Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-01-26
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, THURSDAY,

- IL 4'1 " ~ l. L IL ~ IL A'Ht{4A
the Colonial troops, had been comnlasded, tn
night preceding, to cross Lake Stss5acrement
His troops consisted of about fifty fencbmer
and little more than three hundi sayages
At the break of day, they discovers Sody o.
three hundred Engishmen, detached tartics
in fifteen barges. These bateaux, fat the
sides, and strong from their thick com
parison with the frail canoes, morg sufi-
cicntly compensated for the little sd y we
had in numbers. However, our pa hesita-
ted not to engage in the action Th eqny at
first seemed to accept the challenge u n good
grace, but this resolution was not tained.
The French and savages, who could NJ asona-
bly, found their hopes of victory but erding
the vessels, which their numbers favored, and
who risked all by striking at . distance, put
themselves close to the enemy, notwithstanding
the brisk fire he kept up. The enemy nj qoner
saw them at his heels than terror scaalssi the
arms to drop from his hand. He case sisno
longer; it was a complete overthrow. tDf all
parts the least honorable, without contradiction,
but, what is more, the most dangerous, was to
gain the shore, and ON this they determined. In
an instant they drew with precipitation near
the shore. Some commenced swimming, think
ing to bc able to save themselves by m@ns Of
the woods; an ill-concertad measure, ot'which
they had to lament the folly. The royers re-
doubled their efforts, but with all the skill which
habit had given them, they could give them
nothing like the swiftness of bark canoe, which
as soon as the oar is pulled flies over the water
like an arrow. They soon reached the English.
In the first heat of the engagement, all were
massacred without mercy, and cut in pieces.
Those who reached the woods had no better fate
The woods are the element of the savage, in
which he runs with the lightness of a roe-buck.
The enemies were overtakcn and cut in morsels.
However, the Outaouacks, seeing that no further
resistance was offered, proceeded to make pris-
oners-the number of which amounted to one
hundred and ffty-seven, and those killed to one
hundred and thirty-one. Twelve only were so
happy as to make their escape from captivity and
death. The boats, equipments and provisions
were all taken and plundered. You, no doubt,
suppose, sir, that this time victory so incon-
tcstible must have cost us dear. The combat
was on the water, that is to say, in an open
place. The enemy were not taken mapping, but
had time enough to make his arrangements.
He fought as it were from top to bottom-t'lat
is to say, from the top of his bargos he dsohar-
ged the muskcts on the slender barks that a lit
tie skill and coolncss would easily have SUBJ
merged, with all those who defended them
This is the trath, however: saccoss 50 COM
pletc was purchased at the cost of single
wounded savage, who had his wrist dislocatcd
by the discharge of musket.
Such was the fate of the detacbndent of the
unfortunate M. Copperelle, whusv ti.e' com
mander, and who was reported to y s pershed
under the water. The enemy speak of the dis
asters of this day only in terms which mark
equally his grief and surprise. He ingenuously
admits the greatness of the loss. 1t would be
difficult to undertake to prove it false in the
least particular The dead bodies of the officers
and their soldiers floating in masses in Lake st.
Sacrament, and spread out on the banks, would
witness against this denial. As to their prison.
ers, the greater part still groan under the irons
of the Chevalier de Levi. / saw them defled
in bands, guarded by their conquerors, who,
inhumanely occupied with their triumphs, were
not in humor to soften to the vanquished their
defeat. Within the space of league, which
it was necessary for ME to g to rejoin my Abu-
axis, met several companies of these captives.
More than one savage stopped me on my way
to show his prize, and enjoy by the way my ap-
probation. The love of country did not permit
me to be inscnsibe to the success which so inter-
ested the nation-yet Nature as well as religion
teaches us to respect the title Of unfortunate
These prisoners | moreover saw in a sorrowlul
g., condition their eyes bathed with tears, their
faces covered with sweat and even blood, and
a rope around their necks AT this sight sonti-
ments Of compassion and humanity sprang up
in my heart. The quantity of rum which had
been drunk by the new masters had heated their
heads, and irritated their natural ferecity. |
feared every instant that should see some pris-
oner become victim to their cruelty and drank
enness-massacred under my eyes, and fall
dead at my feet--so that hardly dared to raise
my head for fear of meeting the looks of these
unfortunate men.
fro BE Continued