CHAPTER XIL

WAR. Progress and events of the war in the years 1757 and 1758. Loudon's preparations for the campaign. Montcalm's measures with the Indians. Designs upon the English. Putnam's account of Webb's proceedings. Conquest of Fort William Henry. Savage massacre of the prisoners. Reflections on Montcalm's conduct. Result of the campaign in 1757. Change of the British councils and ·ministry. Conquest of Louisbourg. Aber: crombie's attempt and defeat at Ticonderoga. Capture of Fort Frontenac by Broadstreet.... Of Fort Du Quesne by Forbes. Amherst assumes the command.

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1757 THE Earl of Loudon had been an officer of much reputation in Scotland. In the rebellion in that country, in the year one thousand seven hundred and forty five, he commauded a regiment of Highlanders at Inverness; was very useful in directing the councils and conduct of the clans, who had taken arms in behalf of the king; vigilant and successful in restraining and intimidating the disaffected chiefs, who had not openly joined in the rebellion; loyal, active, and persevering, he had ren dered very useful services to his majesty, in the high lands of North Britain. From such services and experience, it was supposed that he was well qualified to have the direction of the war in North America.

HAVING assumed the command of all the

forces in North America, he was employed dur ing the winter in effecting his purposes with the American governments, to raise a large body of troops for the ensuing campaign. His Lordship had not the full confidence of the American assemblies; but such was their conviction of the necessity of more vigorous measures in carrying on the war, that they every where raised the number of troops which were requir ed of them, and made all the preparations which were expected: But as the British general had taken the direction of all the proposed expedi tions under his own management, neither the American governors or assemblies, were employed in forming plans, or concerting meas ures for their own defence, or to annoy the cnemy. The time was now come, when it was thought by the British ministry that it was not best for their colonies to learn their own strength, or to depend upon their own councils; but to look to British officers and troops for the one, and to the British ministry for the other.

FROM the first commencement of hostilities, the reduction of Crown Point had been the fa vorite object with the colonies, and with the crown. It was determined in the British coun cils of this year, to vary and extend their opera tions; not to carry their expeditions against Crown Point, but to make a vigorous attempt against Louisbourg. In pursuance of this plan, Admiral Holbourn arrived at Halifax, on July the ninth, with fifteen ships of the line, and a large number of transports. Lord Loudon had collected a body of six thousand troops, and embarked from New York, to take the command

of the army designed for Louisbourg. When he arrived with his troops at Halifax, he found himself at the head of twelve thousand men ; well officered, disciplined, and provided with every thing necessary for the expedition. While the army lay at Halifax, preparing to embark, intelligence was received that M. de la Mothe had sailed from Brest, in the month of May, and was arrived safe at Louisbourg, with a large fleet of ships of war, and transports. The intelligence was soon confirmed, with more particular information; that there were seventeen ships of the line and three frigates moored in the harbor; a land army of six thousand regular troops, three thousand natives, and thirteen hundred Indians; that the place was well supplied with ammunition, provisions, and every kind of military stores; and that the enemy were expecting and desirous of a visit from the English fleet and army. This intelligence put an end to Loudon's deliberations. No attempt was made to proceed in the expedition, it was foreseen that the consequence of a defeat would have been greatly injurious to the British affairs in America. And neither their admirals or generals had as yet acquired that determined resolution and perseverance, which were necessary to give success to the American contest.

BUT whatever was the case with the British commanders, the French generals perfectly well understood their business. Montcalm, who had the command of the troops in Canada, was an able and experienced officer. He had served with much reputation in the French armies in Italy and Bohemia, and had met with much YOL. I. Y 2

success in America. The conquest of Oswego had raised his fame among the Indians, and given him the command of almost all their tribes and commerce. He pursued the advantages he had obtained with much discretion and address. The English had destroyed their forts at the great carrying place, and in other parts of the Indian country, to prevent their falling into the hands of the French; and the whole country of the six nations was abandoned to the enemy. The French commanders availed themselves of all the errors and defeats of the English. They carried fire and sword into the Indian country ; and by rewards, promises, and threatenings, were incessantly endeavoring to draw over the six nations to their interest; and they had the most flattering prospects of success. These nations alone, of all the Indian tribes, had been sincere and faithful in their attachment to the English. The forts, and communications with their tribes were cut off, their country was abandoned to the incursions and ravages of their enemies, and their English allies had met with little else than disappointment and defeat in all their expeditions against the French. In such circumstances it required all the ability and address of sir William Johnson, to prevent their deserting the English cause and interest.

By the departure of lord Loudon from New York, the command of the British forces had devolved on major general Webb. Montcalm saw that a favorable opportunity was presented to attack the English on lake George. He had made an attempt on the twentieth of March, to carry fort William Henry by surprise; but his

troops had been defeated by the vigilance and bravery of the garrison. Several of the enemy were slain, but they did not return till they had burned two sloops, & one on the stocks; almost all the batteaux, three store houses, all the huts of the rangers, and every thing that was not under the command of the fort. At the opening of the spring, a detachment of near four hundred men went down the lake under the command of colonel John Parker, in batteaux and whale boats, to attempt the enemy's advanced guard at Ticonderoga. Parker was deceived in his intelligence, decoyed into the midst of a large but concealed party of the enemy, and attacked with such impetuosity and success, that but two officers and seventy privates escaped. Encouraged by this success, and the departure of lord Loudon to Halifax, and wishing to retrieve the misfortune of the defeat at fort William Henry, Montcalm drew his forces together and made preparation to lay sicge to that place. For this purpose he assembled at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, a large body of regular troops, Canadians, and Indians, amounting to near ten thousand men.

ONE of the great difficulties attending the American campaigns, was the article of intelligence; to procure information of the strength and movements of the enemy. The most that was obtained, was generally by means of scouting and ranging parties. Some of the officers of the New Hampshire troops, were much dis. tinguished for their abilities and exploits in services of this kind. To three of them, Robert Rogers, John Stark, and William Stark, ranging