mander of the French forces in Ameriea, did not remain idle during the delays and consultations of the Virginia assembly. Before the troops were ready to march from Virginia, that officer had taken the posts of Oswego and Ontario without opposition. His Indian allies also continued their attacks upon the back settlements with their usual ferocity and success.

4

In return for these numerous inroads of the savages, it may relieve the mind to see them chastised by the hands of provincial volunteers. Colonel Armstrong, at the head of about three hundred militia, made an excursion into their territory, and after marching several days through woods and swamps, halted on the borders of their town. Having disposed themselves in order, at day break they attacked the Indians, of whom they killed forty and rescued eleven prisoners. This town was situated about twenty-five miles above Fort Du Quesne.

During the year 1757, governor Dinwiddie took leave of the colony and sailed for England. The character of this governor has been assailed by the historians who have recorded

the transactions of his government. They charge him with want of integrity, and with disregard for the interests of the colony. What foundation they had for those charges we are in part left to conjecture, as they have taken much more pains to convince us that they believed him guilty, than they have to show us the grounds of that belief.

After the departure of Dinwiddie, the administration devolved on John Blair, as president of the council, until the arrival of Francis Fauquier, which happened in the following year. Soon after Fauquier's entrance into office, he published a proclamation, by which he continued in office those who had held their places under his predecessor. He also dissolved the assembly, and issued orders for a new election.

Early in this gentleman's administration, the troops designed for the conquest of Du Quesne were put in motion. They amounted to about eight thousand men, and were appointed to rendezvous at Raystown. General Abercrombie, in consequence of the return of lord Loudon

to England, had succeeded to the chief command of the colonial forces; but the department of the middle and southern provinces was committed to general Forbes. This officer, with as many regular troops as could be spared from the northern colonies, commenced his march from Philadelphia in November 1758. Colonel Bouquet* had been previously dispatched with two thousand men as an advance guard. The troops from Virginia, agreeable to the orders of the commander in chief, marched in detachments from Winchester to Fort Cumberland. From thence they proceeded to Raystown, where the different detachments assembled. From this place the country was covered with woods, mountains, and morasses, which greatly impeded the progress of the army.

* Henry Bouquet was appointed lieutenant colonel in the British army in 1756. After the expedition against Fort Du Quesne, he was sent from Canada against the Ohio Indians, whom he compelled to sue for peace. He was afterwards promoted to the rank of brigadier general. He died at Pensacola, in February 1766. Annual Register.

Colonel Bouquet with his advance guard kept a considerable distance before, for the purpose of scouring the country, and protecting the workmen engaged in opening a road.

Bouquet with his detachment at length reached Loyal Hanna, a post about fifty miles from Raystown. From this place major Grant was despatched with a body of eight hundred men, for the purpose of reconnoitering the country about Fort Du Quesne. This officer reached a hill near the fort during the night, and having posted his men in different columns, he sent forward a party to examine the works and discover the situation of the enemy. He also detached major Lewis with a baggage guard about two miles in his rear; and having made such other arrangements as he deemed necessary, he believed himself secure, and with more parade than prudence ordered the reveillé or alarm to be beaten. During all this time silence reigned in the fort, which Grant imputed to the terrors imposed by his appearance. But the calm was a dreadful precursor of a storm, which burst with resistless fury and

unexpected ruin. The moment the Indians and French were ready for the attack, they issued from the fort, spreading death and dismay amongst the provincial troops. As soon as the attack was announced by the firing of guns, major Lewis with his rear-guard advanced to the assistance of Grant, leaving only fifty men under the command of captain Bullet to guard the baggage. Their united forces, however, were unable to withstand the impetuous assault of the savages, whose warwhoop is always a fore runner of havoc and destruction. The fire of the rifle requires coolness and deliberation, whereas the tomahawk and scalping-knife are fitted for sanguinary despatch. No quarter was given by the Indians. Major Grant saved his life only by surrendering to a French officer. In the same way the brave major Lewis escaped, after defending himself against several Indians successively. The two principal officers being now in the hands of the enemy, the rout became general amongst their troops. In their pursuit the Indians exercised every cruelty which savage ferocity could inflict upon the