670 [Assembly 



scarlet, mingled with the humbler green of the Rangers^ with 

 their banners floating in the breeze, the vast flotilla glided rapidly 

 over the calm waters, beariog the proud host, exhilerated by the 

 inspirations of heroism, and the confidence of victory. 



The, fearless Howe led the van of this magnificent array. The 

 little cove, still known as Howe's Landing, indicates the point, 

 Vhere on the 6th of July, 1758, the army disembarked. T-hat 

 night, Howe reposing on his bearskin couch with Stark, discussed 

 with an anxious and foreboding spirit, the hopes and fears of the 

 morrow.* Equal in age, alike daring and intrepid ; the one a 

 descendant of royalty, and the other a humble pioneer of New 

 Hampshire, tliere existed between them a kindred spirit, and 

 high mutual esteem. The English army advanced from the land- 

 ing, in four columns. That led by Howe, bewildered in the intri- 

 cacies of the dense forest, encountered a fugitive battallion of the 

 French, wandering in equal perplexity. The latter, composed of 

 French and Indians, familiar with that warfare, promptly and 

 vigorously assailed their enemy. The British regulars surprised 

 and intimidated by the savage war-hoop, recoiled and faltered. 

 The provincial Rangers of Stark and Rogers saved the day. In 

 the death of Lord Howe, who fell at the first assault, the British 

 army lost its vital principle, the controlling and guiding spirit of 

 its success. Generous and gentle, bold and accomplished, in- 

 stinct with genius and heroism, he died deeply lamented. Mas- 

 sachusetts conferred on him a monument in Westminister Abbey. 



His body borne in state, even amid the excitement; and disas- 

 ters of defeat, was conveyed to Albany, and buried within the 

 walls of a church, his vault marked by heraldic insignia, and his 

 obsequies performed with every pomp of military display, and all 

 the solemnities of religious rituals. Forty-four years had elapsed, 

 and in the progress 'of improvement that edifice was demolished, 

 and the grave of Howe exposed. The decayed coffin of rich 

 mahogony was revealed, that contained the ashes of the gallant 

 and noble dead, enshrouded in habiliments of gorgeous silk, 

 the hair dressed in the fashion of the age, and still stiffened by 



its appliances; the ribbon that bound it yet black and glossy. 



• sparks' Life of Stark. 



