^^5^^ 
 
 O. V^^^^' 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-S) 
 
 
 A^^ 
 
 
 1.0 
 
 1.25 
 
 lA& IM |2.5 
 
 |50 ■^™ !■■ 
 
 ^ li£ 12.0 
 
 1.1 l.-^l 
 
 18 
 
 1.4 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 -1 
 
 
 w 
 
 ^1 
 
 ^. 
 
 7a 
 
 ^^ ■' ^.'^^ s'* 
 
 > 
 
 A 
 
 / 
 
 % 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 ry 
 
 '/ 
 
 M 
 
 Photographic 
 Sciences 
 brporation 
 
 G 
 
 
 23 WES7 MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, W.V. 1 ^? 
 
 (716) a73-4S03 
 
5? .. W 
 
 L<s> 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 
 Microfiche 
 
 Series. 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 Collection de 
 microfiches. 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 
 
Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques 
 
 The Institute has attempted to obtain the best 
 original copy available for filming. Features of this 
 copy which may be bibliographically unique, 
 which may alter any of the images in the 
 reproduction, or which may significantly change 
 the usual method of filming, are checked below. 
 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 
 n 
 n 
 
 D 
 
 Coloured covers/ 
 Couverture de couleur 
 
 Covers damaged/ 
 Couverture endommagie 
 
 Covers restored and/or laminated/ 
 Couverture restaur6e et/ou pelliculie 
 
 Cover title missing/ 
 
 Le titre de couverture manque 
 
 Coloured maps/ 
 
 Cartes gdographiques en couleur 
 
 Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ 
 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 
 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur 
 
 Bound with other material/ 
 Relid avec d'autres documents 
 
 Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion 
 along interior margin/ 
 
 La re liure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la 
 distortion le long de la marge intdrieure 
 
 Blank leaves added during restoration may 
 appear within the text. Whenever possible, these 
 have been omitted from filming/ 
 II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^es 
 lors d'une lestauration apparaissent dans le texte, 
 mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont 
 pas 6t6 filmies. 
 
 Additional comments:/ 
 Commentaires suppl6mentaires; 
 
 L'institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire 
 qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details 
 de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-6tre uniques du 
 point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier 
 une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une 
 modification dans la mdthode normale de filmage 
 sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. 
 
 I I Coloured pages/ 
 
 v 
 
 D 
 
 Pages de couleur 
 
 Pages damaged/ 
 Pages endommagdes 
 
 □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ 
 Pages restaurdes et/ou pelliculdes 
 
 Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ 
 Pages ddcolordes, tachetdes ou piqudes 
 
 I I Pages detached/ 
 
 Pages d6tach6es 
 
 Showthrough/ 
 Transparence 
 
 Quality of prir 
 
 Qualiti in^gale de I'impression 
 
 Includes supplementary materii 
 Comprend du materiel suppldmentaire 
 
 Only edition available/ 
 Seule Edition disponible 
 
 r~~] Showthrough/ 
 
 I I Quality of print varies/ 
 
 nn Includes supplementary material/ 
 
 I I Only edition available/ 
 
 Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata 
 slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to 
 ensure the best possible image/ 
 Les pages totalement ou partieliement 
 obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, 
 etc., ont 6ti filmies A nouveau de facon d 
 obtenir la meilleure image possible. 
 
 This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ 
 
 Ce document est film6 au taux de reduction indiqu6 ci-dessous 
 
 10X 14X 18X 22X 
 
 
 
 
 26X 
 
 
 
 
 SOX 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 v/ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12X 
 
 16X 
 
 20X 
 
 24X 
 
 28X 
 
 32X 
 
Th« copy film«d h«r« has b««n raproducad thanks 
 10 tha ganarosity of: 
 
 University of Britiih Columbia Library 
 
 L'axamplaira f ilmA fut raproduit grAca k la 
 gAnirosit* da: 
 
 University of British Columbia Library 
 
 Tha imagev appaaHng hara ara tha bast quality 
 possibia considaring tha condition and lagibility 
 of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha 
 filming contract spacif ications. 
 
 Las imagas suivantas ont At* raprcH*)itas avac la 
 plus grand soin, compta tanu da la condition at 
 da la nattatA da l'axamplaira filmA, at an 
 conformity avac las conditions du contrat da 
 filmaga. 
 
 Original copias in printad papar covars ara filmad 
 baginning with tha front covar and anding on 
 tha last paga with a printad or illustratad imprab- 
 sion, or tha back covar whan appropriata. All 
 othar original copias ara filmad baginning on tha 
 first paga with a printad or illustratad impras- 
 sion, and anding on tha last paga with a printad 
 or illustratad imprassion. 
 
 Tha last racordad frame on each microfiche 
 shall contain the symbol -^^ (meaning "CON- 
 TINUED"), or tha symbol y (meaning "END"). 
 whichever applies. 
 
 Les exempl'.ires originaux dont la couverture en 
 papier est imprim6e sont filmte en commenpant 
 par la premier plat at en terminant soit par la 
 darnlAre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'iilustration, soit par la second 
 plat, salon le cas. Tous las autras axemplaires 
 originaux sont fiimAs en commenpant par la 
 premiAre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'iilustration at en terminant par 
 la derniAre page qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 Un des symbol r; 3uivants apparaitra sur la 
 derniAre image de chaque microfiche, selon le 
 cas: le symbole —v^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le 
 symbols V signifie "FIN". 
 
 Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at 
 different reduction ratios. Those too large to be 
 entirely included in one exposure ara filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, as many frames as 
 required. The following diagrams illustrate the 
 method: 
 
 Les cartas, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent Atre 
 filmAs A des taux de reduction diff Arents. 
 Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre 
 reproduit en un seul clichA, il est filmA A partir 
 de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A dt'oite, 
 et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombre 
 d'imagas nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants 
 illustrent la mAthode. 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
mmmmmm 
 
 mmmmmm 
 
 ■pppp^ 
 
 r-^-'tf 
 
 W'^ 
 
 ^i^ 
 
 
 ^''v"^''^'t \" ■Ti'ii'''x' 
 
 >.. \. 
 
 w 
 
 4-/ 
 
 #■• 
 
 ' ' ^ 
 
 ■S- 14-'' 
 
 
 ; • f 
 
 
 >" "w. 
 
 m 
 
'T«PP"!«WWPiiPfPPBW»'"' -I" ■H'Ji 
 
 ^™"f!WW?WfpP* 
 
 ! |-Wij!»""i*fi V 'i!i>'!il?*r^ ."^'▼n;'^ — 
 
 COMPLETE HISTORY 
 
 or 
 
 EMBRACING 
 
 A GREAT VARIETY OP INFORMATION AND COMPILED 
 
 WITH AN ESPECIAL REFERENCE TO MEET 
 
 THE WANTS OF THE 
 
 TRAVELLING COMMUNITY; 
 
 , INTENDED AS ▲ 
 
 DESCRIPTIVE GUIDE : 
 
 TOGETHER WITH A 
 
 COMPLETE HISTORY AND PRESENT APPEARANCE 
 OF TICONDEROGA. 
 
 BT HENRY MARVIN. 
 
 NEW-YORK: 
 
 SIBELLS & MAIGNE, PRINTERS, 
 11 Spruce Street, 
 
 18 53. 
 
 «ss? 
 
' ■""'?"'■'*■"— ^i pp^im—p 
 
 .?»;"«!%S^' r^if .--^ -jf^ 
 
 _* ■«•■ 
 
 "^cy 
 
 
 
 '.i 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1853. 
 
 By IV. JB. & J. SIBKLL., 
 
 in the Clerk's ofiSce, of the District Court of the United 
 States for the Southern District of New-York. 
 
 i 
 
 iyy-m^L %'^^ ..'■.^KUt ; •'^- :{;;,/y;viJ4i= 'V^ 
 
 
 
 s'-'t ■*»■.* .o y£^-y.;-rni:^ \,jj ■ 
 
 1 
 
 'r* 
 
 '• ■; /.' 
 
 -■' ■:)^; -■•:a 
 
 :i i5;.i /iv ,i , 4^; 
 
 ,«, ■•?'^'lfei^iJ*<^uf*ii^JJ.h;^J^^K'Mf ,-'!5^ i'^v>V^ 'i^ 
 
 r ;'>4,'.' 
 
 '•/>:' 
 
 ;•>-<;'' ,i''.--,' '.'-t^ii U' '.'■•^■'■•i? 'rsft^/i'if.vfcr o-v";' !. vv?,?- 
 
 v:t r 
 
 „ \t... . 
 
 ,^ •v"-''^H/!;r/'i,r .;,.■-,■. ■'•^■'. ,o.« '''ii *'; 
 
 V 4 r ' 
 
 
■1» 
 
 3?l,Bl*ll@B 
 
 IN submitting this little volume to the considera- 
 tion of an intelligent public, I trust I have made such 
 
 a presentation as will meet the approbation -of all 
 those who indulgently peruse its pages. The design 
 
 of this little work, is to present to the reader, and to 
 convey as accurately as possible, a full and complete 
 history of Lake George ; embracing every possible ob- 
 ject of interest connected with its history, its islands, 
 mountains, and legendary associations ; together with 
 the graver details of history. In fact, every thing 
 which I judged as likely to enhance the interest of its 
 pages. ''" ''■''"''■ ''■"■■-■'"■'"• 
 
 Our knowledge of the past, is necessarily derived 
 from the information of others ; and while I have been 
 benefited by their researches, I deem it but an act of 
 courtesy to acknowledge the obligation, which I be- 
 lieve I have invariably done. I have not deemed it 
 necessary to present sketches of the scenes I have at- 
 tempted to describe — only prefacing the work with an 
 
sm 
 
 IV. 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ■■t; 
 
 excellent map — from the fact, they are too familiar to 
 most travellers, and more particularly so, because art 
 furnishes but a poor and inaccurate portraiture, where 
 nature is so beautifully displayed. " ^" 
 
 It would be unjust in me to conclude this simple 
 introductory, without returning my sincere thanks 
 to MosEs Harris, Esq., patriarch of the Lake, to 
 whose knowledge and experience for sixty years 
 past, I am in the main indebted, for much of the ma- 
 terials of this little volume. * 
 
 The best tribute of thanks that I can offer him, for 
 he is now far ''in the sear and yellow leaf," is the 
 heartfelt wish, that his ** eve of life" may be as serene 
 as the morn was bright and joyous. ^ 
 
 If these pages afford to the reader, but half the plea- 
 sure I derived from hearing the story of the Lake, as 
 told by my venerable informer, together with the ad- 
 ditional pleasure of its compilation, it will have per- 
 formed its pleasing office, and fully, and most satisfac- 
 torily, requited the labors of the 
 
 AuTIiOR. 
 
 .,y , ., 
 
 
 
 f., 
 
 % 
 
3lea- 
 ;, as 
 ad- 
 per- 
 Isfac- 
 
 \# ■: 
 
 f 
 
 CONTENTS, 
 
 i] >.t*\.i V:;,'^X./.-4'l' 
 
 » 
 
 it J-; 
 
 •»0^»*^»^^^»^^^»rfM»rf^»^^^ 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 I *■■■•«« ^'i 
 
 Pag*. 
 
 Introductory— Glenn'B FaU»— Description of the Falls — Bloody 
 Pond — Battle of Lake George, Sept. 8, 1753 — Anecdote of 
 Ilcndrick, the Indian Sachem 7 
 
 CHAPTER II. ' i 
 
 Hotels — General Remarks in regard thereto 22 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 The Attractiveness of Lake George 25 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Warren County— Its Boundarien — Caldwell — Lake George— IHs- 
 tory — Its French and Indian Names 30 
 
 ' '* ''^ CHAPTER V. ^ 
 
 Massacre at Fort William Henry — Montcalm's Defeat on St. 
 Patrick's Day — Lieutenant Stark's Gallantry — Montcalm's 
 successful Attack and Demolition of the Fort. AuguRt, 
 1757— Indian Ferocities— The Remains of the Fort— The 
 Spirit of Vandalism — Fort George, its present appearance — 
 Fort Gage. . . v 35 
 
 I 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The appearance of the Lake tempered hy the Element? — ^The 
 echos produced by the sound of the human voice and by 
 the discharge of Musketry — The Amusements of Visitors — 
 Its Sailing Advantages — Fishing — Interesting remains to bu 
 seen — 'Relics frequently found 44 
 
 t. 
 
VI. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Pag* 
 
 Remarks on Trarel-^The Steamboat John Jay—Future groTtth 
 of Lake George as a Summer Resort— A Description of the 
 Islands and Mountains on the Lake, together ^ith their 
 Names and all the Historical and Legendary associations 
 connected with them, and the trip to old " Ty." CI 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. v; V 
 
 A Description ot the Fortress of Tiqondcroga— Its History and 
 present appearance — Abercrombie's Attack on Ticondero- 
 ga, July 8, 1758 — His Defeat'— Anecdote of young Lord 
 Howe 72 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The causes trhich Induced the commencement of Hostilities— 
 The zeal of the Americans — An Explanation — Account of 
 Colonel Ethan Allen's Capture of Ticonderoga «••..• 81 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 A Description of ;he Ruins as now represente«l-»-InttfrestIng 
 localities described — Vandalism, its effects— Lcssing's Pic- 
 torial Field Book of the Revolution • . . . . 00 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 Evacuation of Ticonderoga by Qeneral St. Clair, July 6th, 1777. 94 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 4^ -h 
 A word at Parting 100 
 
 .j ^f^n ; --vj,,- ; _.^.M • u.^ ?; ;; ;j ; ,■■■ t-.-yij:.} 
 
 ■:r''--', - -i-' .-, ? 
 
 ".W^ i C:J fi'sl- '.-J 
 
 
 -■'i:-v'w ^hLa ..'-Jfi^r:'' .' .•.:,,,\<^ K^a^i^-m.^ kUf'- ^ 
 
 
 ;'v: '-d'l^l ^>:\t!'''J4-^ %. >:.*;•' 
 
 '•^'■^■^-■■■,'i *■■ 
 
 Ife. 
 
 ^ 
 
 V\ 
 
 J' ^ .-' 
 
 'U 
 
04 
 
 100 
 
 msYSET m um mmm 
 
 ttit 
 
 ■ CHAPTER FIRST. 
 
 Introductory — Glenn*s TFalls — ^Description of 
 THE Fall8 — Bloody Pond — Battle op Lake 
 George, Sept. 8, 1755 — Anecdote op Hendri^':, 
 the Indian Sachem. ^ i 
 
 I 
 
 JsUi»: ■/.*L- , 
 
 ;..,»>' 
 
 [ear Reader : — Consider me 
 as the viewless spirit of a 
 fkind informer, and as such, 
 allow me to travel incognito 
 with you, through the scenes 
 our Guide Book may describe. Shall 
 I make the salutation at '' Ty," or at 
 Moreau Station, the depot where, from 
 the cars, in flaming capitals meets the 
 eye, *' Plank Road to Lake George !'' The 
 old stage coach, despite the elegancies of 
 art, still maintains its primitive simplicity, 
 and in this age of steam, and " fast contri- 
 vances," is it not a pleasant change from the 
 
8 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE OEOROE. 
 
 din and noise of cars, to the easy rolling of 
 the swinging coach ? At the station, coaches 
 from the two hotels, the United States, and 
 the Lake House, are in readiness to convey 
 passengers. The ride to the lake is exceed- 
 ingly pleasant ; formerly it was a very tire- 
 some and fatiguing journey. The soil, com- 
 posed of a loose sand, rendered it tedious 
 and perplexing in the extreme, and company 
 from Saratoga were a whole day in making 
 the journey to the lake. Now we travel over 
 a good plank road, which extends as far as 
 Chester, and through a wild and almost 
 unbroken region of country, which from 
 its variety and picturesqueness of scenery, 
 greatly relieves the tediousness of travel. 
 But the progress of art, in conformity 
 with the progressive spirit of the age, will 
 soon send the rattling car on its impetu- 
 ous way, and the iron horse, superceding 
 every convenience of travel, will soon 
 make our stage route " among the things 
 that were." Five miles from the station 
 is Glenn's Falls, situated upon the high, 
 left bank of the Hudson, fifty-three miles 
 
 \V 
 
 %. 
 
T 
 
 I 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE OEORQE. 9 
 
 from Albany, and seventeen from Saratoga. 
 It received its name from Mr. Glenn, the 
 first settler, and is now one of the most en- 
 terprising villages in the State. The bridge 
 we cross, is nearly 600 feet long, resting in 
 the centre upon a marble island, and from 
 its centre there is a fine view of the falls. 
 These falls have a total descent of about 
 seventy feet ; the water flows in one sheet 
 over the brink of the precipice, 900 feet in 
 length, and when in full flood, rushes in one 
 mass down the cataract, producing to the 
 beholder, a grand and imposing spectacle. 
 In ordinary seasons, t!:e river is divided at 
 the falls into three channels by locks piled 
 in wild confusion and beautifully carved and 
 polished by the rushing waters. These falls 
 have evidently receded from a position lower 
 down the stream. The banks below are in 
 some places seventy feet in perpendicular 
 height, formed of rocks, and are beautifully 
 stratified* Many fossils are imbedded in 
 the rocks, among which, the trilobite is quite 
 plentiful. Among the rocks below, are 
 what is termed " big snake," and the " In- 
 
 -vii-i-v-Xv ;;■-.. 
 
 t,\ 
 
 
 
■ai 
 
 ._« 
 
 i 
 
 10 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE OEOROE. 
 
 dian cave ;" the former is a petrifaction on 
 the surface of a flat rock, representing the 
 appearance of a huge^ serpent, the latter ex- 
 tends through the small island, from one 
 channel to the other, and is pointed out as 
 the place where figured the young heroines 
 of Cooper^s " Last of the Mohicans." The 
 natural music of the falls might have chimed 
 in pleasing accordance with the pitch-pipe 
 of David, and the " Isle of Wight," for here 
 Uncas the last of the Mohicans advised, and 
 Hawk Eye kept his vigils. 
 
 Leaving the Falls, for there is nothing 
 further to interest or amuse, our attention 
 is not again particularly engaged, until we 
 arrive within about two miles of the lake, 
 where we may observe on the right hand 
 side of the road, a small slimy pond, called 
 " Bloody Pond." It is near 300 feet in di^ 
 ameter, presenting no attraction, but is me- 
 morialized in history as being near the battle 
 ground where Williams and his men were 
 slain. It received its name from the num- 
 ber of corpses thrown into it, giving to the 
 water, as tradition avers, a bloody hue. 
 
 vs 
 
ft" 
 
 -0 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEOROB. 
 
 11 
 
 The celebrated battle of Lake George, 
 on September 8, 1755, was fought in the 
 vicinity of " Bloody Pond." The battle was 
 between the provincial troops under Major 
 General, afterwards Sir William Johnson, 
 aided by a body of Indians under Hendrick, 
 the Mohawk chieftain, and a body of French 
 Canadians and Indians, under Baron Dies- 
 kau, a French nobleman ; the baron em- 
 barked at Fort Frederick, at Crown Point, 
 with 2000 men in batteaux, and landed at 
 Skeensboro', near Whitehall. Having un- 
 derstood that Johnson lay carelessly en- 
 camped at the head of lake George, he de- 
 termined to attack him. The following 
 account of the conflict that ensued, is given 
 by Dr. Dwight, who received much of his in- 
 formation from eye witnesses of the action : 
 
 On the night of Sunday, September 7, at 
 12 o'clock, information was brought that the 
 enemy had advanced four miles on the road 
 from Fort Edward to Lake George, or half 
 way between the village of Sandy Hill and 
 Glenn's Falls. A council of war was held 
 early in the morning, at which it was resolv- 
 
 -Q 
 
^BB 
 
 
 
 Ifi 
 
 mSTOBY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 ed to send a party to meet them ; the num- 
 ber of men determined upon at first was 
 mentioned by the general to Hendrick, and 
 his opinion was asked ; he replied, " If 
 they are to fight they are too few, if they 
 are to be killed they are too many." The 
 number was accordingly increased. Gen- 
 eral Johnson also proposed to divide them 
 into three parties. Hendrick took three 
 sticks and putting them together, said to 
 him. "put these sticks together and you 
 can^t break them, take them one by one, and 
 you will break them easily." The trick 
 succeeded, and Hendrick's sticks saved the 
 party and probably the whole army from 
 destruction.* 
 
 * A singular instance of artfulness is related of Hendrick which 
 I extract from '• Lossing^t Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution.^* 
 Sir William Johnson obtained from Hendrick nearly one hundred 
 thousand acres of choice land now lying in Herkimer county, north 
 of the Mohawk in the following manner : The sachem being at the 
 baronet's house, saw a richly embroidered coat and coyeted it. 
 The next morning ho said to Sir William, " Brother, me dream last 
 night ;" "Indeed," answered Sir William, "what did my red bro- 
 ther dream'" "Me dream that coat be mine." "It is yours," 
 said the shrewd baronet. Not long afterward Sir William risited 
 the sachem, and he toe had a dream. " Brother," he said, " I 
 dreamed last night." " What did my pale brother dream ?" asked 
 Hendrick. " I dreamed that this tract of land was mine," describ- 
 
 i! 
 i 
 
 ^ 
 
 I 
 
-5 
 
 num- 
 t was 
 :, and 
 , "If 
 tbey 
 The 
 Gen- 
 ) them 
 three 
 aid to 
 d you 
 ae, and 
 3 trick 
 sred the 
 from 
 
 rick whicli 
 [evolution. ^^ 
 le hundred 
 »ty, north 
 jlng at the 
 ioveted it. 
 (dream last 
 ly red bro- 
 isyoura," 
 ^am visited 
 ^e eaid, "I 
 ';" asked 
 I, ' descrlb- 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 13 
 
 The party detatched consisted of 1,200, 
 and were commanded by Col. Ephraim 
 Williams, a brave and skilful ofl&cer, greatly 
 beloved by the soldiery, and highly respect- 
 ed by the country at large. Lieut. Col. 
 Whiting, of New Haven, was second in com- 
 mand and brought up the rear. Col. Will- 
 iams met the enemy at Eocky Brook, four 
 miles from Lake George ; Dieskau had been 
 informed of his approach by his scouts and 
 arranged his men in the best possible order 
 to receive them, extending his line on both 
 sides of the road in the form of a half moon. 
 Johnson did not begin to raise his breast- 
 work until after Williams had marched, nor, 
 as a manuscript account of this transaction 
 now before me declares, until after the ren- 
 counter between Williams and the enemy 
 had begun. 
 
 ■-•itM.- 
 
 ■'W:''~s ;^i.' 
 
 '4\' 
 
 ing a square, bounded on the south by the Mohawk, on the east 
 by Canada Creek, and north and west by objects equally well 
 known. Hendrick was astonished ; he saw the enormity of the 
 request, but was not to be outdone in generosity. He sat thought- 
 fully for a moment, and then said, " Brother the land is yours, but 
 you must not dream again." The title was confirmed by the Brit- 
 ish government and the tract was called the Koyal Grant. — Simms* 
 Scohtnie County, p. 124. ■<- - ^ ',*;* :- \ ^^f ' 
 
H Pffpgf^ 
 
 ? 
 
 s\ 
 
 14 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE OEOROB. 
 
 "Williams marched his men directly into 
 the hollow of the half-moon ; this will be 
 explained by the fact that the whole coun- 
 try was a deep forest. When the enemy 
 saw them completely within his power, he 
 opened a fire of musketry on the front and 
 on the flanks of the English at the same 
 moment, and they fell in heaps, and at the 
 head of them their 'gallant commander. 
 Hendrick, also, was mortally wounded, 
 fighting with invincible courage in the front 
 of his people ; he was shot in the back, a 
 fact which filled him with disdain and an- 
 guish, as he thought he should be believed 
 to have fled from the enemy. The truth 
 was, the horns of the half-moon were so far 
 advanced, that they in a great measure en- 
 closed the van of the English and fired 
 upon them from the rear. From this fire 
 Hendrick received the wound which termi- 
 nated his life. 
 
 Upon the death of Col. Williams, Lieut. 
 
 Col. Whiting succeeded to the command of 
 
 the detachment. He was an officer of great 
 
 . merit and gained much applause at the re- 
 
 V • 
 
r^ 
 
 T 
 
 ^ HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 15 
 
 duction of Louisburg ; and iti cbhSeq'is^ftce 
 of his gallant conduct at 4^t seige, had 
 been made a captain in th6 n^lar British 
 service. Whiting, seeing the danger of his 
 men, immediately ordered a retreat, and 
 conducted it so judiciously, that he saved 
 the great body" of them from destruction, 
 in circumstances of extreme peril, in which 
 their own confusion and alarm and the sit- 
 uation of the ground threatened their exter- 
 mination, no less than the superior numbers 
 of the enemy. The noise of the first fire 
 was heard at Lake George ; efforts began 
 then to be made in earnest by the General 
 for the defence of the camp, and a party of 
 300 men were despatched under Lieut. Col. 
 Cole, to support the retreating corps. A 
 few stragglers, both English and Indians 
 came into the camp and announced what had 
 indeed been already sufficiently evident, 
 from the approaching sound of the musketry, 
 that the ij'rench army was superior in num- 
 bers and strength to Col. Williams' corps, 
 and was driving them towards the camp. 
 Some time after, " the whole party that es- 
 
 ^. 
 
 'I 
 
 -d 
 
w 
 
 
 16 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 W' 
 
 caped," says Gen. Johnson, "came in in large 
 bodies," a decisive proof of the skill and 
 coolness with which Lieut. Col. Whiting 
 conducted this retreat. These men also ar- 
 ranged themselves in their proper places 
 and took their share in the eagagement 
 which followed. About half after 11 o^clock, 
 the enemy appeared in sight, marching up 
 the road in the best order, towards the cen- 
 tre of the English. When they came to the 
 bottom of an open valley directly *n front 
 of the elevation on which Fort George was 
 afterwards built, and on which the centre of 
 the English army was posted, Dieskau halt- 
 ed his men about fifteen minutes at the dis- 
 tance of little more than 150 yards from 
 the breast- work. I have never seen a rea- 
 son assigned for this measure, but I think 
 I can assign one ; the Indians were sent out 
 on the right flank and a part of the Cana- 
 dians on the left, intending to come in upon 
 the rear of the English, while the main body 
 attacked them in front. The ground was 
 remarkably favorable to this design, being 
 swampy, thickly forested, and therefore per- 
 
&I8T0RT OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 17 
 
 fectly fitted to conceal the approach of these 
 parties* The Indians, however, were soon 
 discovered by Lieut. Col. Pomeroy, who im- 
 mediately mentioned the fact to the Gen- 
 eral; and observing to him, that these people 
 were extremely afraid of cannon, requested 
 that one or two pieces might be pointed 
 against them. They were then near the 
 ground on which Fort William Henry was 
 afterward built. The General approved of 
 the proposal. A shell was instantly thrown 
 among them from a howitzer, and some 
 field-pieces showered upon them a quantity 
 of grape-shot. The Indians fled. The 
 Baron, in the meantime, led up his main 
 body to attack the centre. They began the 
 engagement by firing regularly in platoons, 
 but at so great a distance that they did very 
 little execution. This circumstance was 
 favorable to the English, and soon recover-, 
 ing from the panic into which they had been 
 thrown by the preceding events of the day, 
 they fought with great spirit and firmness. 
 General Johnson, at the commencement 
 of the battle, received a flesh wound in his 
 
*©- 
 
 18 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GKOROE. 
 
 thigh, and the ball lodged in it. He bled 
 freely, but was able to walk away from the 
 army to his tent. General Lyman then 
 took the command and continued in it 
 during the action. This gentleman, who 
 v^ seemed to have no passions, except those 
 which are involved in the word humani- 
 ty, immediately stationed himself in front 
 of the breast-work ; and there, amid the 
 thickest danger, issued his orders during 
 five hours to every part of the army, as oc- 
 casion demanded, with a serenity which 
 many covet, and some boast, but very few 
 acquire. The main body of the French 
 kept their ground and preserved their order 
 for a considerable time, but the artillery, 
 under the command of Captain Eyre, a 
 brave English officer, who performed his 
 part with much skill and reputation, played 
 upon them with such success, and the fire 
 from the musketry was so warm and well 
 directed, that their ranks were soon thinned 
 and their efforts slackened sufficiently to 
 show that they despaired of success in this 
 quarter. They then made another effort 
 
 r ii 
 
 lU, 
 
^ 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE OEOROE. 
 
 19 
 
 against the right of the English, stationed 
 between the road and the site of Fort 
 William Henry, and composed of Ruggles' 
 regiment, Williams', now commanded by 
 Lieut. Col. Pomeroy, and Titcomb's. Here 
 a warm fire was kept up on both sides 
 about an hour ; but on the part of the 
 enemy was unavailing. At 4 o'clock, the 
 English and the Indians who fought with 
 them, leaped over their breast-work and, 
 charged the enemy. They fled, and were 
 vigorously pursued for a short distance. 
 A considerable number were slain in the 
 pursuit. The wounded, and a very few 
 others, were made prisoners ; among these 
 was Dieskau. He was found by a soldier, 
 resting on a stump, with hardly an attend- 
 ant. As he was feeling for his watch, in 
 order to give it to the soldier, the man sus- 
 pecting that he was searching for a pistol, 
 discharged the contents of his musket 
 through his hips. He was carried into the 
 camp in a blanket by eight men, with the 
 greatest care and tenderness, but evidently 
 in extreme distress. Hendrick had lived to 
 
 6- 
 
20 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKB GBOAOE. 
 
 this day with singular honor, and died 
 fighting with a spirit not to be excelled. 
 He was, at this time, from 60 to 66 years of 
 age ; his head was covered with white 
 locks, and what is uncommon among In- 
 dians, he was corpulent. Immediately be- 
 fore Colonel Williams began his march, he 
 mounted a stage and harangued his people. 
 He had a strong masculine voice, and it was 
 thought, might be distinctly heard at the 
 distance of half a mile ; a fact which to my 
 own view has diffused a new degree of 
 probability over Homer's representations 
 of the effects produced by the speeches and 
 shouts of his heroes. Lieut. Col. Pomeroy, 
 who was present and heard this effusion of 
 Indian eloquence, told me that, although he 
 did not understand a word of the language, 
 yet such was the animation of Hendrick, 
 the fire of his eye, the force of his gesture, 
 the strength of his emphasis, the apparent 
 propriety of the inflections of his voice, and 
 the natural appearance of his whole man- 
 ner, that himself was more deeply affected 
 with this speech than with any other which 
 
HISTORY OF LAKE OEOROE. 
 
 21 
 
 he had ever heard. In the Pennsylvania 
 Gazette, Sept. 25, 1755, he is styled " the 
 famous Hendrick, a renowned Indian war- 
 rior among the Mohawks ;" and it is said 
 that his son being told that his father was 
 killed, gave the usual Indian groan upon 
 such occasions, and suddenly putting his 
 hand on his left breast, swore that his 
 father was still alive in that place, and that 
 there stood his son. Baron Dieskau was 
 conveyed from Albany to New- York, and 
 fi. ^m thence to England, where, soon after, 
 he died. 
 
 Q- 
 
^• 
 
 CHAPTEE SECOND. 
 
 " Not placid Leman, where I've late been straying, 
 Nor gifted Pliny -s wild tumultuouH lake, 
 Nor magiore round its inlands pltiying ; 
 More beautious visioas in the mind awake 
 Than thou fair Horicon ! whose waters, bright 
 And pure, and holy, now first greet my sight." 
 
 Hotels — General Remarks in regard thereto. 
 
 WO hours ride brings us in 
 
 view of the romantic waters 
 
 of Lake George, and now 
 
 that our journey is nearly 
 
 ended, we must consult our 
 
 whereabouts to dine ; for our ride is 
 
 an encourager of dinner, or, if late 
 
 in the day — 
 
 '•Timid Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep I" 
 iuvites — 
 
 There are two good hotels at the Lake, 
 " the United States" and the " Lake House." 
 
HISTORY OF LAKE OEOROB. 
 
 23 
 
 The " Lake House," situated ou the west 
 side, in the village of Caldwell, is long 
 established and favorably known to trav- 
 ellers ; but the increase of visitors has in- 
 duced the construction of the new hotel, 
 the " United States," erected on the cast 
 side. Pleasantly situated on a high bluif, a 
 projection from the main land, it is unques- 
 tionably admitted as commanding the finest 
 view of any point on Lake George. Dia- 
 mond Island, Dome Island, Long Island and 
 Northwest Bay, are conspicuously in view, 
 together with Tongue Mountain and others 
 of equal celebrity. The house is located 
 in a beautiful forest grove, is easy and ac- 
 cessible of communication, built and furnish- 
 ed in modern style, and with every possible 
 regard to taste and convenience. The piaz- 
 zas to this house are unsurpassed for ele- 
 gance, and commend themselves to the lover 
 of nature for the fine view to be obtained 
 from them. Bells on the approved tele- 
 graphic plan communicate with every room 
 in the house — a desideratum much needed 
 in our summer houses. Baths, conveniently 
 
 ■o 
 
24 
 
 HidlORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 •1 
 
 arranged, are connected with the house. 
 It is distinctly wished by the author, as 
 honestly due to the travelling public, to 
 state, that both houses have equal facilities 
 of communication. Sensible travellers, rea- 
 sonably imagine, that a good hotel desirous 
 of popularity, must of necessity have good 
 
 facilities of communication. Both of the 
 houses at the Lake, are in this respect emi- 
 nently favored. 
 
 Travellers for the north are conveyed by 
 the excellent steamer " John Jay," which 
 leaves the head of the Lake every morning 
 at 7 o'clock, while those southward bound, 
 are taken over the same road which has 
 brought us thus far. - ., ^^^ ^ 
 
 
 
 ■*Vi.T 
 
 
 ■/ •• *>■ 
 
r/ 
 
 ^ 
 
 -XO^ 
 
 D^ck- 
 
 1 - i^- f. tx-M 
 
 7 
 
 CHAPTER THIRD. 
 
 " I care not Fortune what you do deny, 
 Yon cannot rob me of free Nature's grace : 
 You cani jt shut the windows of the sky, 
 Through which Aurora shews her brightening face ; 
 You cannot bar my constant feet to trace 
 The woods and lawns by living streams at ere — " 
 
 The Attractiveness op Lake George. 
 
 "^ HE idea of sublimity, and 
 the love of the beautiful, is 
 so congenial to every hu- 
 man breast, acting in such 
 perfect accordance with 
 every ennobling faculty of a rational 
 mind, that the true realization of the 
 pleasure, has no appropriate channel 
 for expression,. The ingenuity of 
 art, the mechanism of man's devices, may 
 surprise and create astonishment, but the 
 stupendous vastn3ss, and immensity of na- 
 
c^- 
 
 26 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 ture's works, produce far different, and 
 more ennobling feelings. 
 
 We enjoy the entertainment of tlie mind 
 when it feasts on objects of natural beauty, 
 and we gaze .with almost a reverential awe 
 upon the scenes and localities which history 
 has memorably described. To an imagina- 
 tion active, and an observation quickened 
 by the perceptive teachings of nature, 
 what a store house of knowledge can the 
 mind accumulate from the rich fields of 
 historic truths. The love of the beautiful 
 and the picturesque, is heightened and in- 
 creased by the stirring events which may 
 have formerly introduced the feeling, and 
 the scenes where courage and bravery have 
 proved their might, are powerful incentives 
 to awaken a more endearing feeling. Our 
 senses may be absorbed in the contempla- 
 tion of nature^s bea. ty with but perhaps 
 no association to allure our thoughts, while 
 some sterile and almost forbidden waste, 
 thick with the association of past events, 
 becomes deeply and romantically attractive. 
 
 Thus it is, that Lake George with its thou- 
 
 , : ( 
 
 .bWlllM 
 
HISTORY OP LAKE GEORQE. 
 
 27 
 
 sand natural advantages, bears a ten fold 
 more increasing attractiveness from its 
 deep and interesting historical associations. 
 In tlie Colonial wars, as well as in the 
 war of our Revolution, no island jutting 
 so fairy like from its caverned depths, but 
 has been the theater of some military ex- 
 ploit, while every mountain top has been 
 made the scat of some fabulous and over- 
 ruling deity. Is it not a glorious sight, and 
 one calculated to aw^aken earnest and heart- 
 felt emotions of pleasure as we gaze upon 
 the silvery lake which spreads so beauti- 
 fully its waters before us ? What a deep 
 quiet rests on its mirrored bosom, and how 
 securely float the tiny barks which from 
 their very buoyjincy " seem as if suspended 
 in mid-air."' '' ^••:t^r^i^'>jv:.'. '■yu.n.A \<^ ••■ /^/n m 
 
 " Billows I there's not a wave ! the waters spread 4 v .' ' f ' 
 One broad, unbroken mirror ; all around 
 Is hushed to silence — silence so profound 
 That a bird's carol, or an arrow sped 
 Into the distance, would, like 'larum bell 
 Jar the deep stillness and dissolve the ^pcll." 
 Misf *''■■; I.--,.- 'Iji ;« jr 'i'^, Park Benjamin. 
 
 Is it possible that these peaceful waters 
 now so securely slumbering, once cradled 
 
 -J 
 
28 
 
 HIBTOBY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 
 Upon their quiet bosom hostile armies, and 
 that these hills, lifting so proudly their 
 summits into the blue vault above us, as if 
 
 to ShOWt.^ .;^.^:»^^?y• 
 " How earth may pierce to Heaven, yet leave vain man below," 
 
 have echoed, and re-echoed, to the war- 
 
 whoop of the revengeful savage *i 
 
 ? 
 
 
 Look now abroad — another race has filled *' 
 These populous bordevs — wide the wood recedes, 
 
 .■ And towns shoot up and fertile plains are tilled ; . 
 
 The land is full of harvests and green meads ; 
 
 ' Streams numberless, that many a fountain feeds, . 
 Shine, disembowered, and give to sun and breeze 
 Their virgin waters ; the full region leads 
 New colonies forth, that toward the western seas 
 Spreads, like a rapid flame among the autumnal leaves.~J3r]/anf . 
 
 f The march of civilization and refinement 
 has converted the stormy conflict of tumultu- 
 ary war, into the gentler virtues of hus- 
 bandry and peace, which, now in a measure, 
 make these hill tops and valleys productive 
 and fruitful. But nature has secured her 
 fortresses on the mountain side, and the 
 wild stalking deer seeks her covert in her 
 mountain fastnesses as confidently as of yore. 
 There is, and ever will be, the same poetic 
 beauty and imagery which characterizes her 
 
 — ij 
 
HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 29 
 
 T 
 
 mountain scenery, for the progress of art is . 
 only stimulated by pecuniary gain, and here 
 she can never reap a fair equivalent. Thus 
 it is, that these wooded steeps will ever 
 bear the* impress of nature's originality, 
 and will continue to wear and to preserve 
 the drapery which the fairy charm of time 
 so mystically weaves about them. ■ f *^ ^ 
 
 ... -.: 'V'-' i" ■( T- 
 
 
 ::5»f, ■■.- 
 
 -\v 
 
 *..)..-» 
 
 ^.^■V. r • 
 
 -m::^. 
 
 .^ 
 
 t-'-:l-i 
 
 i %?ii '.- 
 
 I • 1 *. 
 
 :i ■•<if • }-i 
 
 'iru\ 'iU •:■•; 
 
 i>j ' ' 
 
 
 ■ "i ^ , ■ - 
 
 
 ;?, '/■■; '.' > 
 
 * i' : ' 
 
 ■'^'' !» ■• ). 
 
 •i. ■ * 
 
 
 
 
 ,^- V ^;!A:Ha0 ; 
 
 Q. 
 
t fY'lF 
 
 Gi 
 
 
 M ' , Ml. 
 
 iv 
 
 'iiS'S':\- 
 
 't 
 
 nm i ^ ^ CHAPTER FOURTH. 
 
 Warren County — Its Boundaries — Caldwei l — 
 Lake George — History — Its French and Indian 
 
 ARREN County was taken 
 'from the northwest part of 
 Washington county in 1813. 
 It is principally situated on 
 the west side of Lake 
 George, centrally ; distant from 
 New- York 240, and from Albany 
 75 miles ; greatest length, north 
 and south, forty-four miles ; great- 
 est breadth, east and west, forty 
 miles ; with the exception of a small dis- 
 trict on the southeast, the whole county is 
 mountainous. The mountains, which arc 
 of primitive formation, are covered with a 
 heavy growth of trees, and contain, it is 
 
 said, abundance of iron ore of good quality, 
 
 ^ . , 
 
 
? 
 
 
 EIL — 
 
 NDIAN 
 
 ' !i 
 ■ .• ». 
 
 taken 
 irt of 
 1813. 
 :ed on 
 Lake 
 from I 
 Ibany 
 north 
 rreat- 
 forty 
 dis- 
 ty is 
 arc 
 ith a 
 it is 
 lality, 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKK GEORGE. 
 
 31 
 
 i 
 
 but have very small portions of arable soil. 
 The valleys, which are narrow, contain 
 some fertile alluvion, on secondary lime- 
 stone. The country embraces about half 
 I of the Horicon or Lake George, the greater 
 part of Schroon Lake, the whole of Brant 
 Lake and many smaller ones. Caldwell, 
 the shire town of Warren county, was 
 organized in 1810, and named in honor of 
 James Caldwell, Esq., a principal proprie- 
 tor and benefactor. With all due deference, 
 the village itself furnishes no attraction, 
 and has been subjected to no great improve- 
 ment for many years. It presents no par- 
 ticular advantages for a future growth, and 
 with the exception of summer residences, 
 will probably remain in its same quiescent 
 and comfortable state. Lake George is in- 
 deed a beautiful sheet of water. ' « * 
 
 " There is a maf^net-like attraction in ' ' : i 
 
 These waters to the imaginative power ,. ^ ; 
 {t "^ * 1 1 i' V That links the viewless with the visiblo, 
 
 j^ J , , i And pictures things unseen/' 1 1 ',> ' • ■' ■ > ' ' ' 
 
 Its scenery is unsurpassed, and excelled 
 by none in the world. Its waters empty 
 northward into Lake Champlain at Ticon- 
 
32 
 
 1 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 "^ 5;' 
 
 deroga. Along its whole length of thirty- 
 three miles, (and not thirty-six, as is gener- 
 ally stated,) it is numeroulsy interspersed 
 with islands, most every one of which is 
 clustered with historic associations. There 
 are estimated 365 islands in the lake ; 
 which number is somewhat exaggerated, 
 but it must be borne in mind, that there are 
 many projections from the main land which 
 have no appearance of an island, and yet 
 virtually are so. It has an average breadth 
 of two miles ; four miles being its greatest 
 width. It is 220 feet above Lake Cham- 
 plain, and 300 above tide water. Its 
 waters are very deep and clear ; the aver- 
 age depth being 120 feet. The bed of the 
 lake is of a yellowish sand, and the water 
 is so transparent that a white object may be 
 seen at the depth of near forty feet. 
 Schroon and Brant lakes are beautiful sheets 
 of water, and abound with fish similar to 
 Lake George. The scenery in the vicinity 
 of the lake is of the most wild and pictur- 
 esque character. A range of mountains 
 rises to the westward, the highest of which 
 
 ^- " ■ ■ « 
 
 

 Q 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE OEOROE. 
 
 83 
 
 is Prospect or Rattlesnake Hill, having an 
 elevation of 1500 feet ; to the eastward 
 rises a range of mountains, a continuous 
 chain, and designated as the French Moun- 
 tains. Prom the summit of Rattlesnake 
 Hill a fine view of the lake can be obtained, 
 but the fear inspired from its " crawling 
 denizens," who make bold to visit near the 
 abodes of men, intimidates most travellers 
 from toiUag its weary ascent. The view 
 from Prench Mountain is immensely grand, 
 and there is no fear of the senses being 
 chilled by an informal visitation from his 
 most " Gracious Snakeship," for it is a 
 singular fact, that the French Mountains 
 are entirely free from them. The Indians 
 named the lake on account of the purity of 
 its waters, Horicon, or Silver Water ; they 
 also called it Canderi-oit, or the tail of 
 the Lake, on account of its connection with 
 Lake Champlain. It was visited by Samuel 
 Champlain in 1609, and some suppose he 
 gave his name to the lake instead of the 
 one which now bears it. It also received 
 the name of Sacrament by the French, who 
 
34 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGR. 
 
 frequently visited the lake, its pure waters 
 suggesting the idea. The remains of Fort 
 George and Fort William Henry, at the 
 head of the lake, are well worthy of a visit. 
 Fort William Henry stood directly on the 
 lake shore, on the west side of a pure moun- 
 tain stream called West Creok, the main 
 inlet of Lake George. 
 
 
 r f-,,- ;t') 
 
 i 
 
 ■ r / : 
 
 ■;.i-..vr ■>». 
 
 '^:a;.. 
 
 i < 
 
 ;-l.*i- ir.i 
 
 ?:•» K 
 
 
 '■t*?iU;: ii^'thrL.Mti. i'A3■•:t\ii:■^>,t'i'^' i ■'[< 
 
 rp-- 
 
 ■ n <"•' 
 
 )! 
 
 i ■ I*. 
 
 P' 
 
 u \ 
 
 , : .:m^: 
 
 «->-!. 
 
 .!!!., 
 
 
-n^.: 
 
 
 '*)■ r: 
 
 CHAPTER FIFTH. 
 
 
 Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace. , j ...^ i.., 
 
 Profaners of this neighbor-stained steel, 
 
 Will they not hear ? — what ho I you men, you beasts — 
 
 That quench the Are of your pernicious rage. 
 
 With purple fountains issuing from your veins 
 
 On pain of torture, from those bloody hands 
 
 Throw your mistcmpered weapons to the ground. 
 
 Romeo and JuUet. 
 
 Massacre at Fort "William Henry — Montcalm's 
 Defeat on St. Patrick's Day — ^Lieut. Stark's 
 Gallantry — Montcalm's successful Attack and 
 Demolition op the Fort, August, 1757 — Indi- 
 an Ferocities — The Remains op the Fort — The 
 Spirit op Vandalism — Fort George — ^Its pre- 
 sent appearance — Fort Gage. 
 
 " Truth, weeping, tells the mournful tale." u 
 
 N the 9th of August, in the year 
 1757, the head of Lake George was 
 the theatre of a terrible massacre. 
 Lord Loudon, Governor of Vir- 
 ginia, a man of indecision and procrastinate 
 in all movements, was appointed Command- 
 
 f 
 
3G 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKK OROROE. 
 
 er-in-Chief of all the British forces in 
 America. Opposed to him was Montcalm 
 the active and successful commander, the 
 beloved of the French army, who attempted 
 to capture Fort William Henry, March 
 16th, 1757 ; to consummate his design he 
 passed up Lake George on Saint Patrick^s 
 eve, and landed behind Long Point, four 
 miles from the fort, and on the next day 
 appeared suddenly before it He was gal- 
 lantly repulsed by the little garrison under 
 the command of Lieut. Stark, who, by his 
 ingenuity and the authority he exercised 
 ovei^ his men, saved them from total destruc- 
 tion. Most of his iiien were Irishmen, and 
 as such, they had calculated largely on cele- 
 brating Saint Patrick^s day, but Lieut. 
 Stark apprehending an attack from some 
 quarter, particularly from Montcalm, exer- 
 cised the precaution to check the indulgen- 
 ces incident to the day, by ordering the 
 sutler not to issue any spirituous liquors at 
 the expected time, without a written order. 
 When applied to, he pleaded a lame wrist, 
 which incapacitated him from supplying 
 
le 
 
 UISTOUY OF liAKK UKORGB. 
 
 37 
 
 their wants. The Irishmen in the regular 
 regiments got drunk as usual, and hence 
 Montcalm's desire that they might be simi- 
 larly affected ; sorely discomforted, but by 
 no means disheartened, he returned to 
 Ticonderoga and mustered all his forces, 
 amounting in the aggregate to 9,000 men, 
 with the intention of speedily carrying out 
 his design of subjugating Fort William 
 Henry. At the time of Montcalm's attack 
 upon Fort William Henry on St. Patrick's 
 day, Webb was at Fort Edward with 4000 
 men. He visited Fort William Henry 
 under an escort of 200 men, commanded by 
 Putnam, and while there, sent that officer 
 with eighteen men down the lake on a re- 
 connoiicring expedition. The enemy were 
 ^ discovered to be more numerous than was 
 supposed. Putnam begged General Webb 
 to allow him to attack them with full 
 numbers, but his importunities were stoically 
 rejected, and he was only allowed another 
 reconnoissance, and from which he barely 
 escaped, but finally reached the fort in 
 safety. General Webb, on this occasion, 
 
il 
 
 38 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE, 
 
 
 acted in the most pusillanimous and coward- 
 ly manner ; he caused Putnam to administer 
 an oath of secrecy to his rangers respecting 
 the proximity of the enemy. Putnam, in- 
 dignant at this proposition of Webb's, as 
 so repugnant to his ideas of soldierly 
 character and discipline, remonstrated 
 courteously bj saying — '^ I hope your ex- 
 cellency doc3 not intend to neglect so fair 
 an opportunity of giving battle should the 
 enemy presume to land ?'' Webb's cow- 
 ardly reply — " " What do you think we 
 should do here?" greatly exasperated the 
 noble feelings of the heroic Major. By au- 
 thority of General Webb, who was com- 
 mander of all the forces at Ticonderoga, 
 Colonel Munroe was ordered with a regi- 
 ment to re-inforce and to take command of 
 the garrison at Lake George. Montcalm, 
 conscious of success, and flushed with hopes 
 of victory, embarked xiis troops at the foot 
 of the lake, consisting of more than 9,000 
 men, an accession to his former numbers of 
 many Indians, who were induced to join 
 with the hope of plunder, together with a 
 
 a 
 
 i! 
 
_l 
 
 -^ 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 39 
 
 powerful train of artillery, and landed at 
 the head of the lake. Ho instantly com- 
 menced operations for the demolition of 
 the fort, having a force of less than 3,000 
 men to contend with. He otfered every 
 inducement to Munroe for the immediate 
 surrender of the fort, urging that he was 
 not desirous to proceed in the enforcement 
 of his designs, and doubtless actuated by 
 the most humane of motives, he urged his 
 request. Munroe, deaf to the importuni- 
 ties of his more powerful rival, was confi- 
 dently expecting reinforcements froir Jen. 
 Webb, and strenuousb^ refused compliance. 
 The storming was commenced hy the 
 French, and the seige lasted six consecutive 
 days, without much slaughter on either 
 
 side. 
 
 »V' tf ifi: 
 
 lii-: 
 
 The following account of the capture of 
 the fort, which is so minutely detailed, is 
 extracted from Professor Silliman's Tour : 
 
 " The Marquis de Montcalm, after three 
 ineffectual attempts upon Fort William 
 
 i Henry, made great efforts to beseige it in 
 form, and in August, 1757, having landed 
 i 
 
? 
 
 40 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE iiEOllGE. 
 
 ten thousand men near the fort, summoned 
 it to surrender. He had a powerful train 
 of artillery, and although the fort and 
 works were garrisoned by three thousand 
 men, and were most gallantly defended by 
 the commander. Col. Monroe, it was obliged 
 to capitulate ; but the most honorable terms 
 were granted to Col. Monroe in considera- 
 tion of his gallantry. The bursting of the 
 great guns, the want of amunition, and 
 above all, the failure of General Webb to 
 succor the fort, although he lay idle at 
 Fort Edward with 4,000 men, were the 
 causes of this catastrophe. The capitula- 
 tion was, however, most shamefully broken ; 
 the Indians attf^ched to Montcalm's arm\% 
 while the troops were marching out of the 
 gate of the fort, dragged fhe men from the 
 ranks, particularly the Indians in the 
 English service, and butchered them in cold 
 blood ; they plundered all without distinc- 
 tion, and murdered women and little chil- 
 dren with circumstances of the most aggra- 
 vated barbarity. The massacre continued 
 all along the road, through the delile of 
 
 
ll- 
 
 -a- 
 
 -iS 
 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE QEORQE. 
 
 41 
 
 the mountains, and for many miles the mis- 
 erable prisoners, especially those in the 
 rear, were tomahawked and hewn down in 
 cold blood ; it might well be called the 
 bloody defile, for it was the same ground 
 that was the scene of the battles only two 
 years before, in 1755. It is said that 
 efforts Avere made by the French to restrain, 
 the barbarians, but they were not restrained 
 a. ' the miserable remnant of the garrison; 
 With difficulty reached Fort Edward pursued 
 by the Indians, although escorted by a body 
 of French troops. I passed over the whole 
 of the ground upon which this tragedy was 
 acted, and the oldest men of the county still 
 remember this deed of guilt and infamy/' 
 
 Fort William Henry was levelled by 
 , Montcalm and has never been re-built. 
 Fort G..>-::b wxis built as a substitute for 
 it, on a ixXH*^ commanding site, and although 
 often mentioned in the history of subse- 
 quent wars, was not, I believe, the scene of; 
 any very memorable event , iu ..,., s Jj 
 There is nothing now remaining of Fort; 
 Willir 1 Henry except a few mounds and- 
 
 Q- 
 
 -«? 
 
 I , 
 
42 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 shallow ditches, for time has weaved his 
 spell over the rude masonry of art. The 
 general appearance of th© grounds scarcely 
 denote that they have ever been appropri- 
 ated as the theatre of war, for no vestige 
 now remains, save a time-worn well which 
 supplied the garrison, to indicate the ap- 
 pearance of an entr<^t)ched army. South- 
 west of the fort, at the ^-^ of Rattlesnake 
 Hill, is a clearing calicJ French Field. 
 Here it was that Dieskau halted and dis- 
 posed his men for action. There was a 
 rough stone upon which was inscribed in 
 uncouth characters, Jacques Cortois, 1755. 
 The spirit of Vandalism destroys every 
 association connected with the past, 
 
 '^ Yet even these bones from insult to protect, 
 3ome frail memorial still ereotecl nigh,. 
 With uncouth rhymes, and shapeless sculpture decked. 
 Implores the passing tribute of a sigh." 
 
 seems to have no effect in remedying this 
 gross and unpardonable evil, for not many 
 years ago the stone was broken and part of 
 it secretly carried away, and now, probably, 
 adds to the collection of some carefully 
 selected cabinet. Fort George is about 
 
 V. 
 
HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 43 
 
 midway between the east and west shore, 
 and was erected upon a sloping eminence 
 about a quarter of a mile from Fort Wil- 
 liam Henry, and probably one-eighth from 
 the lake shore. It was well designed as a 
 fortress, the material for its construction 
 were close at hand, composed of a dark lime- 
 stone or black marble which covers the sur- 
 face or protrudes abruptly above it. The 
 east wall is about twenty feet high, and still 
 preserves its original appearance. Passen- 
 gers for the United States Hotel pass direct- 
 ly by this fort, and are in close proximity 
 with Fort William Henry. The fortress evi- 
 dently was a safe and secure one, though it 
 has not been the scene of any very memorable 
 event. Southwest of Fort George was a 
 small fortification, hardly a vestige of which 
 now remains, called Fort Gage. It was 
 named in honor of General Gage, who suc- 
 ceeded Lord Amherst as commander of the 
 forces in America in 1760. 
 
 1^1 
 
 Q' 
 
<f- 
 
 ^s 
 
 CHAPTER SIXTH. 
 
 -What envious streaks 
 
 Do lace the eoverinfr cioTlds in yonder east ; 
 Night's candles are burnt out and jocund day 
 Stands tip-toe on the misty mountain tops. 
 
 Romeo and Juliet. 
 
 The Appearance op the Lake tempered by the 
 
 ELEMENTS — ThE EOHOS PRODUCED BY THE SOUND OF 
 the HUMAN VOICE, AND BY THE DISCHARGE OF 
 
 Musketry — The Amusements op Visitors — Its 
 Sailing Advantages — Fishimg — Interesting re- 
 mains TO BE seen — Relics frequently found. 
 
 'r-*i»j-.4"-;:7 
 
 w: 
 
 unfolded to the gaze of the 
 
 r.f 
 
 H » 
 
 iHAT iiicrs enrapturing sight can be 
 
 uJlll admiring observer than nature 
 clothed in the panoply of her richest mag- 
 nificence. When first Aurora peeps with 
 smiles and blushes to welcome in the day, 
 
 i 
 
HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 45 
 
 what hymns of thanksgiving in their mnte 
 eloquence, breathe from all animate and in- 
 animate nature. It is a task worthy of en- 
 gaging the attention of the most frequent 
 participant to bask in the first radiant 
 beams of the rising sun, and particularly 
 so when they fall in golden light upon 
 the wave, kissed by the cool breath of the 
 mountain breeze. A sunrise on Lake 
 George I There may be scenes of more 
 startling and thrilling interest, there may 
 be greater evidences of nature's vastness 
 and immensity, there may be chords of feel- 
 ing which more passionately touch the 
 human breast, but none which exert a more 
 chastening and subduing feeling than the 
 sun's first glimmer through the purpling 
 east. There is such a quiet beauty which 
 associates so happily with the scene, such a 
 congeniality of feeling in the still com- 
 munings of nature, that in the contempla- 
 tion you lose your real existence, and live 
 in the bright creation of an ideal world. 
 But above all, are the senses enchained 
 when the pealing thunder shakes the firm 
 
 (&- 
 
 6 
 
 I 
 
 / i 
 
: 
 
 
 't'j 
 
 IIIBTORY OF LAKE ORORGE. 
 
 i 
 
 masonry of Heaven, and all the embattled 
 hosts war in the elemental strife. When 
 the skies wear the somber hue of storm and 
 darkness, and the black ominous clouds, so 
 hastily driven, rest angrily upon some 
 mountain's brow, and the sun's faint glim- 
 mer through some half discomfited cloud, as 
 if interposing to still the tumult of the ap- 
 proaching storm, the leaping lightning 
 gamboling in pride from crag to crag, now 
 levelling some mighty oak, leviathan of the 
 sod, or darting harmlessly its forked way, 
 when peal on peal afar, the roaring thun- 
 der tracks his headlong march, and the 
 hoarse winds pipes its loui breath to the 
 liberal air, crisping the pure lake into a 
 sheeted foam, whose mist conceals all but 
 its turbid bosom, who that has a heart 
 awed by the influences of nature, can resist 
 j the magic potency of the awful scene? 
 We gaze on in mute admiration, feeling, 
 but giving no audible expression. Not 
 alone are there scenes to awe and inspire 
 the noblest faculties, but equally so to 
 
 amuse and interest the curious. The echo 
 
 y ^ 
 
HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 47 
 
 produced by the sound of the human voice 
 in many parts of the lake, is singularly 
 beautiful. On the cast shore, about three- 
 quarters of a mile froDi the public house, 
 there is a spot ti^;,t 
 
 w. 
 
 m 
 
 '' Which, in my opinion, 
 Gives the best echo that you ever heard ! 
 So plain in the distinction of our woids, 
 That many have supposed it a spirit 
 '^ .li : That answers." 
 
 •>'-«■ 
 
 'tit ■ 
 
 Three echos can be plainly heard at the call 
 
 of a name, and with so much distinctness 
 
 and true inflection of the voice, that one 
 
 must indeed " suppose it a spirit" that 
 
 answers. The report of musketry is equally 
 
 pleasing, and on a still night, the boom of 
 
 a cannon reverberates grandly among the 
 
 lofty mountains which environ this lovely 
 
 lake. Company highly amuse themselves 
 
 on a fine moonlight night in all manner of 
 
 aquatic amusements, and the dipping oars 
 
 as the accompaniment to music, produces 
 
 the most pleasing imaginable effect. This 
 
 lake possesses advantages over many other 
 
 inland bodies of water for pleasure sailing. 
 
 The winds are generally favorable for this 
 ^ ^ 
 
 I 
 
 f 
 h 
 
 \i 
 
48 
 
 HISTORY OP 'LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 purpose ; those from the north having a full 
 sweep of some twelve miles to the head of 
 the lake, while from the south, a current 
 of air passes through a wide gorge of the 
 French Mountains, causing a steady and re- 
 liable breeze which ensures comparative 
 safety to those who indulge in this health- 
 ful amusement. There is some good fishing 
 at the head of the lake, but like other 
 sports, distance and the din of preparation 
 e^nhances the pleasure of the journey and 
 creates a different degree of satisfaction 
 when attended with some hardship and the 
 necessity of homely fare. The fish caught 
 at the head of the lake are mostly small, 
 but none the less acceptable for the table. 
 Trout, bass and perch are very plentiful ; 
 the former being of large size and of most 
 delicious flavor. Expert anglers can here 
 enjoy their favorite pastime to its full and 
 unlimited extent. I shall point out the 
 best fishing localities as we proceed on our 
 journey through the lake. Near the south 
 shore of the lake, a few rods east of Fort 
 William Henry, in about fifteen feet of 
 
 
 Q- 
 
 •Q 
 
 I! 
 
 ■:#^'N 
 
HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 49 
 
 water, may be discovered when the water is 
 not agitated, part of the hulk of a vessel, 
 probably used by Montcalm for the convey- 
 ance of his forces through the lake at the 
 time of his attack upon Fort William 
 Henry. Efforts were made some years 
 ago by two of the village residents to raise 
 it, but it was so decomposed by the action 
 of the water, that their efforts were only 
 partially rewarded. Numerous relics of 
 Indian devices, such as knives and arrow 
 heads, also gun barrels, spikes, cannon and 
 musket balls, have ])een found in great 
 profusion for many years past, and with 
 the further disturbance of the soil about 
 the locality of the fort many will yet be 
 discovered and brought to light from their 
 long entombment. On the west shore, a 
 few rods north of the village, is an old 
 hulk which travellers will naturally make 
 enquiries about. It was formerly the steam- 
 boat " William Caldwell," which used to 
 traverse these waters, and having fulfilled 
 her expected requirements, she was stripped 
 of all her valuable necessaries and was left 
 
r> 
 
 50 
 
 irrsTouv ok lakk George. 
 
 lying* upon the strand, where she has been 
 subjected to the action of the elements for 
 the past three years. 
 
 i 
 
 
 '^^^P>VJ 
 
 'm. 
 
 m>^ 
 
 
G\c 
 
 C" . oo'"-' 
 
 
 ^x3^a7(5€0<B''-^iX^ 
 
 CIIArTER SEVENTH. 
 
 " Tho south wind was like a gentle friend, 
 Parting tb» hair po Bcftly on my hroM. 
 It hnd come o'er tlio gardens, and tlic flowom 
 That kissed it were betrayed ; for as it purtcd 
 With its Invisible fingers my loose hair, 
 I knew it had been trifling with the rose 
 And stooping to the violet There in joy 
 For all God's creatures in it."— JFiHif. 
 
 Rf ks on Travel — The Steamboat John Jay — 
 
 X uiURE GROWTH OP LaKE GeORGE AS A SUMMER 
 
 RESORT — A Description op the Islands and 
 Mountains on the Lake, together with their 
 names and all the historical and legendary 
 
 associations connected with THEM, AND THE 
 TRIP TO OLD "Ty." 
 
 EFRESHED and invigorated by the 
 'harmonizing influences at work 
 around us, exerting an equally 
 beneficial influence upon the inva- 
 lid as well as the tourist for pleasure, we 
 must, to prosecute our journey, secure pas- 
 
 O- 
 
 '^ 
 
^fj 
 
 52 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 S 
 
 sage on board the excellent steamer 
 *' John Jay," which leaves her moorings 
 every morning (Sundays excepted,) at 7 
 o'clock. How beautiful and fine the day 
 appears, and how beautifully it harmonizes 
 with the sentimciAts in the lines quoted at 
 the heading of our chapter. , c ,„ 
 
 The travel through the lake has increasrd 
 immeasurably beyond the accommodations 
 heretofore afforded, and from the great 
 number of visitors who make their annual 
 pilgrimage thither, a number of good 
 commc/ious houses might be profitably 
 erected. It is a true assertion, that Lake 
 George will, ere long, vie with Saratoga, 
 its sister rival, in fashion and number of 
 visitors. Contiguous as are the two places, 
 they must eventually coalesce and form the 
 chain of the great northern projected sum- 
 mer travel, as well as become the fashiona- 
 ble and truly healthful resort of city resi- 
 dents. A number of good houses are 
 scattered along the borders of the lake, 
 among which are Low's Trout Pavilion, six 
 miles from the head, Gale's at Bolton, ten 
 
 It 
 
 I 
 
'^■/ 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 53 
 
 le 
 
 miles, and Garfield's at Hague, t-venty-five 
 miles ; the latter being a capital resort for 
 parties of pleasure, justly noted for its good 
 fishing and hunting. But to our journey : 
 What an excellent steamer is destined to 
 convey us through the lake, and under the 
 excellent captaincy of Hozea B. Farr, we 
 may indeed promise ourselves a delightful 
 journey. The " John Jay" is the property 
 of John J. Harris, Esq., one of the ener- 
 getic men of the day, and a resident of War- 
 ren county. It was built under his own 
 immediate supervision, and is in every re- 
 spect a fine, staunch vessel. Too much 
 praise cannot be awarded to its liberal and 
 indefatigable proprietor for the energy and 
 spirit first displayed in its construction, and 
 under such a train of discouragements, that 
 none but the most foresightcd could have 
 possibly conceived its future success. The 
 boat is managed with much liberality, 
 evincing a just appreciation of the wants of 
 the travelling community, with a due regard 
 to speed, and to the higher importance, of 
 confident safety to the traveller. • ;:; 
 
 V, 
 
54 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE^ 
 
 Having commenced our journey, the first 
 island we pass is Tea Island, near the west 
 shore one mile from the head of the lake. 
 It is a beautiful and romantic isle, with a 
 harbor resembling in miniature, the counter- 
 part of Havana. There is a rustic summer 
 house to be seen upon it, and it is certainly 
 one of the most delightful spots located on 
 the lake. It is much frequented by parties 
 of pleasure, as it is within a convenient dis- 
 tance of both houses. On the east shore, 
 one and a half miles further to the north, is 
 Plum Point. Further to the east, and di- 
 rectly around this point is Dunham's Bay, 
 one and a half miles in length. In the centre 
 of the lake, three miles from the head, is Dia- 
 mond Island ; lying directly in front of 
 Dunham's Bay. It received its name from 
 the number and beauty of the quartz crys- 
 tals which are found upon it, closely re- 
 sembling the diamond in their brilliancy 
 and shape. This little island is quite no- 
 table in the annals of our revolution,, and 
 was used by Burgoyne's army as a depot for 
 military stores in. 1777, as well as the scene 
 
 I 1 
 
 J 
 
 I i 
 t 
 
 f ! 
 
 ■^^ 
 
r- 
 
 'f 
 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 55 
 
 -a 
 
 of a close conflict between the garrison who 
 defended it, and the Americans under Col. 
 Brown. This officer under authority of 
 General Lincoln, who at this time com- 
 manded a body of New England militia, 
 and between the actions of the 19th of Sep- 
 tember and 7th of October at Bemis's 
 Heights, got in the rear of Burgoyne's army 
 near Lake Champlain, determined to re- 
 capture Ticonderoga, and the posts in the 
 vicinity. He accordingly despatched Col. 
 Brown with full discretionary power to cut 
 • off the retreat of the British, and if possible 
 to reduce their supplies. The nature of the 
 service was exactly suited to Brown^s er'^r- 
 getic and decisive character, and on ui- 
 25th of September 1777, by an unexpected 
 surprise he captured all the enemy's out- 
 posts, between the landing place at the 
 north end of Lake George and the fortress 
 at Ticonderoga ; 200 batteaux, an armed 
 sloop, and 293 prisoners, were the trophies 
 of his daring and intrepidity. He also 
 captured Mount Defiance, Mount Hope, the 
 French lines, besides releasing 100 Ameri- 
 
 ! 
 
56 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEOBGE. 
 
 \\ 
 
 cans. Elated with his success, he determin- 
 ed, with the V essels that he had captured, to 
 sweep Lake George. The little garrison 
 stationed at the island gallantly defended 
 themselves, somewhat to the loss of the 
 brave republicans. Unsuccessful in this at- 
 tempt, they sailed for the shore on the south 
 side of Dunham's Bay, where they burned 
 all the vessels they had captured and im- 
 mediately returned to Lincoln's camp. A 
 mile further to the north, on the west side 
 is Diamond Point. There is an anecdote 
 connected with this Point which I will re- 
 late : Some years ago, Anthony Paul, an 
 old Indian, had a camp near this Point, 
 and one day late in the fall, while in the 
 act of supplying his camp w^ith w^ater, he dis- 
 covered something in the water, evidently 
 making towards the shore. Observing 
 closely his approach, he determined an at- 
 tack, but having no weapon about him, he 
 called for assistance and his appeal was 
 answered by his wife who brought him a 
 large spear. He waited patiently for the 
 animal's approach dreading a severe en- 
 
 -O 
 
HISTORY OF LAKE OEOROE. 
 
 
 counter : but the animal, benumbed with the 
 cold, made but a feeble resistance. It 
 proved to be a panther measuring ten feet 
 in length. One mile further to the north, 
 in the centre of the lake, are the Two Sisters. 
 To the east of these islands is Long Island, 
 one mile in length, and containing 100 
 acres of good farm land. The narrow fer- 
 tile strip of land, which projects far out into 
 the lake from the eastern shore, and near 
 the south end of Long Island, is Long Point. 
 The estuary between the north side of the 
 point and the mountains on the east, is Har- 
 ris's Bay, and is designated as the spot 
 where Abercrombie moored his vessels pre- 
 vious to his attack upon Fort William 
 Henry on St. Patrick's eve. East of Harris's 
 Bay is Slim Point. Low's Pavilion Hotel 
 is situated on the east shore, about the 
 middle of Wormer's Bay. It is a good 
 house, conducted by a gentlemanly land- 
 lord. The fishing in this neighborhood is 
 considered excellent. We now make a 
 stretch of some four miles in a northwesterly 
 direction, before we can note any more isl- 
 
 * ! I 
 
 I: ;i 
 
58 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 ands, content however with viewing the 
 extent of scenery here displayed. Near the 
 western shore we pass three small islands, 
 bearing the name of the Three Brothers. The 
 little island which we pass so closely to the 
 right, and upon which a cross is erected is 
 Sloop Island, deriving its name from its re- 
 semblance to a sloop. The cross w^as erect- 
 ed by Madame Parodi in the summer of 
 1851, and attracts the attention of the tra- 
 veller. Dome Island directly in the centre 
 of the lake, and distant ten miles from its 
 head is the next considerable island on the 
 lake. It received its name from its close 
 resemblance to the upper portion of a dome, 
 and at the distance of a few miles appears 
 as perfect as though formed by art. Here 
 it was that Putnam left his men, while he 
 informed General Webb of the presence of 
 the Indians and French upon the two is- 
 lands, near the entrance of north west Bay. 
 Pleasantly situated on the west shore in the 
 town of Bolton, is the Mohican House, kept 
 by G. B. Gdle. The fishing in this neigh- 
 borhood, is esteemed as very excellent. A 
 
 <? 
 
 •vk 
 
HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 59 
 
 short distance north of Bolton is Green Isl- 
 and, containing seventy-four acres of good 
 tillable land. Hog Island, so named from its 
 resemblance to a hog^s back, is a few rods 
 distant. On the east side is Shelving Eock, 
 two miles north of Bolton, a towering cliflF, so 
 named from its projecting boldly over the 
 mouth of a brook. This place is famous 
 above all others on the lake for its rattle- 
 snakes. In the centre of the lake, nearly 
 opposite Shelving Rock, is Tongue Moun- 
 tain, a bold rocky promontory, receiving its 
 name, and justly so, from its close resem- 
 blance to a beefs tongue. To the west of 
 this notable mountain, is Northwest Bay, six 
 miles in length. Directly on our east, is a 
 little cluster of islands, familiary known as 
 the Hen and Chickens. Near the end of 
 Tongue Mountain is Flea Island, so named 
 from the immense number of fleas with 
 which it is infested. Directly to the north 
 of these last named islands is Fourteen Mile 
 Island. Now we enter the narrows and the 
 scene presented is one of quiet, though 
 continued beauty. Here the islands are so 
 
 ! !■ 
 
 c 
 
60 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 thickly imterspersed, varying materially in 
 size, that a very small space is allowed for 
 the steamboat to pass through. On the west 
 side, two miles further to the north, is 
 French Point, and near by are the Two 
 Dollar Islands ; one mile to the north of 
 these islands, and in the centre of the lake, 
 are the Hatchet Islands. Some years ago a 
 hatchet was found upon one of these islands, 
 supposed to belong to one of the chiefs of the 
 Mohicans, and from this circumstance they 
 derived their name. Two miles to the north 
 of these islands is Half-Way Island ; to the 
 east of which, towers majestically. Black 
 Mountain, rising at an elevation of 2200 
 feet ; its sides are heavily wooded, and it 
 will ever preserve the bold originality of 
 nature. The view from the summit of this 
 mountain is one which amply repays the 
 labors of the traveller, showing an immense 
 extent of country for miles in v^very direction. 
 At the base of Black Mountain are a 
 number of islands called the Floating 
 Battery Islands, so named from their rep- 
 resenting ships in battle array. The 
 
 O 
 
HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 61 
 
 next island, in the centre of the lake, is 
 Harbor Island, receiving its name from the 
 excellent harborage to be obtained on all 
 sides for vessels of considerable tonnage. 
 On the east shore, the north part of Black 
 Mountain, is Elephant Ridge, first discov- 
 ered in 1852, by Mr. E. S. Harris, Pilot, 
 and deriving its name from its close re- 
 semblance to an elephant's back. It must 
 be borne in mind, that objects are differ- 
 ently represented when viewed from dif- 
 ferent points, in a measure owing their 
 resemblance from the position in which 
 j they are viewed ; in this instance, the best 
 j view of Elephant Ridge is when opposite 
 Harbor Island. North of this last named 
 island and near it, is Vicar's Island, which 
 we pass directly to the left of ; it derived 
 its name from the following incident : 
 " Some years ago there was a man inhabiting 
 this island, who, with a boy, his only son, 
 were its sole occupants. Some fishermen, 
 their nearest residents, happening to land 
 upon the island, discovered its occupant 
 dead and the boy actually wild with grief and 
 
 O 
 
 -9 
 
T 
 
 62 
 
 % 
 
 niSTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 hunger, watching .the dead corpse of his 
 father. The boy upon noticing the approach 
 of the men, fled precipitately, but their assur- 
 ances composed him. They made a suitable 
 disposition of the body, and from their own 
 examination and the incoherent language 
 of the boy, they concluded that he had died 
 in a fit. The child was cared for by the 
 fishermen, and the island named after its 
 unfortunate resident." East of this island 
 is Bosom Boy, back of which is Sugar Loaf 
 Mountain. On the west shore is Short Eun 
 Mountain ; it derived its name from the 
 great number of deer to be found upon it, 
 and the precipitate haste with which they 
 took to the water when pursued by the 
 dogs ; it received its name from Moses 
 Harris, Esq., who, in his youthful days, 
 when on his hunting excursions, frequently 
 captured two deers before breakfast. Plac- 
 ing his dog under Buck Mountain and on 
 Kattlesnake Point, the dog so thoroughly 
 understanding his business, would perform 
 all the necessary offices unaided and alone. 
 Secreting himself among the branches of a 
 
HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE 
 
 63 
 
 in 
 
 a 
 
 tree, he awaited patiently the approach of 
 the deer into the water, and cautiously 
 lowering himself from his hiding place, he 
 jumped into his frail boat and rowed after 
 the deer in hot pursuit. After a w^arm 
 chase, in which much agility is required, 
 the tired deer is easily secured. Kind 
 reader, did you ever indulge in this glori- 
 ous sport ? if not, the pleasure of partaking 
 of a fine bit of venison with all the etceteras, 
 is but a tithe to the pleasures of the chase. 
 This is the usual way of taking the deer in 
 this section of country, with the exception 
 that there are men who make it a business 
 to set on their dogs, thereby driving them 
 into the w^ater. The fawns, taken at the 
 proper season, can be easily tamed and be- 
 come wonderfully tractable and playful. 
 Buck Mountain, on the west side, rising at 
 an elevation of about 800 feet, derived its 
 name from a fine large buck being driven 
 off the ledge by a pack of dogs, who by 
 the fall was shockingly mutilated. 
 
 The next important point upon the lake, 
 is Sabbath Day Point, which we pass closely 
 
 
64 
 
 J 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEO ROE. 
 
 on our left. It is a narrow fertile strip of 
 land, possessing considerable historical in- 
 terest. Here, in 1756. a small provincial 
 force pursued by a party of French and In- 
 dians, and unable to escape, made a des- 
 perate resistance and defeated their assail- 
 ants ; it received its name from General 
 Abercrombie, who, with his fine army, as 
 already noticed, in batteaux and whale boats 
 debarked for a few hours rest and refresh- 
 ment. Lord Howe collected the bravest 
 of his oiScers around him, who with Capt. 
 Stark, (the revolutionary general,) whom 
 he invited to sup with him, discussed with 
 the greatest warmth and anxious solicitude, 
 the fortress at Ticonderoga which they 
 were about to assail. Deeply solicitous for 
 the welfare of his army, he acted as one 
 who felt a sad presentiment possessing his 
 mind and over which he seemed to have no 
 control. How truly it was verified we 
 have before noticed. It was early on Sun- 
 day morning when they were again in mo- 
 tion, and from this circumstance it received 
 
 its name. The armament consisting of 1600 
 
 -Q 
 
 K''' 
 
 •% >■ 
 
HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 65 
 
 men, is described as presenting a most im- 
 posing appearance. Major Rogers " com- 
 pares it to a splendid military show." 
 Howe, the gallant English ofl&cer, ied the 
 j van of the flotilla. The regular troops oc- 
 cupied the centre and the provincials the 
 wing. The sky without the shadow of a 
 cloud, was radiant with the gems of night, 
 and the silver lake was quiet and motion- 
 less, not a breeze ruffling its deep and 
 crystal waters ; their oars were muffled, 
 and so silently did they move on in the 
 darkness, that their progress was not even 
 obser f*^- by the enemy's scouts, nor had 
 they tlie least intimation of their ap- 
 proach at the proposed landing until sud- 
 denly rounding a point, their whole num- 
 bers were diplayed to their astonished 
 view. At this Point, in 1776, a severe 
 battle occurred between a party of Ameri- 
 can militia of Saratoga county, and a body of 
 Tories and Indians. Both were scouting 
 parties and their unexpected meeting gave 
 rise to a severe encounter. The Ameri- 
 cans were signally victorious, having killed 
 
r" 
 
 -.3 
 
 66 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 and wounded about forty of the enemy. 
 Tlie scenery in the vicinity of the Point, is 
 of the most bewitching character, even to 
 a prodigality of the picturesque and beauti- 
 ful, representing nature in her most gorge- 
 ous attire, and in correct harmony with the 
 peaceful heroism of the times. Opposite to 
 this Point is Bluff Point ; on the east 
 shore, about a mile further to the north, is 
 Odell Island. An accident occurred some 
 years ago near this island which I will re- 
 late : " A gentleman was invited by two 
 or three others to join in a sailing ex- 
 cursion, and they having before partaken 
 somewhat too freely, became so venture- 
 some and reckless, despite the steadily in- 
 creasing gale, that the fear incited by their 
 apparent carelessness, induced him to re- 
 quest them to put him ashore. The boat 
 was ballasted with stone, consequently his 
 alarm, for in case of a capsize she must ine- 
 vitably go to the bottom. This proposition 
 instead of producing the desired effect, 
 caused them to proceed more carelessly in 
 managing the boat. Ridiculing his idea 
 
...^ * 
 
 UISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 67 
 
 and consider iiig liim as timid, they, to en- 
 sure his contidence and dissipate all un- 
 necessary fears, secured themselves by por- 
 tions of the rigging ; the man at the helm 
 tied the main sheet rope fast to his body, 
 while the .others were similarly entangled. 
 Entertaining no hope of their compliance 
 to his wishes, he watched a favorable oppor- 
 tiiuity, and as they neared Slim Point, which 
 is two and a half miles north of Sabbath Day 
 Point, and the water being shoal, he jumped 
 overboard and waded to the shore. They 
 laughing at his timidity and wishing him a 
 pleasant journey, tacked about and were 
 soon far from the land. The rescued one, 
 for so he providentially believed himself, 
 watched their progress with fearful mis- 
 givings ; his doubts were but momentary ; 
 for a flaw of wind struck the frail bark 
 suddenly and she immediately capsized, and 
 all on board were entombed in a watery 
 grave. The gentleman I allude to is still 
 living, and is now one of the first men of 
 Saratoga county." On the west shore, 
 two and a half miles north, is an island 
 
 
h'r 
 
 
 68 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 known as the Scotch Bonnet, receiving 
 its name from its close resemblance to 
 a Scotch bonnet. Further to the north, 
 two miles, is the little village of Hague. This 
 is the widest part of the lake. Here may be 
 found a good hotel conducted by Garfield, 
 and is justly noted as the best place on the 
 entire lake for fishing and hunting, and as 
 being a great resort for parties of pleasure. 
 The first islands we pass after leaving Gar- 
 field's, and almost directly to the east, are 
 Cook's Islands. Friend's Point is the next 
 locality of any interest ; it received its 
 name from the following incident : ** Dur- 
 ing the war, two scouting parties accidently 
 meeting, a skirmish seemed to be inevitable, 
 each taking the other for a deadly enemy ; 
 they proved to be of the same party, but 
 the darkness of the night and their acci- 
 dental meeting, confounded them, and only 
 when about to engage did they discover 
 their mistake ;" from this circumstance this 
 point has been most appropriately named. 
 On the east shore is Anthony's Nose, a 
 bold, prominent hill. A fine echo is here 
 
 9 
 
f 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GKORGE. 
 
 69 
 
 produced by the sound of the human voice. 
 Four miles northward of Garfield^s, and on 
 the western shore is Rogers^ Rock ; or fami- 
 liarly known as Rogers' Slide. Thje " slide'' 
 itself is about two hundred feet, with a de- 
 scent on an angle of about twenty-five de- 
 grees from meridian. The whole height of 
 the rock is probably near four hundred feet. 
 It presents a singular appearance ; appear- 
 ing from its smoothness, as though hewn by 
 art. The scene here presented is one of 
 sublime beauty, masses of rocks confusedly 
 piled, tower on either side ; while our little 
 steamer majestically ploughs the pure 
 waters, which lave their rocky base. It re- 
 ceived its name from Major Rogers, com- 
 mander of a corps of Rangers, who in the 
 winter of 1758 was surprised while on a re- 
 connoitering expedition by a party of In- 
 dians, and put to flight. Shod with snow 
 shoes he eluded pursuit, until coming to the 
 summit of the mountain he tasked his in- 
 genuity, which alone saved his life. De- 
 scending to the smooth rock he cast his 
 haversack of provisions down upon the ice, 
 
 
 ]|i^!. 
 
^^ 
 
 c- 
 
 70 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 slipped oif his snow-shoes, and without mov- 
 ing them, turned himself about and put them 
 on his feet again. He then retreated along 
 the southern brow of the rock a few rods, 
 and down a ravine he made his way safely 
 to the lake below, and fled on the ice to 
 Port George. His device was signally 
 successful. The Indians in the meanwhile 
 approaching the spot, noticed the two tracks 
 evidently made by two persons, both appa- 
 rently approaching the precipice, and their 
 wise conclusions suggested to them the idea, 
 that two persons had cast themselves down 
 the steep rock, sooner than fall into their 
 hands. On looking about, to their surprise 
 they discovered the bold major on the ice, 
 making his way with all possible speed, 
 while they, believing that he had slid down 
 the steep rock, with that characteristic re- 
 verence, considered him as under the guid- 
 ance and protection of the Great Spirit, and 
 relinquished all further pursuit. Within a 
 mile of the landing is Prisoner's Island ; 
 it is thickly covered with shrubbery, and 
 was used by the French in the seven year's 
 
 t 
 
w 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 71 
 
 
 O 
 
 i 
 
 war for their English captives. One side 
 is fordable, and the first party confined 
 there, through the carelessness of their vic- 
 tors, made good their escape by wading to 
 the shore. A few rods to the west of this 
 island is Howe's Landing. Leaving Sab- 
 bath Day Point early in the morning, Aber- 
 crombie's army reached this place by noon, 
 and pushed their way forward towards Ti- 
 conderoga. The ride of four miles to the fort 
 is a pleasant one, though the road is hilly, 
 but the scenery is ever new and changing. 
 We cross the outlet of the lake twice, first 
 at the upper Falls, and next at the lower 
 Falls half way between the two lakes of 
 Champlain and George. Here the thriving 
 village of Ticonderoga is situated. Arri- 
 ving at the Fort about noon, we can dine at 
 the"Pavilion,"awaitthe arrival of the Cham- 
 plain steamers, or if returning through Lake 
 George, have ample time to inspect the 
 ruins of time honored old " Ty," the most 
 memorable fortress connected with our Re- 
 volution. 
 
-■■f% 
 
 •i.'^ »'» .1,1 
 
 CHAPTER EIGHTH. 
 
 ■■ ■•) ; 
 
 '> > " This is the hallowed spot where first unfurling, 
 
 Fair Freedom spread her hlazing scroll of light, 
 
 Here, from oppression's throne the tyrant hurling, 
 
 ' ' She stood supreme in majesty and might." 
 
 Dewey. 
 
 A Description of the Fortress of Tioonderoga — 
 Its history and present appearance — Abercrom- 
 bie's Attack on Ticonderoga, July 8, 1758 — His 
 Defeat — Anecdote- of young Lord Howe. ; ' ; 
 
 r 
 
 s we gaze upon the rums of 
 ^yenerable old " Ty," what 
 emotions are excited, and 
 what a degree of patriotism 
 thrills through the breast of 
 every true American ! Here still re- 
 main a few crumbling remains of per- 
 ishable greatness ; but amid such 
 scenes and associations, what a degree 
 of generous feeling awakens the heart 
 to patriotic impulses, even warming the soul 
 of the veriest churl. Sacred is the ground 
 
 -^ 
 
HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE 
 
 73 
 
 on vhich we tread ; hallowed are the scenes 
 through which we linger. With age, as- 
 sociations are matured, and what becomes 
 gray with time, we reverence as a part of 
 true religion. There is a voice " which 
 speaks with most miraculous organ" in 
 every relic of the past ; there is an indescri- 
 bable feeling which overflows the channels 
 of expression ; there is almost an idolatry 
 connected with events which have been 
 honorably memorialized ; and how signally 
 is it instanced in the appearance of this me- 
 morable fortress. Imagination and art 
 may sketch its ruined walls, but they wear 
 a more majestic and imposing appearance, 
 when viewed by a personal inspection. Ti- 
 conderoga was erected by the French in 
 1756, and was called by them Carillon, sig- 
 nifying chime, jingling noise. It is distant 
 from Albany ninety-six miles, and has been 
 a fortress of great celebrity in both colonial 
 and revolutionary history. The Indians 
 applied the name of Cheonderoga, an Iro- 
 quois word, signifying sounding waters, on 
 account of the rushing waters of the outlet 
 
 in 
 
74 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 of Lake George at the Falls. It was 
 known only by its Indian name till 1763. at 
 the close of the French and Indian war. The 
 ruins are situated on a peninsula, compris- 
 ing about 500 acres, and at an elevation of 
 about 100 feet above Lake Champlain. It 
 was a very safe and secure fortress, sur- 
 rounded on three sides by water, and on the 
 fourth by a swamp, and the only approach- 
 able point defended by a breast-work. It 
 was commanded by Mount Defiance on the 
 south side of the creek or outlet, which 
 rises at an elevation of 750 feet above the 
 lake. General Burgoyne's troops to the 
 utter astonishment of the little garrison 
 stationed at the fort, appeared on the sum- 
 mit of this mountain July 4th, 1777, and so 
 completely were they in his power, that 
 General St. Clair fully justified an immedi- 
 ate retreat, which he effected under cover 
 of the night. Of this event I shall speak 
 more particularly hereafter. Let us in 
 due form, chronicle the various events his- 
 toricallv connected with this renowned for- 
 tress. Prior to Montcalm's attack upon 
 
 i!^- 
 
•- 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 75 
 
 Fort William Henry in August, 1757, this 
 fort was the rendezvous of the French 
 troops, and continued as such until Quebec 
 was threatened, in 1759, by an expedition 
 under Wolfe, up the St. Lawrence. The 
 following account of the conflict, is in part 
 from the third volume of Macaulcy's His- 
 tory of New York. Abercrombie in person, 
 conducted the expedition against Ticonde- 
 roga and Crown Point, July 3, 1758. He 
 embarked all his forces, amounting to near 
 700 regulars and 10,000 provincials, on 
 Lake George, on board of 900 batteaux, 
 and 135 whale boats, with all necessary 
 provisions, artillery and ammunition. The 
 splendor of the military parade was emi- 
 nently imposing. A late writer, Dr. 
 Dwight, thus describes it : — " The morning 
 was remarkably bright and beautiful ; and 
 the fleet moved with exact regularity to the 
 sound of martial music. The ensigns waved 
 and glittered in the sunbeams, and the an- 
 ticipation of future triumph shone in every 
 eye. Above, beneath, around, the scenery 
 was that of enchantment. Rarely has the 
 
 J 
 
«. 
 
 76 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 sun, since that luminary was first lighted 
 up in tlic heavens, dawned on such a com- 
 plication of beauty and magnificence." 
 Having reached the landing place early 
 the next morning, which was in a cove on 
 the west side of the lake near its issue, he 
 immediately debarked his forces, and having 
 formed them into three columns, he marched 
 to the enemy's advanced post, composed of 
 one batallion in a logged camp and com- 
 pletely routed them. He urged his mar^-h 
 towards Ticonderoga with the serious in- 
 tention of investing it, but his route lying 
 through a thick wood, which afforded no 
 regular progression, the ranks were broken 
 by their falling in one on another. This 
 was in a measure owing to the ignorance of 
 his guides and the bewilderment of his 
 troops, who unexpectedly fell in with a 
 French detachment that had lost its way. 
 Lord Howe being advanced at the head of 
 the right centre column, led on the troops 
 in this skirmish, and though the enemy 
 were completely routed, and 148 taken pri- 
 soners, the victory was purchased at a dear 
 
 ©- 
 
 -O 
 
HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE 
 
 77 
 
 rate, for Lord Howe, together with one 
 other officer, besides privates were slain.* 
 This was a sad discouragement to Aber- 
 crombie. Perceiving the fatigue of his 
 troops, he judged it expedient to fall back 
 to the landing place. A detachment under 
 Col. Broadstreet, was ordered to take pos- 
 session of a saw-mill in the vicinity of Ti- 
 conderoga which the enemy had abandoned. 
 Abercrombie again advanced towards Ti- 
 conderoga, where he was informed from the 
 prisoners the enemy had assembled eight 
 battalions, in the aggregate to 600 men. 
 Montcalm commanded a force of 4000 men 
 when Abercrombie approached, but was in 
 
 * '' This young officer was the idol of the army. From his first 
 anival in America. he had accommodated himself and hia regiment 
 to the peculiar nature of the service. Ho cut his hair short and 
 induced the regiment to follow the example. lie fashioned their 
 clothing for the activity of service and divested himself and them 
 of every article of superfluous baggage. Wlien near Ticoudcroga 
 Major, afterward General Putnam, with about 100 men advanced 
 in front of the army us a kind of scouting party. Putnam en- 
 deavored to prevent Lord Howe from accompanying him, saying 
 ' my Lord, if I am killed the loss of my life will be of little conse- 
 quence, but the preservation of yours is of infinite importance to 
 this army.' The only answer was. ' Putnam, your life is as dear to 
 you as mine is to me — I am determined to go !' They soon met 
 the left flank of the enemy's advance, by whose first fire his lord- 
 ship fell." — Humphrey's Life of Putnam. 
 
 i\ 
 
 -6 
 
78 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GE0R08. 
 
 daily expectation of an increase to his 
 numbers by a re-inforcement of 3000 troops 
 under M. De Levi. The English commander 
 deemed it a favorable time to strike a de- 
 cisive blow. Bivouacing for the night, he 
 sent his engineer, early in the morning, to 
 examine the condition of the enemy's en- 
 trenchments. Satisfied Avilu the prospect 
 of success, he deemed a right disposition of 
 his troops as justly necessary. Stationing 
 a proper guard at the saw-mill and the 
 landing place, he set out with his troops, 
 who marched with great alacrity towards 
 the entrenchments. The French breast- 
 works, eight feet high, had a forbidding ap- 
 pearance to the English soldiers, while the 
 ground before it was covered with an abatis 
 or felled trees, with their bows pointing 
 outward, which, projecting in such a man- 
 ner, rendered the entrenchments almost in- 
 accessible. The troops despite all these 
 discouragements, marched up to the breast- 
 works with the most commendable bravery 
 and sustained a most terrible fire. Some 
 even mounted the parapet, but they were 
 
 t 
 
 V 
 
 o- 
 
.,1 ' 
 
 f 
 
 I 
 
 ■9 
 
 BISTORY OF LAKE OEOROR. 
 
 7S [ 
 
 almost immediately slain. The French 
 were so securely defended, that no impres- 
 sion could be brought to bear upon them. 
 The battle lasted for several hours, and was 
 pursued with an obstinacy and pressed 
 with a vigor which proved the determination 
 of the assailants. They were, however, 
 
 V^ unsuccessful, and having began to fall into 
 
 great confusion after several attacks, and 
 the carnage becoming fearfully great, Aber- 
 crombie sounded a retreat as the only expe- 
 dient to save his army from a total defeat. 
 The English loss was nearly 2000 men and 
 2500 stand of arms. The regiment of Lord 
 John Murray sustained the severest loss ; 
 one half of the privates and twenty-five 
 officers were slain on the spot, or badly 
 wounded. Never did troops show bolder 
 discipline, or maintain in the unequal strife 
 more determined obstinance ; but the for- 
 tunes of war were against them, and their 
 thin and saddened ranks reluctantly with- 
 drew from the bloody field. Abercrombie's 
 failure caused him to change his plans. He 
 returned to Albany, not however, until he 
 
80 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 
 had dispatched Gen. Stanwix to build a fort 
 near the head quarters of the Mohawk, and 
 ordered Col. Bradstrect with 3000 troops 
 to attack Fort Frontenac. 
 
 1 V) 
 
 ; 
 
■if 
 
 J(5< 
 
 f 
 
 CHAPTER NINTH. 
 
 ** There is a spirit worl^inR in the worij, 
 Like to a silent subterranean fire ; 
 Yet. ever and anon, some monarch hurl'd 
 Aghast and pale attests its fearful ire. 
 The dungeou'd nations now once more respire 
 The keen and stirring air of liberty. 
 The struggling giant wakes iind feels he's fr^e ; 
 By Delphi's fountain cave, \ht\i ancient choir 
 Resume tiieir song ; the 1 1 reek astonished hears, 
 And the old altar of his worship rears. 
 Sound on. fair sisters ! sound your boldest lyres — 
 Peal yoiu" old harnioni(!S as from the spheres. 
 Unto stranjje gods too long we've bent the knee, 
 The trembling mind, too long and patiently."' 
 
 Gatrge Hill, 
 % — — 
 
 The OAUSKS WHTCII induced the CDJiMfiNOEMENT OP 
 
 Hostilities — ^Tii?; zeal of the Americans — An 
 Explanation — Account of Col Ethan Allen's 
 Capture of Ticondbroga. 
 
 m 
 
 
 ■j^EFORE attempting a tlescription 
 
 SiicSii^^ the ruins of Ticondcroga, we 
 
 
 (9 • 1 1 
 
 , .. ^vill 
 
 examine the causes which 
 IS^^Ijll induced the infant colonies to 
 
 take up arms against their mother 
 
 m'^M^. 
 
 M 
 
 country. Laboring so long under the fet- 
 ters of a cruel tyranny, they were obliged, 
 
 i 
 
r 
 
 82 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 by virtue of a stern necessity, to assume a 
 deg-ree of independence which, they well 
 knew would seriously conflict with the inter- 
 ests of their more powerful rival. The ap- 
 parent contempt with which all their peti- 
 tions were rejected, the utter disregard with 
 which their remonstrances were treated, 
 beiGrat within the patient, though fearless 
 colonists, such a degree of virtuous indig- 
 nation as to kindle the flame which lay idly 
 smouldering at the hearthstone of every 
 patriot's heart, and which burned with such 
 an undimmed lusire for after years. The 
 harsh measures adopted in 1775, tp force 
 the colonies into submission — the domineer- 
 ing policy of the British government to 
 thwart and disparage the growing energies 
 of republican minds, convinced the Ameri- 
 cans that an appeal to arms was inevitable. 
 Their love for the mother country was still 
 strong within them, thrugli the odious 
 stamp act in 1765, had greatly alienated 
 their affections, and every new restraint 
 upon their civil liberties was deeply provo- 
 cative of some serious result. They had 
 
 -ca 
 
e- 
 
 ■« 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 83 
 
 indeed borne the indignities of the British 
 ministry witii a commendable spirit, and 
 until their patience was completely exhausted. 
 Their greatest apprehension was manifested 
 as to the feeling entertained by the province 
 of Quebec or Canada, to whom they had 
 sent in October, 1774, an address, in which 
 they recounted the grievances of the Ameri- 
 can colonies, and urging them to affiliate in 
 a common resistance. Its lei^islative as- 
 sembly forwarding no reply, congress justly 
 construed their silence into a negative. 
 The strong fortresses of Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, the great connecting links 
 between New- York and Canada, early 
 awakened the attention of the vigilant 
 patriots who perceived the necessity of se- 
 curing these important posts the moment 
 hostilities should commence. With this in- 
 tent a secret agent was sent into Canada, 
 by authority of Samuel Adams and Joseph 
 Warren, of the Correspondence Committee 
 of Boston, to ascertain the opinions enter- 
 tained, and to try the temper of the people 
 in reference to the gigantic and important 
 
 I T 
 
 1 *! 
 
 
84 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 events of the day. His mission was not 
 wholly successful, for the people were at 
 best but lukewarm, and as they, the colonies, 
 could not rely on their assistance, he pro- 
 posed the immediate subjugation of Fort 
 Ticonderoga, which was effected by a few 
 determined men, in the following manner. 
 Before attempting a description of the 
 events which followed, allow me, indulgent 
 reader, to offer an explanation, which, if 
 not entirely excusable, may, from its frank- 
 ness, in a measure mitigate the severity of 
 censure. The design of this little work, as 
 before expressed, was exclusively a history 
 of Lake George, to serve in the full capaci- 
 ty of the Tourist's Guide, but the important 
 post of Ticonderoga, so historically con- 
 nected with Lake George, has induced me 
 to give a description of this memorable 
 fortress. But in so doing, I claim one prrvi- 
 lege, that of extracting from reliable 
 sources, the battles and sieges in which it 
 has borne a part. * ? ^ vr^i < ^ > , 
 
 Ramsay, in his history of the American 
 Revolution, thus relates the seizure of the 
 
e- 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 85 
 
 fortress of Ticonderoga by Colonel Ethan 
 Allen, on the 10th of May, 1775 : 
 
 " It early occurred to many, that if the 
 sword decided the controversy between 
 Great Britain and her colonies, the posses- 
 sion of Ticonderoga would be essential to 
 the security of the latter ; situated on a pro- 
 montory, formed at the junction of the waters 
 of Lake George and Lake Champlain, 
 it was the key of all communication between 
 New-York and Canada. Messrs. Dean, 
 Woostcr, Parsons, Stevens and others of 
 Connecticut, planned a scheme for obtaining 
 possession of this valuable post. Having 
 procured a loan of $1,800 of public money, 
 and provided a sufficient quantity of powder 
 and balk they set off for Bennington to obtain 
 the co-operation of Col. Allen, of that place. 
 Two hundred and se\ 3nty men, mostly of that 
 brave and hardy people who are called green 
 mountain boys, were speedily collected 
 at Castletor which was fixed on as the 
 place of rendezvous. At this place. Colonel 
 Arnold, who, though attended only with a 
 servant, was prosecuting the same object. 
 
86 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 unexpectedly joined them. He had been 
 early chosen captain of a volunteer com- 
 pany by the inhabitants of New Haven, 
 among whom he resided. As soon as he 
 received news of the Lexington battle, he 
 marched off with his company for the vici- 
 nity of Boston, and arrived there, though 
 150 miles distant, in a few days. Immedi- 
 ately after his arrival, he waited on the 
 Massachusetts Committee of Safety, and in- 
 formed them, that there were at Ticondero- 
 ga many pieces of cannon and a great quan- 
 tity of valuable stores, and that the fort was 
 in a ruinous condition, and garrisoned only 
 by about forty men. They appointed him a 
 colonel, and commissioned him to raise 400 
 men, and to takeTiconderoga. The leaders 
 of the party which had previously rendez- 
 voused at Castleton, admitted Colonel Ar- 
 nold to join them, and it was agreed that 
 Colonel Allen should be the commander-in- 
 chief of the expedition, and that Colonel 
 Arnold should be his assistant. They pro- 
 ceeded without delay, and arrived in the 
 night at Lake Champlain, opposite to Ti- 
 
 '^ 
 
© 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE 
 
 87 
 
 conderoga. Allen and Arnold crossed over 
 with eighty- three men, and landed near the 
 garrison. They contended who should go 
 in first, but it was at last agreed that they 
 should both go in together. They advanced 
 abreast, and entered the fort at the dawn- 
 ing of day. A sentry snapped his piece at 
 one of them, and then retreated through 
 the covered way to the parade. The Ame- 
 ricans followed, and immediately drew up. 
 The commander, surprised in his bed, was 
 called upon to surrender the fort. He ask- 
 ed by what authority. Colonel Allen re- 
 plied, " I demand it in the name of the great 
 Jehovah and of the Continental Congress." 
 No resistance was made, and the fort, with 
 its valuable stores and forty-eight prisoners, 
 fell into the hands of the Americans.* The 
 boats had been sent back for the remainder 
 of the men, but the business was done be- 
 
 * The spoils were 120 pieces of iron cannon, one howitzer, two 
 ton incli mortars, fifty swivels, one cohorn, three cart load of flints, 
 thirty new carriages, ten tons of musket balls, quite a quantity of 
 shells, much material for boat building, one hundred stand of 
 small arms, two brass cannon, ten casks poor powder, thirty bar- 
 rels of flour, some beans and peas, and eighteen barrels of pork. 
 
 9 
 
88 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 i 
 
 fore they got over. Colonel Seth Warner 
 was sent off with a party to take possession 
 of Crown Point, where a sergeant and 
 twelve men performed garrison duty. This 
 was speedily effected. The next object 
 calling for the attention of the Americans, 
 was to obtain the command of Lake Cham- 
 plain, but to accomplish this, it was neces- 
 sary for them to get possession of a sloop 
 of war, lying at St. John's, at the northern 
 extremity of the lake. With the view of 
 capturing this sloop, it was agreed to man 
 and arm a schooner lying at South Bay, and 
 that Arnold should command her, and that 
 Allen should command some batteaux on 
 the same expedition. A favon ole wind car- 
 ried the schooner ahead of the batteaux, and 
 Colonel Arnold got immediate possession 
 of the sloop by surprise. The wind again 
 favoring him, he returned with his prize to 
 Ticonderoga, and rejoined Colonel Allen. 
 The latter soon went home, and the former 
 with a number of men agreed to remain 
 there in. garrison. In this rapid manner 
 the possession of Ticonderoga and the com- 
 
f 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 ' 89 
 
 mand of L^ke Champlain were obtained 
 
 without any loss, by a few determined 
 
 j> 
 
 men. 
 
 i :•-■;* ■ 
 
 1 
 
 K * 
 
 I 
 
ifju 
 
 4 V.'? ,•-;:' 
 
 
 'VLC 
 
 J(5<. 
 
 ■■■i 
 
 CHAPTER TENTH. 
 
 A Description of the Ruins as now Represented — 
 Interesting Localities described — ^Vandalism — 
 Its Effects — Lossing's Pictorial Field Book op 
 THE Revolution. 
 
 ^S^S^^Xf^f^ 
 
 iifl 
 
 ?ET US, before we proceed fur- 
 
 h 
 
 jconderoga, and gather such 
 
 time allows 
 
 1«^ii^ther, inspect the ruins of Ti- 
 jonderoga, 
 
 prior to the departure of the Champlain 
 steamers. The outlines of the fort, togeth- 
 er with its venerable walls, which rise in 
 some places to the height of twenty feet, 
 preserve much of their original appear- 
 ance. From the remains of the glacis, near 
 the southern range of barracks, looking to 
 the northward, I trust I may convey to the 
 reader, or point out more accurately to the 
 
 -a 
 
UISTORV OF LAKE GEORGK. 
 
 91 
 
 close observer, a correct idea of exact lo- 
 calities. So familiar is this fortress to every 
 American, associated as it so strongly is 
 with our Independence, that tlie full partic- 
 ulars of its memorable history must prove 
 acceptable to every reader. The soldiers^ 
 and officers^ quarters were securely built of 
 limestone, two stories high, and formed a 
 quadrangle ; the space enclosed was the 
 parade. The building on the right, with a 
 chimney on the east end, (the best preserved 
 j building to be seen,) is the one in which the 
 *• commandant of the garrison was asleep 
 w^hen Allen and young Beekman, who acted 
 as guide, thundered forth his request for the 
 immediate surrender of the fort " in the 
 name of the Great Jeho\ ih and of the 
 Continental Congress.'' On the extreme 
 left is seen Mount Defiance,* and on the 
 right, Mount Hope.f A part of the ram- 
 
 * Formerly known as Sugar Loaf Hill, but changed to its pre- 
 sent name by the British, on the day when thoy t^rectod their bat- 
 tery upon it. for from that height they defied the Americans to re- 
 sist or dislodge them. 
 
 t This title was given to 5'. General Frascr in allusion to the 
 hope they entertained of d'siodi. ,the Americans. — Lossivg^s Field 
 Book of the Revolution. 
 
 im 
 
 i 
 
 « 
 
IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 1.0 
 
 1.1 
 
 ^m m 
 
 1^ 1^ 12.2 
 140 12.0 
 
 1.8 
 
 11-25 11.4 IIIIII.6 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
 7a 
 
 ^/ 
 
 /a 
 
 
 /A 
 
 >t 
 
 '<■/ 
 
 y 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 i3 WEST MAIN STREET 
 WEBSTER, 4.Y M580 
 "6) 672-4503 
 

92 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 parts may be seen in the direction of Mount 
 Hope, and the remains of the " French 
 lines" are marked by the woods beyond it ; 
 nothing however remaining, except mounds 
 and ditches. The most interesting spot 
 connected with this venerable fortress, and 
 which still preserves most remarkably ^s 
 original appearance, is the bakery near the 
 southeastern angle of the range of bar- 
 racks. It is an under-ground room, about 
 ten or twelve feet wide, and near thirty 
 feet long. It was lighted by one window, 
 and contained a fire-place and chimney, 
 which are now in ruins. The ovens on 
 cither side of the fire-place are well pre- 
 served, and I have found on inspection, to 
 be in good condition and capable of answer- 
 ing their original purpose ; they are about 
 ten feet deep. The entrance to this room, 
 which was perfectly bomb proof, is so 
 choked up with rubbish that a descent into 
 it is somewhat difficult. 
 
 Here also the crafty spirit of avarice 
 wickedly desecrates the sacred monuments 
 of the past, and every year witnesseth a 
 
 i 
 
% 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 93 
 
 gradual decay which this potent destroyer 
 so impiously provokes. To most historical 
 travellers this is the " mecca" of their de- 
 votions, and to render their oblations upon 
 the altar of liberty more sincere, they re- 
 move, piece-meal, the structure upon which 
 their reverence hinges. The curse of Van- 
 dalism is the great bane of the human race, 
 and with us, unless Congress acts decidedly 
 in the matter, all our venei^able war-posts 
 must become, in a few years, known only in 
 " song and story." Lossing deserves the 
 thanks of the American people for his time- 
 ly rescue of many of the scenes and relics 
 of the past ; and in his splendid work, " The 
 Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution," 
 he has stored in excellent verse a whole 
 magazine of historical researches- and 
 amusing anecdotes, for which I am deeply 
 indebted in the compilation of this little 
 work. 
 
 ■sac- 
 
-^ 
 
 CHAPTER ELEVENTH. 
 
 Evacuation op Ticonderoga by Gen. St. Clair, 
 July 6th, 1777. 
 
 ACAULEY in the third volume of 
 his History of New- York, gives 
 a full account of the evacuation 
 of Ticonderoga by Gen»eral St. 
 Clair, on July 6, 1777, which I take the 
 liberty of extracting : 
 
 " From Crown Point the British army 
 advanced on both sides of the lake, the 
 naval force keeping its station in the centre ; 
 the frigate and gun boats cast anchor just 
 out of cannon shot from the American 
 works. On the near approach of the right 
 wing, which advanced on the west side of 
 the lake, on the 2d of July, the Ameri- 
 1 cans abandoned and set fire to their works, 
 
 6- 
 
 I: 
 
-o 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 95 
 
 block-houses and saw-mills, towards Lake 
 George, and without attempting any serious 
 opposition, suffered General Phillips to take 
 possession of Mount Hope. This post com- 
 manded the American lines in a great de- 
 gree, and cut off their communication with 
 Lake George. The enemy charged the 
 Americans, on this occasion, with supineness 
 and want of vigor ; but this charge seems 
 not wellfounded ; they had not men enough 
 to make any effectual opposition to the 
 powerful force which threatened to enclose 
 them. In the meantime, the British army 
 proceeded with such expedition in the con- 
 struction of their works, the bringing up of 
 their artillery, stores and provisions, and 
 the establishment of posts and communica- 
 tions, that by the fifth, matters were so far 
 advanced as to require but one or two days 
 more to completely invest the posts on both 
 sides of the lake. Mount Defiance had also 
 been examined, and the advantages which 
 it presented were so important, that it had 
 been determined to take possession and 
 erect a battery there. This work, though 
 
 ^atn 
 
 r ■ 
 
 r 
 
fr 
 
 96 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 attended with extreme difficulty and labor, 
 had been carried on by General Phillips 
 with much expedition and success. A road 
 had been made over very rough ground to 
 the top of the mount, and the enemy were 
 at work in constructing a level for a bat- 
 tery and transporting their cannon. As 
 soon as this battery should be ready to play, 
 the American works would have been com- 
 pletely invested on all sides. The situation 
 of General St. Clair was now very critical. 
 He called a council of war to deliberate on 
 measures to be taken. He informed them 
 that their whole effective number was 
 not sufficient to man one half of the works ; 
 that as the whole must be constantly on 
 duty, it would be impossible for them to 
 endure the fatigue for any considerable 
 length of time ; that General Schuyler, who 
 was then at Fort Edward, had not sufficient 
 forces to relieve them, and that, as the 
 enemy's batteries were nearly ready to open 
 upon them and the place would be com- 
 pletely invested in twenty -four hours — 
 nothing could save the troops but an imme- 
 
 
HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 97 
 
 diate evacuation of the posts. It was pro- 
 posed that the baggage of the army, with 
 such artillery, stores and provisions as the 
 necessity of the occasion would admit, 
 should be embarked with a strong detach- 
 ment on board of two hundred batteaux, 
 and despatched under convoy of five armed 
 galleys, up the lake to Skeensborough, 
 (Whitehall,) and that the main body of the 
 army should proceed by land, taking its 
 route on the road to Castleton, which was 
 about thirty miles southeast of Ticonderoga, 
 and join the boats and galleys at Skeens- 
 borough. It was thought necessary to keep 
 the matter a secret till the time should 
 come when it was to be executed. Hence, 
 the necessary preparations could not be 
 made, and it was not possible to prevent 
 irregularity and disorder in the different 
 embarkations and movements of the troops. 
 About two o^clock, in the morning of 
 July the sixth. General St. Clair left Ti- 
 conderoga, and about three, the troops at 
 Mount Independence were put in motion. 
 The house which had been occupied by 
 
 0- 
 
 9 
 
m^mmmmivm 
 
 mm 
 
 98 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 General de Fermoy was, contrary to orders, 
 set on fire. This afforded complete infor- 
 mation to the enemy of what was going for- 
 wardj and enabled them to see every move- 
 ment of the Americans ; at the same time 
 it impressed the latter with such an idea of 
 discovery and danger as precipitated them 
 into great disorder. 
 
 About four o'clock. Col. Francis brought 
 off the rear-guard and conducted their re- 
 treat in a regular manner ; and soon after, 
 some of the regiments, through the exer- 
 tions of their officers, recovered from their 
 confusion. When the troops arrived at 
 Hubbardton, they were halted for nearly 
 two hours and the rear-guard was increased 
 by many who did not at first belong to it, 
 but were picked up on the road, having 
 been unable to keep up with their regiments. 
 The rear-guard was here put under the com- 
 mand of Col. Seth Warner, with orders to 
 follow the army as soon as the whole came 
 up, and to halt about a mile and a half 
 short of the main body. The army then 
 proceeded to Castleton, about six miles 
 
 e- 
 
nmiiilP 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 99 
 
 further. Col. Warner with the rear-guard 
 and stragglers remaining at Hubbardton. 
 
 The retreat of the Americans from Ti- 
 conderoga and Mount Independence, was 
 no sooner perceived by the British, than 
 General Frazer began an eager pursuit 
 with his brigade. Major General Reidesel 
 was ordered to join in the pursuit with the 
 greater part of his Germans. General 
 Frazer continued the pursuit through the 
 day, and having received intelligence that 
 the rear of the American army was at, no 
 great distance, ordered his men to lie that 
 night upon their arms. 
 
 On July 7th, at five in the morning, he 
 came up with Col. Warner who had about 
 1000 men. The British advanced boldly to 
 the attack, and the two bodies formed with- 
 in sixty yards of each other. The conflict 
 was fierce and bloody. Col. Francis fell at 
 the head of his regiment fighting with 
 great gallantry. Warner was so well sup- 
 ported by hisofl&cers and men, that the 
 assailants broke and gave way. They soon, 
 however, recovered from their disorder, 
 
npn 
 
 P- 
 
 100 
 
 HISTORY OF LAKE GEORGE. 
 
 formed again and charged the Americans 
 with the bayonet, when they, in their turn, 
 were put into disorder ; these, however, 
 rallied and returned to the charge, and the 
 issue of the battle became dubious. At 
 that moment. Gen. Reidesel appeared with 
 the advance party of his Germans. These 
 being led into action, soon decided the for- 
 tune of the day, and the Americans had to 
 retreat. The loss in this action was very 
 considerable on the American side. Col. 
 Hale, who had not brought his regiment, 
 which consisted of militia, inLo action, 
 although ordered so to do, in attempting to 
 escape by iiight, fell in with an inconsidera- 
 ble party of the enemy, and surrendered 
 himself and a number of his men prisoners. 
 In killed, wounded and prisoners, the Amer- 
 icans lost in this action three hundred and 
 twenty-four men, and the British one hun- 
 dred and eighty- three in killed and wounded. 
 
 M- 
 
 ■\ - ■ -■-* 
 
 \ 
 
 >>,<*^. VT'' 
 
CM 
 
 06° 
 
 l'c\'V^' 
 
 vT.-yS- 
 
 _JO^(iy(3&^rC}^ 
 
 CHAPTER TWELFTH. 
 
 And 80, without more circumstance at all ; 
 
 I hold it fit that we shake hands and part. 
 
 Shakspfare. 
 
 A WORD AT Parting. 
 
 .1 
 
 I 
 
 ^.m§)^ OOD NATURED READER : — It is with 
 ^«#ino small degree of regret that 
 HIk'm^ necessity obliges me to comply 
 j^jg^g^with the requirement which the 
 quotation at the heading of this chapter so 
 appropriately implies. Having made my 
 promise good, associating only with you as 
 the viewless spirit of a kind informer, I 
 must bid you an affectionate farewell ; not 
 without offering such words at parting as 
 may soften the asperities of criticism, or if 
 1 dare so far flatter mvself, rebuke the zeal 
 
 ■ffUl'- 
 
102 
 
 HISTORY OP LAKE GEOllGE. 
 
 of tlioso most emulous. Faulty as I know 
 this little work is, I trust from its genuine- 
 ness and regard to truth, that the arrows of 
 criticism may fall impoten.tly upon it, and 
 that the wide spreading mantle of charity 
 may cover all serious defects. 
 
 I know not how others may feel, but it 
 appears to me in this leave-taking, that it 
 requires no little nerve to disperse all the 
 imaginary personages with which I have 
 communed. There are airy forms which 
 float on silken pinions when thus engaged, 
 who whisper in such captivating tones that 
 the communion becomes the more endearing 
 from its own ideal existence. 
 
 The best wish that I can offer you at 
 parting, is, lie,alth, happiness and prosper- 
 ity, with the hope of another re-union. 
 
 rn'mLi 
 
■: \ 
 
 ':^Sl:^tr^HlAj,£ ^fA„ 
 
 u 
 
 -- W; 
 
 '''*V^-j 
 
 *'A 
 
 *»,A