296 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VOL. IV. 



had penetrated about a mile into the forest back of Johnstown, and the 

 rear of the column was just enterincj it, when this force appeared in 

 such a position that Ross saw that he must fight or permit the rear- 

 guard to be cut off Accordingly he hastily formed his men to receive 

 the attack about a quarter of a mile after entering the woods. Exclusive 

 of the Indians, very few of whom could be induced to return to the fight, 

 he had 354 officers and men in line. 



Willett's force had been largely increased during his advance by the 

 junction of fresh troops from Schenectady and other places, and had 

 become so numerous that he was enabled to detach a large party by a 

 path through a swamp to turn the flank of the British and cut off their 

 retreat. His scouts on penetrating the woods were greeted by a volley 

 from the rangers and Indians, who charged at once with their usual yells 

 and whoops and drove them headlong into an open field where the main 

 body was drawn up with two field pieces. Pressing forward rapidly in 

 support, Ross charged it with his entire force and Willett's men instantly 

 gave way, abandoning one of their guns and much ammunition. In the 

 pursuit, which was continued for half a mile, a number of prisoners was 

 taken and many were killed, others owing their escape solely to the 

 weariness of their assailants. So complete was the rout that Major Ross 

 asserted that if the Indians had behaved with any spirit at this moment 

 he could have " crushed the spirit of the rebels on the Mohawk." 



As it happened, few of the Indians ventured to leave the shelter of the 

 woods. Colonel Willett with that part of his force which still remained 

 unbroken took up a new position on a rising ground on the flank of the 

 rangers, whence he annoyed them so much by the fire of his remaining 

 field piece and musketry that they were forced to discontinue the pursuit 

 and return to dislodge him. While hotly engaged with this body, the 

 detachment Willett had sent to intercept their retreat issued suddenly 

 from the woods on their right and rear. Obliged to face about to oppose 

 this fresh attack, they drove this party back into the woods, from which, 

 however, they kept up an intermittent but harassing fire for some time. 

 They were briskly pursued and nearly surrounded, but darkness enabled 

 most of them to escape. On this Willett retreated to Johnstown, re- 

 crossed the bridge, and occupied the stone church built there by Sir 

 W'illiam Johnson, where he stood on the defensive. The actual loss of 

 the British in killed and wounded was trifling, but about twenty men 

 were so completely worn out by hunger and fatigue that they were un- 

 able to continue the march. 



The next morning Major Ross resumed his retreat, but owing to the 

 weariness and half-starved condition of his men, who were then put upon 



