294 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VoL. IV. 



important raid upon the Mohawk Valley, in which the entire available 

 force of the rangers was engaged, his father stated that he was so ill that 

 he had given him permission to go down to Montreal. In December he 

 returned, and spent the winter at Fort Niagara. In April, 1781, he again 

 went down on regimental affairs. 



On the 30th May, he informed Major Matthews that he had arrived at 

 Niagara in eight days from Montreal. " The journey has fatigued me 

 not a little," he added, " and returned the ague on me, but this I owe to 

 falling into the water more than travelling. However, 1 am feeling better, 

 and I hope with care and thinking that something may be done in the 

 active line in some part of the province to get the better of it, but I fear 

 we shall be idle in this quarter. Clark is not in earnest. Should Allen 

 and his Green Mountain Lads return to their duty I would wish, if it 

 would be for the good of the service, a few companies of the rangers 

 were sent to join them. I should like the service, as being convinced we 

 should be doing essential service in that quarter. I have now given over 

 all prejudices against serving with persons who were formerly our 

 enemies. The good of the service requires we shall give up sentiments 

 of this kind." 



In July, he again earnestly entreated to be ordered on active service. 

 A few weeks later he complained with bitterness that " the rangers 

 are made drudges of for Mr. Stedman (contractor at the portage) and 

 others." 



After months of weary waiting the coveted opportunity for seeking 

 distinction arrived. In the beginning of October he was ordered to 

 take command of a detachment of ten officers and 160 men of the 

 rangers, and join Major Ross at Oswego, for a descent on the Mohawk 

 Valley. The particular object of this expedition was the devastation of 

 the country at Duanesboro', within eight miles of Schenectady, the only 

 part of the entire valley that had hitherto escaped the ravages of war and 

 which, indeed, was thought by its inhabitants to be perfectly secure from 

 invasion, lying in a central situation between that town. Fort Hunter 

 and Schoharie, all of which were strongly garrisoned and fortified. 

 Consequently the attempt would be attended with great hazard. The 

 force employed consisted of 420 soldiers of six different corps and a 

 hundred Indians. Success and even the lives of the party must depend 

 on the speed and secrecy of their movements. The soldiers were all 

 picked men, selected with an eye to their marching qualities and the 

 endurance of fatigue, but the Indians were the "refuse of the tribes." 



Their orders were to destroy effectively " all kinds of grain and forage, 

 mills, etc., and all articles which can contribute to the support of the 



