Reminiscences of the French War; containing Rogers' expeditions with the New-England Rangers under his command as published in London in 1765; with notes and illustrations. To which is added an account of the life and military services of Maj. Gen. J. Stark; with notices and anecdotes of other...

Front matter

vi , \ ,,i , <( ; k N . '• J 'J) il it N ;'i> T A\ n K I rain -i I'jiinlnifi' by A Uirrli i i- REMINISCENCES OF THE FRENCH WAR; CONTAINING ROGERS' EXPEDITIONS WITH THE NEW- ENGLAND RANGERS ORDER HIS COMMAND, AS PUB LISHED IN LONDON IN 1765; WITH NOTES AND ILLUSTRA- TIONS. TO WHICH IS ADDED AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND MILITARY SERVICES OF MAJ. GEKT. JOHN STARK ; WITH NOTICES AND ANECDOTES OF OTHER OFFICERS DISTINGUISH' ■ D IN THE FRENCH AND RE VOLUTION ART WARS. CONCOKD.N. H. rCBLISHEl BY LUTHER ROBT 1831. DISTRICT OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE— to wit: District Clerk's Office. BEIT REMEMBERED, That on the 1 7th day of March, A. D. 18S1 and in the fifty-fifth year of the Independence of the United States of America, Luther Roby of the said District, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor in the words following, viz. " Reminiscences of the French War, containing Rogers' expeditions with the New-England Rangers under his command as published in London in 1765 , with notes and illustrations.

To which is added an acccount of the life and military services of Maj. Gen. John Stark; with notices and anec dotes of other officers distinguished in the French and Revolutionary wars." In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled " 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 there in mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, en graving, and etching historical and other prints." CHARLES W. CUTTER, Clerk of the District Court of the United States for the District of New-Hampihirt. A true eopy of Record. Attest. C W. Cutter, Clerk. I

Preface

. —°k>— Those who have perused with pleasure the productions of the American Novelist, who have wandered with him, through the classic scenery of the north, who have visited the romantic shores of Lake George, and the mountains of ancient Carrillon, may perhaps possess the curiosity to ascertain something of the real actors in the scenes so admirably described. Passing with the author along the silent shore of the Bloody Pond, we are referred to the history of those times, when the splendor of European equipage mingled with the ruder armament of the North American savage ; — when the disciplined veterans of France and England were opposed in arms, each supported by their favorite allies from the , wilderness. The language of the author, "who that saw this spot, would venture to say that a mighty army was at. rest, among yonder silent trees and barren mountains," reminds us of the defeat of Dieskau, and the capture of William Henry, names never to be forgotten by New-England — for they are associated with the victury, or massacre of her sons.

The following is perhaps, the only account of the expeditions and services of a corps of men, which during the long and bloody wars of Great Britain and France, for the mastery in America, constituted the right arm of the British forces. The disasters, of the unfortunate Braddock, and his total defeat on the Monongahela, convinced the British Generals of their utter inability to operate in America, without the aid of a strong corps of Rangers, composed of the natives ofthe coun-

PREFACE.

. try, whose knowledge of Indian warfare, would enable them to prevent a similar surprise and overthrow. A commission jsvas accordingly issued to Major Rogers, the author of this Journal, to enlist and discipline the corps ; and his details may be relied upon as being sub stantially correct ; and the rules established by him for the ranging service, may be of some benefit to future partisans, should wars with the Indians render such ser vices necessary. The Rangers were raised principally in New-Hamp shire, were regularly paid by the Crown in the same manner as troops of the line, and officered by the most hardy, intelligent, and enterprising partisans of that day, many of whom, were afterwards distinguished in the Revolutionary war. The hardy character of the Rangers and the experience acquired by their hunting excursions and intercourse with the Indians, enabled them to discharge the arduous duties in which they were employed.

These were to scour the woods, and ascer tain the force and position of the enemy ; to discover and prevent the effect of his ambuscades, and to ambush him, in their turn ; to acquire information of his move ments, by making prisoners of his sentinels, who were frequently taken and brought away from the gates of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, by these daring woods men; to clear the way for the advance of the regular troops, and lastly, to fight the enemy according to his own fashion, and with his own weapons, whenever circumstances required. If on these occasions, they sometimes deviated from the usages of civilized warfare, in making use of the scalping knife, the barbarity ofthe enemy, the law of retaliation, and the emergency of the times must be their apology. They were compelled to fight Indians upon their own terms.

Their expeditions were confined to no particular sea son. Summer or winter, it was the same to them. They frequently made long and fatiguing marches through the snow, by the use of snow shoes, and were often, obliged to encamp in the forest without fire,* for fear of * A few pine boughs hastily thrown together, formed their eamp, even in the dead of winter, and their having a fire depend ed upon their distance from the enemy.

PREFACE.

. being discovered by the vigilance of the enemy ; and with no other food, than the game they had killed on the march. They frequently penetrated 500 miles in to the enemy's country, destroying French settlements, and Indian villages. They were in fact, the most formidable body of men ever employed as partisans in the wars of this country ; and in every regular engagement proved themselves not inferior to the British Troops. — The description and character ofthe scout in the last of the Mohicans, is not inapplicable to thos of one of Rog ers' Rangers. The diiatdry manner in which the war against the French was conducted by Lord Loudoun and the capture of Fort William Henry, during his absence on the Lou isburgh expedition, by a powerful force of French and Indians, under the Marquis de Montcalm, the Governor of Canada, and the character for vigilance and activity evinced by that accomplished general, while the former gave dissatisfaction to the Ministry, the latter produced despondency and alarm in the Provinces.

Gen. Aber crombie succeeded to the command of all the forces in America, and much was expected from him, aided as he was, by the talents of the active and enterprising Howe. But the subsequent repulse of 16000 British troops, before the lines of Ticonderoga, (in which the gallant Howe fell,) evinced that little had been effected by the exchange. About this time, Pitt assumed the direction of British affairs. Under his auspices, an immediate alteration took place. Vigorous measures were adopted to recover the lost ground in America, and to wrest from France the whole of her possessions in that country. It was on this occasion, that the minister presented his Majesty, with what he termed " a long and melancholy list of Lieut. Generals and Major Generals," and observed that with all these redoubtable warriors at command, he was compelled to seek out and promote Colonels, to command the armie3. Amherst, Wolfe, Monckton, Murray, and others were by him brought forward, at the expense of the imbeciles, who then encumbered the half-pay list. 1*

PREFACE.

. Upon the occasion of Wolfe's appointment to com mand the expedition against Quebec, some one observed to George II. that Wolfe was thought to be a madman ; and wholly unfit to be entrusted with so important a com mand. *' Is he," says the King, " then I wish he would bite all the rest of my generals." The result justified the confidence reposed. Wolfe earried hy a bold surprise, the heights of Abraham, met the strength of the French Army on the Plains of Que bec, and fell in the hour of victory. But the object was attained. The fall of Quebec was followed by the ad vance of Amherst, from Lake George,* reducing in his progress, all the French garrisons along the frontier, and the whole Province of Canada was surrendered with out further bloodshed. The information contained in the notes to this work, was obtained from persons intimately acquainted with some ofthe most distinguished leaders in the war against France, and who afterwards served with them during the Revolution ; to most of the principal events of which, they were eye-witnesses.

While contemplating the character of the heroes of the -Revolution, the scenes in which the greater portion of their lives were employ ed, and their entire devotion to the cause of their coun try, the heart is chilled with the reflection that of these war worn veterans — the pioneers of American Indepen dence, a few only remain to witness the result of their unparallelled sufferings, and their victorious toils. It is to be hoped that their descendants cheered by the glori- * Gen. Amherst proceeded by Oswego on Lake Ontario, while Colonel Haviland, advanced from Crown Point down Lake Champiain and the Sorell, and Gen. Murray from Quebec, and the whole army concentrated at Montreal, when Canada was •urrendered Sept. 8, 1760.t t It was thought to be an error in Gen. Amherst not to hare proceeded immediately for the heart of Canada, and seconded the efforts of Wolfe against Quebec; where for the want of such eo-operation, he was at one time, in the most imminent peril. — This was just before he attempted the heights of Abraham ; where fortune at last, crowned the British hero with unfading laurels.

PREFACE.

. ous memory ofthe paSt, by a sense of gratitude for their present prosperity, and exalted anticipations of the future, will never suffer themselves to be reproached with the insulting taunt, that the spirit of the Revolution, which, like a rock of adamant, withstood the angry waves which dashed against it, has become extinct with the de parture of the heroic souls which it once animated. If in this attempt to throw light upon the history of that desperate struggle, which created this mighty nation, it shall be our fortune to rescue from oblivion, traits of character, and examples of patriotism, worthy of im itation by posterity, we shall consider our humble labors amply compensated. ROGERS'

Introduction

. — .c4o~ In offering these journals to the public, the author claims no other merit, than that of relating impartially, matters of fact, as they occurred to his own observa tion, during the late war with France. Most of those relating to himself, can at present, be attested by living witnesses. Should the troubles in America be renewed, and the Savages, repeat those horrible acts of barbarity which they have heretofore so often practised upon Brit ish subjects, he flatters himself, that some advantage may accrue to those immediately concerned, from the perusal of these pages. For all inaccuracies of language, the author claims a candid indulgence. The reader is to recollect, that it is the soldier, and not the scholar who writes ; that he wrote not in the silence and leisure of the closet, but in the uncultivated desalts, and among the mountains of America, — amid the hurry, disorder and tumult of war, and often under a depression of spirits, the natural con sequence of exhausting fatigue.

These are in fact, the journals which were from time to time, transmitted to the Generals, under whom he acted. His manner of life from early youth, having been brought up as it were, in the hunter's camp, and innured to hardship, rendered him peculiarly qualified for the service in which he afterwards engaged. Hunting was at that period, the most agreeable, and profitable business, in which the hardy youth of New England em ployed themselves. This brought them in frequent con tact with the Indians, and they were enabled to obtain a knowledge of their language, manners, and customs. and became excellent marksmen. ROGERS'

INTRODUCTION.

. About this time the proceedings of the French were such as to excite the jealousy of the English in the provinces of New York and New England. As Crown Point was the post from which, for many years, the Indians in the French interest, had been fitted out against our frontier settlements, a design was formed in 1755, to reduce that Fortress. Troops were levied in New England, New York, and New Jersey. Albany was appointed the general rendezvous ; and Major General (since Sir William) Johnson appointed to the command. The writer on this occasion, commanded the company furnished by New Hampshire, and made several excursions to the North Western frontiers, with a view to prevent inroads from the enemy. On the 26th of August 1755, he was employed to escort the provision waggons from Albany to the Carrying Place, so called, since Fort Edward.

Here he waited upon the General, to whom he had been recommended, as a person well acquainted with the haunts and passes of the enemy, and the Indian method of fighting, and was by him, despatched on several scouts to the French posts. He was on one of these, up Hudson River, on the 8th of Sep tember, when Lieut. General, the Baron Dieskau was taken prisoner, and the French and Indians under his command, defeated at the south end of Lake George, near the Bloody Pond, so called, from that defeat. For this service, General Johnson was created a Baronet. ♦ REMINISCENCES OT THE FRENCH WAR. •fcBgJ j JOURNAL. Sept. 24, 1755. Pursuant to orders from Gen Johnson to proceed to Crown Point, and if practicable, to bring from thence a prisoner, I embarked with four men and proceeding down Lake George 25 miles, landed on the west shore, where leaving two men in charge of the boat, I marched with the other two until the 29th, when we obtained a fair view of the Fort at Crown Point; and discovered a large body of Indians about the Fort, from whose irregular firing we supposed they were shooting at marks, a diversion of which, they are very fond.

At night, our party crept through the French guards into a small village, south of the Fort, and passed through it to an eminence on the south west, where we ascertained they were erecting a battery, and had already thrown up an entrenchment on that side of the Fort. The next day we gained an eminence a small distance from the former, and discovered an encampment extending from the Fort south east, to a windmill at thirty yards distance. The troops occupying it, amounted to about 500 men. Having no opportunity for procuring a captive, and finding that our small party was discovered, it was thought best to commence a retreat on the 1st of October. On our rout homeward, we passed within two miles of Ticonderoga, from which a large smoke was observed, and the discharge of a number of small arms heard ; but as our provisions were expended, we could not tarry to ascertain the enemy's force.

On the 2d, reached the place where we had left the boat, in charge of two men, who to our great sur prise had departed, leaving us no provisions. This circumstance hastened our return with all speed to the camp, where we arrived on the 4th, not a little fatigued, and distressed with hunger and cold. Oct. 7. Orders were received from Gen. John son to embark with five men, and reconnoitre the French at Ticonderoga. Accordingly I proceeded at night to a point of land on the west shore of the Lake, where we landed and concealed our canoe leav ing two men in charge of it and with the other three, arrived at Ticonderoga point, at noon. Here were abou.t 2000 men, who had thrown up an intrench ment, and prepared a large quantity of hewn timber in the adjacent woods. We remained here the sec ond night, and next morning saw them lay the foun dation of a fort, on the point, which commands the pass from Lake George to Champiain, and the en trance to South Bay or Wood Creek.

Having made what discoveries we could, and commenced our re turn^ large advanced guard of the enemy was found posted at the north end of Lake George, near the outlet to Champiain. While viewing these troops, I observed a bark canoe containing nine Indians and a Frenchman, passing up the Lake. We kept in sight of them, until they passed the point where our canoe and men had been left. They gave informa tion that the party had landed on an Island six miles south of us, near the middle of the Lake. In a1 short time they put off from the Island and steered directly towards us. In order to receive them in the best manner possible, we gave them a solute at 100 yards distance, which reduced their number to four. We then took boat and pursued them down the lake, until they were relieved by two canoee, which compelled us to retreat towards our campat Lake George, where we arrived on the 10th of Oc tober.

Oct. 15. I was ordered to embark with forty men in five boats, with the design of discovering the strength of the er.emy's advanced guard, and if possible, to decoy the whole, or part of them into an pmbush. To effect this object, our exertions were indefatigable for several days but all to no purpose, and we returned to camp on the 19th. Oct. 21. I embarked with four men, for Crown Point, in quest of a prisoner. At night, we landed on the west side, twenty five miles from the Eng lish camp, marched the remainder of the way and came in sight of the Fort on the 26th. In the evening, we approached nearer, and the next morning found ourselves within 300 yards of it. — My men lay concealed in a thicket of willows, while I crept nearer, and concealed myself behind a large pine log, by holding bushes in my hand.

Soon after sunrise, the soldiers issued out in such numbers, that our party could not unite without discovery. About 10 o'clock a man came out alone and advanced to wards our ambush. I sprang over the log, anfl of fered him quarter, which he refused, making a pass at me with his dirk. This I avoided, and presented my fusee to his breast. He still pressed forward with resolution, and compelled me to shoot him. This gave alarm to the enemy, and made a retreat to the mountain necessary. Our party safely arrived at camp, Oct. 30th. Nov. 4. Embarked for the enemy's advanced guard with thirty men in four batteaux, each mounting two wall pieces ; and next morning arrived tvithin half a mile of the guard, where we landed and concealed the boats. Four spies were sent out, who returned next evening, informing that the enemy had no works around them, but lay entirely open to assault.

Word was immediately sent to the General, for a sufficient force to attack them, but notwithstanding his earnestness and activity, it did not arrive until we were compelled to retreat. On our return, we met the reinforcement, turned again towards the French, and the next evening sent two men to see if their sentinels were on the alert. They were discovered, fired upon, antl so hotly pursued by the enemy, that unhappily our whole party was discovered. We obtained the first notice of this, from two canoes with thirty men in them, which we supposed caine out at the same time with another par ty by land, to force us between two fires. To prevent this, Lieut McCurdy and myself embarked with fourteen men in two boats, leaving the remainder of the party on shore under the command of Captain Putnam.* In order to decoy the French within reach of our wall pieces, we steered as if intending to pass them, which answered our expectations ; for they boldly headed us until within an hundred yards, when the guns were discharged which killed several and put the remainder to flight ; in which they were pursued, and driven so near to our land party, that they were again galled by the wall pieces.

Several of the enemy were thrown overboard, and their canoes rendered very leakv. At this time, I discovered their land party, and no tified my men, who immediately embarked without ♦Afterwards General Putnam. receiving much injury from the sharp fire which the French kept up for some time in their rear. We pursued the enemy with diligence, and again discharged the wall pieces which obliged them to disperse. They were followed to their landing, where they were re ceived and covered by 200 men, whom a discharge of our pieces compelled to retire ; but finding their numbers greatly superior to ours, it was thought most prudent to return to camp, which we reached Nov. 8.* Nov. 12. Proceeded with a party of 10 men, upon a scout, to ascertain the enemy's strength and conditional Ticonderoga, and on the 14th. arrived in sight ofthe Fort.

The enemy had erected three new barracks and four store houses in the Fort, between which and the water, they had eighty bat teaux hauled up on the beach. They had fifty tents near the Fort, and appeared to be very busily em ployed in strengthening their works. Having at tained our object, we reached camp on the 19th. Dec. 19. After a month's repose, I embarked with two men, once more, to reconnoitre the French at Ticonderoga. In our way a fire was discovered up on an Island near the Fort, which we supposed to have been kindled by the enemy. This obliged us to lie by, and act like fishermen, to deceive them, until night came on, when we gained the west shore 15 miles north of our camp. Concealing our boat we pursued cur march by land on the 20th, and on the 21st at noon, reached the Fort. The en emy were still engaged in their works, and had mounted four pieces of cannon on the south east bastion, two on the north west, towards the woods, and two on the south bastion.

They mustered about 500 men. We made several attempts to take * This scene reminds us of the chase of the Scout upon the waters of Lake George, as described in the last ofthe Mohicans a prisoner by way-laying their paths; but they pas sed along in too large parties for us. This night we approached near the Fort ; and were driven by the severity of the cold, to seek shelter in one of their evacuated huts. Before day, a light snow fell, which obliged us to march homeward with all speed, lest the enemy should perceive our tracks and pursue. We reached the boat in safety, though almost overcome with cold, hunger, and fatigue ; and had the good fortune to kill two deer, with which being refreshed, on the 24th we returned to Fort William Henry, a fortress erected this year at the south end of Lake George.

About this time, Gen. Johnson went down to Alba ny to meet the commissioners from the several gov ernments, whose troops he had commanded, (New- Hampshire excepted). These persons were em powered by their constituents, with the assent of a council of war, to garrison Forts William Henry and Edward, for that winter, with part of the troops then in service. Accordingly a regiment was organized, to which Massachusetts furnished a Colonel, Connecticut a Lieut. Colonel, and New York a Major. General Johnson and the Commissioners judged it most pru dent to leave one company of woodsmen, or Ran gers under my command, to make excursions to the enemy's Forts during the winter ; and we remained with the Garrison. January 14, 1756. Marched with a party of 16 men to reconnoitre the French Forts, and proceeded down the Lake on skates, until we halted for refreshment near the falls between Lakes George and Chain plain.

At night, we renewed the march, and at day break, on the 16th, formed an ambush at a point of land on the east shore of Champiain, within gun shot of the path, in which the enemy passed from one Fort to the other. At sunrise, two sledges laden with fresh beef, were intercepted, with their drivers. The lading was destroyed and we returned to Fort Wm. Henry in good health, with our prisoners on the 17th. Jan. 26. Marched by order of Col. Glasier, with fifty men to discover the strength of the enemy at Crown Point. Feb. 2. We arrived within a mile of that Fort ress, and ascended a steep mountain, the summit of which, afforded a full prospect of the Fort, and an opportunity for taking a plan of the works. In the evening, we retired to a small village half a mile to the south, and formed an ambush on each side of the road, leading from the Fort to the village.

Next morning a Frenchman fell into our hands; soon after this, two more men were discovered, but they took alarm before we could seize them, and escaped to the Fort. Finding ourselves discovered by this accident, we set fire to the houses and barns of the village, containing large quantities of grain, and killed fifty head of cattle. We then re tired with our prisoner, leaving the whole village in flames, and reached head quarters February 6th. Feb. 29. Marched by order of Colonel Glasier, with fifty six men down the west side of Lake George, proceeding northward until the 5th of March, when we steered east to Lake Champiain, about six miles north of Crown Point, where from intelligence received of the Indians, we expected to find inhabited villages. We there attempted to cross the lake but the ice was too weak- On the 7th we returned and passing round the bay west of Crown Point, at night entered the cleared land among the houses and barns of the French.

Here we lay in ambush, expecting labourers to attend the cattle and clean the grain, of which the barns were full. W« 2* remained there that night and the next day until dark, when we set fire to the village and retired. On our return, we took a fresh view of Ticondero ga, reconnoitred that Fort and the advanced guard on Lake George, approaching so near, as to see the sentinels on the ramparts. We obtained all the knowledge we desired, of their works, strength, and situation ; and March 14, reached William Henry in safety. The next day, I received a letter from Mr. Wil liam Alexander,* Secretary of Governor Shirley, who commanded at Oswego the last year, and who now upon the decease of General Braddock, succeeded to the chief command of his Majesty forces in North America. Upon the recommendation of General Johnson, Mr. Shirley requested me to wait upon him at Boston, where he was preparing for the campaign : — leaving to Ensign Noah Johnson, f the command of my company, I set out on the 17th for Boston.

On the 23d the General gave me a friendly recep tion, and the next day a commission to recruit an independent corps of Rangers. It was ordered that the Corps should consist of sixty privates at 3* (York currency) per day — an Ensign at 5s. — a Lieut, at 7s. and a Captain at 10s. Each man was to be allowed ten Spanish dollars towards providing clothes, arms, and blankets. — The company was to be raised immediately. None were to be enlisted but such as were accustomed to travelling, and hunting, and in whose courage and fidelity, the most implicit confidence could be placed. They were * Afterwards Lord Stirling, a Major Gen. in the American army. t Noah Johnson was in Lorewell's fight in 1725. He belonged to Dunstable, and at the age of 80, went up to Fryeburg to shew the first settlers the scene of Lovewell's battle with the savages. moreover to be subject to military discipline, and the articles of war.

The rendezvous was appointed at Albany, whence to proceed in whale boats to Lake George, and " from time to time, to use their best endeavours to distress the French and their allies, by sacking, burning, and destroying their houses, barns, barracks, canoes, batteaux, &c. and by killing their cattle of every kind; and at all times to endeavour to waylay, attack, and destroy their convoys of provision, by land and water, in any partof the country, where they could be found." With these instructions, I received letters to the Commanding officers at Forts Wm. Henry, and Edward, directing them to forward the service with which I was now charged. When the company was completed, part of it marched under the orders of Lieut. Richard Rog ers to Albany: with the remainder, I passed through the woods to Number Four* a frontier town, great ly exposed.

There I received orders to proceed to Crown Point, for which on the 28th of April we directed our course, through vast forests and over lofty mountains. The second day of the march Mr. John Starkf my second Lieut, became ill, and was obliged to return to Fort Edward, with a guard of six men. May 5th. I arrived at Lake Champiain 4 miles south of Crown Point with nine men. We concealed our packs and entered a village on the east side, two miles from the Fort, but found no inhabitants. We waited the whole day following opposite the Point, for some party to cross the lake ; but noth ing appeared excepting 500 men in batteaux, com- *New Charleston in the County of Sullivan, N. H. situated up on Connecticut river, and one ofthe pleasantest towns of New Hampshire. tHe afterwards became a General in the Revolutionary Army.