USA > Connecticut > A complete history of Connecticut, civil and ecclesiastical, from the emigration of its first planters, from England, in the year 1630, to the year 1764; and to the close of the Indian wars > Part 41
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Nothing could have been more contrary to the opinions, or more mortifying to the feelings of the provincials, than this whole affair. They viewed the attack upon the lines without the artillery as the height of madness. Besides, it was made under every disadvantage to the assailants. The enemy's lines were of great extent, nearly three quar- ters of a mile. On the right of the common path towards south bay, and especially on the north, they were weak and of little consideration. In both these quarters they might have been approached under the cover of a thick
* Of the regulars were killed 464; of the provincials 87: in the whole 548. Of the regulars were wounded 1,117 ; of the provincials 239: in the whole 1,356. There were missing 29 regulars and 8 provincials. The whole loss in killed, wounded and missing, was 1,941. General Aber- crombie's return.
't Wright's History, vol. i, p. 109, 113. Rider's, vol. xliii, p. 136, 141.
392
HISTORY OF
CHAP: XVIII.
BOOK II: wood. The army was sufficiently numerous to have at- tacked the lines in their whole extent once, or at least in 1756. a very great part of them, and to have drawn their atten- tion to various parts of their lines. But, unhappily, the at- tack was made upon a small part of them where they were far the strongest, and most inaccessible. As no attacks or feints were made in other parts, the enemy were left to pour their whole fire on a small spot, while the whole army could not approach it. Besides, the general never ap- proached the field, where his presence was indispensably necessary ; but remained at the mill, where he could see nothing of the action, nor know any thing only by informa- tion at a distance of two miles. By reason of this, the troops for hours after they should have been called off, were pushed on to inevitable slaughter.
The gene- ral blamed
But especially did the provincials reprobate the retreat. They considered themselves as more than a match for the enemy, should their pretended reinforcements arrive. The army, after this bloody affair, consisted of about fourteen thousand effective men. After all the pompous accounts of the numbers of the enemy, they amounted to little more than three thousand. . When the general retreated, he had more than four effective men to one of theirs. He had a fine train of artillery, and there were strong grounds on which he might have encamped with the utmost safety. There were eminences which commanded all the works of the enemy, whence he might have enfiladed their front, and poured destruction on their whole lines and camp.
The provincial officers were therefore clearly of the opin- ion, that there was the fairest prospect of success, notwith- standing their misfortune, could the expedition only be prosecuted with energy and prudence. But the general took his own way, without advising with them, and appear- ed to retreat with the utmost perturbation.
Falls into The general never had been high in the estimation of contempt. the provincials after the loss of Oswego ; but now he sunk into contempt. They generally called him Mrs. Nabby- crombie, importing that petticoats would much better be- come him than breeches. To repair as far as might be, the disaster at Ticonderoga, the general detatched colonel Bradstreet, with three thousand provincials, on an expedi- tion against fort Frontenac. It was planned by the colonel, and undertaken at his desire. Notwithstanding the great distance of this post from Lake George, and the numerous Fort Fron- obstacles in his march, he reached lake Ontario, embarked tenac tak- his troops, and landed them in the short term of about a en, Aug.27. month, within one mile of the enemy's post. Ilaving se-
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CHAP. XVIII.
cured his landing, he immediately invested the fort. The Book II. enemy made no opposition, but, after two days, surrendered themselves prisoners of war. This important post was on 1758. the north side of the river St. Lawrence, just where it takes Fort Fron- its rise from lake Ontario. The fort not only commanded tenac ta- ken, Aug. the entrance of the river from the lake; but was the grand 27th. magazine for supplying Niagara, du Quesne, and all the en- emy's southern and western garrisons. But as no attack had been expected in this quarter, and the enemy had been drawn off, for the defence of Ticonderoga, and their southern posts, the garrison consisted only of one hun- dred and thirty men. But there were in the fort sixty can- non, sixteen small mortars, and an immense quantity of Articles provisions and goods. They were valued by the French taken! at eight hundred thousand livres. Nine armed vessels, from eight to eighteen guns were taken. This was the whole naval force which the enemy had on the lake. After this enterprising officer had destroyed the fort, stores, pro- visions and shipping, except two vessels, and what he could carry on board of them, he returned with them, richly laden, to Oswego.
This fortunate event, with the attempt on Ticonderoga, was attended with very important consequences. It frus- trated the expedition of Monsieur Levi against the settle- ments on the Mohawk river, recovered the communication between Albany and Oswego ; and once more gave us the command of lake Ontario. It greatly obstructed the com- munication between Canada, Niagara, and their southern and western settlements .*
General Amherst, having placed a strong garrison at Louisburg, and having made the dispositions necessary for the security of the adjacent country, proceeded to Boston, with six regiments, and thence marched through the country, to reinforce the army at lake George. He designed, if the season should not be too far advanced, to achieve something further for the service of his country.
While these events were taking place in the northern de- General partment, general Forbes, who had been appointed to command the expedition to the southward, was advancing, with great activity and labour, to the conquest of fort du Quesne. About eight thousand men had been assigned to this service. In June, the general marched from Phila- delphia for the Ohio. His march lay through a vast tract of country but little known, destitute of roads for the march- - ing of armies, and incumbered with wood, morasses and
* Bradstreet's letter to general Amherst. Wright's Hist, of the war, vol. i. p. 124, 125.
- Forbes'ex- pedition,
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HISTORY OF
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Book II. mountains alnost impassable. It was with incredible dif- ficulty that he procured provisions and carriages for the. 1758. expedition ; that he formed new roads, extended scout-, ing parties, secured his camp, from time to time, and sur- mounted the numerous obstructions which presented them- selves in his tedious march. In addition to his other diffi- culties, which impeded his march, the hostile Indians kept a constant watcli upon all his movements, and, in small detachments, neglected no opportunity to obstruct and harass him as he advanced.
When he had arrived at Ray's town, about ninety miles from du Quesne, he sent forward colonel Bouquet, with a detachment of a thousand men, to Lyal Henning, within about forty miles of the fort. The colonel, from this post, detached major Grant, with eight hundred men, to recon- noitre the situation and works of the enemy ; and, if practi- cable, to reduce the post by a coup de main. The enc- my discovered them as they approached, and detached a. body of troops sufficient completely to surround them. A severe action ensued, which, for three hours, the English, with great spirit maintained against so great a superiority . But finally, they were overpowered, obliged to give way, and retreated with disorder to Lyal Henning. About three hundred men were killed and taken. Among the latter was major Grant, and nineteen other officers, who were carried prisoners to fort du Quesne. This severe check made no alteration in the resolution of general Forbes. He still advanced, with that persevering firmness and cir- cumspection, which had marked his whole conduct. The enemy, perceiving that it was impossible to surprise and defeat him on his march, and that their numbers were not sufficient to maintain the post against him, on the twenty- fourth of November, destroyed their works and abandoned the post to the general. His light troops took possession the following evening. The next day, the general arrived with his whole army, and the British flag was once more erected at fort du Quesne. The French made their escape down the river, partly in boats and partly by land, to their settlements on the Mississippi.
Fort du Quesne ta- ken, Nov. 24th,
General Forbes repaired the fort and named it FORT PITT, in honor to secretary Pitt. Having concluded trea- ties of friendship and alliance with the Indian nations of that fine and extensive country, and apparently reconciled them to the English government, he committed the care of the fort to a garrison of provincials, and took his depar- fure for Philadelphia. On his return, he erected some
CHAP. XVIII.
CONNECTICUT. 395
small fortresses at Lyal Henning, for the defence of the Book II. western frontiers of Pennsylvania .*
The incredible fatigues of this campaign so broke the constitution of this vigilant and brave commander, that he returned to Philadelphia in a very enfeebled state ; where, after languishing a short time, he died, universally lamented.
1758.
When general Amherst arrived with his troops at the lake, the season was so far advanced, and such a body of troops had been drawn off, for the expedition under colo- nel Bradstreet, that he judged it unadvisable to make any further attempts against the enemy during that campaign.
Notwithstanding the defeat at Ticonderoga, the cam- paign closed with great honour and advantage, not only to the colonies, but to the nation in general. In this fourth year after the commencement of hostilities, the English had not only reduced Louisburg, St. John's, and Fronte- nac ; but had made themselves the undisturbed possessors of that fine tract of country, the contention for which had kindled the flames of war in so general and destructive a manner. Success had attended the British arms, not only in America, but in almost every quarter of the globe. The successes in America, besides many other important advantages, paved the way for that series of successful" events, which terminated in the entire reduction of Canada.
Another favourable occurrence of this year, which had Treaty its influence in that great event, was a general treaty and with the pacification with all the Indian nations, inhabiting be- Oct. 8th. Indians, tween the Appalachian mountains and the lakes. This was completed at Easton, on the eighth of October.
In review of the events of the present and past years of the war, the immense importance of having men of capa- city, fidelity, and enterprise, at the head of government, appears in a convincing and striking point of light. Un- der the old ministry and their generals, for three succes- sive years, nothing but loss, disappointment, and shame, attended every enterprise. Not one general officer, of their appointment, in America, ever achieved any thing mag- nanimous and honourable ; but hesitation, delay, and dis- appointment, attended all their measures. On the contra- ry, under the new ministry, and the generals and officers originally of their appointment, every enterprise was crowned with success. A series of most important and brilliant successes, from every quarter, like a steady, all cheering stream, flowed in upon the nation.
* Rider's Hist. vol. xliii. p. 143, 145. Wright's Hist. vol. i. p. 125, 126.
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396
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CHAP. XIX.
BOOK II. 1759.
CHAPTER XIX.
Plan of the campaign in 1759. Mr. Secretary Pill's letter. Transactions of the legislature of Connecticut, relative to the war. Expeditions against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, Niagara and Quebec. Ticonderoga and Crown Point abandoned. Niagara taken. Siege of Quebec. Ac- tion at the falls of Montmorenci. The camp removed to Point Levi. The troops land above the town. Battle of Quebec. Generals Wolfe and Montcalm killed. Quebec surrenders. Movements of general Amherst on lake Cham- plain.
Plan of operations in 1759.
HE successes of the last campaign had released the sea coasts and frontiers of the colonies from all an- noyance from the enemy, and opened the way into the heart of Canada. The belligerent powers, in Europe, maintained the same hostile dispositions which operated the last year. The British ministry, therefore, determined to improve the advantages which they had gained in Ame- rica; and, if possible, the next campaign, to conquer the whole country of Canada. For this purpose, it was de- termined to attack all the strong holds of the enemy nearly at the same time. As soon as the river St. Lawrence should be cleared of ice, it was designed, that general Wolfe, who had so distinguished himself at the reduction of Louisburg, should, with eight thousand men, and a strong squadron of ships, proceed to the siege of Quebec, the capital of Canada. At the same time, it was intended that general Amherst, who had the chief command, with an army of twelve thousand regulars and provincials, should make an attack on Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Hav- ing reduced these posts, and having built a sufficient naval force on lake Champlain, he was to advance by the river Sorel into the St. Lawrence, and form a junction with gene- ral Wolfe at Quebec. A third expedition was to be di- rected against Niagara, under the command of brigadier general Prideaux. Sir William Johnson was appointed to command the New-York provincials, and the Indians of the five nations, to be employed in this expedition. By so many different attacks, it was designed, as far as pos- sible, to divide and distract the enemy, and to prevent their making an effectual defence at any place. It was hoped, if general Prideaux should be so fortunate as to make himself master of. Niagara, at an carly period, that
·
CHAP. XIX.
CONNECTICUT.
397
he would embark on lake Ontario, and, falling down the Book II. river St. Lawrence, would reduce the town of Montreal. It was then hoped, that the three armies, forming a junc- 1759. tion, would complete the conquest of the whole country.
To facilitate these grand and extensive operations, colo- nel Stanwix had the command of a small detachment, for the reduction of small posts, and for securing the banks of lake Ontario.
The designs of the ministry were communicated to the colonies at an early period, that they might have time to prepare themselves for the opening of the campaign, as soon as the season would permit; and that it was his ma- jesty's pleasure that they should furnish the respective quotas required the last year.
With a view to answer his majesty's requisitions, gover- General nor Fitch convoked the General Assembly of Connecticut, Assembly at Hart- at Hartford, on the 8th of March ; and communicated a let- ford, ter from the right honourable William Pitt, bearing date March December 9th, 1758, making a requisition of 20,000 men 8th. from the several governments then named, and as many more as the inhabitants would permit. The letter import- Secretary ed, that his majesty's designs were the same as the last Pitt's let- year ;-- to remove all enemies and encroachments on the er. colonies, and to carry the war into the heart of Canada. The same encouragements were given to the colonies, as in his letter of the preceding year. The successes of the last campaign were noticed, and his majesty's determination, by the blessing of God, to repair the disappointment at Ticonderoga, was expressed.
The assembly found. themselves embarrassed, and ima- Connecti- gined they were unable to raise so great a number of men cut does as was required, after all the exertions they had made, its double and losses they had sustained, in the preceding years ; in propor- which they had done more than double, nearly three times tion. their proportion, when compared with some of the other colonies. In 1755, Connecticut furnished a thousand men at the commencement of the campaign, and after the battle at lake George, they raised and sent into the field, two thousand more, to reinforce the army. In 1756, the colo- ny raised two thousand five hundred men. This was dou- ble the number required by his majesty's commander in chief, for the service of that year. The legislature were induced to exert themselves in this duplicate proportion, from an apprehension that the southern colonies would fail of their proportions, and lest the service should suffer. In 1757, the colony not only raised fourteen hundred men, the full number required by the commander in chief, but,
more than
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Book II. on the capture of fort William Henry, which put the coun- try into a state of great alarm and consternation, it detach- 1759. ed and sent forward, with great dispatch, about five thou- sand of the militia, for the defence of the frontiers; so that they had, in the whole, more than six thousand men in actual service .* In the preceding year, flattering itself that it would be the finishing year of the war, especially in Ainerica, it exerted itself, considering its expense, losses, and diminution of men, even beyond its former example, and had about five thousand troops in actual service, du- ring the campaign. The inhabitants had paid two taxes the preceding year, one of ninepence on the pound. At a special assembly in February, the preceding month, they had found it necessary, in order to discharge the expenses which had been already incurred, and to meet future con- tingencies, immediately to emit twenty thousand pounds lawful money, in bills at five per cent; and, as a fund to sink them, they had ordered a tax of fivepence on the pound on the grand list, in addition to all the other taxes already laid. The employment of such a number of men in public service, greatly diminished the labour and re- sources of the colony. Besides, the polls of the soldiers were, for their encouragement, excluded from the grand list, which served further to increase the burthens of the people. The assembly, therefore, could not, at first, con- ceive that the colony was able, or that it was its duty, to raise so great a number of men, beyond its just proportion.
Resolu- tions of the assembly, March 8th.
It was therefore resolved, That the number of men raised the last year, was greater than the colony could conven- iently furnish : that many had died, and others had been disabled, and rendered unfit for service, in the last cam- paign : that numbers had enlisted as recruits, into his ma- jesty's regiments : and that others were employed in the batteaux and carrying service :- by all which means, the numbers of the colony were diminished. Yet, that the sa- lutary designs of his majesty might, as far as possible, be answered, it was resolved, firmly relying on his majesty's royal and most gracious encouragement, that three thou- sand and six hundred men should be raised within this colony, consisting of four regiments, of ten companies in each. Major general Phinehas Lyman was appointed colonel of the first regiment; Nathan Whiting, of the se- cond ; David Wooster, of the third; and Eleazer Fitch, of
* Reasons in behalf of Connecticut, why the colonies should not be tax- ed, p. 30, 31. Records of the colony. The militia, at that time, were much more numerous than at present, as all, from the age of sixteen to sixty, were obliged to bear arms.
CHAP. XIX.
CONNECTICUT. 399
the fourth. Israel Putnam, who generally commanded the Book II. rangers, was lieutenant-colonel of the fourth regiment .*
To supply the treasury, the assembly resolved, that 1759. 40,000 pounds in bills of credit, equal to lawful money, with interest at five per cent, should be impressed, payable on, or before the first day of March, 1764. As a sufficient fund to sink and discharge said bills, a tax was levied on the grand list of the colony, to be brought in, in October, 1762, of ten pence on the pound, to be paid in by the last day of December, 1763.
As the governor and some other leading characters wish- ed for a nearer compliance with his majesty's requisition, and judged it expedient, the assembly, before they rose, consented that four hundred men more might be enlisted for the service, making in the whole a body of four thou- sand men.
Generał election at
When the assembly met in May, it appeared, that gene- ral Amherst required the same number of troops to be fur- Hartford, nished by Connecticut this year which it sent into the May 10th. field the last. Governor Fitch also warmly addressed the assembly in favor of raising the whole number required, as they were come to a very important crisis, when they hoped for the complete conquest of the enemy, who for a long period had been the occasion of much distress, and of such an expense of blood and treasure, to this country.1 Upon which the assembly came to the following resolu- tions : That this colony is greatly exhausted, by the ex- Resolu- penses incurred in the late campaigns : That the taxes tions of the laid on the inhabitants are heavy : That its credit is much assembly, endangered by the use of large sums in bills, and that the number of its inhabitants is very much lessened, by their enlisting into his majesty's regular troops the last winter ; and as rangers, batteaux men and team drivers ; and into the pay of neighboring governments, for the present cam- paign ; to which they had been induced by the payment of large sums, which had been offered and given them, by other governments, to induce them to take the places of persons who ought to have gone into the service them- selves : and also by the great loss of men sustained in the several late campaigns. This assembly is of the opinion, that the three thousand and six hundred men voted and or- dered, last March, to be levied and raised for said service, and filled up by impress, or detachment, with the encour-
* The chaplains this year were the Rev. Messrs. George Beckwith, Ed- ward Eells, Jonathan Ingersoll and Benjamin Pomeroy.
t The only alteration in the choice of magistrates at this election, was the choice of Roger Griswold, Esq. afterwards governor of the colony, into the council, in the room of general Lyman, employed in the army,
7
400
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CHAP. XIX.
Book II. agement then given for four hundred men more to enlist, is as much as the number of the inhabitants will allow ; 1759. yet considering the very great importance of exerting our- selves in the present important, critical and decisive mo- ment, for the security of our country, and from a deep sense of our duty to our king, and from the gratitude we owe to the kingdom of Great-Britain, for the great ex- pense and succours supplied for the immediate defence and future safety of our rights and possessions in Ameri- ca ; and humbly relying on the gracious assurances which the king was pleased to allow his secretary of state to give, that recommendations should be made to parliament io grant a reasonable compensation, as his colonies should appear to merit : and that the zeal and ardor of the people may be enlivened and quickened to go forth in the de- fence, and for the future safety of our country ; and that all proper encouragements may be given and motives used, to promote the raising of as many more men as can any way be induced to enlist themselves and engage in said service : it is resolved and enacted, that one thousand able bodied men, in addition to the four thousand afore men- tioned, be allowed to enlist into the service. It was en- acted, that the men now to be raised should be joined to the regiments already formed.
To induce men to enlist, the encouragements were in- creased. A bounty of seven pounds was given, and those who would enlist from among the men who had been in service the last year, were allowed pay from December, to the end of the campaign, two or three months longer than they were in service ; or as though they had been ac- tually in service all the time, from their enlistment the last' year.
'This assembly granted another emission of ten thousand pounds lawful money, in bills of credit, at five per cent. They were made payable at or before the first day of May, 1763. To support the credit of the bills, a tax of two pence farthing was levied on the grand list of the colony, which should be brought into the assembly in October, 1761, to be paid into the treasury by the last day of De- cember, 1762 .*
Expedi- tion a- gainst Ti- conderoga
The colonies made such exertions, that the provincials were early in the field, and the army under general Am- herst was first in motion. In July, he passed lake George and Crown without opposition, and marched with his army to Ticon- Point.
* Records of the colony, 1759. Seven chests of money were this spring sent over to the colony, by the agent, to assist in defraying the expenses of the war, in the preceding years.
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