1763, July.] MARCH OF BOUQUET. 57 



secure, at least from serious attack. His anxieties 

 centred on Fort Ligonier, and he resolved to 

 hazard the attempt to throw a reinforcement into 

 it. Thirty of the best Highlanders were chosen, 

 furnished with guides, and ordered to push forward 

 with the utmost speed, avoiding the road, travelling 

 by night on unfrequented paths, and lying close 

 by day. The attempt succeeded. After resting 

 several days at Bedford, where Ourry was expecting 

 an attack, they again set out, found Fort Ligonier 

 beset by Indians, and received a volley as they 

 made for the gate ; but entered safely, to the 

 unspeakable relief of Blane and his beleaguered 

 men. 



Meanwhile, Bouquet's little army crept on its slow 

 w^ay along the Cumberland valley. Passing here 

 and there a few scattered cabins, deserted or burnt 

 to the ground, they reached the hamlet of Ship- 

 pensburg, somewhat more than tv^enty miles from 

 their point of departure. Here, as at Carlisle, was 

 gathered a starving multitude, who had fled from 

 the knife and the tomahawk.^ Beyond lay a soli- 

 tude whence every settler had fled. They reached 

 Fort Loudon, on the declivity of Cove Mountain, 

 and climbed the wood-encumbered defiles beyond. 



risk of losing the man, which exposes me to surprise from the skulking 



villains I have to deal with."— MS. Letter — Bouquet to Amherst, 26 July, 



1763. 



1 " Our Accounts from the westward are as follows, viz. : — 



" On the 25th of July there were in Shippensburg 1384 of our poor 



distressed Back Inhabitants, viz. Men, 301 ; Women, 345 ; Children, 738 ; 



Many of whom were obliged to lie in Barns, Stables, Cellars, and under 



old leaky Sheds, the Dwelling-houses being all crowded." — Penn. Gaz. 



No. 1806. 



