372 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



built at South Bay, the place where Dieskaii 

 had landed his troops. 



Having formed the military plans and put 

 all the northern colonies in motion to execute 

 them, Shirley was deeply engaged in the busi- 

 ness till the arrival of major general Webb, ort 

 June the seventh. It was now certain that gen- 

 eral Shirley was superseded in the command. 

 On June the fifteenth, major general Abercrom- 

 bie landed at New York, and in ten days re- 

 paired to Albany, and took upon himself the 

 command of the army. Shirley immediately 

 delivered to him the returns of the army and 

 stores ; and gave him the necessafy information 

 respecting the plans of the campaign^ the state 

 of the American colonies and troops, and t\i<t 

 situation of their forts and public affliirs ; and 

 continued no longer at Albany than was neces- 

 sary to compleat this business. General Aber- 

 crombie Avas of a family much distinguished in 

 Scotland ; had risen in the army by a regulaf 

 course of service, and acted with reputation un- 

 der the duke of Cumberland, in subduing the 

 rebellion in the year fort}- six. He was now 

 advanced in age, and but little acquainted with 

 the affairs of the American colonies. When he 

 took the command of the troops, they consisted 

 of two regiments -which had served under Brad- 

 dock, two battalions raised in America, two 

 British regiments which, he brought over with 

 him, four independent companies which had 

 been for many years maintained in New York, 

 four companies raised by the province of North 

 Carolina, and the large body of provincial troops 

 which had been raised for the expedition again&t 

 Crown Point. 



