FORT WILLIAM HENRY BUILT. ASSAILED BY THE FRENCH. During these transactions the French under Montcalm were by no means inactive. As early as the 20th of March, they made an attempt to take fort William Henry by surprise, but their object was defeated by the bravery of the garrison, and several of their number slain. They, however, succeeded in burning three sloops, a large number of batteaux, three store houses, and indeed every thing of value, which was not protected by the guns of the fort. 60 wounded. Among the slain were Col. | ry prospect of success, the expedition was Williams, Maj. Ashley, and Captains In- consequently abandoned. gersoll, Porter, Ferrel, Stoddard and M’Ginnes, and among the wounded was Col. Johnson. Of the Indians belonging to Johnson's army about 40 were slain, among whom was Hendrick, a distinguished Mohawk sachem. The loss of the French was about 700 slain, and among these were several officers of distinction. Johnson was deterred by fear, or some other cause, from pursuing the retreating enemy, or making any attempt upon their works on lake Champlain; and the remainder of the campaign of 1755, was spent in erecting a fort at the south end of lake George, which was afterwards called fort William Henry. SECTION VI. French and English Colonies-from 1756 to 1758. Fort William Henry surrendered to the French-Massacre of the garrison. In 1756 a considerable number of troops, and several distinguished officers arrived from England, and a large provincial army was collected at Albany and at fort William Henry. But while the English officers were deliberating upon the course to be pursued and the troops were lying inactive, the French, under the brave Montcalm, were prosecuting their affairs with energy and success. With scarcely any loss on their part, they succeeded in taking and demolishing the forts at Oswego, where they took 1400 prisoners, 120 pieces of cannon, 14 mortars, and a large quantity of ammunition, military stores and provisions, and also 2 sloops and 200 batteaux. The English suffered the season to pass away without any attempt to retrieve their loss, or annoy the enemy. The command of the English forces in America having been given to Lord Loudon, he sailed from New York in the spring of 1757, with 6000 men for the purpose of attacking the French fortress at Louisburg. At Halifax his force was increased to 12,000 men, with a fleet of 15 ships of the line and a large number of transports under admiral Holburne. But he here received intelligence, that a French fleet of 17 line of battle ships and three frigates had arrived at Louisburgthat their land force amounted to 6000 regulars, 3000 natives, and 1300 Indians, and that the place was well provided with ammunition, provisions and military stores. This information, dissipating eve At the opening of the spring, Col. Parker was sent down the lake, with a detachment of about 400 men, to attack the enemy's advanced guard at Ticonderoga, but he was decoyed into an ambuscade of French and Indians, who fell upon him with such impetuosity and success, that only two officers and 70 privates of his number escaped. Encouraged by this success, Montcalm resolved once more to attempt the reduction of fort William Henry. For this purpose he collected, at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, all his forces, amounting to 10,000 men, and consisting of regulars,Canadians and Indians. General Webb, upon whom the command of the English forces devolved on the departure of Lord Loudon, wishing to examine the works at lake George, and to ascertain the force and condition of the enemy at their posts on lake Champlain, selected Major Putnam with 200 men to escort him to fort William Henry. Soon after their arrival, Putnam set out with 18 men in three boats for the purpose of reconnoitering the enemy at Ticonderoga; but before he reached the northwest bay, he discovered a body of men on an island, and leaving two of his boats to fish he hastened back in the other with the information. He communicated the intelligence to Webb only, who, with much reluctance, permitted Putnam to return for the purpose of making further discoveries and of bringing off the boats. In accomplishing this business, he was observed and pursued by the enemy, and, although at times nearly surrounded by their canoes, effected his retreat to the fort. These transactions were carefully concealed from the garrison by an injunction of secrecy from Webb, who ordered Putnam to prepare immediately to escort him back to fort Edward. Putnam, wishing to be engaged in surprising the enemy, observed, "he hoped his excellency did not intend to neglect so fair an opportunity of giving battle, should the enemy presume to land." To which the general coldly re FORT WILLIAM HENRY TAKEN BY THE FRENCH. plied, "what do you think we should do here." The next day Webb returned to fort Edward, and the day following, Col. Monroe was sent with his regiment to reinforce the garrison at lake George. The day after his arrival the French and Indians under Montcalm appeared upon the lake, effected a landing with but little opposition, and immediately laid siege to the fort. Montcalm, at the same time, sent a letter to Monroe, stating that he felt himself bound in humanity to urge the English commander to surrender before any of the Indians were slain and their savage temper further inflamed by a resistance, which would be unavailing. Monroe replied that as the fortress had been entrusted to him, both his honor and his duty required him to defend it to the last extremity. The garrison, amounting to about 2500 men, made a gallant defence; while Monroe, aware of his danger, sent frequent expresses to fort Edward for succor. But Webb remained inactive and apparently indifferent during these alarming transactions. On the 8th or 9th day of the siege, Gen. Johnson was permitted to set out for the relief of fort William Henry with the provincial regiments and Putnam's rangers; but he had proceeded only three miles, when he received orders from Webb for his immediate return. Webb then wrote to Monroe that he could afford him no assistance, and advised him to surrender on the best terms he could obtain. MASSACRE OF THE GARRISON. were apprehended. But the garrison had no sooner marched out of the fort, than a scene of perfidy and barbarity began to be witnessed, which it is impossible for language to describe. Wholly regardless of the articles of capitulation, the Indians attached to the French army, fell upon the defenceless soldiers, plundering and murdering all who came in their way. The French were idle spectators of this bloody scene; nor could all the entreaties of Col. Monroe persuade them to furnish the escort, as stipulated in the articles of capitulation. On this fatal day about 1500 of the English were either murdered by the savages or carried by them into captivity, never to return. The day following these horrid transactions, Major Putnam was despatched from fort Edward with his rangers, to watch the motions of the enemy. He reached lake George just after the rear of the enemy had left the shore, and awful indeed was the scene which presented itself. "The fort was entirely demolished, the barracks, out houses and buildings were a heap of ruins--the cannon, stores, boats and vessels were all carried away. The fires were still burning-the smoke and stench offensive and suffocating. Innumerable fragments of human skulls and bones, and carcasses half consumed, were still frying and broiling in the decaying fires. Dead bodies, mangled with scalp| ing knives and tomahawks, in all the wantonness of Indian fierceness and barbarity, were every where to be seen. More than 100 women, butchered and shockMonroe and his garrison, in hourly ex-ingly mangled, lay upon the ground, still pectation of relief from fort Edward, defended themselves with much spirit and resolution, till the 9th of August, when, their works having become much injured and their ammunition nearly expended, all their hopes of holding out were at once The French satisfied with their sucblasted by the reception of Webb's letter, cess, retired to their works at Ticondewhich Montcalm had intercepted, and roga and Crown Point, and nothing furnow sent in with further proposals for a ther was effected in this quarter worthy surrender of the fort. Articles of capitula- of notice, either by the French or English, tion were therefore agreed upon and sign- during the remainder of the year; and ed by Montcalm and Monroe, by which thus terminated the campaign of 1757, in it was stipulated, that the garrison should which the English suffered exceedingly march out with their arms and baggage-in lives and property and gained nothing. should be escorted to fort Edward by a detachment of French troops, and should not serve against the French for the term of 18 months-that the works and all the warlike stores should be delivered to the French-and that the sick and wounded of the garrison should remain under the protection of Montcalm and should be permitted to return as soon as they were recovered. After the capitulation no further troubles weltering in their gore. Devastation, barbarity and horror, every where appeared; and the spectacle presented was too diabolical and awful either to be endured or described.”* This want of success was doubtless owing, in some measure, to the inefficiency and ignorance of the British ministry in relation to American affairs, but it is principally to be attributed to the want of ability and energy in the generals, to whom the prosecution of the war was entrusted. * It is stated by Dr. Belknap that the Indians served in this expedition, on the promise of plunder, and were enraged at the terms of capitulation. PLAN OF OPERATIONS FOR 1758. ADVANCE OF THE ENGLISH AGAINST TICONDEROGA. SECTION VII. French and English Colonies-Events of 1758. Capture of Louisburg--Abercrombie defeated-Fort Frontenac and Du Quesne taken. and the next morning landed, without opposition, near the north end of lake George. Forming his men into three columns, he moved forward towards the enemy, whose advanced party, consisting of one battalion, lay encamped behind a breast-work of logs. On the approach of the English, they set fire to their breastwork and tents and retreated with precipitation. The English continued to advance, but were soon embarrassed and thrown into some disorder by the thickness of the wood. The repeated failure of the British arms in America, having created much dissatisfaction both at home and in the colonies, a change of ministry was found to be indispensable, in order to secure the public confidence and revive the drooping spirits of the nation; and this was effectually done by the appointment of William Pitt Lord Howe was in the front of the cenone of the secretaries of state. From this tre column with Major Putnam, when a time the British affairs in America assum-skirmish commenced on the left with the ed a more favorable aspect. Instead of defeat and disgrace, victory and triumph now usually attended the English arms. Measures were concerted with wisdom and prudence and executed with promptness and vigor. party of the enemy which had retreated from the breast-work. One hundred men immediately filed off under Putnam and Howe, and they soon fell in with the enemy, whose first fire proved fatal to his lordship. Howe had made himself the In planning the campaign of 1758, it idol of the army by his affability and virwas determined that the French settle- tues, and his fall animated Putnam and ments should be attacked upon several his party to avenge his death. They cut different points at the same time. Twelve their way through the enemy, and being thousand troops were to attempt the re-joined by another party of the English, duction of Louisburg in the island of Cape slew about 300 of the French, and took 148 Breton, 16000 were to proceed against prisoners. But the English columns, beTiconderoga and Crown Point, and 8000ing broken and embarrassed by the thickagainst Du Quesne; and the several American colonies were called upon to furnish troops, and to make all the exertions in their power to aid and facilitate these expeditions. ness of the wood, Abercrombie deemed it advisable to march back to the place where they had landed in the morning, rather than pass the night where they were. The next day Col. Bradstreet, with a detachment of the army, took possession of the saw mills without opposition, and the general once more advanced The fort at Ticonderoga was very favorably situated for defence. It was surrounded on three sides by water, and about half the other side was protected by a deep swamp, while the line of defence was completed by the erection of a breastwork nine feet high on the only assaila General Amherst took command of the expedition against Louisburg, assisted by Gens. Wolfe, Whitemore and Lawrence, and by Admiral Boscawen, who command-upon the enemy. ed the fleet. The fleet, consisting of 157 sail, and having the troops on board, sailed from Halifax in Nova Scotia, on the 28th of May, and on the 2d day of June, anchored about seven miles west of Louisburg. On the 8th a landing was effected under the gallant Wolfe, and in a few days the place was completely invested.ble ground. The ground before the breastThe garrison consisted of upwards of 3000 men, mostly regulars, and the harbor was defended by six ships of the line and five frigates, all under the command of chevalier Drucour. Amherst proceeded with caution, but with such vigor that the French ships were soon destroyed, and the garrison surrendered themselves prisoners of war on the 26th of July. work was covered with felled trees and with bushes, arranged with a view to impede the approach of the English. The French garrison consisted of 6000 men and a reinforcement of 3000 troops under M. de Levy, was expected soon to join them. Abercrombie, wishing to get possession of the fort before the garrison should be augmented by the expected reinforce The expedition against the French posts on lake Champlain, devolved upon Gen.ment, sent forward his engineer to reAbercrombie. Having assembled about 7000 regular and 9000 provincial troops, with a fine train of artillery and the necessary military stores, he on the 5th of July embarked his army at fort William Henry, on board 900 batteaux and 135 whale boats, connoiter the works, who reported that the breast-work was unfinished and that he believed the place might be immediately assaulted by musketry with a fair prospect of success. The general confiding in this intelligence, marched for ABERCROMBIE DEFEATED. ward to the attack in regular order and with undaunted firmness. The French opened upon them a well directed fire from their artillery, notwithstanding which, the English moved forward undismayed till they became entangled and stopped by the timber which had been felled to impede their approach. For four hours they strove to cut, with their swords, their way to the breast-work through the limbs and bushes, but without success. All this time they were exposed to the deadly fire of the enemy, who were completely sheltered by their breast-work. Their numbers continually diminishing and no prospect of success appearing, Abercrombie thought it expedient to retreat, and accordingly led back his army to their former encampment without being pursued or molested by the enemy. The English lost in this encounter 1800 men, killed and wounded, and 2500 stand of arms. Every part of the army engaged behaved with coolness and intrepidity, but the loss fell heaviest on a highland regiment, commanded by Lord Murray. Of this regiment, one half of the privates and 25 officers were either slain on the spot or severely wounded. So severe a loss determined the commander-in-chief to withdraw from this scene of carnage, and he hastened back with his shattered army to the encampment at lake George, from whence he sent off all the wounded, who could be safely removed, to fort Edward and Albany. { How far the conduct of General Abercrombie is reprehensible in this unfortunate affair, it is difficult now to determine. The censure of mankind almost always follows misfortune; and so it was in the present case. The attempt to take the fort by storm was considered a rash and imprudent measure-and the retreat was condemned as pusillanimous and unnecessary. And, indeed, with troops, who had manifested such courage and intrepidity in the assault, it is very difficult to conceive what could have prevented the commencement of a regular siege. Notwithstanding his defeat and mortification, Abercrombie did not suffer his army to remain inactive. He dispatched General Stanwix to erect a fort at the carrying place between the Mohawk and Onondaga rivers; and Col. Bradstreet, with 3000 men, mostly provincials, was ordered to proceed against fort Frontenac, situated at the outlet of lake Ontario. Bradstreet landed his men within one mile of the fort, before the enemy had any intelligence of his approach, and the garrison, consisting of only 110 Frenchmen, with a few Indians, could do no other than FORT DU QUESNE TAKEN. In the fort were surrender at discretion. found 60 cannon, 16 mortars, and small arms, military stores, merchandise and provisions in large quantities. He also captured all the enemy's shipping on the lake, consisting of nine armed vessels; and having destroyed them and the fort he returned to Oswego. While these things were transacting, General Forbes was making his advances towards fort Du Quesne, of which he got possession on the 25th of November, the French having abandoned it and retreated down the Ohio river. Having repaired the works, he changed the name of the fort to Pittsburgh, in honor of William Pitt, the secretary of state who was then at the head of American affairs. Such were the events of the year 1758. The British arms had every where been successful, excepting in the attack upon Ticonderoga, and the hopes and confidence of the public were every where revived. General Amherst, having left a strong garrison at Louisburg, returned to Boston. Thence he proceeded, about the middle of September, to Albany with six regiments, and the remainder of the fall and winter were there spent in concerting measures and making preparations for the campaign of the following year. SECTION VIII. French and English Colonies-Transaoactions of 1759 and 1760. Quebec taken--Ticonderoga, Crown Point and Niagara taken-Expedition against the St. Francis Indians-Montreal and Canada surrender. The advantages obtained over the French in the preceding campaign gave the British Minister reason to hope this year to complete the conquest of Canada. Three expeditions were therefore projected-one against Quebec, under the command of Gen. Wolfe, one against the forts on lake Champlain, under Gen. Amherst, who was commander-in-chief of the British forces in America, and one against the French fort at Niagara, to be conducted by Gen. Prideaux and Sir William Johnson. It was believed that while these generals were making their attacks on different points, they would assist each other, by dividing the forces and embarrassing the councils of the enemy. The conquest of Quebec was looked upon as the most important and the most difficult object of the campaign. The city was strongly fortified by nature and art, formidable on account of the number and QUEBEC TAKEN. ADVANCE OF GEN. AMHERST. ROGERS' EXPEDITION. bravery of its inhabitants, and in a situa- | and immediately began to make preparation in which it could not be much injured tions for reducing the fortress by a reguby a fleet, or be approached but with ex-lar siege. The enemy at first manifested treme difficulty and hazard by land. As a disposition to make a resolute stand, but soon as the season would permit, Wolfe soon dispaired of holding out against the embarked his troops at Louisburg, sailed cautious advances of Amherst, and, on up the St. Lawrence and in the latter part the 27th of July, having dismantled the of June landed his whole army on the fortress, they abandoned it, and repaired island of Orleans a little below Quebec, to Crown Point. without difficulty or opposition. The next day Amherst took possession of the fort, and began immediately to repair and enlarge it, and to make preparations for proceeding against Crown Point. He had scouting parties continually employed to watch the motions of the enemy, one of which returned to the English camp on the first of August with intelligence that the French had abandoned Crown Point also, and had gone down the lake without destroying their works. A body of rangers was immediately dispatch Quebec was commanded by Montcalm, an able and experienced general; and was defended by works which were deemed impregnable, and by an army much more numerous than that of the English. Wolfe continued his offensive operations without a prospect of success till the beginning of September, when it was resolved, if possible, to effect a landing above the city, and bring the enemy to a general engagement. The fleet, with the army on board, moved up the river under Ad-ed to take possession of the place, and on miral Saunders, and effected a landing on the 12th of September, a little after midnight. Wolfe put himself at the head of the first party, ascended the heights, and drew up his men in order as fast as they arrived. Montcalm no sooner learned that the British had gained the heights of Abraham, than he abandoned his strong camp at Montmorenci, resolved to hazard an engagement. Both armies were were soon drawn up in order of battle with their respective generals at their head. About 9 o'clock the French army advanced, opening at the same time an irregular and ill directed fire. The fire of the English was reserved till the enemy had approached within 40 yards of their line, when it was opened with effect and kept up with much spirit. Both generals were determined to conquer or die, and for a while the conflict was dreadful. But the English advanced with such firmness and intrepidity, that the French were unable to stand, and were soon defeated and dispersed or made prisoners. Wolfe and Montcalm both fell at the head of their respective armies. The loss of the French in this battle was 500 slain, and about 1000 prisoners. The English had 50 killed, including 9 officers, and 500 wounded. The French disheartened by their losses, were thrown into great confusion; and on the 18th of September, the remainder of the French troops and the city of Quebec were surrendered into the hands of the English. While these things were transacting at Quebec, General Amherst was cautiously advancing along lake Champlain. He arrived in the vicinity of Ticonderoga in the latter part of July, without opposition, the 4th the whole army moved forward to Crown Point, where they commenced the erection of a new and strong fortress. The French troops retired to the isle Aux Noix, which is situated at the north end of the lake, and effectually commands the passage into Canada in this quarter. Here they collected their forces, to the amount of 3500, well provided with artillery, and resolved to make a stand against the English. The French having four vessels on the lake, mounted with cannon, Amherst thought it not advisable to proceed further, till he had provided a superior naval force. In the mean time he was determined that the Indians should feel his resentment for their repeated depredations upon the English colonies. Maj. Rogers, a brave and experienced officer from New Hampshire, was therefore selected to conduct an expedition against the St. Francis Indians, whose village was situated on the south side of the St. Lawrence, not far from Three Rivers, These Indians were noted for their massacres and cruelties to the English. Rogers embarked at Crown Point on the 12th of September, with 200 men, and proceeded down the lake in batteaux. On the fifth day after he set out, while encamped on the eastern shore of the lake, a keg of gunpowder accidentally exploded, by which a captain and several men were wounded, who were sent back to Crown Point, with a party to attend them. This event reduced Rogers' force to 142 men. With these he moved forward to Missisco bay, where he concealed his boats among some bushes which hung over one of the streams, and left in them provisions sufficient to carry them back. to Crown Point. |