
 fire; 
 The warriors appalled, did like aspen-leaves 
 
 shake, 
 Whose war-chief, alone, could stand near the 
 bright lake. 
 An emblem of Milton's hell sire.§ 
 
 Encamped the next morning, at Sabbath-day 
 Point, 
 Miss Susan was quickly embowered. 
 While her mistress sat musing upon the moss 
 
 stones ; 
 Sue brought her check apron, crammed full of 
 dried bones. 
 Of a man, whom the wolves had devoured. 
 
 Still not disappointed, her kettle she boiled, 
 
 At the boatmen's already-made fire, 
 And put in the tea, when the water was hot. 
 As all travellers do, when they've fractured the 
 pot, 
 Who do such refreshment require. 
 
 While salt pork was boiling, to give the men 
 heart, 
 And beds were preparing of heather, 
 The wolves a most hideous loud barking did 
 
 make. 
 In chace of a buck, which soon took to the 
 lake. 
 Where heedless all plunged in together. 
 
 He crossed, but the pack, with their brushes 
 all wet. 
 Ran shaking rhem, when we all fired ; 
 Thus peppered with buck-shot, they dared not 
 
 to stop, 
 Where they might have had each a salted pork 
 chop, 
 Or man's flesh, by wolves more admired. 
 
 She next passed the block-house for Tycan- 
 darougue. 
 From whence the last evening-gun fired. 
 And heard one from Crown-point, just at set- 
 ting sun, 
 But as a good day's work the boatmen had 
 done. 
 They halted that night, being tired. 
 
 From Crown-point a sloop crossed Champlain 
 the next night, 
 And towed the batteau by a line ; 
 Becalmed for a while, we held fast by the trees. 
 Where gnats and wild sand-flies poor travellers 
 do teaze. 
 Or I could have wished the land mine. 
 
 Soon gad-flies and bad flies, of every kind, 
 
 Drew blood, as Saint John's we approached j 
 Muskettoe nets there were of little avail. 
 For some would have pierced through a hogs- 
 head with ale. 
 If ale had been blood to have broached. 
 
 The rapids, alarming, were shot to Shamblee ; — 
 "Push her off!— Hold her to ! —Let her 
 
 go!"ll 
 The lady undaunted, still held up her head, 
 While Susan lay down on her face ^ almost dead, 
 And falling, drew with her a beau.^ 
 
 * The bourgeois or merchant sends out his commhy or clerk, with charge of his goods up the 
 Indian country. 
 
 f Bearing the scalps and dangling thereon. 
 
 J New England rum, much dashed with water. 
 
 § As Satan is depicted standing, in the frontispiece of an old edition of "Paradise Lost." 
 
 II It being so diflicult, from the impetuosity of the current, to keep the boat from over- 
 setting. 
 
 ^ A gentleman who was little calculated for such a journey. 
 
74 
 
 APPENDIX TO NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 Thus ends the first canto of rapids and lakes, 
 For twice she crossed Lakes George and 
 Champlain ; 
 Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron, 
 
 twice ; 
 :Saint Peter's, Saint Francis, and Lake Saint 
 Clair, thrice ; 
 Which made no short female's campaign. 
 
 The danger she 'scaped on those fresh water 
 seas,* 
 And from the salt Western Ocean, 
 I'll sing when my head is some night more at 
 
 ease, 
 T' intrude now too much might my readers 
 displease, — 
 My limbs, too, require locomotion. 
 
 * The waves run as high in these lakes as they do in the Atlantic 
 
 (From Miscellanies by an Officer [Arent Schuyler De Peyster], Vol. i., pp. 50-58.) 
 
 Dumfries, 1813. 
 
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INDEX. 
 
 ABERCROMBIE Attacks Ticonderoga, 
 3, 4- 
 Allen (Heman), 15, 44. 
 
 Allen (Ethan), a price put on his head, 9; cap- 
 tures Ticonderoga, 10 j Letter of,i7; Resigns, 
 19 ; " More to be Dreaded than Death," 21 j 
 Intriguing, 55. 
 
 Artillery sent to Cambridge, 17. 
 
 Anstruther (Col.), 39, 40. 
 
 Amherst (General Jeffries), moves to Lake 
 George, 4. 
 
 Artillery dug up, 6. 
 
 Arnold (Benedict), 14, 18, 46. 
 
 Beardsley (Reminiscences of), 9 
 
 Bailey (Jacob), 60. 
 
 Balcarras (Earl of), 46. 
 
 Boynton, History of West Point quoted, 12. 
 
 Barracks, 25. 
 
 Baldwin, 30. 
 
 Bdllstown, 54. 
 
 Bennington mob, 21. 
 
 Boucherville, 40. 
 
 Burns (Robert), 71. 
 
 Burgoyne (Secret Orders of), 35, 41 ; Surren- 
 ders, 43. 
 
 Bourdon (Jean), 2. 
 
 Buell (Lieut.-Col.), 25. 
 
 Blind Rock, 22. 
 
 Bloody Pond (Fight at), 2, 23, 48, 51, 70. 
 
 Brown (Capt. John), 10; Attack on Ticonder- 
 oga, 42 ; at Diamond Isle, 42. 
 
 Cannon removed from Ticonderoga, 15. 
 
 Carroll (Charles), 21. 
 'Carlton (Major), attacks the Americans, 47, 50. 
 
 Curnes (Major), 29. 
 
 Carroll (^Bishop), 21. 
 
 Capitulation (Articles of), 52. 
 
 Campbell (Major), 7. 
 
 Caswell (Peter), 13. 
 
 Chambeclin (Wyat), 61. 
 
 Champlain, 73. 
 
 Chase (Mr.), 21. 
 
 Chlpman (Capt. John), Commands at Fort 
 George, 47 ; his Orders, 47, 48 ; Clinton's 
 Aspersions of, 49 ; his Letter to the Press, 
 50 ; a Prisoner, 54. 
 
 Clinton (Gov.), 21, 47, 49, 51, 58, 62. 
 
 Connecticut Gazette, 52. 
 
 Cobb (Captain), 32. 
 
 Conspiracy of Vermont and the British, 56. 
 
 Continental Congress, 15. 
 
 Cochran (Col. Robert), his Petition, 62. 
 
 Court Martial, 47, 65, 
 
 Cobb (William), 62. 
 
 Crown Point, I, 2, 73. 
 
 Craig (Capt.), 27. 
 
 Curtenius (Peter T.), 9. 
 
 Dally (Mr.), 20. 
 
 De Lancey (Proclamation of), 8. 
 
 Delaplace (Captain William), 10. 
 
 Defendorf (Henry), 32. 
 
 Deal (Sam.), 9. 
 
 Deane (Barnabas), Letter of, 18. 
 
 De Peyster (Col. Arent Schuyler), 70. 
 
 Diamond Island, Stories of, 41 ; Attack on, 43; 
 Captain Aubrey Commands at, 43. 
 
 Dieskau (General), 2, 22. 
 
 Dartmouth (Earl of), 13. 
 
 Doty (Isaac), 61. 
 
 Dyck(C^V.),33. 
 
 Evans (Lewis), Essays, quoted, I. 
 
 Element Hill, 5, 7. 
 
 Eyck (Col. Ten), 65. 
 
 Ferry at Fort George, 62. 
 
 Five Mile Run, 37. 
 
 Fort Edward, 8, 23, 34, 40. 
 
 Fort Gage, 6, 57. 
 
 Fort Ann Abandoned, 37. 
 
 Fort Stanwix, 4. 
 
 Fort Lyman, 2. 
 
 Fort William Henry (Building of), 3. 
 
 Franklin (Benjamin), 21. 
 
 Fort George Planned, 4; Situation of, 5; 
 Rocque's plan of, 5 ; Workmen at, 8 ; Work 
 ends, 8; Seized by Romans, 10 ; False re- 
 ports of, II; Surrendered by Nordberg, 12; 
 Capture of, 14 ; Cannon removed to, 15, 17, 
 19; called "William Henry," 17, Boats 
 Built at, 17; the command at, 19; Exam- 
 ined by Engineers, 19; Troops needed, 20; 
 Carpenters sent to, 20; Activity at, 21 ; Gen- 
 eral Thomas leaves, 21 ; Condition of, 22; 
 Schuyler at, 22 ; Graydon at, 22 ; Batteau 
 at, 23; Exposed to enemy, 23; Gansevoort 
 commander at, 24; Sickness at, 25; Bar- 
 racks at, 25; Woedtke dies at, 26; Wilkin- 
 son sick at, 26, 27; Alarm at, 29; Dayton's 
 regiment ordered to, 29 ; Hides wasted, 29 
 
78 
 
 INDEX TO NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF FORT GEORGE. 
 
 Communications threatened, 31; Flour at, 
 31 ; Recruits for, 32; Surgeon for, 32; g"'^' 
 at, 33; Hospital at, 33; Capt. McCrackin 
 commands at, 34; Burgoyne's approach, 35} 
 Garrison in danger, 36; its condition de- 
 scribed, 36 ; Stores removed from, 37 ; 
 Schuyler marches for, 37; the fort destroyed, 
 37; Garrison escapes, 38; Called "Fort Ed- 
 ward," 39; Col. Anstruther at, 39; Wyn- 
 coop's fleet at, 39 , " Rebels" at, 39 ; Ried- 
 esel maintains communication of, 41 ; Lieut. 
 Irwine commands at, 41 ; Secret orders con- 
 cerning, 41 ; stores carried from, 41 ; Pris- 
 oners taken near, 43 ; the coast clear, 45 ; 
 Burgoyne on the Fort George route, 46 ; 
 Garrison orders, 47, 48 ; Capt. Chipman 
 commands at, 49; Surrendered by Chipman, 
 49; his vindication, 49; an "intended fort," 
 50 } Terms of surrender, 51 ; Prisoners taken, 
 52; Reports concerning, 54; Fort George de- 
 serted, 54; Result of invasion, 55; Plans of 
 enemy to take possession of Fort George, 56 ; 
 Rumored approach of enemy to, 39; its im- 
 portance lost, 61 ; not used in war of 18 12, 
 61 ; Petitions for land around, 61 ; Tavern 
 at, 62; Ferry at, 62; the ruins of, 63; Re- 
 flections on, 63 ; Orderly Book kept at, 65. 
 
 Garrison Orders, 47, 48, 65. 
 
 Garrison land petitioned for, 61. 
 
 Gates (General Thos.), 23, 24, 43. 
 
 Gage's Hill, 57. 
 
 Gansevoort (Col. Peter), 53, 65. 
 
 Green Mountain Boys, abolish the law, 20. 
 
 Graydon, 22, 23. 
 
 Half Moon, 20. 
 
 Hamilton (Gen.), 40. 
 
 Haldiman (Gov.), 153. 
 
 Herrick (Samuel), Letter to Gen. Powell, 43. 
 
 Hlnman (Col.), 19. 
 
 Horicon, 3. 
 
 Indians (Disturbances with), 9. 
 
 Islands possessed by the French, 7 ; Fight ar, 7. 
 
 Jessop (Major), 53. 
 
 Jersey Blues scalped, 7. 
 
 Johnson (Gen. W.), knighted, 2; Fails to im- 
 prove his advantages, 3 ; Governor of Guern- 
 sey, 4, 22. 
 
 Jogues (Rev. I.), 2. 
 
 Kayaderosseras (Patent of), 13 
 
 Ketchem (Stephen), Information of, 30. 
 
 Knox (his Journal), 4. 
 
 Lake George (Route over), i ; Battle of, 2 ; 
 Men at, 9; Ferry at, 9, 40, 71, 72. 
 
 Lake St. Sacrament, i; Name of, 2, 61. 
 
 Lincoln (Gen.), 41 , Letter to Yates, 42. 
 
 Livingston (Col.), 50. 
 
 Loudon (Earl of), 3. 
 
 Malcolm (Col.), 50. 
 
 McCracken (Joseph), 55. 
 
 McKesson (John), 24. 
 
 McCrea (Miss), Death of, 36. 
 
 Moses Creek, 35. 
 
 Minott (Samuel), Letter to Clinton, 21. 
 
 Montgomery (Gen.), 21, 
 
 Mott (Capt. Ed.), Disperses rioters, 20, 45. 
 
 Montcalm captures Fort William Henry, 3, 53. 
 
 Munroe (Col.), 3. 
 
 Montrcssor (Col.), Plans Fort George, 4. 
 
 Mount Independence, 33, 43. 
 
 Nordberg (John), his petition, 11 ; Surrenders 
 
 Fort George, 12; Dismissed, 14, 
 Parks (Daniel), "Took the key," 13; his 
 
 tablet, 13. 
 Parks (Elijah), 14. 
 Parks (Ephraim), 14. 
 Palmer (Gen.), 42. 
 Phelps (Noah), 10. 
 Potts (Noah), 10. 
 
 Potts (Dr.), 26; Letters to Gates, 27, 33, 35 
 Recluse Island, 4. 
 Rensaelear (Gen.), 59. 
 Regiments, 28; Commanders of, 28, 31, 
 Riedesel (Gen.), 39. 
 
 Riedesel (The Baroness), 39 ; Journal of, 39. 
 Ross (Major), 60. 
 Romans (Bernard), Takes Fort George), 11 5 
 
 Note on, 11; Goes to Albany, 14; Sends 
 
 expresses, 15. 
 Rocque (Mary Ann), Plan of Fort George, 5. 
 Rigaud attacks Fort William Henry, 3. 
 Sabbath-Day Point, 70, 73. 
 Shirley (Gen. William), 3. 
 Stockade, 5, 7. 
 Sill (Thomas), Killed, 49. 
 St. Clair (Gen.), a "great soldier, 35, his 
 
 retreat, 36. 
 Sherwood (Capt.), Surrendered Fort Ann, 50, 
 
 53- 
 Schaick (Col.), 31, 32. 
 
 Schuyler to Washington, 22, 31, 34, 54, 57. 
 Sparden (John), his Memorial, 18. 
 Ticonderoga, 2 ; Winter expedition against, 3, 
 
 Amherst attacks Ticonderoga, 8 ; Delays at, 
 
 8, 18 ; in ruins, 18; Reinforced, 20; Plin 
 
 for attack, 42; Evacuated, 44. 
 Tryon (Gov.), 8, 13. 
 Tiars (Adjutant Peter B.), 65. 
 Tryon (Gov.), 13. 
 Trumbull (John), 24. 
 Trumbull (Jonathan), 16. 
 Vermont, her negotiations with the British, 
 
 55 ; Fear of, 60. 
 Warner (Samuel), Journal of, 5, 7. 
 Washington (Gen.), Letter on, 56. 
 Woedtke (Death of), 26. 
 Willett (Col.), his success, 60. 
 Wilkinson (Sickness of), 26 ; Letterto Gates, 34, 
 Williams Dr. Thos.), Letter of, 2 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 LB S '07