118

CONVENTION AT ALBANY.

but on his march thither, he met a superior force of French and Indians, who attacked him in a hastily built stockade, and compelled him, after a gallant resistance, to capitulate. The post towards which he was proceeding had already been occupied by the French, who built there a strong fort, which they called Fort Du Quesne.

Meantime the English government were not backward in perceiving and preparing for the approach of war. The Earl of Holderness, secretary of state, had written to the governors of the respective colonies, recommending united action, and directing their attention to the necessity of securing the friendship of the Five Nations; ordering them at the same time to repel force by force, and, if possible, dislodge the French from their posts on the Ohio.

A convention of delegates from the several colonies met at Albany, to treat with the Five Nations. Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, embraced this opportunity of recommending to the other governors to instruct their commissioners on the subject of union. The delegates from Massachusetts and Maryland received the necessary instructions.. The others received no direct authority for this purpose. The congress of delegates, however, after endeavouring to secure the friendship of the Five Nations by large presents, directed a committee to report a plan of union. It was accordingly reported, and approved, on the 4th of July. It provided for a grand council of delegates from the several legislatures, and a president general to be appointed by the king, and invested with a negative power. This council was to enact general laws for the union, raise money, and provide for and regulate the system of general defence.

The delegates from Connecticut dissented from this plan, being apprehensive of the dangerous powers vested in the president general. The English government disapproved of the plan on the ground that the union might eventually lead to a concerted system of resistance to the supremacy of the mother country. The scheme was, therefore, laid aside. Subsequent events proved that both objecting parties understood full well the tendency of such a union as the one proposed.

For what place did Washington march ?-What stopped him?Where was Fort Du Quesne built?-What was done by the British secretary of state ?-When and for what purpose was a convention held? What was reported by a committee?--What were the provisions of the plan ?-Who dissented?-What was the consequence

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CONQUEST OF NOVA SCOTIA.

119

The ministry presented a plan of their own, which was still less acceptable; and it was accordingly determined to carry on the war with British troops, aided by such reinforcements as the colonies could raise.

Early in the year 1755, General Braddock arrived from Europe with an army, and convened the governors of the several provinces in Virginia, on the 14th of April, for the purpose of adopting a plan for the campaign. It was resolved to carry on three expeditions; one against Fort Du Quesne, to be conducted by General Braddock, at the head of the British army and auxiliary forces from Maryland and Virginia; a second against Niagara and Fort Frontignac, under the command of Governor Shirley, his own and Pepperel's regiments constituting the principal force; and a third against Crown Point, led by Colonel William Johnson, and composed of the colonial troops raised in New England and New York.

Meantime, the government of Massachusetts, having already projected an invasion of Nova Scotia, sent out three thousand men to that province, who speedily effected its conquest.

After the convention of governors had separated, General Braddock proceeded to Fort Cumberland, in the western part of Virginia. After waiting here for the residue of his army for some time, he selected 1200 men, and, pushing forward towards Fort Du Quesne, reached the Monongahela on the 8th of July. On the march, he was repeatedly warned to guard against a surprise. Washington and the other provincial officers advised him to send forward the provincial troops, to scour the woods and look out for ambuscades. But Braddock, confident in his own skill and bravery, disregarded their advice, and absurdly persisted in marching forward, as if no hidden enemy were to be apprehended. His van was composed of British troops, totally unaccustomed to forest warfare; and the main body, with the artillery, followed at some distance.

When within seven miles of Fort Du Quesne, in an open wood, thick set with high grass, as the troops were

What other plan was rejected ?-Who arrived in 1755-Who formed a convention, and for what purpose?-What was the plan of the compaign -Who was to command the first expedition, and where was it to act-The second ?-The third ?-Meantime what achievement was performed by the Massachusetts men ?-Who marched towards Fort Du Quesne ?-Who warned him of danger ?-Did he regard the warning?— What was the consequence?

120

DEFEAT OF BRADDOCK.

pressing boldly forward, the war whoop resounded in their ears, and a destructive fire was poured in upon them from thousands of invisible enemies. Every rock, and tree, and stump appeared to conceal a marksman. The van was thrown into confusion; but the main body being ordered to come up, and the fire of the enemy being suspended in consequence of the fall of their commander, they were supposed to be dispersed. But in a few mi nutes the attack was renewed with increased fury; the van was driven back upon the main body; and the whole army was thrown into utter confusion. The officers on horseback were conspicuous marks for the Indian sharp-shooters; and most of them were brought down. In a short time Washington was the only aid-de-camp left alive, and not wounded. The battle lasted three hours. The general, after having three horses shot under him, received a mortal wound. The British officers fought with determined bravery; and out of eighty-five, lost sixty-four of their number, killed and wounded. The common soldiers of the British regiments were so unaccustomed to this savage mode of attack, that they soon broke and could not be rallied; but the provincial troops stood their ground coolly; and, under the command of Colonel Washington covered the retreat of their associates.

The Indians, attracted by the rich plunder left upon the field, soon gave over the pursuit. The army retreated to the camp of Colonel Dunbar, where Braddock died of his wounds. The panic of the defeated portion of the army was communicated to those troops which had been left in reserve; and the whole of the British troops, after destroying the chief part of their stores, hastily retreated to Philadelphia; leaving the entire western frontier of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, exposed to the incursions of the savages. The two northern expe ditions, though less disastrous than this, were both unsuccessful.

Thus ended the campaign of 1755, leaving the colonies without any important point gained, except the recovery of Nova Scotia; while the French and Indians maintained complete ascendency on the frontier; and, by their bloody

Describe the battle.-What was the number of British officers killed and wounded?-Who saved the remnant of the army ?-Whither did the whole army retreat?-What was the consequence ?-What is said of the two other expeditions against the French?-What was the result of the campaign of 1755 ?

CAMPAIGN OF 1756.

121

incursions, broke up the border settlements, murdering the people, carrying them into captivity, or driving them into the more thickly settled regions. This disastrous result is to be attributed to the want of union and concerted action.

Notwithstanding these hostile operations, war had not yet been formally declared between France and England. This took place, however, in the following spring, in consequence of the capture of part of a French squadron, destined for America, by Admiral Boscawen.

The plan for the campaign of 1756, was similar to that of 1755. In a grand council of war, held by General Shirley, commander in chief of the British forces in America, and the governors of Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, it was resolved to attempt the reduction of Crown Point and Niagara, with the other posts on Lake Ontario, and of Fort Du Quesne. For this purpose it was determined to raise 19,000 men in America. This number was so unusually large, that much delay was experienced in the raising of recruits. A further source of difficulty was the regulation requiring that provincial officers should be under British officers when they acted together.

While they were adjusting their claims to rank, and deliberating whether to attack Niagara, or Fort Du Quesne, Montcalm, the successor of Dieskau, an accomplished and brave officer, advanced at the head of 5000

What caused the declaration of war?-What was the plan of the campaig 1 of 1756 3-What difficulties existed?

122

CAPTURE OF FORT WILLIAM HENRY.

French and Indians, and invested Oswego. The garri son, consisting of 1600 men, well supplied with provi sions, was soon compelled to surrender; and the fortress was demolished.

This bold measure completely disconcerted the original plan of the campaign, and nothing was thought of now, but security against further losses. Thus, the second campaign terminated as unfortunately as the preceding

one.

The campaign of 1757 was, nevertheless, commenced with great zeal and activity. Lord Loudon, the new commander in chief of the British forces, applied for 4000 men from New England, which were promptly granted. A formidable fleet and army arrived from England; and confident hopes were now entertained of the speedy down fall of the French power in America. It was determined to concentrate the whole disposable force upon one poirsthe fortress of Louisbourg, on the island of Cape Breton. But intelligence being received that an immense land and naval force had been sent out to this place from France; and the strength of the fortifications being perfectly well known to the Americans, the proposed expedition was abandoned, and the British admiral, and general, returned from New England to New York.

The French general, Montcalm, meantime laid siege to Fort William Henry, a place of considerable strength, with a garrison of 3000 men, and urged his attack with so much skill and resolution, that in six days the commander, Colonel Monroe, was compelled to capitulate. A reinforcement, sent to his aid, did not arrive in season. Its return to New York, in August, closed the military operations of this season.

CHAPTER XXII.

CONQUEST OF CANADA.

Ar the close of the campaign of 1757, the affairs of Great Britain, and of her colonies in America, wore a very unpromising aspect. Three campaigns, carried on

What was done by Montcalm ?-What was the effect of this proceed ng-What was the plan of the campaign of 17571-What prevented its execution?-What fortress was lost?-Describe the affair.-What was the state of affairs at the close of the campaign of 1757 ?