HISTORY OF VERMONT. 565 



under the command of colonel Williams, a brave 

 and judicious "officer ; and was attended by 

 more than two hundred Indians. 



The camp of the colony troops was on the 

 banks of lake George, and was covered onbr tii 

 sides with a swamp of thick wood. Upon the 

 departure of the detachmicnt a kind of breast 

 work was thrown up, of some trees which were 

 cut down for tliat purpose ; and some of the 

 cannon, which were received a day or two be- 

 fore, were hauled up to strengthen the front. 

 Colonel William.s met the enemy within four 

 miles of the English camp : In about an hour 

 after his departure, a heavy fire was heard 

 which was judged to be within three or four 

 miles of the camp. Johnson judged that his 

 detachment was attacked, and was retreating to. 

 the camp. He immediately beat to arms, and 

 made the best preparation he could for the re- 

 ception of the enemy. The fire approaching 

 nearer, lieutenant colonel Cole v/as sent out 

 with a party of three hundred men to cover the 

 retreat. About ten o'clock some of the Pro- 

 vincials and Indians appeared, running back to 

 the camp ; and brought information, that the 

 detachment was attacked on all sides, and was 

 retreating : In a short time the whole party that 

 escaped, returned in large bodies to the camp. 

 Colonel Williams was slain in the action ; tlis 

 command had devolved on lieutenant col. Whit- 

 ing, a Connecticut officer, vvho had acquired 

 much reputation at the reduction of Louisburgh 

 in the former v»'ar ; and conducted with much 

 bravery and prudence on the present occasion. 

 Johnson manned his breast work, and made 



