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Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 493
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Our last accounts from Albany mention my Lord Loudouns
being within three mile of a french army, with Eleven thou-
sand men, and they are said to be thirteen thousand strong,
so that an Action is Expected, what foundation there is for
these accounts, and how they come attested I dont learn,
whence I conclude that what is said of the french numbers at
least, may be only conjecture, but be that as it may, I do not
wish to hear of an Action, in which we can gain nothing, but
may Loose a great deal; all designs of acting offencifly seem
to be laid asside for this year, and I do not know that we shall
have as many men next summer as we had this, unless the
New England governments are better pleased, than I imagine
they have had any reason of late to be.
The Loss of Oswego I esteem a very fatal blow to the
Brittish Interest on this continent, and must be owing to the
alterations made in the Plan of operations settled at New
York, which with great submission to better Judgments, I
think could not be changed but for the worse. I find the
N York scheme is to lay the blame of that affair upon Genl
Shirley, but how Just their censures are the following facts will
shew.
Genl Webb arrived at N York .... June 7th
Genl Abercrombie arrived Do 15.
both arrived at Albany Do 25.
On the 26th of June Genl Shirley acquainted Genl Abercrom-
bie of the state of Oswego and advised the sending two
Batalions there.
Bradstreat returnd to Albany on the 12th of July having
thrown into Oswego six months Provisions for five thousand
men, and a great quantity of Amunition and naval stores, and
defeated a party of French and Indians on his way back. And
on the same 12th of July Informed Genl Abercrombie that he
had intelligence from his Prisoners, that a french army was in
motion and designd to attack Oswego; whereupon the 44
Regiment was orderd to hold itself in readyness to march to
Oswego.
Lord Loudoun arrived at New York, July 23d —
Do arrived at Albany Do 29 —
On the 12th of Augst the 44 Regiment moved towards Burnets
field, with a number of Battoe men who had remaind Idle at
Schenectaday from the 11th of July, and on the 19th of Augst
Genl Webb then at Burnets field, recieved the news of Oswegoo
being taken, upon which he marched to the Oneida carrying
place and orderd the wood creek to be filld with trees, which
was accordingly very effectually stopd.
I have mentiond these facts that you might be satisfied of
the truth with respect to that important Loss.
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