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July; and created the most painful sensations in Great Britain, as well as in the Colonies. It was a period therefore, in which success was peculiarly welcome, and produced the best effects. Had the French been victorious; they would immediately have taken possession of Fort Edward; between which and Albany there was not a single obstruction to their progress: as their commander very justly declared to them, when urging them to march against that fortress. Where a stop would have been put to their career it is impossible to conjecture.

A great part of the importance of most battles lies in the impression, which they leave on the minds of the contending nations, and in the consequent energy, or languor, of their efforts. Few events, of no greater magnitude, leave stronger impressions, than resulted from the battle of Lake George. An universal exultation was diffused through the British Empire, especially through the Colonies; and there is no improbability in the supposition, that the measures, afterwards adopted in a war, more glorious than any, which had been recorded in the annals of Great Britain, received a part of their vigour from the battle of Lake George.

His Majesty was so well pleased with the event of this battle, that he created Gen. Johnson a Baronet: and the Parliament voted him a present of five thousand pounds sterling.

Gen. Lyman, to whom the nation was indebted, for the whole of these advantages, was forgotten on the Eastern side of the Atlantic; or more probably was unknown, as an agent in the acquisition of this victory. His only retribution was, that the government and people, whom he immediately served, disregarding the base attacks upon his character, did justice to his merits by public, as well as private testimonies of their esteem particularly by continuing him in the honourable stations, which he had before filled.

Hendrick had lived to this day with singular honour, and died, fighting with a spirit not to be excelled. He was at this time from sixty to sixty-five years of age. His head was covered with white locks; and what is uncommon among Indians, he was corVOL. III.

48

pulent.* Immediately before Col. Williams began his march, he mounted a stage, and harangued his people. He had a strong masculine voice; and, it was thought, might be distinctly heard at the distance of half a mile a fact, which, to my own view, has diffused a new degree of probability over Homer's representations of the effects, produced by the speeches, and shouts, of his heroes. Lieut. Col. Pomeroy, who was present, and heard this effusion of Indian eloquence, told me, that, although he did not understand a word of the language, yet such was the animation of Hendrick, the fire of his eye, the force of his gesture, the strength of his emphasis, the apparent propriety of the inflexions of his voice, and the natural appearance of his whole manner, that himself was more deeply affected with this speech, than with any other, which he had ever heard. In the Pennsylvania Gazette, Sept. 25, 1755, he is styled "the Famous Hendrick, a renowned Indian warriour among the Mohawks :" and it is said, that his son, being told that his father was killed, giving the usual Indian groan upon such occasions, and suddenly putting his hand on his left breast, swore, that his father was still alive in that place, and that there stood his son.

Baron Dieskau was conveyed from Albany to New-York, and from thence to England; where soon after he died. He was an excellent officer; possessed very honourable feelings; and was adorned with highly polished manners. I know of but one stain upon his character. Before his engagement with Col. Williams corps, he gave orders to his troops neither to give nor take quarter. As there was nothing, either in the nature of his enterprize, or in his circumstances, to justify this rigour; it is to be accounted one of those specimens of barbarity, which, it must be acknowledged, too frequently disgrace the human character.

The remainder of the campaign was idled away by Gen. Johnson in doing nothing. A person, who has examined the French works at Crown Point, will perceive, that he might easily have possessed himself of this fortress, had he made the attempt; as it is entirely commanded by rising grounds in the neighbourhood. *J. Burt Esq.

+ Doctor Williams's letter.

Instead of this, the French, immediately after their panic was over, erected a fortification at Ticonderoga; fifteen miles higher up Lake Champlain; and fixed themselves so much farther within the boundaries of the British possessions.

I have been thus minute in the history of this battle, not only on account of its inherent importance, but also because I conceive it has never been fairly, and fully, laid before the public. To Gen. Lyman particularly, justice has never been done; and but for me would probably never be done. I hope you will think this a sufficient apology for the length of the detail. I am, Sir, yours, &c.

LETTER IV.

Attack on Fort William Henry-Gallant defence by Col. Monroe-Capitulation
and Massacre-Gen. Webb's Expedition to Ticonderoga-Retreat of the English
Army-Journey
-West-Hampton.

Dear Sir,

continued-Dalton-Partridgefield--Worthington-Chesterfield

I MENTIONED in a preceding letter the situation, and appearance, of Fort William Henry; and observed, that it was a square structure, with regular bastions at the angles, bordered on the East and South sides by a swamp, on the West by a valley, and on the North by the beach of Lake George. On what principles such a work could have been erected in this spot is to me inexplicable. Its site is almost on a level with the waters of the Lake. By the lands in the vicinity, West and North-West, it is overlooked; and perfectly commanded by the eminence on which Fort George was afterwards built. I confess myself to be an imperfect judge of military operations; but among all the fortresses, of which I have any knowledge, this, so far as its situation is concerned, appears to have been the least fitted to answer the design, for which it was built. To Indians it might be formidable. Against the approaches of a regular army it could furnish little protection.

In the year 1757 the Earl of Loudoun was appointed Commander in Chief of the British forces in America; and saw himself, at the commencement of the season, at the head of twelve thousand regular troops, and perhaps as many provincials. Instead of marching directly against the French in Canada, as had been expected, his Lordship sailed for Halifax, with six thousand men, with an intention to direct his force against Louisbourg. Here, however, he received information, that a fleet from Brest had brought a strong reinforcement to the garrison, amounting now to six thousand regulars; and that the harbour was defended by seventeen ships of the line. His Lordship, therefore, gave

over the expedition to Louisbourg; and in the close of August returned to New-York.

In the mean time, the Marquis de Montcalm having obtained ample information of the situation of his enemies, proceeded with an army, of eight thousand men, including a numerous body of Indians from Ticonderoga, up Lake George, to attack Fort William Henry, garrisoned at that time, as is said, with about three thousand; principally regular troops. Early in the season the Marquis had made three different attacks upon the same fortress; all of which had been defeated by the skill, and courage, of the garrison, and Col. Monroe, its brave commander. To retrieve his own credit therefore, as well as to operate against the British nation, he proceeded upon this enterprise with not a little zeal and alacrity. The first night he landed on a point, called from this fact Frenchman's point; about sixteen miles from the head of the Lake. The next evening he landed again on the West side, about two miles from Fort William Henry. The following morning he appeared before the Fort, and sent this letter to Col. Monroe.

August 3d, 1757.

SIR,—I have this morning invested your place, with a numerous army, a superiour artillery, and all the Savages from the higher parts of the country; the cruelty of which a detachment of your garrison have lately too much experienced. I am obliged in humanity to desire you to surrender your Fort. I have it yet in my power to restrain the savages, and oblige them to observe a capitulation; as hitherto none of them have been killed; which will not be in my power in other circumstances; and your insisting on defending your Fort can only retard the loss of it a few days, and must of necessity expose an unlucky garrison, who can receive no succour, considering the precautions, I have taken. I demand a decisive answer immediately; for which purpose I have sent you the Sieur Fantbrune, one of my Aid de Camps. You may credit what he will inform you, as from me. I am with respect, Sir. Your most humble,

most obedient, Servant,

MONTCALM.

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