The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-11-01
THE MASSACRE At FORT WILLIAM
HENRY.


We Published, few weeks ago, an infer
eating account concerning Fort William Hem
~ aud from Caryer's Travels copy still an
other account Of the most terrible Indian mas
aacre that ever occurred ON tlie American
continent The author was one Of the few
who escaped death on that awful day:
As detail Of the massacre At Fort William
Henry, in the year 1917, the sccuo 10 which
refer, cannot appear foreign tn the design of
this publication, but will serve To give my
readers just idea OF the ferocity of this peo-
pie, shall take the liberty to insert IL, Apol-
ogizing at the same time for the length Of the
digrcssion, and those eFotisms which the re-
iAtion renders unavoidable.
General Webb, who commanded the Eng
lish army in North America, which was then
eucamped at fort Edward .hnxinc intelligence
that the French troops under Mons. .Montcaim
were making some movements towards Fort
William Henry, he detached n corps OF about
fifteen hundred men, consisting OF English
and Proyincials, to strengthen the garrison.
In this party went S volunteer among
the latter.
The apprchensions Of the English General
were not without foundation for the day at
ter our arrival We saw lake George, (formcr-
ily lake Sacrament) TO which il lies condgu-
Gus, covered with an immense number of
boats and in few hours VIC found our lines
attacked by the Freneh General, who had
! just landed with eleven thousand regulars
and Canadians, and two orhousand Indians
| Colonel Munroe, brave officer, commanded
in the fort, and had no more than two thod-
sand three hundred men with him, our de-
tachment included.
| With these he made gallant defence, and
probably would have been able at last TO
preserve the fort, had he been properly sup
ported, and permitted to continue his efforts.
On every summons to surrender sent by the
French General who offered the most honor
able terms, bis answer repeatedly was That
he found himself in q condition to repel the
most vigorous attacks his besiegors we're able
to make and IL he thought his present force
insufficient, he could soon bo supplied with
a greater number from the adjacent army.
But the Colonel having acquainted Gen
Webb with his situation and desired he would
sond him some fresh troops, the General dis
patched messenger to him with letter
wherein he informed him that il was not il
his power to assist him, and therefore CAV,
him orders to surrender up the fort on the
best terms he could procure. This packNg,
fell into the hands of the French General
who immediately sent flag of truce, desiring
a conference with the governor,
i They accordingly met, attended only by
small guard in the centre between the lines
when Mons. Montealm told the Colonel tina
he was come in person to demand posses
sion of the fort, as it belonged TO the king hi
master. .ffis roioHsi TspfiSd Ehss he Enev
not how that could be, nor should he snrren
der il up wbilst it was in his power 70 delen,
; it. :.
! The French General rcjoined, al the sam
timo delivering the packet into tho colousl'
hand, 'By this authority do mako the re
. QUESTION" The brave Governor had no soon
er read the contents Of il, and was conSince'
, that such were the orders of the commando
in chief, and not TO be disobeyed. than h
: hung his head in silence, & reluctantly enter
cd into negotiation.
In consideration of the gallant defence,th
J garrison had made, they were pernisasd Q
march out with all the honors ofwar,to be al
; lowed covered wagons to transport their bag
J gage to Fort Edward, and guard to protee
them from the fury of the sayages.
The morning after the eapitulation wa
} signed, as day broke, the whole garrison mos
/ consisting OF about two Thousand u.en. beside
J women aud children, wore drawuup withii
! the lines, and ,ontthe point Of marching of
: when great hembefs Of the IndianRgatherinl
: about, began TO plumber. We wero frat a
r hopes thai this was their only view, and sui
fsred them W proceed without opposition. In