Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-08-08
ern part of Canada East, were
strongly in favor OF the French, and

oSpOuSeu tnelr cause WlCu Che sTcaJ-
est vigor and cruelty. John Mar
tin, at the age Of twenty -four, en-
listed in the British Continental ser.
vice, and was attached to the de-
partment under command of the
celebrated Major Robert Rogers;
known in history as "Rogers' Ran.
gers" Although under the juris-
diction Of higher officers, they were,
in q great measure, an independent
battalion, acting, o great part Of
the time, only under the direction
and contoll Of their leader.
The savage tribe with which they
had mostly to contend, was the st.
Francis Indians, in the region of
the st. Francis River in Canada.
This tribe had, for several years,
traversed the the willesness from
Canada, by various routs, but chief
ly, the valley of the Connecticut
River, to Massachusetts Bay, and
the new settlements in the South
part of New Hampshire, making
dreadful depredations among the in
habitants. as may be read in the
Early History of New England
He was at one or more times taken
prisoner by the Indians,but manag.
ed to make his escape. He relates
how that while a prisoner he heard
the Indians boasting of their bar
barities to the English, how they
knocked the children on the head;
and one Of the Savages exultingly
told how he cut off the head of old
Mrs. Call. "Och" said he, "she
like pig" Many other
instances of savage cruelty were re-
lated by him, which he witnessed
before he entered the service.
In 1867, Major Rogers, with his
Changers" was Joined by Major
Israel Putnam, with a band of sol.
diers from Connecticut, whose great
valor in this mixed warfare won
for him his commission. 1t was the
year of the memorable massacre at
Fort William Henry. Martin relat.
ed many hardships and hairbreadth
escapes which he had while in this
region with Rogers and Putnam.
He was one Of company that res
cued party of his fellow soldiers
from an Indian ambuscade at Fort
Edward. He was, also one of a
party led by Putnam, to make dis.
as spies, Of the position
and resources of the French Troops
in the vicioity. They travelled
through the woods, in the night,
and notknowing their exact locality,
they came to cleared land, and be,
fore they were aware of it, they had
got within the lines of the enemy.
They were Immediately hailed and
fired upon by the guard. They ran
briskly forward and came upon a
clump Of thick bushes and briars,
which they entered unperceived,
and remained there all the next day
The night following,
they thought best to retrace their
steps. They crept along as still as
possible until they got near the
woods, when they ran with all speed;
but were again hailed and fired up.
on. However, none being hurt,
they continued to run a distance in.
to the woods, over hill, when Put
nam said he guessed they would
rest, and take little grog. as he
had a canteen of rum. But when
be took out the stopple, behold, the
was empty; ball having
passed through it, and split it's con-
.ents. For greatpart of the time,
in that war, the Changers" were in
The wilderness, and sometimes on
long and uncertain marches, exposed
to all inolemencies of the weather,
and liable to be Kindred and delayed
BY a willy foe, so that their provi-
sions would be exhausted, and they
would be brought almost to starva-
lion. Martin relates that when once
from scout, they killed
several large rattlesnakes. He said
hey skinned them, and roasted out
heir oil; and so good did the meat
ook to him, that he ate of it, and
thought it tasted like chicken.
Near the close of the war, Major
Rogers had his memorable battle
With the st. Francis tribe Of Indi-
ms. Martin was with him, 1t was
. hard fight, but the Changers" con-
luered them. On their return, the
country through which they had to
'ass, was swampy, and it being a
vet season, Mr.. Martin said they
ravelled some days, with mud and