Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-19

non and swivel. and "garrisoned i,
with sergeant's guard Of twelve
men" The Governor returned TO Fal.
mouth. and from thence to Boston
where he arrived on the ninth Of Sen
TENDER. and was met 1t is said, with
vivid congratulations Gen. Winslo,y
was left actively engaged in erecting
the fort of hewed timber. He built q
block house two stories high with the
lower story twenty feet square and the
upper twenty-seven; around this. nj
each angle, was placed one story
buildings twenty feet square for har-
racks; these We're to be enclosed nv
palisades forming square Of one
hundred and twenty feet. and tho
whole enclosed by eight hundred feet
of palisades placed in a star form. tho
sides Of this outer palisade were each
two hundred feet long. and We're 10 he
defended from central projections con-
structed for the purpose The block
house was mounted with several
small cannon" in the upper story
which ranged over the other eractions
of the fort. The fort was nearly com
peted September Sd, when il was gar
risoned by one hundred mon under
command of Capt. William Litheow
and named Fort Halifax. out of "a
spect to the Earl of Halifax then
Secretary of State. The plan ana CON
struction of this fort was very unsatis-
factory to Capt. Lithgow, who induced
the Province to alter it to a regular
fertilization" of less dimensions.
The House, however. on the 2lst of
December appointed a committee TO
take into consideration the state of
Fort Halifax; this committee recon-
mending the captain general to an
point some BILE person 70 Drocead
to Fort Halifax with special authority
to strengthen it and the redoubt on the
hill. and to make them proof against
small cannon, and to reinforce the
garrison with forty effective men. and
that four hundred and sixty men
should be detailed from the independ-
ent companies at the eastward. 10 be
held in readiness to march instantly 70
the relief Of the fort on the first adj
vice Of an attack or the approach Of an
enemy. Twenty double beds and forty
single blankets We're 10 be purchased
and sent to the fort for the use Of the
forty men ordered for the reinforce
ment.
The governor, in accordance with the
recommendation of the House. under
date January }. i75J Informed capt.
Lithgow that Jedediah Preble had been
commissioned commander of the fort.
and he was directed. without waiting for
himtomake provision for strengthening
the fort; and should Preble not soon ar
rive at the fort he must proceed with the
work to completion without delay He
was also informed that forty recruits
We're ordered, and that the Indian.
Bartholomew. would act as pilot
through the woods and in scouting.
The new commander did not mako
his appearance. andsthe forty recruits
numbered hut ninetaaH when they ar
rived with the stores. about the first Of
February. In the Ineantimc the gar
rison was in a sufefing condition. re-
curing the active sfforts Of its cner-
getic commander fdr their relief. in
pursuit of which hd left the fort on
the ith Of January, and arrived at
Richmond fort on the Sth. where on
the next day he addressed the follow
ing letter descriptive Of their condition
to the governor:
May it please your Excellcncy.
The soldiers " Fort Halifax are in a
most deplorable condition for want Of
shoes. bedding. and bodily clothing.
&c. As | have signified in my letter
Of We goth Deer, and il is with W
greatest concern that | am Obliged
further to acquaint your Excellency,
that we have scarce thirty men in this
fort that are capable Of cutting or
hauling wood for the supply Of this
fort. and it is with great difficulty they
can supply themselves with wood from
day to day. the snow is so deep. Ii is
three feet at this place. and having no
snow-Shoes. and our being in n man
ner naked. ii is out of our power. Were
we in health, to keep scouts abroad, or
even to send a guard with those men
who haul wood. neither can they carry
their arms with them. being hard put
to it to wallow through the snow with
their sled loads of wood; and it is hard
service for these men to supply them
selves and We invaldS with firing.
which takes UP two entire barracks.
I'VE have now but four weeks allow
ance of bread in this fort. one barrel
of rum. and one do. of molasseS, and
God knows how or when we shall be
able to get any supplies from Fort