404 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



securing his camp with redoubts and epaulmcntfe 

 from the insults of the Canadians and Indians ; 

 of whom he was informed there were very con- 

 siderable bodies on the island watching for an 

 opportunity to surprise some part of his catnp, 

 Wolfe conducted with all that fire, impetuosity 

 and discretion, with which hi,'5 name and charac- 

 ter have since been distinguished and immortal- 

 ised. Under the direction of these excellent 

 commanders the siege was carried on with so 

 much caution and vigor that the French ships of 

 war were soon destroyed, and the garrison 

 obliged to surrender as prisoners of war on the 

 twenty sixth of July. Lord RoUo soon after 

 effected the reduction of the island St. John, 

 which lies in the gulph of St. LauTCnce. This 

 island contained above four thousand inhabitants 

 and abounded in black cattle and corn. 



While Amherst was engaged in the expedi- 

 tion against Louisbourg, major general Aber- 

 crombie was undertaking the reduction of Ti- 

 eonderoga. Upon the departure of the earl of 

 Loudon to England, the chief command of the 

 troops in Aitierica had devolved upon him ; and 

 he was directed to open a passage to Canada by 

 reducing the French forts on lake Champlain. 

 In the beginning of July he had got every thing 

 tn readiness to proceed. His forces amounted 

 to nearly seven tliousand regular troops, and ten 

 thousand provincials. These, Vvith a fine train 

 of artillery, military stores, and provisions, were 

 embarked on lake George, on board of nine 

 hundred batteaux, and one hundred and thirty 

 five whale boais ; several pieces of cannon were 

 MCTimte-il on yafse to covei* their landing^. The 



