4i8 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



men had been detached under the command of; 

 M. de Levy, to make a diversion by the way of 

 Mohawk river, and to invade the English set> 

 tlements in that quarter ; but that these troops 

 upon the intelligence of Abercrombie's approach, 

 had been recalled, and directed to join the forc« 

 at Ticonderoga : And that the troops already 

 there, were encamped before the fort, and con- 

 stantly at work in making formidable entrench- 

 ments, which they meant to pursue till the rein- 

 forcements should arrive. 



Abercrombie wished if possible to take 

 decisive measures to reduce the garrison before 

 tlie arrival of M. de Levy with his troops, or 

 any other succours should be thrown into the 

 place. It was found that it would be the work 

 of time, to reduce the place by a regular siege ; 

 that it could not be done, till they had overcome 

 the difficulties of dragging their battering can- 

 non over grounds almost impassable ; till they 

 could make approaches, and erect batteries in 

 places covered with thick woods ; that the trees 

 must be cut away, roads be opened and many 

 ■works erected, before they could invest the place. 

 To gain further information, Abercrombie sent 

 his enarineer earlv the next mornino; to cross the 

 river opposite to the fort and reconnoitre the 

 enemy's situation. The engineer, upon his re- 

 Umi, reported that the entrenchments of the en- 

 emy were unfinished ; and that it was his opin- 

 'u)w, that the place might be attempted with 

 musquetry, with a good prospect of success. 

 Abercrombie depended on the intelligence of 

 his engineer, and concluded to adopt his advice. 



Haying dcterimnGd upon the msairure, th(* 



