Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

bie repulsed

impracticable to pass the breastwork, which was eight or nine 1758. feet high, and much stronger than had been represented, general Abercrombie, after a contest of near four hours, ordered a re- July 8. treat; and the next day resumed his former camp on the south bercrom side of Lake George. In this ill judged assault, nearly 2000 of at Ticondethe assailants were killed and wounded, of which number towards roga. 400 were provincials. Almost half of the Highland regiment, commanded by lord John Murray, with 25 of its officers, were either killed, or desperately wounded. The loss of the enemy, who were covered during the whole action, was inconsiderable.1

Frontenac;

which is

On the proposition of colonel Bradstreet for an expedition Expedition against Fort Frontenac, general Abercrombie, relinquishing for the against fort present his designs against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, sent that able and gallant officer for this service with a detachment of nearly 3000 men, chiefly provincials, furnished with 8 pieces of cannon and 2 mortars.2 Bradstreet, having marched to Oswego, embarked on Lake Ontario, and in the evening of the 25th of August landed within a mile of the fort. Within two days, his batteries were opened at so short a distance, that almost every shell took effect, and the French commandant, finding the place taken, Auuntenable, surrendered at discretion. The Indians having pre- gust 27. viously deserted, the prisoners were but 110. The captors found in the fort 60 pieces of cannon, 16 small mortars, a large number of small arms, a vast quantity of provisions, military stores, and merchandise; and 9 armed vessels fell into their hands. Colonel Bradstreet, having destroyed the fort and vessels, and such stores as could not be brought off, returned to the main army.3

1 Univ. Hist. xl. 219, 220. Marshall, i. 432-436. Mante, b. 3. Trumbull [U. S. i. 381; Conn. b. 2. 18, from Gen. Abercrombie's Return] says, "Of the regulars were killed 464; of the provincials 87. In the whole 548. Of the regulars were wounded 1117; of the provincials 239. In the whole 1356. There were missing 29 regulars and 8 provincials. The whole loss in killed, wounded, and missing, was 1941."

2 In reference to this " Expedition against Fort Cataraquoi or Frontenac, on Lake Ontario," Mante says: " The General gave him [Col. Bradstreet] the following troops to execute it.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

besides a small detachment of the Royal Artillery, with eight cannon and two mortars."

3 Univ. Hist. xl. 221. Marshall, i. 437, 438. Boston Gazette. Trumbull, U. S. c. 11; Conn. ii. 393. Smollett, b. 3. c. 9. Mante, b. 3. Rogers, Journal. "This fort," says Rogers, "was square-faced, had four bastions built with stone,

1758.

du Quesne.

The demolition of Fort Frontenac facilitated the reduction of Fort du Quesne. General Forbes, to whom this enterprise was Expedition entrusted, had marched early in July from Philadelphia at the against fort head of the army destined for the expedition; but, such delays were experienced, it was not until September that the Virginia regulars, commanded by colonel Washington, were ordered to join the British troops at Ray's town. Before the army was put in motion, major Grant was detached with 800 men, partly British and partly provincials, to reconnoitre the fort and the adjacent country. Having invited an attack from the French garrison, this detachment was surrounded by the enemy; and after a brave defence, in which 300 men were killed and wounded, major Grant and 19 other officers were taken prisoners. General Forbes with the main army, amounting to at least 8000 men, at length moved forward from Ray's town; but did not reach Fort du Quesne until late in November. On the evening preceding his arrival, the French garrison, deserted by their Indians, and unequal to the maintenance of the place against so formidable an army, had abandoned the fort, and escaped in boats down the Ohio. The English now took possession of that important fortress, and, in compliment to the popular minister, called it Pittsburg. No sooner was the British flag erected on it, than the numerous tribes of the Ohio Indians came in, and made their submission to the English. General Forbes, having concluded treaties with those natives, left a garrison of provincials in the fort, and built a blockhouse near Loyal Hannan; but, worn out with fatigue, he died before he could reach Philadelphia.1

Nov. 25.
Fort du
Quesne

taken, and

named

Pittsburg.

Rangers

raised in

Early in the year, the earl of Loudoun had appointed captain Robert Rogers to raise five additional companies to augment the N. England. Rangers, four New England and one Indian company, all to be at Fort Edward on or before the 15th of March. Rogers immediately sent officers into the New England colonies, where the augmentation was quickly completed, and the 5 companies were ready for service by the 4th of March.2 While the entrenchments of Abercrombie enclosed him in security, M. de

and was near three quarters of a mile in circumference. It was about a league from Lake Ontario. The French had formerly a great trade at this fort with the Indians, it being erected on purpose to prevent their trading with the English." This important post was on the north side of the St. Lawrence, just where it takes its rise from lake Ontario. "The fort not only commanded the entrance of the river from the lake, but was the grand magazine for supplying Niagara, du Quesne, and all the enemy's southern and western garrisons." Trumbull.

1 Univ. Hist. xl. 222. Wynne, ii. 89. Marshall, i. 338-340. Smollett, b. 4. c. 9. Trumbull, U. S. c. 11; Conn. ii. 394. Mante, b. 3. Mante says of general Forbes" his constitution having been exhausted by the incredible fatigues of the service, he died in the 49th year of his age, justly regretted, as a

public loss, by all ranks."
2 Rogers, Journals, 75-78.

Montcalm was active in harassing the frontiers, and in detaching 1758. parties to attack the convoys of the English. Two or three convoys having been cut off by these parties, major Rogers and major Putnam made excursions from Lake George to intercept them. Major PutThe enemy, apprized of their movements, had sent out the French nam is attacked; partizan Molang, who had laid an ambuscade for them in the woods. While proceeding in single file in three divisions, as major Putnam, who was at the head of the first, was coming out of a thicket, the enemy rose, and with discordant yells and whoops attacked the right of his division. Surprised, but not dismayed, he halted, returned the fire, and passed the word for the other divisions to advance for his support. Perceiving it would be impracticable to cross the creek, he determined to maintain his ground. The officers and men, animated by his example, behaved with great bravery. Putnam's fusee at length missing fire, while the muzzle was presented against the breast of a large and well-proportioned Indian; this warrior, with a tremendous war whoop, instantly sprang forward with his lifted hatched, and compelled him to surrender, and, having disarmed him and bound him fast to a and taken tree, returned to the battle. The enemy were at last driven prisoner. from the field, leaving their dead behind them; Putnam was untied by the Indian who had made him prisoner, and carried to the place where they were to encamp that night. Beside many outrages, they inflicted a deep wound with a tomahawk upon his left cheek. It being determined to roast him alive, they led him into a dark forest, stripped him naked, bound him to a tree, piled combustibles at a small distance in a circle round him, and, with horrid screams, set the piles on fire. In the instant of an expected immolation, Molang rushed through the crowd, 'scattered the burning brands, and unbound the victim. The next day major Putnam was allowed his moccasons, and permitted to march without carrying any pack; at night the party arrived at Ticonderoga, and the prisoner was placed under the care of a French guard. After having been examined by the marquis de Montcalm, he was conducted to Montreal by a French officer, who treated him with the greatest indulgence and humanity. The capture of Fort Frontenac affording occasion for an exchange of prisoners, major Putnam was set at liberty.2

Brigadier Stanwix, with a detachment of provincials, erected Fort Stana fort at the carrying place between the Mohawk river and Wood wix built. creek, in the country of the Oneidas, for the security of the Indians in the neighbourhood, who still adhered to the English

1 Mante, b. 3.

2 Humphreys, Works, Life of General Putnam, 271-276. Orderly Book of captain David Holmes. See NOTE III.

1758. interest. In honour of the commander, the fort was called Fort Stanwix.1

Design of

Indians

Pownall.

During these important military occurrences, the French enFrench and gaged the cooperation of the Eastern Indians against the outskirts against the of New England. Uniting themselves with the St. John's and settlements, Penobscots, they planned an attack upon the fort and settlefrustrated ments at St. George's. Governor Pownall, apprized of the by governor design, immediately embarked with a number of troops which he threw most opportunely into the fort; for on the day after he left it, it was attacked by about 400 of the enemy, but without effect. This service was gratefully acknowledged by the Massachusetts general court, and met with the particular approbation of the king. The attempt upon the fort at St. George's, with an equally unsuccessful one upon a small fort at Colrain, and another at Medumcook where 8 men were killed or taken, is all that history has preserved of Indian incursions upon the frontiers the present year.2

Indian treaty at Easton.

S. Carolina.

Virginia.

Presbyte

The governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with Sir William Johnson and other agents, concluded a treaty in October with the Indians of the extensive territory lying between the Apalachian mountains and the lakes.3 The commissioners, with the consent of the Indian attorneys, purchased a tract of upward of 3000 acres of land, which received the name of Brotherton. The deed was taken in the name of the New Jersey governor and commissioners and their heirs, in trust for the Indian natives in New Jersey, south of Rariton.4

The province, of South Carolina contained 6200 white men, from 16 to 60 years of age.5

Virginia exported, this year, 70,000 hogsheads of tobacco.6 The presbyterian clergy, which had for several years consisted rian Synod. of two synods, now united into one, which was called the New York and Philadelphia Synod."

1 Mante, b. 3. Smith, N. York, ii. c. 6. A modern town, dignified with the name of Rome, in Oneida county, New York, stands on the site of this celebrated fort.

2 Minot, ii. 41. Pownall embarked 14 August.

3 Univ. Hist. xl. 222. Wynne, ii. 90, 91. Smith, N. York, ii. c. 6. Smith, N. Jersey, 455-483; where there is a detail of the Conferences, which began 8 October, and finished on the 26th, with great satisfaction. The Indians who assisted at this treaty, were the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, Tuscaroras, Nanticokes, Conoys, Tuteloes, Chugnuts, Delawares, Unamies, Minisinks, Mohicons, and Wappingers, whose deputies with their women and children amounted to 507.

4 Smith, N. Jersey, 483.

5 Pres. Stiles, MS. This account was taken from the militia muster rolls by order of governor Littleton.

6 Jefferson, Virg. Query xx. The largest quantity ever produced in that colony in one year. The export of tobacco, communibus annis, was about 55,000 hhds. of 1000lbs.

7 Letter of Rev. Dr. Spencer to Dr. Stiles, dated "Shrewsbury, Nov. 3,

Jonathan Edwards, president of the college in New Jersey, 1758. died, in the 55th year of his age; Thomas Prince, one of the ministers of Boston, at the age of 72 years; Experience May- Deaths. hew, minister on Martha's Vineyard, in the 86th year of his age.3

1759," containing an Account of the Dissenting Interest in the Middle States, 2 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. i. 156. "This Synod collects all the Presbyterian clergy living in the provinces of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The Synod consists of 8 presbyteries respectively made up of ministers contiguous, without any regard to the boundaries of counties or of provinces; so that the number of ministers, for instance, of New York Presbytery, are, by a great majority, made up of the clergy of New Jersey." Ib.

He was born at Windsor, in Connecticut, in 1703, and educated at Yale College, where he took the degree of bachelor of arts in 1720. In 1724 he was appointed a tutor in the college, and he continued in that office until 1726, when he was invited to preach at Northampton, in Massachusetts. Here, in 1727, he was ordained as colleague with his grandfather, Rev. Mr. Stoddard. He continued in the ministry in Northampton more than 23 years, and was dismissed in 1750. In August, 1751, he succeeded the Rev. Mr. Sergeant as missionary to the Housatunnuk Indians at Stockbridge, and continued in this mission until 1757, when, on invitation of the trustees of New Jersey College, he reluctantly accepted the presidency. Scarcely had he entered on the duties of that office, when the small pox put a period to his useful life. As a metaphysician and theologian, as a scholar and a man of piety, Mr. Edwards has been highly celebrated both in America and in Europe. Though of a delicate constitution, he commonly spent 13 hours in his study every day; and was in the habit of recording every striking thought that occurred to him. His miscellaneous writings amounted to upwards of 1400. A volume of his Miscellaneous Observations on Important Theological Subjects" was transcribed by his son, Rev. Dr. Edwards of New Haven, and printed at Edinburgh, with a Preface by Rev. Dr. Erskine, in 1793. His Inquiry into the Freedom of the Will has been pronounced "one of the greatest efforts of the human mind." Among his other distinguished works are his Essay on Original Sin, Treatise on the Affections, Essay on the nature of True Virtue, and History of Redemption. Complete editions of his works have been printed in England and America. Hopkins, Life of Edwards. Life prefixed to his Works. Allen, Biog. where there is a list of his publications. Miller, ii. 348.

2 He was ordained in 1717 a pastor of the Old South Church, as colleague with the Rev. Dr. Sewall. He improved a fine genius by diligent study, and "in his character were united the universal scholar, the orthodox divine, the accomplished preacher, and the devout Christian." He is well known to the public as the author of "A Chronological History of New England," published in 1736. It was his intention to give a summary account of transactions and occurrences from the Discovery by Gosnold in 1602, to the Arrival of governor Belcher in 1730; but his first volume did not bring down the history lower than the year 1630; and three numbers of a second volume, published in 1755, brought it only to 1633. The work to that date has recently been reprinted in a neat octavo volume, Boston, 1826.-Mr. Prince possessed, in an eminent degree, the qualifications of a chronologist; but, by undertaking too much, he fell extremely short of the execution of his design. His introductory Epitome, which cost him immense labour, begins at the Creation. Had he commenced with the discovery of New England, and finished his work, it would have been a production of incalculable value to every reader, and especially to every writer of our history.

3 Allen and Eliot, Biog. He was the eldest son of John Mayhew, who died in 1689, Æt. 37, in the 16th year of his ministry at Martha's Vineyard, leaving an Indian church of 100 communicants. John was the son of Thomas, who was also a minister on the same island, and who was lost at sea in 1657. See that year. Rev. Experience Mayhew in 1694, about five years after the death

« AnteriorContinuar »