Memoir upon the late War in North America, between the French and English, 1755-60; followed by observations upon the theatre of actual war, ... with topographical maps ... Translated [from the French] and edited by F. B. Hough. With additional notes and illustrations. L.P

Front matter

MEMOIR UPON THE Sate %Xm i» Earth %mtfm, BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH, 1755-60; FOLLOWED ET Obsera-ations upon the Theatre of Actual War, and by New Details concerning the Manners and Customs of the Indians ; with Topographical IIaps. BY M. POUCHOT, Chevalier qf the Royal and Military Order qf^St. .Louis; former Captain q/the Kept, qf Beam ; Commandant qf Forts Niagara and Levis in Canada. TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY FPANKLIN B. HOUGH WITH ADDITIONAL NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS. VOL. I. PRINTED FOR W. ELLIOT WOODWARD, ROXBURT, MASS. 186G. Entered according to Act os Congress in the year 18G6, By Franklin B. Hough, In toe Clerk's Office ot the District Court ot the United States, for the Northern Districtof-New York. Sir<-\\. a JWtfs^ &&: -■■' ' A EDITION: 200 COPIES ARE PRINTED, OF "WHICH 50 COPIES ARE QUARTO ; 143 COPIES ARE ROTAL OCTAVO, AND 7 COPIES QUARTO, ON WHATMAN'S DRAWING PAPER.

Preface

. In preparing an English translation from an authentic narrative by an intelligent observer, of the events of the war of 1755-60, t we hope to contribute a valuable addition to the lite rature of an interesting period of American history. Our impressions of these events, have been chiefly derived from English authors, who often evinced a partizan spirit in their narratives unworthy of the historian, and who even when they sought to leave a faithful record, could at most, present but a partial statement of what they saw on their side. The incidents of a battle or of a siege, as witnessed from an English camp, might appear quite different, if seen through the loop holes pf a fort, or from behind the intrenchments of the French, and a full and truthful knowledge of the whole subject can only be attained by the study of the historians of both parties.

The memoirs here presented, bear conclusive evidence of having been written in a spirit of candor and truth, and being chiefly founded upon personal observation, or the statements of eye witnesses, they possess the merit of being original 1Memoires sur la derniere Guerre de l'Amerique Septentrionale, entre la France et l'Angleterre, suivis d'Observations, dont plusieurs sout relatives au theatre actuel de la guerre, de nouveaux details sur les moeurs les usages des Sauvages, avec des Cartes Topograph iques. Par M. Pouchot, Chevalier de 1' ordre Royal & Jlilitaire deSt. Louis, ancien Captaine au Regiment de Beam, Commandant des forts de Niagara de Levis, en Canada. — Yverdon, M.DCCC, LXXXI, llmo, 3 vols.,pp. 184, 308, <j- 380, with three maps.

PREFACE.

. authority. The narrative of an Indian scout, or of a deserter, even though partly or entirely erroneous, becomes itself a part of history, when it leads to military movements or preparations, and we cannot duly estimate the merit of events, without understanding all the causes which operated in producing them. The author doubtless prepared these memoirs as his own jus tification in the affairs with which he had been concerned, and he freely presents his own merits upon every occasion ; yet we find nothing inconsistent in his career as an honest, brave and energetic officer, inspired with honorable ambition, and an earnest zeal for the success of the French arms. The entire freedom with which he speaks of the corruptions of the adminis tration, is a sufficient proof that he was not a partner to the frauds which hastened the downfall of the French in Canada.

Although this work has been in the hands of historians engaged upon the special period to which it relates, it is scarcely known in our public libraries, or in private collections of Ameri can history. We are indebted to the library of Harvard Uni versity in Cambridge, for the use of the copy from which this translation was prepared. Our especial thanks are due to Mr. J. Langdon Sibley, the accomplished librarian of that institu tion, for facilities which have been of the greatest service. It will be observed that the original edition was printed in Switzerland, fourteen years after the author's death, under the care of an editor whose name does not appear. It is probable that some restriction of government, upon publications of this class, may have occasioned its issue beyond the limits of France.

The notes of the original edition are in all cases designated, and to those which we have added, we have usually given the authorities upon which based, or from whence derived. F. B. H. Lowville, N. Y., Feb. 10, 1866. PKEFACE OF THE ORIGINAL EDITION. We may seek in vain among the numerous period icals — the archives of falsehood and ignorance, for the materials of history. Special memoirs can alone supply them, and in now publishing those of M. Pouchot upon the late Avar in North America, we believe that we fulfill this important object at a happy moment — that of the revolution, which has broken the fetters of thai continent, and changed the political system of Europe. Several works upon this war have appeared long since in England, but their partizan tendency made it desirable that we should have accounts more faithful and better capable of transmitting to posterity those traits of valor Avhich in the new world sustained the honor of the French nation, even in the midst of reverses.

These were so constant, that fortune in dis playing them in every part, seemed to contradict her character. If the prejudices of state appear sometimes to mis lead M. Pouchot, we venture the assurance, that they

PREFACE.

OF THE ORIGINAL EDITION. are never so strong as to lead him to betray the interests of truth, either by alteration or disguise. This quality is impressed upon all his narratives, and is expressed with a simplicity that often degenerates into a too obvious negligence of style. We can easily pardon this fault in an officer less careful in saying, than in doing well. Besides this, the language of camps is not always that of the tribunals of oratory. Those parts of this work in which the sense might appear unintelligible or obscure, are almost the only ones Ave have ventured to correct. We have allowed ourselves some light retrenchments. Perhaps the author Avould haA'e made himself a greater number if he had found time to review his memoirs, in which it was still necessary to change the order of several parts.

In fact a more careful reader would be impatient at finding historical narratives placed after the excellent geographical obserA-ations which they tend to illustrate, and to Avhich we haA'e added some remarks upon the Apalachian Mountains and the Falls of Niagara. We have therefore with reason, placed these observations at the end of the memoir, and before the precious details upon the manners and customs of the Indians. This latter essay, is the result of those relations Avhich our author as commander, Avas obliged to form with the principal nations of the continent of North America. EULOGY UPON M. POUCHOT. A literary man identifies himself in his works ; their merit is the measure of his praise, and their existence alone suffices for his glory. He, on the contrary, who devotes himself to his country's service, more willing to shed his blood for her than to perpetuate the memory of his own exploits, leaves to posterity the care of doing him justice.

We are therefore under strong obligations to collect these titles of honor where they can be safe from the sponge of oblivion, especially when the theatre of action was a distant country, and they ran the greater risk of being buried. Of such were the intrepid defenders of Canada, among whom, M. Pouchot holds a distinguished rank. In publishing his memoirs, we acquit his fellow citi zens of a debt, and in giving him here the just tribute of our praise, we satisfy our oavu duty. The Truth will never have occasion to reproach us. It is not to do injury that Ave borrow his language. Simple and precise, it rarely becomes deceitful — a quality that always needs precedents. EULOGY UPON M. POUCHOT. M. Pouchot. Avas born at Grenoble in 1712, of a Avorthy father, AA-ho had not sought in commerce the dangerous means of bequeathing scandalous luxuries, and by enriching his heirs, to render them good-for nothing Sybarites.

He left by a premature death, the sad liberty to his widoAV of another marriage, which she hastened to improve. The feelings of the mother lost strength from day to day in the arms of her new husband ; the voice of interest became more powerful, and plunged the children of the first marriage into deepest gulf of misery from Avhich they could scarcely emerge. The author of these memoirs, to avoid the sacrifice of his talents, like others less prudent but more eager for profit, entered the service in 1733 as a volunteer engineer, a position to which nature had destined him. He lost nothing of his rights, when the next year he passed to the regiment of Beam. Far from believing that his new employment made appli cation needless, or that he could now live idly at rest, he continued to study the great art of Vauban and Cohorn in the midst of the tumult of camps.

His attainments were not long unobserved, but attracted the notice of M. de Maillebois, who put M. Pouchot in the way that his genius led him. This general directed him to labor under M. Bourcet, upon the entrenchments of Borgo-Forte, in the Sarraglio, and upon those of Ferrara upon Mount Baldo. The war in Corsica furnished our author with other occa sions to gratify the irresistible desire always arising in strong minds of being usefully engaged. He was employed in fortifying these posts, and in laying out roads in the interior of that unhappy island, whose poverty could not save it from the yoke of those inflex ible tyrants, the republican and despotic Genoese. We will not follow M. Pouchot through all the cam paigns of Italy, Flanders and Germany, whose glory he shared with the French troops.

In 1744, he was charged by government with examining the route of Tyrol, and in preparing a map which he accompanied by an instructive memoir. In the last year but one of this war, he entrenched the camp of Tournai, under the orders of M. de Villemur. These services obtained for our brave officer a reward, that of captain by brevet, and the cross of St. Louis. These Avere to him as a, due, and not as a favor, a ministerial term, in truth very improper in its origin, but Avhieh unfortunately Ave may noAvadays often justify in the use. The peace not being settled upon a solid basis, the ambition of England soon sought to overthrow it. To anticipate or stop her enterprises, France sent several battalions to Canada. That of Beam, to which M. Pouchot was attached, was one of these. The memoirs we publish reuder it needless to enter here upon any of the details, of the brilliant actions and important services of this officer.

The defense^of Niagara called forth all those varied resources that his genius did not fail to furnish him. He never yielded to his wants Avhich increased in proportion to the superior forces of the enemy. He was not over whelmed at Fort Levis, in the ashes of Avhichit would be due after death to place his tomb, and to erect a monument worthy of his intrepidity. If he there escaped the sword of his country's foes, it was only to be exposed to the bitter assaults of calumny at home. M. Berryer, Minister of the Marine, mindful of having been a lieutenant of police, thought he should employ this civil inquisition so useful to restrain a vile and corrupt populace, but too often turned against the peace of the good, —to hunt out the authors of the many abuses and transgressions that had occasioned the loss of Canada.

In pursuance of this, he engaged an informer to play the part of a para site, to the end that he might discover all those whose relations with the commissary general might lead to suspicion of their conduct. He had shared the hos pitality of M. Pouchot's table, having come to speak of the provisioning of Fort Levis. This did not how ever prevent M. Kervisian, for that was the name of the informer, from accusing this brave officer upon his return to France. M. Berryer had then left the ministry. His suc cessor AA-ithout adopting his system of espionage, Avished nevertheless to profit by this unlucky circum stance where the truth had for its adversaries the guilty, Avho sought to multiply their accomplices to shield themselves from exemplary punishment. Several lettres de cachet were issued, ordering the accused to be taken to the Bastile.1 M. Pouchot was reposing in the bosom of his family from the fatigues of war, when he learned with surprise that they intended to arrest him.

He did not wait for this, but instantly repaired to the court. In presenting himself to the minister, he spoke in these words : " I have come from Canada, Avhere I have a thousand times exposed my life for the interests of my country. Her enemies offered' me employment, money, and an advantageous position, but I rejected their offers. The loss of my patrimony is all the fruit left me for my labors and my services. What do you Avant? Of what do they accuse me?" The thunder of Power ceased to mutter Avhen the A-oice of Innocence Avas heard. They only replied to M. Pouchot by praising him, and said they only needed Avitnesses like him to convict the guilt}-. " I now see," he replied, "that some vile defamer, — an infamous spy, Avhom you have shamefully raised to the grade of an officer, is the soul of this proceedure.

What affinity could I have with M. Bigot - and his accomplices ? 1 By a royal commission, issued in December, 17G2, more than fifty persons were ordered to be tried for frauds or misconduct in the affairs of Canada, including the Governor, Intendant, seventeen Command ants of Posts, two Commissaries of the Marine, and one Commissary of the Superior Council of Quebec. The trial lasted three years, and the court decreed that twelve millions of livres should be restored to the king. — Ed. 2 Francois Bigot was accused by Cadet, Contractor General of Canada, on his return to France, and thrown into the Bastile, where Would they cry down a Avitness who would refuse to testify for them ? " M. Pouchot having promised to report himself whenever they wanted him, was not only permitted to go freely, but they furthermore assured him that he should shortly enjoy the recom penses due to his services.

But he received none. At the court they imbibed constantly from the waters of the stream of oblivion, to anticipate its effect. He was there but for a moment, and the information only prevented M. Pouchot from being seized. After the affair of Carillon, M. de Montcalm had asked for him a brevet of Lieutenant Colonel. The minister granted him only a moderate pension. The man so distinguished in that memorable combat, and Avho afterwards defended Avith such valor and intelli gence the forts of Niagara and Levis, could not break doAvn the barriers Avhich separated the employed sub alterns from the superior grades, an obstacle over which intrigue would manage to triumph without difficulty. Having obtained neither favor nor advancement, and with only the satisfaction of being judged worthy of them, M. Pouchot returned to Grenoble.

He sought no revenge for the ingratitude of his country but from new services, aud he seized with ardor upon the occa sion Avhich the troubles in Corsica presented, and he remained eleven months in close confinement. He was subse quently banished to Bordeaux, where he spent the remainder of his life in ease and comfort. — N. Y. Col Hist, x, 1126. — Ed. which first begun by tyranny and then increased by habits of license and terror, were destined to destroy him by the first fire. Three months before he left for this island, he undertook at the solicitation of his friends, to write his memoirs. This short space of time did not permit him to arrange them with care, nor to use his materials properly. They are not the less interesting nor less useful, for, to a knoAvledge of his art, the author joined that courage to tell the truth, AA-hich is so often silenced by fortune, of which faint heartedness is a striking attribute.

Upon arriving in Corsica, M. Pouchot Avas employed after his taste, but this time with sad result. Having received orders to advance, with a detachment of fifty men, to reconnoitre a post, he Avas abandoned by his own, and killed on the 8th of May, 1769, by some Cor sicans concealed in the bushes. Thus Death which he had often braved, sought to gain his end, and by a kind of revenge, had recourse to the hand of vile assassins to give the final stroke. His generals regretted him, and his loss Avas lamented by his family Avhich was very large. Among all its members equally distinguished for their virtues and their services, he had chosen before his departure, for his heir, one of his brothers, who having passed a long time in the employment of the finance, had never breathed its contagious air, and Avho well deserved the public esteem.

CERTIFICATE OF M. LE MARQUIS DE VAUDREUIL. We, Pierre de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil, of the Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, formerly governor and lieutenant general for the king, of all New France : Certify, that Sieur Pouchot, captain of the regiment of Bearn, has conducted himself in the different com mands which we have entrusted to him, of Forts Niagara and Levis, as well in their construction, with Avhich we charged him as in their defense, with all the sagacity, zeal, intelligence and economy which could be expected from an accomplished oflicer. We certify the same of his taleDts in managing the Indians, and in attaching them to the service, during the sieges which unfortunate circumstances obliged him to sus tain, and in which he maintained the honor of the king's arms with a rare valor, and which have gained him merited esteem : 1st, At Niagara, where he maintained himself nineteen days in an open entrenchment, with four hundred and fifty men of the troops and militia, of whom one CERTIFICATE OF DE VAUDREUIL. hundred and seventeen were killed or Avounded, against about five thousand English and Indians, of whom the first two generals, Prideaux and Johnson were killed.1 2d, At Fort Levis, with two hundred and fifty men, soldiers and militia, where there were sixty men killed and Avounded.

Among the first of these, was his artillery officer. With this small force, he sustained himself eleven days against General Amherst, Avho had eleven thousand men, regular troops and Indians, with formidable artillery; and especially when at tacked by a heavy force by land and water on the 22d of August by the enemy. He then grounded and took a brigantine of twenty-two guns, in which were three hundred men. He then grounded two others, one of eighteen pieces, and the other of ten pieces of twelves. He behaved with equal distinction in the other opera tions in Avhich he employed him, and in other occa sions where he Avas found, as at Oswego, where he directed the siege of that place, and equally at the affair of Carillon, of which we gave an account to the minister at the time,2 In testimony of which avc have signed for him this present certificate, and have attached the seal of our arms, at Paris, the 6th of May, 1761. Signed, Vaudreuil. 1 Prideaux only was killed — Ed. 4 See N. Y. Col. Hist, x, 779. — Ed.