104 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



In these circumstances a council of war- was 

 called by St. Clair. He was convinced that it 

 lyas absolutely necessary to evacuate the place. 

 The council were informed that their whole ef- 

 fective number was not sufficient to man one 

 half of the works ; that as the a\ hole must be 

 constantly upon duty, it would be impossible 

 for them to support the fatigue for any consider- 

 able length of time ; that general Schuyler, who 

 "Was at fort Edward, had not sufficient force to 

 relieve the garrison ; and that as the enemies 

 batteries were nearly ready to open, and the place 

 would be completely invested in twenty four 

 hours, nothing could save the troops but an im- 

 mediate evacuation of the posts. The general's 

 representation was admitted to be correct, and 

 k was unanimously agreed by the council to 

 evacuate the place that night. It was proposed 

 that the baggage of the army, with such artille- 

 ry, stores and provisions, as the necessity of the 

 occasion would admit, should be embarked with 

 a strong detachment, on board two hundred bat- 

 teaux, and dispatched undei' convey offivearm.- 

 cd gallies. up the south river to Skeensborough ; 

 and that the main body of the SLvniy should pro- 

 ceed by land, taking its route on the road to 

 Castlcton, which was about thirty miles to the 

 south of Ticonderoga ; and join the boats and 

 gallies at Skeensborough falls. It was thought 

 necessary to keep the matter a secret, till the 

 time should arrive when it was to be executed. 

 Hence the necessary preparations could not be 

 made, and it was not possible to prevent irregu- 

 larity and disorder in the different embarkations 

 and moA'ements of the troops. 



