|
|
78 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
|
|
Letter Bk. I.
|
sent to acquaint the Commanding Officer that he could not
make any Attempt to raise the Siege or to assist him, till he
should be reinforced by the Militia of the Neighbouring
Colonies & recommended it to him to make the best Terms
he could in Case the Delays of the Militia should put it out of
his Power to bring or afford him any Relief. The Messenger
that was sent with this Letter fell into the Enemy's hands
however as they did not think the Contents were such as
would encourage the Garrison to make an Obstinate Defence
it was sent to Colo Munroe together with a Flag of Truce by
order of the French General. The Garrison continued to
make a vigorous Defence four Days after this Letter was
received but as they then despaired of being releived, & had
almost expended their Ammunition, the Commandant thought
fit to surrender the Fort on the Conditions mentioned in the
inclosed Paper. You will observe that by the Terms of Capitu-
lation the Officers & Soldiers were to be permitted to carry
off their Baggage & the Sick & wounded that were not in a
Condition to be transported to Fort Edward were to be taken
proper Care of by the French Surgeons & returned as soon
as they should be recovered, but notwithstanding this Engage-
ment the Indians were suffered to scalp all the Sick &
wounded before our people marched out of the Fort & to
|
|
p. 305
|
plunder both the Officers & Men many of whom they carried
into the woods & stripped quite naked as I am informed by a
young Gentn a Lieutt who was so unfortunate as to be treated
after that manner. As soon as our Troops had evacuated the
Fort the Enemy utterly destroyed it & then returned by water
to Ticonderoga & Crown Point. What was the Reason that
Mr Montcalm declined to attack Fort Edward we know not,
Some are inclined to think that he was afraid Quebec would
be attacked in his Absence others that he was apprehensive of
being opposed by a vast Army of Militia but that he will
return again & reduce that place also so soon as the Militia
shall leave the Frontiers. We are told in the Phila Gazette
that there is a French Squadron of 16 Line of Battle Ships
carrying 1112 Guns & several Frigates at this time in the
Harbour of Louisburg & that there is a large Number of
Troops in Garrison at that place. It is also rumoured that
the Earl of Loudoun has given over all thoughts of an Expe-
dition this Season & is about to return to N York, but I hope
the Report is without foundation. From the Professions that
some of the Shawanese & Delawares made at a Treaty that
Goverr Denny lately held with them it was supposed by many
people that the Frontier Inhabitants would have nothing more
to fear from those Indians, but a great Number of People
have been since cut off in Pensilvania & I am convinced that
|
|
 |
