No. 112. 1 673 



alarm the garrision. The Eangers attempt to retreat, and pressing 

 rapidly along tha snow path, in Indian file, as was their custom, 

 on ascending the crest of a hill, receive the fire of an overwhelm- 

 ing force, posted with every advantage to receive them.* A fierce 

 and bloody conflict ensued, protracted from near meridian until 

 evening. The Rangers retreating to a hill, are protected by the co- 

 vert of the trees and there gallantly sustain tlje unequal conflict. 

 Rogers, twice wounded yields the command ot the little band to 

 Starks, who with infinite skill and courage, guides the battle, repul- 

 ses the foe, with a loss far exceeding his entire force, and at night 

 conducts a successful retreat to Lake George-. Leaving there his 

 wounded and exhausted companions, Starks, accompanied by only 

 two volunteers, traverses on snow shoes, a distance of forty miles, 

 and returns to them, with aid and supplies the second morning. 

 This courageous band reduced to forty eight effective men, with 

 their prisoners returmed to Fort "William Henry in safety and tri- 

 umph. f This incident brilliant as it appears, is rivaled, if not 

 eclipsed by a chivalric and daring exploit of the French. A de- 

 tachment of fifreen hundred French and Canadians, lead by Van- 

 dreuil, traversed the ice and snows of Champlain and Lake 

 George, a distance of more than one hundred miles, traveling 

 upon snow shoes, '^ their provisions on sledges drawn by dugs, 

 a bear skin for their couch " and " a simple veil " their only 

 covering. I Their errand, the surprise and capture of William 

 Henry. The garrison was wary and vigilant. The fort was de- 

 fended with success, but the vessels and batteaux, with the 

 store houses and huts of the Rangers were consumed. J 



A bold and secret attack by English boats upon the outworks 

 and flotilla at Ticonderoga, was some months after, signally de- 

 feated with severe loss. 



The Northern colonies, still eager for the expulsion of the 

 French from their borders, acceded to the requisition of I>ou- 

 don, and assumed to raise four thousand troops, for the cam- 

 paign of 1757. The<e contingents, they supposed were designed 

 for the reduction of Crown Point and Ticonderoga. Loudon 



•Thy battle ia ffappo«ed tu h»To ooounroJ Lei»r tLo rcjidtxioc of M. B. TowDMcd^ In OowB 

 Point. C. Fen ton. 



fSparka Life of StArhj. t EaucTafl 



[Aff.Tr. '551.1 S« 



