Antiquarian Researches; comprising a history of the Indian wars in the Country bordering Connecticut river and parts adjacent, etc

Front matter

•AT ; giikb^f^^^)" Mass FUfflUSHBB BY ANS3J*. FHEU? f 21ft|4) ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES: COMPRISING A HISTORY OF TH£ ttMBtiklf WA3BS In the country BORDERING CONNECTICUT RIVER AND PARTS ADJACENT. AND §§£§*? itdtusftm PROM THE FIRST LANDING OP THE PILGRIMS, TO TUB CON QWEST OF CANADA BY THE ENGLISH, IN 1760 ; VrrrA NOTICES OF INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRY : *NB OF THE FIRST PLANTING AND PROGRESS OF aETTLEJMJSlF44"-* JKl NEW ENGLAND, NEW TORK AND CANADA. By E. HOYT, Esq. GREENFIELD, MASS. PRINTED BY ANSEL PHELPK Dec. K-334, DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, to wit : District Clerk's Office. j o ) BE it remembered, that on the twenty fifth day of October, A. D. 4 \ 1824, in the forty ninth year of the independence os the United States of America, Epaphras Hoyt, of the said district hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the right w^/eof he claims as author, in the words following, to wit : " Antiquarian Researches: comprising a History of the Indian Wars in the country bordering Connecticnt river, and parts adjacent, and other interesting events, from the first landing of the Pilgrims, to the conquest of Canada by the English in 1760 ; with notices of Indian depredations in the neighboring country, and of the first planting and progress of settlements in New England, New York and Canada.

By E. Horr, Esq." In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, intitled " An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein men tioned j" and also to an act, intitled " an act supplementary to an act intitled an act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein men tioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints." JNO. W. DAVIS. Clerk of the District of Massachusetts.

Preface

. Among the objects that attract the attention of the inquisitive in all countries, ■as they advance in arts, science, and Iite>ature, and consequently civilization, few are sought with more avidity than those relating to their early history ; and this avidity seems to increase in direct proportion to the antiquity of a country. Whether this arises from a sort of puerility introduced by a false refinement, or from improvement in intellect, will not here be discussed. But, be this as it may, it will not be denied that a majority of mankind are gratified, on viewing fields where conflicting forces have commingled in bloody strife, and in contemplating, in their leisure hours, the dangers and sufferings of departed heroes. Nor will it be doubted, that a writer (Dr. Johnson, if I mistake not) expressed the genuine sentiment of humanity, when he s^id, " Far be from me or my friends, such frigid philosophy, as may conduct us indifferent and unmoved, over any ground 'hat has been dignified by wisdom, bravery or virtue.

That man is little I envied whose patriotism would not gain force upon the plains of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warmer among the ruins of Iona." Partaking of this sentiment, which seems to be gnwing among the inquisitive in our own country, and particular!}' of a zeal for looking over the military operations, in which our forefathers evinced the most persevering resolution, in their various wars with the Indians and French, the author of the following work was induced to examine, with critical care, the history of those arduous times, for minute details of the numerous events. In this examination it Mo found, that they were scattered through many liistorical works, some of which were volumi nous, others very brief, and in none were to be found notices of the whole of the interesting transactions.

So far as relates to the country on Connecticut river, within the limits of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, many were found to be omitted, of which the author possesses authentic documents. Unwilling that these should " go down lo the vale of oblivion," he undertook the task of collecting and arranging materials for a work, in which these omissions should be supplied, and the whole of the most interesting transactions, concate nated in a volume of moderate size ; and alter much research, laborious beyond anticipation, and visiting the sites of many battles, to acquire such topographical information, as would enable him to describe with some degree of military pre cision, the volume, here offered to the public, was completed. It would be difficult to cite the whole of the documents, from which the mate rials for the work have been drawn, for they are considerably numerous; and as the author has been sometime in collecting them, hardly within his recollection.

For much original matter, he is indebted to a collection of valuable manuscripts, found among the descendants of the late colonel Israel Williams of Hatfield, who, after the death of colonel John Stoddard of Northampton, was intrusted with the command of the forces, employed on the western frontiers of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and to whom the early settlers, in that section of country, were much indebted for long and able services. Some facts have also been obtained from letters and journals, of other gentlemen in the same quarter of the country ; and others from oral relations of people, whose silvered locks and wrinkled visages, added double interest to the many hardships, dangers and ex. ploits in which they shared, in " olden times." Among the early American works, which have been consulted for facts, are — Hubbard's Narrative of the Indian VVars, and his History of New England — Dr. Prince's Chronological History of New England — Morton's New England Me morial — Church's History of Philip's War — Dr. Mather's Magnalia — Rev. John Williams' Redeemed Captive — Colden's History of the Five Nations — Smith's of New York — Hutchinson's of Massachusetts — Forster's Collection of Northern Voyages ; besides the Histories of the several New England States, by more recent writers.

But none have afforded more aid, than the American Annals of Dr. Holmes, which contain a mass of materials, selected from the best historical and ether works. The valuable Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Soci ety, have also furnished much-important matter, relating to the settlement of ihe country, as wt.l as to subsequent events. For the perusal of several rare works, the author, with great pleasure, acknowledges his indebtedness to the Athenæum in Boston ; an institution which reflects the highest honor on its proprietors, not only from its liberal regulations, but from its valuable collection of books. In noticing the first settlement of towns, some pains have been taken to insert their Indian names. But i.ere a difficulty has occurred, from the difference in their orthography, as given by different writers ; and in some instances, perhaps from a culpable inattention of himself and his printer, they are given with some variation.

Another difficulty has been met, in the different manner of dating at different periods. Before the new style was adopted in England, in 1752, it was common to begin the year on the 25th of March ; but for some years prior, as well as after, the dates from January to the 25th of March were expressed in the fractional form, thus, 1703-4 — 1752-3, &c. ; and as this was not always attended to by the writers of the times, anachronisms, may have been committed. In general the early dates, in this work, will require the addition of twelve days, to fit them to the pres ent reckoning. In most cases where documents have been found ample, minute details have been attempted, while in others where they were less so, they are more condensed ; aud from this circumstance, it will be observed, that the military operations on the Connecticut are generally more full than those in other parts of New Eng land, and that some of minor importance, in the eastern quarter, are omitted.

Perhaps to some, the particular details of many events, may appear as tediously ininute, and the insertion of the names of the sufferers, as supererogatory. The author is of a different opinion ; he believes that among the numerous posterity of the sufferers, these will not be considered as uninteresting parts of the work. The operations of the armies in New York, in the war of 1755, are necessarily con densed, and the exploits of the partisan corps under majors Putnam and Rogers, but partially noticed. A minute History of these Campaigns, which the author has nearly completed, may hereafter be offered to the public. To the critical reader, great defects will doubtless appear in the style of the work ; for the author lays no claims to skill in literary composition. Indeed in looking it i ver in print, he finds many places susceptible of amendemnts.

For these defects, the following is offered as an apology. The work does not aspire to the dignity of a regular History, but to researches into the antiquities of our country ; and as a complete History of New England is still a desideratum, an accumulation of facts, however unskilfully given, will not be considered as unimportant. If then, the work shall add any of importance to the present stock, and afford en tertainment to those who feel an iuterest in the recital of the hardships and exploits of our forefathers, and at the same time aid the future historian in his re searches, the author will rest satisfied ; — for he deems it of more importance, that facts shouli accumulate, than that he should be thought even a passable writer. Deerfield, December 1824. CONTENTS.

Introduction

— Containing brief accounts of the voyages ta North America, prior to the arrival of the settlers at Plymouth.

Chapter I

Settlements in America attract the notice of Europe — Rise of the sect of Puritans — Their persecution — Mr. Robinson's church emigrates to Holland — Preparations for a voyage to America — A company sails — Incidents of the voyage — Arrival at Cape Cod — Covenant of the ad venturers — John Carver chosen governor — Capt. Miles Standish explores the coast — Discovery of the harbor of Patuxet — Landing at that place — Village laid out, and named Plymouth — First interview with the na tives — Masassoit visits the adventurers — Treaty with the chief — Death of governor Carver — Succeeded by William Bradford — Arrival of new adventurers — First essays at agriculture — Dawnings of savage jealousy — Hostile disposition of the Narragansets — Resolute conduct of the governor — Arrival of vessels from England — Plantation at Weymouth — Their distresses — Settlements at Piscataqua and Cape Ann — Progress of Plymouth — Trade with the Dutch at Manhattan — Death of Mr. Rob inson — His charge to his people on their embarkation for America — page 13.

Chapter II

First patent of Massachusetts — Another company prepare for a voyage to North America — Arrival of John Endicott and company at Sa lem — Plantation at Charlestown — Form of government — Other arrivals at Salem — Company removes to Charlestown — Town laid out — Arrival of a company at Massachusetts bay under governor Winthrop — Settle ment of various towns — Peninsula of Shawmut explored — Winthrop removes to the peninsula — First court of assistants — Shawmut named Boston — First general court at that plcee — Fortified place selected at the New Town — Accession of emigrants — Court of elections held at Bos ton — New regulations for government — First public tax — Neighboring Indians hostile — Measures for defence — Tax for fortifying the -New Town — Amity restored with the Indians — Settlement of other towns — Review of the incidents connected with the first settlement of the country. Page 28,

Chapter III

Country on the Connecticut attracts the notice of the planters — Invi tation of an Indian chief to settle on the river — Plymouth people explore the country — Beauty of the river, and fertility of the soil — Fish and game — Impediments to emigration to the river — Project for erecting a trading house — Vessel sails for the river — Anticipated by the Dutch — Trad ing house erected at Windsor — Dutch claim the country, and threaten hostilities — Pequots threaten war — Harmony restored-A company from Massachusetts emigrates to the river — Planting of Weathersfield, Hart ford, and Windsor — Sufferings of the adventurers — Fort built at Say brook — Attempt of the Dutch to seize it — First grant of Connecticut — Second company of emigrants to the river — Settlement ©f Springfield — VI Association for a temporary government — Roger Williams plants at Providence — Progress of settlements in Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut — Pequots again hostile — Destroy a trading bark-Endicott?s expedition — Various attacks on the English — Expedition from Connect icut against the Pequots under Capt. Mason — Massachusetts and Plym outh join in the war — Mason lands in Narraganset bay — His march into the Pequot country — Storms a fort — Destruction of the Indians — March to Pequot harbor, and return to Connecticut — Operations of Massachu setts and Plymouth forces — Pequots flee westward — Pursued by the English, and defeated at the great swamp — Their country conquered. Page 37-

Chapter IV

Distresses of Connecticut people — New Haven explored, and settled by Mr. Davenport and company — Towns on the Connecticut, agree on a form of government — Religious intolerance drives a company to Rhode Island — Progress of settlements in various parts — Union of the colonies — Towns in New England — War between Uncas and Miantonimoh — Battle between the Dutch and Indians — New London and Stonington settled — Exploit of lieutenant Leffingwell — Norwich conveyed by Uncas — Militia of Massachusetts — Code of Laws — First execution for witchcraft — Laws against the quakers — Their persecutions — Liberal conduct of Rhofle Island — Remarks — Sumptuary laws — Dutch war — Hostility of the Narragansets — Forces sent into their country, under major Wil lard — Indians flee, and Willard returns — Vascillating conduct of other tribes — Tranquility restored. Page 53.

Chapter V

Explorations of the country — Excursion to the White mountains — Country above Springfield examined — Purchases of lands of the natives — Boundary line of Connecticut and Massachusetts — Original titles ot towns on the Connecticut — Settlement of Northampton, Hadley, Hatfield, Deerfield and Northfield — War between the New England and Mohawk Indians — Decisive defeat of the former — Arrival of colonels Whalley and Goffe at Boston — Flee to New Haven — Their adventures in that quarter —Removal to Hadley, and residence with Mr. Russell—Death of Whal ley—Departure of Goffe from Hadley— Col. John Dixwell— Sentiments of Dr. Stiles respecting the exiles. Page fl.

Chapter VI

Progress of settlements from the landing of the pilgrims — Philip, sa chem of the Wampanoags — His projects and delusive conduct — Resolves on war with the English — Strength of the English colonies at this period — Condition of the Indians of New England— The Pequots, Narragan setts, Pokanokets, Massachusetts, Pawtuckets, and other tribes — Their weapons — Canoes — Food — Devices for taking game and fish — Celeritvin travelling— Apparel— Snow shoes — Night Camps— Praying Indians— Where seated. Page 85.

Chapter VII

War with Philip, 1675. Allied tribes — Procure sire arms of baron Castine — Notice of this officer— Conjectures respecting his designs- Gloomy prospects of the colonists— Commencement of hostilities at Swanzey— Massachusetts and Plymouth send forces to that quarter- Penetrate to Mount Hope— March into the Narraganset country—Con clude a treaty with the sachems—Operations of the" forces under Church and Fuller — Philip enclosed on Pocasset neck — His artful escape- Pursued and attacked — Joins the Nipmucks — Troops sent to Brookfield — Ambuscade at Wickaboag pond — Brookfield destroyed — Brave defence of a house — Relieved by major Willard — Arrival of other forces — Wil lard advances to Hadley — Posts troops at that place, and returns to Bos ton — Arrival of major Treat with Connecticut forces — Hadley Indians flee — Pursued and Defeated by captains Lathrop and Beers — Beers and party cut off at Northfield — Fatal ambuscade of Lathrop and company, at Bloody Brook — Gallant conduct of captain Mosely — Deerfield burnt —Springfield Indians join Philip — Surprise and destruction of Springfield — Attack on Hatfield — Incursions at various towns — Expedition under captain Henchman — Indians cut off at Wrentham — Mode of fortifying at this period. Page 95.

CHAPTER VIII. Continuation of Philip's War

Meeting of the Commissioners of Colonies — Resolve on an expedition against the Narragansets — Army assembles under governor Winslow — Advances to Pettyquamscott — Joined by Connecticut forces — Indians fortify a swamp — March of Winslow's army — Indian out post driven in — Attack on the main work — Obstinate resistance of the Indians — Gallant conduct of the English — Conflagration of the place — Loss of the enemy — Winslow returns to Pettyquamscott — Loss of the English — Remarks on the attack — The enemy flee to the Northern woods — Pursued by Massachusett's forces — They return to Boston — Attack on Lancaster — Incursions on eastern towns — Captain Peirce cut off at Patuxet river — Various incursions- Captain Wadsworth cut off at Sudbury — Attacks on towns in Plymouth colony — Connecticut volunteers — Capture of Conanchet — Further exploits of the volunteers — Forces under majors Savage and Treat, take post at Hadley and adjacent towns — Attacks on Northampton and Hatfield — People ambuscaded near Longmeadow — Surprise of a party of Indians by Captain Holyoke — Attack at Hoccanum — Cautious conduct of Philip — His plan to enlist the Mohawks in the war — Heads a strong force in Massachusetts — His projects for procuring supplies of provisions — Occupies the fishing stations — Captain Turner's attack at the Falls above Deerfield — Is attacked on his return and killed — Gallant condu&i of captain Holyoke — Loss of the English — Sufferings of two gentlemen of the party — Philip resolves to retort — Attacks Hatfield and is repulsed — Major Talcot's long march — Arrives at Northampton — Attack on the English head-quarters at Hadley — Singular occurrence during the attack; — Forces arrive under captain Henchman — Expedition to Turner's Falls — Mohawks attack Philip's allies — Indians disheartened — Return to Narraganset — Gallant services of captain Church — Part of Philip's allies flee their country — Major Talcot takes post at Westfield — Pursues the fugitives — Affair at Housatonic river — Other tribes flee— Captain Church active in the southeast quarter — Philip is driven from his coverts —Takes post in a swamp in mount Hope neck — Church advances upon him — Attempts to escape and is killed — Reflections on his fall — Annawon, his chief captain, escapes with a party — Is surprised and captured by Church — Termination of the war in the southeast quarter — Losses sustained by the English — The question whether tjie war might have been avoided, examined — Governor Winslow's letter on the subjcte.

Page 114.. .

Chapter IX

War sontinued in the eastern quarter — Massachusetts forces march to Cocheco — Indians seized by stratagem — Further depredations on the Connecticut — People captured at Hatfield and Deerfield, and conveyed to Canada — Route described — Attack on a mill at Hadley — Adventur ous journey of two gentlemen from Hatfield — Treaty with the Indians at Northampton — Attempts to engage the Mohawks against the eastern Indians — Hostilities cease on the Connecticut — Frontier towns in Mas sachusetts and New York — Progress of the French settlements — Com mencement of king William's War, 1689 — Depredations on the eastern towns — Surprise and death of major Waldron — French expeditions against Schenectady, Salmon Falls and Casco — Affair at Wheelwright's Pond — Capture of Port Royal — Abortive attempt on Quebec — Army under general Winthrop advances to fort Anne — Expedition of major Schuyler — Various incursions on New England — French expedition against the Mohawks — Attempt on Deerfield — Villieu's attack at Oys ter river — Depredations at Deerfield and Portsmouth — French expedition against the Onondagoes — Incursions on the eastern towns — Attack on Lancaster — Peace of Ryswick — Hostilities continue — Various attacks — Sufferings of Haverhill — Brave exploit of Hannah Dustan — People killed and captured at Hatfield— Enemy pursued by a party from Deer field, and two lads recovered — Peace concluded with the Indians — Sketch of operations in the eastern country — Attempts of the French to engage the Five Nations — Frustrated by the counter efforts of the English — Ex tracts from the Journal of captain Wadsworth. Page 145.

Chapter X

War from the Invisible World, or History of witchcraft in New England. First trials in Massachusetts — Details of cases of Witchcraft at Hartford — Groton — Newbury — Salmon Falls — Hadley — Boston— Salem — Torments of the afflicted — Credulity of Dr. Cotton Mather — Trials at Salem — Governor Phipps requests the opinion of the clergy-Their report to the governor — Other trials — Several people condemned and executed — Indictment against George Burrows — His execution — Others con demned and executed — Commitments continue — Indictment of Mary Os good — The mania extends to other places — Horrible state of the people — The frenzy abates, and the officers of government open their eyes to the delusion— Judge Sewall's confession — Hutchinson's opinion of the rise of the mania— Its origin more remote— Facts from History— Low state of science in Europe at the period of its rise— Books on witchcraft —Intolerance of the first planters in New England— Sir Matthew Hale— Dr. Cotton Mather's Philosophy— Phantoms of the learned in Europe- Francis Bacon opens the path to true knowledge— Pursuing this path, sir Isaac Newton establishes a system of Philosophy— Its effects in Europe and America— Abler leaders appear— Witchcraft vanishes before the light of science. Page 164.

Chapter XI

Queen Anne's War, 1702. Population of the Provinces at this period French population in Canada — Hostilities on the eastern quarter — Mode of fortifying at this time — Frontier towns on the Connecticut — Deerfield threatened — People captured at that place — Expedition of Rou vjlle — Sacks and destroys Deerfield — Particulars of the capture of several houses— Brave defence of others — Action in the meadow — Prisoners threatened — Number killed and captured— Gloomy prospects of the eap tives—Route to Canada— Sufferings— Rev. John Williams— Part of the captives redeemed— Mr. Williams' daughter— Recent accounts from one of her posterity— Names of the captives retained— Sketches of the family of Kelloggs— Mr. Williams returns to Deerfield— Further depredations at that place — Exploit of lieutenant Lyman — Attack on Lancaster— Other incursions — Colonel Church's expedition — Loss of a French store ship — Depredations at Oyster river, and other places— Colonel March's expedition — Connecticut fortify towns — Attack on Haverhill— Preparations for an expedition against Canada— Colonel Nicholson advances to Wood creek — expedition abandoned — Seeond attempt on Deerfield— Capture of Port Royal — Various incursions — Abortive expedition to Canada — Incursions continue — Treaty of Utrecht — Peace with the Indians. — Page 183.

Chapter XII

State of the frontiers at the close of the war — Northern limits of the settlements — Military strength of Canada — Province of Connecticut — Se bastian Rolle — First appearance of the Aurora Borealis — Alarms of the people — First notice of in Europe — Theories to account for the phenomenon — Progress of settlements — Hostilities with the eastern Indians — Col. Westbrooke's expedition — Indians retaliate — Fort Dummer built — Mili tary strength of Massachusetts.... Spirited Measures of New Hampshire ....Incursions at Dover and other places.... Attack at fort Dummer....Peo ple killed at Greenfield and Deerfield, and other places....Machinations of Sebastian Rolle. ...Expedition of Harman and Moulton against Nor ridgewock....Place destroyed... .Rolle killed....His singular character.... Other expeditions and incursions.. ..Expedition of captain Wright's volunteers....Exploit of captain Lovewell. ...Marches on a second expedition....

Ambuscaded and killed.. ..Particulars of the affair.. ..Sufferings of Individ uals....Commissioners sent to Canada... .Peace with the Indians... .Tribes engaged in the war. Page 204.

Chapter XIII

Attempts of Massachusetts to engage the Mohawks in the late war — Ravages of the Small Pox — Inocculation introduced — Violently opposed — Its ultimate success — Measures of Massachusetts for a continuance of peace — Trading houses established — Grants of new townships in New Hampshire and Massachusetts — Disputes concerning boundaries — Trans actions in New York — Extraordinary Earthquake — Great loss of people by the throat distemper — Boundary Ipetween Massachusetts and New Hampshire established — Further grants of towns in Massachusetts — County of Worcester established — Frontier towns in New Hampshire — Northern limits of the settlements in New England — Population of the country in 1750 — Settlements in Canada — Indians indicate hostilities — Treaty with the Cahnawagas at fort Dummer. Page 220.

Chapter XIV

Declaration of war in 1744 — Indians take up arms — Preparations for defence — Notices of Indian routes, to the frontiers — Massachusetts cordon of' forts built — Other works on the frontiers — Col. John Stoddard commander of the western frontiers — Establishment of scouting parties — Incursions of the Indians on the Connecticut — Capture of Louisburg — Further incursions of the enemy — Affair at Charlestown — Fort Massa chusetts attacked by M. Vaudreuil— Spirited delence of the garrison— h X Surrender by capitulation— Remarks on the attack— Previous escape ot' a party from the fort— People killed in Deerfield meadow—Project for an attack on Canada— Fails— Massachusetts withdraws her garrisons from New Hampshire fr: .utters— iieoccupies the posts— Charlestown at tacked by M. Debeline— Brave detente, by captain Stevens— Enemy with draws—Remarks on the defence— Further incursions— skirmish near fort Massachusetts— Capture of a French officer near Winchester— Various attacks in New Hampshire. Page 229-

Chapter XV

Continuation of the War. Forces voted by Massachusetts— attack near the fort at Charlestown — Scout under captain Melvin attacked at West River— Ambuscade at Hinsdale— Death of colonel Stoddard—Suc ceeded by colonel Israel Williams — Gallant action of captain Hobbs — Second ambuscade at Hinsdale — Attack on fort Massachusetts — Further incursions — Peace of Aix la Chapelle and treaty with the Indians — Sketch of transactions in New York and Canada — Different mode of carrying on the war by the French and English — Policy of granting bounties on scalps examined — Colonel Hawks' tour to Canada — Singular conduct of a captive. Page 247.

Chapter XVI

Remarks on the state of the country — Grants of townships by gov ernor Wentworth — Project for a military settlement at Coos — Frustrated by the Indians — Commencement of hostilities at the eastward — Prepara tions for defence — Incursions in New Hampshire — Plan of a tmion of the colonies — Hostilities on the frontiers of Pennsylvania — Expedition up Kennebeck — Further incursions in New Hampshire — Destruction of Dutch Hoosac... .Incursion at Stockbridge.... Colonel Israel Williams again intrusted with the defence of the frontiers.... His plan of defence....Fron tier fortifications. ...New settlements.. ..Major Ephraim Williams commands the line of forts.. ..Defences in the eastern quarter Arrival of troops un der general Braddock — Plan of the campaign — Incursion at Charlemont — Additional forces raised — Lieut, governor Phipps' orders for raising rangers — Duty and hardships of these corps. Page 258.

Chapter XVII

Routs of the St. Francis Indians — Inroads on Connecticut river-Cap ture of Bridgman's fort— Sketch of the adventures of Mrs. Howe Massachusetts posts garrisons in New Hampshire — Army under general Johnson assembles at Albany — Advances to fort Edward and commences a fortification— Encamps at lake George — French force under baron Dieskau— His plan of operation— Advances towards Johnson's Camp- Ambuscade of a detachment under colonel E. Williams— Attack on Johnson— Details of the action— French defeated— Dieskau wounded and taken prisoner— Loss of the English— Notice of colonel Williams- Colonel Titcomb and baron Dieskau— Remarks on the battle— Affair of M'Ginnes and Fulsome— Effects of the victory at the lake— Shirley's and Braddock's expedition— Remarkable earthquake. Pa-re 268

Chapter XVIII

French build a fort at Tinconderoga— Army under general Winslow in 1756— Takes post at lake George— Arrival of troops under lord Lon don-Massachusetts frontier garrisons-Incursions at Winchester, Charles town, Greenfield and Northfield— Several attacks near fort Massachu setts—People killed at West Hoosac— Winslow's armv remain-? inactive — Loss of Oswego — Colonel Bradstreet's defence of a division of Bat teaux — Project for building a fort on the highlands, between Black river and Otter creek — Surveys ordered by Massachusetts — Preparations for the capaign of 1757 — Scouting parties on the frontiers — Forces posted at Charlestown. Attack on the mills at that place... .Loudon's expedition against Louisburg — Montcalm besieges fort William Henry — Place surrenders — Horrid massacre of the garrison— Conduct of the chavelier la Corne....Exploits of Individuals — Putnam's rangers detached to the lake....Horrid scene presented on the route....Number killed....Consterna tion of the northern provinces — March of the militia — Sir William Pepperell takes post at Springfield....Frontier garrisons augmented....Ac tivity of the garrison at Charlestown — Alarm subsides — Militia discharged....Gloomy prospects of the country. Page 282.

Chapter XIX

Preparations for the campaign of 1758. ...Incursion of the Indians at ~Colrain....Garrisons at the frontier towns.. ..Depredations at Hinsdale and Charlestown....Army assembles at lake George under general Abercrombie....Passes the lake....Affair at the landing....Fall of lord Howe....Army Advances to the mills. ...Attack on the French lines.... Severe repulse — Army returns to the south end of lake George... .Capture of Frontenac — Surrender of Louisburg.. ..General Forbe's expedition....Inactivity of Abercrombie.. ..General Amherst arrives with reinforcements. ...Plan of the campaign of 1759.. ..Garrison at Charlestown. ...Early incursion at Colrain....Army under general Amherst....Invests Ticonderoga... .French evacuate that place and Crown Poiut.... Amherst resolves to destroy the village of St. Francis....His orders to major Rogers. ...Detachment procreeds down lake Champlain....Lands at Missisque bay....Nature of the country to be traversed....Loss of boats and provisions. ...Plan adopted for a supply of the latter... .Embarrassments of the march....Attack on the village....Slaughter of the enemy....