108 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



was engaged with the American gallies, near 

 Skeensborough falls. Upon the approach of the 

 frigates, opposition ceased ; two of the gallies 

 were taken, and the other three blown up. The 

 Americans not being in sufficient force to make 

 an effectual stand, set fire to the works, fort, 

 mills, and batteaux ; and escaped as they could, 

 up Wood Creek, to fort Anne, where they were 

 joined by a detachment which had been sent on 

 by Schuyler from fort Edward. In the mean 

 time, colonel Hill was detached by Burgoyne, 

 with the ninth British regiment from Skeens^ 

 borough, towards fort Anne, with a view to in-f 

 tercept the Americans who had fled along Wood 

 Creek, and to secure that post. On his march 

 he was attacked by the Americans in front, with 

 a 'heavy and well directed fire ; while another 

 party was preparing to fall upon his rear. Co^ 

 lonel Hill, aware of his danger, retired to the 

 top of a hill to prevent being surrounded, and 

 in this situation was vigorously attacked by such 

 numbers that he was in extreme danger of be- 

 ing cut to pieces. Fortunately for him, a party 

 of Indians arrived at that critical moment, and 

 gave the war whoop ; M'hich was immediately 

 answered on the part of the British regiment 

 with three cheers. The Americans concluded 

 that a large reinforcement was at hand, and sooii 

 relinquished the attack ; and having set fire to 

 fort Anne, they marched on and joined the A- 

 merican army at fort Edward. 



The loss sustained by the Americans in 

 their retreat from Ticonderoga, was very hea- 

 .vy. - Their artillery amounting to no less tha;i 

 pne hundred and twenty eight pieces, their bat^ 



