Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-10-09

publication, but will serve to give my readers
just idea of the fcrocty of this peopleT shall take
the liberty to insert it, apologizing at the same
time for the length Of the DEPRESSION, and those
egotisms which the relation renders unavoidable.
General Webb, who commanded the English
army in North America, which was then en-
camped at Fort Edward, having intelligence that
the French troops under Mons, Montcalm were
making some movements toward Fort William
Henry, he detached a corpse of about fifteen
hundred men, consisting of English and Provin-
Gals, to strengthen the garrison. In this party
| went as a volunteer among the latter.
The apprehensons of the English General
were not without foundation; for the day after
our arrival we saw lake George formerly lake
Sacrament to which it lies contiguous, covered
with an immense number of boats and in few
hours we found our lines attacked by the French
General, who had just landed with eleven thou
sand Regulars and Canadians, and two thousand
Indians. Colonel Monroe, brave officer, COM
manded IN the fort, and had no more than two
thousand three hundred men with him, our de-
tachment inclnded.
With these he made gallant defence, and
probably would have been able at last to pre-.
serve the fort, had he been properly supported,
and permitted to continue his efforts. On every
summons to surrender sent by the French Gene.
raj, who offered the most honorable terms, his
answer repeatedly was That he found himself
in condition to repel the most vigorous attacks
his besicgers were able to make and if he tho't
his present force insufficient, he could soon be
supplied with greater number from the ada
cent army. .........- -s,..,,
nut the colonel having acquainted Gen. Webb
with his situation, and desired he would send him
some fresh troops, the General dispatched
messenger to him with letter, wherein he In
formed him that it was not in his power to assist
him, and therefore gave him orders to surrender
up the fort on the best terms he could procure.
This package fell into the hands of the French
General, who Immediately sent flag Of truce,
desiring conference with the Governor Il
They accordingly met attended only BY a
small guard in the centre between the lines
when Mons. Montcalm told the Colonel that he
was come in person to demand possession of the
fort, as it belonged to the king his master. The
colonel replied that he knew not how that coult
be, nor should he surrender it up whilst it wa
: in his power to defend it.
. The French General rejoined, at the SAM
time delivering the packet into the Colonel
hand, " By this authority do make the requisi
. ton" The brave Governor had no sooner rea
the contents of it, and was convinced that sue
were the orders of the commander in chief, an
not to be disobeyed, than he hung his head l
silence, and reluctantly entered into negocia
q ton.
In consideration of the gallant defence tn
u garrison had made they were permitted to marc
. out with all the honors of war, to be allowe
= . covered wagons to transport their baggage
. Fort Edward, and guard to protect them fro
the fury of the savages.
The morning after the capitulation was sigl
ed, es day broke, the whole garrison, now col
: sistng of about two thousand men, besides w
. men and children, were drawn up within tn
" lines, and on the point of marching off, whS
70 great numbers of the Indians, gathering abou
y began e were at first in hope
spd suffered the
indeed it WI
pwe been
mitted to car