FIGHTING MEN _ILUNOIS(i LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 977.365 B28f I.H.3. This book has been digitized through the generosity of Robert O. Blissard Class of 1957 University of Illinois Library at Urbana-Champaign ^iiiiiiii;iiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiniiii:iiiiiniiii]iiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiii]i!iiiiiiii!]!iiiii ii!iiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiii!iiiiiiiiiiiiii]iiii!iiiiiiiiiiuiiii iini i iu iii!iiiiiiiiiii in ii i ii i ii ?/!(iuii'iiii;!i:iiiiiiii^ AN ILLINOIS PATRIOT ^mutMIHHNmilliniinWIMimHmiHIUimiMIIHHimHNHH UHHHMHIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIilllHIHIIIIIiniHIIIk^ niiiii:i!iiinin^ FIGHTING MEN of ILLINOIS A 71 Illust fated Historical Biography Cofupikd from Private and Public Authentic Records VERMILION COUNTY EDITION Edited and Published by S. C. BARTLETT Chicago, Illinois Copyright, 1918 S. C. BARTLETT All rights reserved ^77-365 w 'M\ ill iIr' alistract is a fcarsonit' thing. War, witli our own lioys in uni- form, instead of a fearsome thing, becomes an inspiration. Sucii is tlic war for Democracy that has been waged by tlie nations of Europe and our f)wn United States against tlie flerman Autocracy. Thai Vermihon County, Illinois, .should hold a front rank in the part i-layed by our own boys is but natural. 'I he very air of this section of Illinois breathes l)atnotism and love of country. The mothers of this district instill into their sons and daughters love of Ciod and love of the Mag, before even the children have a sense of obligation and realization of their own. When America entered this war of the ages an;iinst barb.-irisin, the youth of Vermilion heard and heeded the cry of broken I'.elgiiuii and blei-diiig huiuanitw .Se;irch the record of te(l to set forth what Ver- milion and Vermilion's sons typify. If we have succeeded the success is due not to us, not to the typogra|)her who prepared this book, but to the fathers and the mothers who raised these sons for this highest and greatest service to humanity. THE PUBLISHER. Discover!) of| TRADITION Chapter I THE histor}' of any section of our great west lying between tlie Alleghany mountains and the Missis- sippi River must of glorious necessity start with the history of France on the American continent. Here where fearless courage, undaunted bravery and hardy perseverance always find the response of ready appreciation, we of the west look back with glowing pride to the deeds accomplished and obsta- cles overcome by these intrepid men — the founders of our western civilization — the discoverers of our homes today. The bright lustre of their fame France shares with us since La Salle, Joliet. Marquette, Champlain, and a thousand others mothered by fair France rest now in the bosom of the land that ever enticed and enthralled them. Their efforts are the corner stones of the greatest civilization the world has ever known. Their trials and tribulations were not in vain. Upon the foundation left by them there has in less than three centuries been established the most powerful nation known to histor}'. Tradition — the forerunner of history — really means unjiroven history — but it does not necessarily follow tradition is untrue. Many really great experiences befallen hitherto unknown and obscure men, have been related, retold and marked tradition and have been denied the pages of civilized history. The probability that many of these undertakings were true, but were accorded to tradition and unrecorded in history is due to the fact that they were either not recorded securely enough, or that they were recorded in wrong places. The great tradition of France is that in 1488, antedating Columbus by four years, Cousin, a French sailor, discovered America. Cousin, sailing from his home port of Dieppe, while far out to sea off the African coast, was forced westward by wild winds until one day he beheld land in the distance. Upon closer investigation he made out the mouth of a large river. Lacking the initiative of the later navigators, he made no e.\plorations, nor did he land, but with the aid of clement weather retraced his course and in due time returned to France. Among his sailors on this voyage was one Pinzon whom Cousin threw into chains on account of his mutinous conduct. When the Port of Dieppe was finally reached, Pinzon was dismissed from the mar- itime service. He journeyed to Spain and there met Columbus, acquainting him of his recent voyage. He also was a member of Columbus' crew in his voyage of discovery. This is tradition. It is a known fact that in 1500, Cabral, a Spanish navigator, had an ex])erience similar to the one related by Cousin. Fierce gales, temjjestuous winds and stormy seas tossed him about until he was blown within sight of land, which proved to be Brazil. This in itself is of sufficient evidence that what befell Cabral in 1500, could just as easily have happened to Cousin in 1488. With the destruction of the city records of Dieppe in 1694, perished the opportunity of ever being able to find even a clue to substantiate Cousin's claimed discover)'. Previous to this date no thorough investigation of the records was ever known to have been made. A search previous to 1694 might have verified Cousin's discovery. Is it not possible then that the name Cousin should shine clear upon the pages of histor}' instead of ajipearing dimly among the misty myths of tradition? Following in the wake of Spanish and Portuguese endeavor, ship after ship sailed from the northern ports of France, bent on voyages of discovery. By 1500 French vessels manned by French sailors had rounded the Cape of Good Hope, venturing far into the seas beyond, had touched the coasts of India and had even sighted the shores of Australia. The fishermen from the harbors of Brittany are known to have reached the coast of Newfoundland as early as 1504. The name of Cape Breton is found upon the earliest maps. These voyages were all private undertakings, unauthorized by the king or state. They had no direct result except to build up a class of sailors unequalled for their sturdy seagoing qualities. A new era in French explorations soon started. Francis I, ambitious to obtain some of the wealth and glory of the new world, encouraged every form of maritime enterprise. These voyages were organ- ized for the distinct purpose of turning whatever might be discovered to the direct benefit and profit of France. It was the intention of Francis I to establish organized government upon all lands found. "Francis I of France manifested but slight reverence for Pope Alexander VI and his bulls. Accord- ing to Bernal Diaz, he sent word to his great rival, Charles V, asking him by what right he and the king of Portugal undertook to monopolize the earth ; had our first father, Adam, made them his sole heirs? If so, it would be no more than proper for them to produce a copy of the will, and meanwhile he should feel at liberty to seize upon all he could get." Verrazano, a Florentine by birth, but in the service of France during the years of 1523 and 1524, voyaged to America and followed the coast line from North Carolina until he reached the fishing grounds of Newfoundland. His rejiort to the king upon his return is the first written description of the shores of x\merica. Jacques Cartier Indians Greeting the French Chapter II IX the year 1534, Jacques Cartier, a sea captain from the famous port of St. Malo, in search of the mythical northwest passage to India entered the St. Lawrence Bay. The day Cartier ascended tlie St. Lawrence, French Dominion in reality started in America. His voyage was frought with direct resuUs. The stories told by him of this wonderful country — its native inhabitants — its vast forests — its plentitude of animals of all kinds rewarded the king for his efforts so far and spurred him on to reap the full reward of discover}^ He began planning at once how to people and how to govern this new domain which he had christened New France. On May 19, 1535, Cartier left the port of St. Malo on a second trip to the country of New France. His expedition consisted of three stout ships with a crew of over a hundred sailors, augmented by many adventurous gentlemen of noble blood. When he again reached the St. Lawrence countrj' he was wel- comed on every hand by the friendly natives. On what is now the present site of Montreal, they vis- ited the Indian town of Hochelaga, of over 1,200 inhabitants. From the top of the mountain against whose slopes the town nestled, a view unsurpassed of the surrounding country was obtained. Bound- less forests and fertile valleys, occasionally cut by the streams which wound through them, reached out in an endless panorama before the eye. To this noble site, Cartier gave the name of Mount Royal. It was now October and the chill weather of a Canadian fall warned them that winter was fast approaching. Cartier, instead of returning to France, decided to spend the winter months in this new land. Thus he and his followers were the first Europeans ever to experience the monotonous cold- ness of the Canadian winter. They were ill prepared to stand this severe test especially in the matter of clothing and food. Many died from sickness and the rigors of the unaccustomed climate. At last winter came to an end and the ice in the rivers gradually melted. On May 3, 1536, Cartier .started home for France, arriving at St. Malo on Sunday, July 17, 1536. The new continent had come in touch for the first time with the civilization of the ages. For the first time they traded the fish from the streams and the corn from their fields for the knives, hatchets, mirrors and other articles of European commerce. Cartier in his description of these lands relates : "On both sides of the river were very good lands filled with as beautiful and vigorous trees as are to be seen in the world, and of various sorts. A great many oaks, the finest I have ever seen in my life, and so full of acorns that they seemed likely to break down with their weight. Besides these there were the most beautiful maples, cedars, birches, and other kinds of trees not to be seen in France. The forest land toward the south is covered with vines, which are .found loaded with grapes as black as brambleberries. There were also many hawthorn trees, with leaves as large as those of the oak, and fruit like that of the medlar tree. In short, the country is as fit for cultivation as one could find or desire. We sowed seeds of cabbage, lettuce, turnips and others of our country', which came up in eight days." Mention is also made of "wild corn, peas in flower, currants, strawberries, roses and sweet herbs." The majority of the time passed by Cartier upon the new continent was spent shut up in winter quarters, so he did not have much opportunity to explore the interior or study the native inhabitants. His description of the Indians encountered in his travels is accurate as concerns their appearance and some of their habits and characteristics. He did not have sufficient time to post himself on their tribal forms of government, or to classify them correctly according to their tribal names and units. As he brought several Indians back to France, lie gave his king and patrons visible proof substan- tiating his statements concerning them. 13 On May Z5, 1541, after an interval of fi\-e years. Cartier again sailed from St. Alalo, after persuad- ing the king to grant him a commission to revisit New France. He saw again the same lands and the same people as on his second voyage, and passed another strenuous winter among the impenetrable forests of the northwest. With the coming of spring he determined to return to France, arriving there during the summer of 1542. On account of the internal dissension and religious wars which his country was experiencing at this time, Cartier could obtain no further patronage nor assistance. After disheartening attempts to secure financial aid for another voyage, Cartier, worn out by the strain of past efiforts and present disappointments, retired to private life. He was now well past fifty years of age. The remainder of his days were spent in the quiet and seclusion of his countrs- home on the outskirts of St. Malo. Of all the names linked with the early history of the west none deser\es more lasting renown than Jacques Cartier. He was cheerful and optimistic under the most discouraging circumstances. He was undaunted in the face of obstacles that to many seemed unsurmountable, yet he overcame them all, In his dealings with the Indians he showed a natural tact and discernment that many of his successors would have done well to imitate. In his attitude towards his followers he was just and considerate. He commanded the respect and confidence of his king at an age when it was the custom rather to be an object of dis- trust and suspicion. His intercourse with the new world was unstained with the blood of either Indian or white man, which was in great contrast to the bloody battles soon to be fought upon these same shores. Although after the retirement of Cartier, no authorized attempts were made at either exploration or colonization many private enterprises left the ports of Dieppe and St. Malo for tlie shores and fish- ing grounds of New Foundland and the harbors fringing the Bay of Fundy. The venturous mariners of the northern provinces of France were jealous of the sudden wealth which had befallen their Spanish neighbors — but whereas Spanish sailors searched mostly for gold and silver — the French traders were content to be covetous of the safer and surer profits derived from the fur trade of Arcadia and the fishing grounds of Xew Foundland. Arcadia was the name given the eastern peninsula of Canada. With the advent of every successive ship upon the shores of Xew France the commerce between Indian and white man grew in proportion. The natives each spring became accustomed to scanning the horizon for sails. The moment ves- sels approached they hurried to carry to the beach the results of their winter's hunting. Their skins they bartered for the knives, hatchets, beads, cloth and other European commodities carried by the traders. It was from them the Indians obtained their first taste of alcohol, which was eventually to become one of the primary reasons for the degeneration and disorganization of their race. The wines of France were given them, not as an artick of barter, but to rather serve as an induce- ment for friendly relations. That this trading in skins and fish was of large proportions notwithstanding the wars that were wrecking France is shown from the following quotation from Parkman : "In January and February, 1545, about two vessels a day sailed from the French ports for New- foundland. In 1565, Pedro Menendez complained that the French 'rule despotically' in those part.s. In 1607, there was an old French fisherman at Canseau who had voyaged to these seas for forty-two successive years." This was an age of great moment for France and the whole civilized world. These stormy years were filled with epoch making events. Mary Queen of Scots was executed — the Netherlands revolted — the massacre of St. Bartholomew took place — William of Orange was assassi- nated and the Spanish Armada was defeated. Foreign wars, religious strife, and internal disorder had torn France asunder. When such protentious happenings were taking place there it little wonder that France was not tempted to take over new responsibilities. But in 1594. with the firm hold of Henry IV upon the throne with the issuance of the Edict of Nantes in 159 \ and with the end of foreign wars by the Peace of Vervins, France was ayain ,Tt rr^t. (©^ Along the St. Lawrence 14 Samuel De Champlain b^ <^ - high, situated on the bank of the river. X. Swift brook, adapted to all kinds of mills. Y. Gravelly shore where a quantity of diamonds are found somewhat bet- ter than those of Alanson. Z. The Point of Diamonds. 9. Places where the savages often build their cabins. Chapter III THK attitude of France toward her colonial enteri)rises was unturlunate. The nation, weakened by long wars was financially unable to spend any sum of sufficient size to safeguard her Amer- can interests. Her dependencies were possessions in name only. Cartier's gift to his country was never rightfully appraised by Henry IV nor his successors. It pleased France's pride to own Canada, but she did not nationally assume the responsibility. She shifted the burden upon private individuals and covetous corporations all of whom were pledged to work for the nation's interest and at the same time were expected to pay fat royalties from the pro- ceeds of their commercial undertakings. The king, under this arrangement had his new lands taken care of at no exi)ense to himself. If the companies prospered he was enriched ; if they were unsuccessful his was not the treasure which had been depleted. \'iewing the situation from a financial angle 1-Vance could not lose and she perhaps might gain, but the slur of commercialism will forever stain this jieriod of her history. We forgive and almost forget this deserved, but unneeded stigma, when we review the fearless exploits of some of the heroic explorers and the marvelous journeys of the Jesuits and Friars. To the individual efiforts of these men, ever hampered by commercialized authority, we owe the beginnings of the civilization which we today enjoy, but to commercialized France no credit should be given since her attitude was never one of encouragement nor support. This short-sighted policv with its indifference to results finallv cost l-"rance the greatest realm on earth. Her duty was plain. She should have faced the responsibility no matter what it cost. From 1598 until 1643, company after company was chartered — one royal favorite after another sponsoring them. Everyone an eventful failure. Not one of these organizations was serious in their professed intentions of settling the country. Their conceptions were inspired entirely by the fabulous profits exjiected to be derived from the fur trade. Every charter contained the monopoly of this coveted commerce. There never, though, could be a tight monopoly. Daring individual traders contemptuous of any exclusive claim to this trade still continued to barter their wares for the Indian furs. There was turmoil and trouble. Along the whole coast line the monoi)olists and bucaneering traders fought iniioiKjst llicinselz'fs 7i.'hen not ranged against each other. During all these wasted and ill spent years, Champlain stands supreme, like an Errant Knight of old, his goal once set his purpose never wavered. The ambition of liis life was to .^zrilz'c from the vast barbaric wilderness a populated and governed country. There was little hope for the settlement of the country while the avowed juinmsc of every enterprise was the immediate enrichment of its coffers. There was no intention of waiting or any sincere attem|it to build for future generations. What settlement was made grew out of the necessity of having to possess established centers for the traders to winter in. The active traders, those who actually crossed the Atlantic, may be classified under the headings — trading explorers and exploring traders. The difference lav in which stimulus most spurred them on— the love of adventure or the desire for wealth. It would have been a different .story if the king himself had appreciated the worth of his new empire and colonized with the same efficiency that he fought his enemies at home and abroad. The slow growth of the colony of Quebec is an excellent illustration of the lack of serious interest on the part of anvone in I'rance to properlv occupv the country. In 1626 the entire population was composed of only' 105 men, women and children. Of ihese only two families were self-supporting from the cultivation of the soil. Where France should have encouraged the farmer and home builder, she sent the soldier and sailor. .•\11 fine fighters, all enterprising explorers, but all lacking the steadfast qualities needed to capitalize their efforts for the growth of the country. We owe them much. We admire them more. For more than thirty years the influence of Champlain's iiersonality ruled the destinies of Xew France. 19 From the time of his first voyage in 1598, to the day of his death in 1()35, Champlain devoted his whole existence to this Xew World. His life was filled with continual and dangerous adventure, the least important of which would today be considered the experience of a life time, if one were fortunate enough to survive. Judged by immediate results his labors were in vain, weighed by permanent results no one can even estimate sufficiently the great value to the world of his explorations and his sincere attempts at colo- nizing. Through the lakes and rivers found by him the commerce of the world now passes. From the little settlement of Quebec has gradually, step by step, evolved the great west of today. Quebec's humble beginning is described by Champlain. "From the Island of Orleans to Quebec the distance is a league. I arrived there on the 3rd of July, when I searched for a place suitable for our settlement, but I could find none more convenient or better situated than the point of Quebec, so-called by the savages, which was covered with nut trees. I at once employed a portion of our workmen in cutting them down, that we might construct our habita- tion there. One I set to sawing boards, another to making a cellar and digging ditches, another I sent to Tadouffac with the barque to get supplies. The first thing we made was the storehouse for keeping under cover our supplies, which was promptly accomplished through the zeal of all, and my attention to the work. "I had the work on our quarters continued, which was composed of three buildings of two stories Each one was three fathoms long, and two and a half wide. The storehouse was six fathoms long and three wide, with a fine cellar six feet deep. I had a gallery made all around our buidings, on the outside, at the second story, which proved very convenient. There were also ditches, I constructed several spurs which enclosed a part of the dwelling, at the points where we placed our cannon. Before the habitation there is a place four fathoms wide and six or seven long, looking out upon the river bank. Surrounding the habitation are very good gardens, and a place on the north side some hundred or hundred and twenty paces long and fifty or sixty wide. Moreover, near Quebec, there is a little river, coming from a lake in the interior, distant six or seven leagues from our settlement. I am of the opinion that this river, which is north a quarter, northwest from our settlement, is the place where Jaques Cartier wintered, since there are still, a league up the river, remains of what seems to have been a chimney, the foundation of which has been found, and indications of there having been ditches surrounding their dwelling, which was small. We found, also, large pieces of hewn, worm-eaten timber, and some three or four cannon- balls. All these things show clearly that there was a settlement there founded by Christians ; and what leads me to say and believe that it was that of Jacques Cartier is the fact that there is no other evidence whatever that any one wintered and built a house in these places except Jacques Cartier, at the time of his discoveries. "While the carpenters, sawers of boards, and other workmen were employed on our quarters, I set all the others to work clearing up around our place of abode, in preparation for gardens in which to plant grain and seeds, that we might see how they would flourish, as the soil seemed to be very good. "Meanwhile, a large number of savages were encamped in cabins near us, engaged in fishing for eels, which begin to come about the iSth of September and go away on the 15th of October. During this time all the savages subsist on this food, and dry enough of it for the winter to last until the month of Feb- ruary, when there are about two and a half, or at most three, feet of snow; and, when their eels and other things which they dry have been prepared they go to hunt the beaver until the beginning of Janu- ary. At their departure for this purpose, they intrusted to us all their eels and other things, until their return, which was on the 15th of December. But they did not have great success in the beaver hunt, as the amount of water was too great, the rivers having overrun their banks, as they told us. I returned to them all their supplies, which lasted them only until the 20th of January. When their supply of eels gave out, they hunted the elk and such other wild beasts as they could find until spring, when I was able to supply them with various things. I paid especial attention to their customs. "These people sufifer so much from lack of food that they are sometimes obliged to live on a certain shell fish, and eat their dogs and the skins with which they clothe themselves against the cold. I am of the opinion that, if one were to show them how to live, and teach them the cultivation of the soil and other things, they would learn very aptly. For many of them possess good sense, and answer properly questions put to them. They have a bad habit of taking vengeance, and are great liars, and you must not put too much reliance on them, except judiciously, and with force at hand. They make promises readily, but keep their word poorly. The most of them observe no law at all, so far as I have been able to see, and are, besides, full of superstitions. I asked them with what ceremonies they were accustomed to pray to their God, when they replied that they had none, but that each prayed to him in his heart, as he wished. That is why there is no law among them, and they do not know what it is to worship and pray to God, living as they do like brute beasts. But I think that they would soon become good Christians, if people would come and inhabit their country, which they are for the most part desirous of. There are some savages among them, called by them Pilotois, whom they believe have intercourse with the devil face to face, who tells them what they must do in regard to war and other things; and, if he should order thern 20 Abitation DEr- "^ ^ilg^ Champlain's Explanation of the Accompanying Drawing Abitation de Quebecq A. The storehouse. B. Dove-cote. C. A. Building where our arms are kept, and for lodging our workmen. D. Another building for our workmen. E. Dial. F. .Another building, comprising the black- smith's shop and the lodgings of the mechanics. G. Galleries extending entirely round the dwellings. H. The dwelling of .Sieur de Champlain. I. Gate to the habitation where there is a drawbridge. L. Promenade about the habitation ten feet wide, extending to the border of the moat. M. Moat extending all round our habitation. N. Platforms, of a tenaille form, for our cannon. O. Garden of Sieur de Champlain. P. The Kitchen. Q. Open space before the habitation on the bank of the river. R. The great river .St. Lawrence. to execute any undertaking, they would obey at once. So, also, they believe that all their dreams are true ; and, in fact, there are many who say that they have had visions and dreams about matters which actu- ally come to pass or wall do so. But, to tell the truth, these are diabolical visions, through which they are deceived and misled. This is all I have been able to learn about their brutish faith. All these people are w^ell proportioned in body, without deformity, and are agile. The women, also, are well-formed, plump, and of a swarthy color, in consequence of certain pigments with which they rub themselves, and which give them a permanent olive color. They are dressed in skins; a part only of the body is covered. But in winter they are covered throughout, in good furs of elk, otter, beaver, bear, seals, deer and roe, of which they have large quantities. In winter, when the snow is deep, they make a sort of snow- shoe of large size, two or three times as large as that used in France, which they attach to their feet, thus going over the snow without sinking in ; otherwise, they could not hunt or walk in mam' places. They have a sort of marriage, which is as follows: W'hen a girl is 14 or 15 years old and has several suitors, she may keep company with all she likes. At the end of five or six years she takes the one that pleases her for her husband, and they live together to the end of their lives. But if, after living together for some time, they have no children, the man can disunite himself and take another woman, alleging that his own is good for nothing. Hence, the girls have greater freedom than the married women. "After marriage the women are chaste and their husbands generally jealous. They give presents to the fathers or relatives of the girls they have wedded. These are the ceremonies and forms observed in their marriages. In regard to their burials : When a man or woman dies, they dig a pit, in which they put all their property, as kettles, furs, axes, bows, arrows, robes and other things. Then they place the body in the pit and cover it with earth, putting on top many large pieces of wood, and another piece upright, painted red on the upper part. They believe in the immortality of the soul and say that they shall be happy in other lands with their relatives and friends who are dead. In the case of captains or others of some distinction, they celebrate a banquet three times a year after their death, singing and dancing about the grave." Champlain's accounts of the appearance, characteristics, customs and habits of the Indians are im- portant. These records are truthful and contain none of the exaggeration so often found in the jour- nals of these earlier explorers. Champlain was a good Christian and a hater of lies. His is a story of the IndiTns before ci\'ilizatinn had had the opportunity to make any impression upon them. \\ ar. generations old, was continuous between the Algonquins and Iroquois for the sujiremacy of the Indian world. Champlain early felt the need of Indian assistance in his many explorations. He concluded wisely that these voyages could be made much safer if he was on friendly terms with the natives. He had to choose between the Algonquins and the Iroquois; it was impossible to be on good terms with both races as their hatred of each other was of too long standing. The geographical location of the Algonquins compelled his choice. As the Algonquins inhabited the countr}- in and around .St. Lawrence valley, he gladly accepted their friendly advances and to cement further the understanding so advantageous for himself, joined them in their wars against the Iroquois. I'renchmen though, acquired by this alliance the undying and bitter enmity of the fiercest, craftiest, most politic race of Indians known to history. In 1609 on Lake Champlain the first encounter of any size took place. This lake was called "Caniaderiguarunte" by the Indians, meaning "the lake that is the gate of the country." It was the "no man's land" of the Algonquins and Iroquois. Every invasion made by either race into the territon,' of the other had to pass through its portals. Champlain's account of this first skirmish is interesting. "When it was evening we embarked in our canoes to continue our course : and, as we ad\anced very i|uietly and without making any noise, we met on the 29th of the month the Iro(|uois, aliout ten o'clock at evening, at the extremity of a cape which extends into the lake on the western bank. They had come to fight, ^\'e both began to utter loud cries, all getting their arms in readiness. We withdrew out on the water and the Iroquois went on shore, where they drew up all their canoes close to each other and began to fell trees with poor axes, which they ac(|uired in war sometimes, using also others of stone. Thus they barricaded themselves very well. "Our forces also passed the entire night, their canoes being drawn up close to each other and fas- tened to poles, so that they might not get separated, and that they might be all in readiness to fight, if occasion re(|uired. We were out u]ion the water, within arrow range of their barricades. \\'hen they were armed and in array, they despatched two canoes by themselves to the enemy to inquire if they wished to fight, to which the latter replied that they wanted nothing else ; but they said that, at present, there was not much light, and that it would be necessary to wait for daylight, so as to be able to recognize 22 each other; and that, as soon as the sun rose they would oflfer us battle. This was agreed to by our side. Meanwhile, the entire night was spent in dancing and singing, on both sides, with endless insults and other talk ; as, how little courage we had, how feeble a resistance we would make against their arms, and that, when day came, we should realize it to our ruin. Ours also were not slow in retorting, telling them they would see such execution of arms as never before, together with an abundance of such talk as is not unusual in the siege of a town. After this singing, dancing and bandying of words on both sides to the fill, when day came, my companions and myself continued under cover, for fear that the enemy would see us. We arranged our arms in the best manner possible, being, however, separated, each in one of the canoes of the savage Montagnais. After arming ourselves with light armor, we each took an arque- buse and went on shore. I saw the enemy go out of their barricade, nearly two hundred in number, stout and rugged in appearance. They came at a slow pace towards us, with a dignity and assurance which greatly amused me, having three chiefs at their head. Our men also advanced in the same order, telling me that those who had three large plumes were the chiefs, and that they had only these three, and that they could be distinguished by these plumes, which were much larger than those of their companions, and that I should do what I could to kill them. I promised to do all in my power, and said that I was very sorry they could not understand me, so that I might give order and shape their mode of attacking their enemies, and then we should, without doubt, defeat them all ; but that this could not now be obviated and that I should be very glad to show them mv courage and good will when we should engage in the fight. ".As soon as we had landed they began to run for some two hundred paces toward their enemies, who stood firmly, not having as yet noticed my companions, who went into the woods with some of the savages. Our men began to call me with loud cries; and in order to give me a passage-way, they opened in two parts and put me at their head, where I marched some twenty paces in advance of the rest, until I was within about thirty paces of the enemy, who at once noticed me, and, halting, gazed at me, as I did also at them. When I saw them making a move to fire at us, I rested my musket against my cheek, and aimed directly at one of the three chiefs. With the same shot, two fell to the ground; and one of their men was so wounded that he died some time after. I had loaded my musket with four balls. When our side saw this shot so favorable for them, they began to raise such loud cries that one could not have heard it thunder. Meanwhile, the arrows flew on both sides. The Irociuois were greatly astonished that two men had been so quickly killed, although they were equipped with armor woven from cotton thread, and with wood which was proof against their arrows. This caused great alarm among them. As I was loading again, one of my companions fired a shot from the woods, which astonished them anew to such a degree tliat, seeing their chiefs dead, they lost courage, and took to flight, abandoning their camp and fort, and fleeing into the woods, whither I pursued them, killing still more of them. Our savages also killed several of them, and took ten or twelve prisoners. The remainder escaped with the wounded. Fif- teen or sixteen were wounded on our side with arrow shots; but they were soon healed. "After gaining the victory, our men amused themselves by taking a great quantity of Indian corn and some meal from their enemies, also their armor, which they had left behind that they might run better. After feasting sumptuously, dancing and singing, we returned three hours after with the prisoners. The spot where this attack took place is in latitude 43 degrees and some minutes, and the lake was called Lake C'liam])lain," In 1()10 he made a second attack againt the Imquois. It was successful like the first. The last Indian invasion he took part in was the Big \Var Party of lU\S. When unable to dislodge the Iro(]uois. the French and Algonquins returned disheartened back to the valley of the St. Lawrence. C'liani|ilain was disgusted with the inability of his Indian allies to maintain order and discipline. Ihl3 marks the end of the active participation of C'haniplain in Indian warfare. ]