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[Sharpe to Calvert.]
5th of Septr 1757 & transmitted by
Sir
I doubt not but you will have heard before this reaches you
that we have lost Fort William Henry on Lake George. It
was invested the 3d of August by an Army of about 12000 Men
under the Command of the Marquis of Montcalm, among
these were Six Regimts of Regular Troops from Europe &
2500 Indians, the Rest were Canada Militia, They crossed
the Lake from Ticonderoga in about 300 Boats & brought
with them 20 Pieces of Cannon beside 12 Mortars & How-
itzers. They landed within Sight & at a small Distance from
the Fort which was immediately summoned to surrender.
The Garrison consisted of about 800 Men Regulars & Pro-
vincials under the Command of Lieutt Colo Munroe of Gen-
eral Otway's Regiment, there were in the Fort two 32 Lbrs
two 18 Lbrs two 12 Lbrs one 9 Lbr one 6 Lbr, two 4 Lbrs one
Howitzer & two Mortars & Lieutt Colo Young of the Royal
Americans was encamped with 1400 Men just without the
Fort & mounted on his Trenches 6 Pieces of Artillery that he
had brought from Fort Edward on the first Alarm of the
Enemy's being in Motion. On the Return of the Officer
with Colo Munroes Answer to the Summons the French pro-
ceeded to open their Trenches & the same Day raised two
Batteries on each of which they mounted 8 pieces of Cannon
& one Mortar. As soon as General Webb was advised of
the Forts being invested he dispatched Expresses to the Gov-
ernors of the several Northern Colonies solliciting Assistance
but none arrived time enough to be of the least Service to
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Letter Bk. I.
p. 303
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