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meet the Indians the next day at the place appointed and tell them my main body was foraging a little in the rear. We marched forward about four miles to procure forage, having with us eleven Indians. I soon found that one of them, who was a little distance in the rear of the rest, was missing, and on sending back for him, he could not be found. On my arrival at the foraging place, I found the dragoons there, and on Major Moore's again speaking to them, they promised to stay with us til the next morning. Late this evening I was informed that the party under Lieut. Oswald which went back into the settlements for Provisions, had met with an Indian, whom they carried into the woods, tied to a tree, shot, and afterwards cut to pieces. I was now pretty certain that the two missing Indians, with him whom Carr's men had killed, were treated in the same way.

6th Feby.-About two hours before day, this morning, the officer of the day informed me that all the Indians had gone off. Out of my small number I had a Sergt. and fifteen privates on

on their return to the river. I was for immediately pursuing them, but on sounding the militia, I found them bent on going to the Scots Settlements, in the Southern part of this State, in quest of plunder. I had now reason to give over placing any dependance on the militia, and I found the dragoons began to be clamorous for their discharges, and talked of leaving Camp. In this situation, I advised with Major Moore and some other officers, and they were of opinion that it would be best (indeed we had now no alternative), to return into the nearest part of the Settlements, where we could procure forage (the want of which was another plea with the men for leaving me), and remain on some appointed ground until the arrival of the Indians. I accordingly mentioned a rendezvous, and desired the interpreter to return to the Indian Camp, and bring with him five or six of the head men, and twenty young fellows to carry provisions to Doctor's Creek (my Camp), where the main body were to remain and rest themselves a day or two, and then march to Savannah in the mean time, I sent forward with the interpreter two In-picket and Camp duty; and the evening before I dians, with three pack-horses loaded with meat; he promised to be at the place appointed the next evening, The Indian who came in last informed me of seven others being in the vicinity of the Camp, and I rode out to meet them. Finding they were not so near as was said, I returned to Camp in about half an hour, and was informed by Captains West and Carr (who were requested by Mr. Morel to halt at the rearguard a few minutes) that the whole of their men had gone off in my absence; themselves soon followed. As the men knew of my intention to march, I cannot account for their sudden departure in any other way, than that they were conscious I would be averse to their going from Camp until the object of the Expedition was effected. I marched with the detachment of dragoons toward the settlements at 2 o'clock, having with me twelve Indians; I soon missed one of them. Halted and encamped about 8 o'clock at Mr. Munro's.

5th Feby-A number of the dragoons came to Major Moore this morning, and told him they were determined to stay no longer in Camp. In a few minutes the whole (Guards included) were mounted. I went to them and informed them of how much importance their staying with me until the next morning was, and made use of every argument I could think of to induce them to do it. A Sergeant and three or four seemed willing to remain, but they were presently overruled by the Sergt. Major and the rest. They rode off accordingly, and although Major Moore rode after and spoke to them, it had no effect. I had now six officers and two militia men remaining with me; and with these I was determined to

ordered six men to Sunbury for some rum, as the weather was then and had been for several days extremely wet, and I thought this article might induce the men to remain a little longer than they had promised, if necessary. As I had now scarcely any authority over the men, several more than I had ordered fell into the party, so that I had not half of them off duty. I did not intend to undeceive the Indians 'til the next day, which made me avoid placing a formal guard over them. A dragoon, however, was ordered to patrole constantly through the Camp; who, I thought, would be able to discover any movement they might attempt. I had them tracked early the next morning, and found they had returned towards Beard's Bluff. Major Moore and his officers assured me that a proposal to pursue them or to go forward at all, would not be listened to by the men. I could not now entertain a doubt that the Indians were apprised of our being Americans; and what confirmed me in that opinion, was my being informed that the men had several times thrown out threats in their presence and abused them, which it was probable one of them understood, as he spoke some English. I I waited on the appointed ground some hours after the stipulated time with the Indians, and then was under the necessity of returning towards Ogeechee. On my way thither I was informed that a boat left Savannah, last Friday (the 1st inst.), loaded with arms, ammunition, and other presents, for the Indians, which was to meet them on the Alatamaha. I innediately communicated to the men what I had heard, and held out to them, in the most flatter

ing terms, the great probability there was of our capturing the boat and her rich booty; but I could prevail on no more than 5 or 6 to listen to the proposal. Could I have got 20 or 25 of them, I would immediately have gone back, and, by capturing this boat, very great future mischief to this distressed State would have been prevented. Nothing very material happened between this period and my arrival at Camp, except my being fired upon twice by small parties who lie in the swamps, which very slightly wounded one man, and the horrid treatinent of Mr. Rolfes, by three of the dragoons-which you have been fully informed of. I cannot conclude without expressing my obligations to Major Moore and the officers of his detachment who, on all occasions shewed the utmost readiness to forward the service.

I hope, Sir, you will excuse my troubling you with the perusal of so long a letter; but, in an affair which so nearly concerns my reputation as an officer, and my feelings as a citizen, I am induced to be circumstantial. I have the honor to be Very respectfully, Sir

Your obd't humble servant,

J. H. At Ogeechee ferry, I was told by some people from Sunbury, that the militia who deserted me had completely plundered St. Andrew's (or the Scots Settlement), and killed eleven men.

NOTE.-Major Habersham held many important trusts and offices during the war and after the

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that instant, I turned and perceived 45 Iroquois rushing on ine and not a pistol-shot off. Resolved to die rather than fall into their hands, I thought to seek safety in flight; I ran towards the fort commending myself to the Blessed Virgin, and saying to her from the bottom of my heart: "Holy Virgin, Mother of my God, thou knowest that I have always loved and honored thee, as my dear mother, forsake me not in this strait in which I am-I prefer to die a thousand times, rather than fall into the hands of a nation that knows thee not."

Meanwhile, the Iroquois who were after me, seeing themselves too far off to take me alive, before I could enter the fort, and feeling themselves near enough to shoot me, stopped to fire at me. I was long exposed to it, or at least it annoyed me greatly. The balls of 45 rifles which whistled around my ears, made the time seem long, and the distance from the fort quite great, although I was very near it. When near enough to be heard, I cried, "To arms! to arms!" hoping that some one would come out to help me but in vain. There were only two soldiers in the fort, and they, terror-stricken, had fled to the redoubt to conceal themselves. At least on reaching the door, I found two women crying for their husbands who had just been killed; in spite of them I made them go in the fort and closed the doors myself. Then I thought only of putting myself and the few there were with me beyond the insults of the savages. I inspected the fort and found several palisades fallen, leaving breaches them to be raised, and without regarding my sex where the enemy could easily enter. I ordered or the weakness of my age, I took hold of one end of the log to encourage those with me to raise it; I felt that when God gives strength, nothing is impossible. The breaches of the fort repaired, I went to the redoubt that served as guard-house and contained the ammunition. There I found the two soldiers, one hid away,

THE DEFENCE OF FORT VERCHERES, the other holding a lighted torch; I asked the lat

CANADA.

BY MLLE. DE VERCHERES, OCT. 22–30, 1696. [Miss Mary Magdalen de Verchères, who here records her

memorable defence of her father's fort, was at the time only fourteen years old, but full of the chivalrous courage of the old French nobles.]

I WAS five arpens from Fort Verchères, belonging to the Sieur de Verchères, my father, who was then by order of the Chevalier de Callières, governor of Montreal; and my mother, too, was at Montreal. I heard several shots fired, without knowing what they were firing at. I soon perceived that the Iroquois were firing on our settlers who were about half a league from the fort. One of our servants cried, "Run, Miss, run, see, the Iroquois have burst on us."

At

ter: "What are you going to do with that match ?" "To set fire to the powder," he answered, "and blow us all up." "You are a wretch," I replied. "Off, I command you." I spoke so firmly and assuredly that he obeyed. I at once threw off my head-dress, clapped on a hat and taking a gun, said to my two young brothers: "Let us fight till death, we fight for our country and our religion. Remember the lessons my father has so often given you, that gentlemen are born only to shed their blood in the service of God and the King." My brothers and the soldiers encouraged by my words, kept up a continual fire on the enemy. I made them fire off the cannon, not only to alarm the Iroquois by showing them that we were in a position to defend ourselves, but

also to warn our soldiers, who were out hunting, to make their way to some other fort.

But what must we not suffer in such extremities? In spite of the noise of our artillery, I heard the pitiful cries of the women and children who had just lost husband, brother, or father; I deemed it prudent, while we were firing on the enemy, to represent to these desolate women and to these children the danger of being heard by the enemy in spite of the noise of the muskets and cannon; I bid them be still, so as not to give the idea that we were without resources and hopeless.

While I was thus speaking, I descried a canoe on the river, opposite the fort. It was the Sieur Pierre Fontaine, with his family, about to land at the spot where I had so narrowly escaped being taken by the Iroquois, who still appeared there, right and left. The family would be cut off, if we did not give them prompt succor. I asked the two soldiers whether they would go and meet this family, and cover the landing, which was five arpens from the fort; their silence betrayed their cowardice. I bid La Violette, our servant, stand sentinel at the gate of the fort, and keep it open, while I went myself to the bank of the river, hat on head and my rifle in my hand. As I left, I told him in case we were killed, to close the gate and keep up the defence. I started with the thought that God had given me, that the enemy in sight would think it a feint to draw them towards the fort, so as to make a brisk sortie on them. As it proved, they so thought, and thus I had time to save poor Pierre Fontaine, his wife, and his children. When all had debarked, I made them go before me to the fort, in sight of the enemy. So bold a countenance made the Iroquois think they had more to fear than we. They had no idea that Fort Verchères held only my two brothers, twelve years old, our servant, two soldiers, and an old man of eighty, with some women and children.

Strengthened by the reinforcement given by Pierre Fontaine's canoe, I commanded them to keep up the fire on the enemy. Meanwhile the sun went down; a furious northeaster, soon accompanied with snow and hail, heralded the most frightful night imaginable. The enemy, always in sight, far from being repelled by such weather, led me to think, by their movements, that they wished to scale the fort favored by the darkness. I assembled all my troops, that is, six persons, and thus addressed them: "God has saved us to-day from the hands of our enemies; but we must take care not to fall into their snares to-night. For myself, I will show you that I have no fear; I take the fort as my portion with a man of eighty, and a soldier that has never fired a shot; and do you Pierre Fontaine, La

Bonté, and Gachet (the two soldiers), go to the redoubt, as the strongest place, with the women and children; if I am taken, do not surrender; even if I am burnt and hacked to pieces before your eyes, you have nothing to fear in that redoubt, if you make the slightest resistance."

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I at once placed my two young brothers on two bastions, the young man of eighty on the third, and I myself took the fourth. In spite of the whistling of the northeaster, a terrible wind in Canada at that season-in spite of snow and hail, every moment you would hear from the fort to the redoubt, " Bonquart," and from the redoubt to the fort, "Bonquart.' To hear us, one would have supposed the fort full of soldiers: so that the Iroquois, though generally so cunning and warlike, were deceived, as they afterwards admitted to M. de Callières, to whom they declared that they held a council to take the fort by night, but that the guard we kept up incessantly prevented their carrying out their design, especially after the loss that they had sustained by the fire that my two brothers and I had kept up on them the day before.

About an hour after midnight, the sentinel on the bastion by the gate cried out, "Miss, I hear something." I marched towards him to see what it was; I perceived through the darkness, by favor of the snow, some cattle-what little the enemy had left us. They told me, "We must open the gate to let them in." God forbid, I answered, you do not yet know all the wiles of the Indians; beyond a doubt they steal on after the cattle, wrapped in skins, so as to enter the fort if we are simple enough to open the gate. I had every thing to fear from an enemy so adroit and wily as the Iroquois. Yet, after taking every precaution that prudence under the circumstances demanded, I thought that there was no risk in opening the gate. I made my two brothers come with their hands on the trigger, in case of a surprise, and thus we brought the cattle in.

Day came at last, and the sun, scattering the shades of night, seemed to dispel our fear and anxiety. I appeared amid my soldiers with a cheerful countenance, saying: "Since, by the help of Heaven, we have got through the night safe, fearful as the night has been, we may well get through many more, by keeping up a strict guard and occasionally firing the cannon to get help from Montreal, which is only eight leagues off." I perceived that my words had made an impression on their minds, and only Mlle. Marguerite Antionne, wife of Pierre Fontaine, who was extremely timid, like all Parisian women, begged her husband to take her to some other fort, declaring that if she had been fortunate enough to escape the fury of the Indians that night, she could not expect the same good fortune the next

night; that Fort Verchères was good for nothing; that there were no men to hold it, and that to remain was to expose one's self to an evident danger, either of falling into perpetual slavery, or dying at the stake. The poor husband, seeing that his wife persisted in her request, and that she wished to retire to Fort Contrecœur, three leagues from Fort Verchères, told her: "I will provide you a canoe with a good sail, with your two children, who can manage a canoe well. For my part, I will never abandon Fort Verchè res, as long as Mademoiselle Magdelon is here." (They called me so in my childhood.) I replied, That I would never abandon the fort; that I would rather die than surrender it to the enemy; that it was of infinite importance that they should not enter any French fort; that they would judge of others by this, if they succeeded in taking it, and that such knowledge would only serve to increase their haughtiness and courage.'

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I can say, with truth, that I was twice, for twenty-four hours, without sleeping or eating; I did not once enter my father's house; I kept on the bastion, whence I went to see how they behaved in the redoubt. I always appeared with a gay and smiling countenance to encourage my little force by the hope which I held out of a speedy relief.

The eighth day (for we were eight days in continual alarms—always in sight of the foe, and exposed to their fury and barbarity)—the eighth day, I say, M. de la Monnerie, lieutenant, detached by M. de Callières, arrived by night, with forty men, not knowing but that the fort was taken. He approached with great silence; one of our sentinels hearing some noise, cried: " Qui vive!" I had just then lost myself, my head on a table, my musket across my arms. The sentinel told me that he heard talking on the water; without losing time I mounted the bastion to see by the voice whether they were Indians or French. I asked: "Who are you?" They replied: "French-it is La Monnerie, come to your aid." I threw open the gate of the fort, placed a sentinel there, and went to the water's edge to receive thein. As soon as I perceived him, I saluted him with these words: "Sir, you are welcome, I give you my arms." "Miss," he replied, with a gallant air, "they are in good hands." "Better than you think," I replied. He went around the fort and found it in very good condition, a sentinel on each bastion. I said to him: "Sir, relieve my sentinels, that they may take a little rest; we have not been off our bastions for eight days."

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I forgot one circumstance which may give some idea of my assurance and tranquillity. The day of the great struggle with the Iroquois who surrounded the fort, burning the houses of our farmers, plundering all, killing their cattle before

our eyes, I recollected, about one o'clock, that I had three clothes bags and some blankets out of the fort. I asked my soldiers, whether one of them would go with me, gun in hand, to get my clothes; their silence, accompanied by a sad, sullen expression, revealed their lack of courage to me. I then addressed my little brothers, saying: "Take your guns and come with me. For your part," said I to the rest, "keep up the fire on the enemy while I go for my clothes." I went twice, in sight of the enemy, to the spot where I had escaped them some hours before. My step doubtless looked suspicious to them, for they did not venture to come to take me, or even fire to take my life. I felt that when God directs things, they cannot but turn out well.

Since my marriage (1722), I was once in a critical position, where the life of my husband, M. de la Perrade, and my own were at stake. Two Abnakis, the most important men of their nation, having come into the house, provoked a a quarrel with M. de la Perrade. He told them, in Iroquois, "Get out of the house." They went off, both quite angry. Their departure, which was very abrupt, made us suppose the affair over. We did not scrutinize their conduct, persuaded that they resolved to go. The next moment we were greatly surprised to hear them in the porch of the house, giving the death-yell and shouting: "Tagarianguin" (that is my husband's Iroquois name), "thou art dead!" One was armed with a tomahawk, the other with an axe; the latter burst in and cut through the door with his axe, and entered like a madman, his face flashing with rage; he raised his axe over M. de la Perrade's head, but he was adroit and fortunate enough to parry the blow by throwing himself full on the Indian. But he was too weak to hold out long against an Indian of gigantic statue and of strength tallying to his great height. A resolute man, who was fortunately by the door, came to M. de la Perrade's aid. The Indian with the tomahawk, seeing his companion hard pressed, entered and raised his arm to strike my husband on the head. Resolved to die with him, and following the impulse of my heart, I sprang or rather flew at this Indian, seized his tomahawk, and disarmed him; he tried to get upon a box, but I broke his hip with his tomahawk and stretched him at my feet. I was never more surprised than to see myself surrounded by four squaws; one seized me by the throat, another by the hair, after tearing off my coif, the other two seized me by the body to fling me into the fire. At that moment, a painter seeing me might have drawn me as a Magdalen; uncoifed, my hair streaming and dishevelled, my clothes all torn, with nothing on that was not in tatters, I was no bad picture of

the Saint, except the tears which never fell from my eyes. I looked upon myself as the victim of these frantic women, exasperated with grief to see, one her husband, the others their kinsman, stretched motionless and almost lifeless on the ground. I was on the point of being thrown into the fire, when my son Tarrieu, only twelve years old, roused like a lion to see his father still struggling with the Indian, and his mother about to be devoured by the flames, seized the first thing he could grasp and laid so courageously and well on the head and arms of the squaws that they had to loose their hold. Released from their hands, I ran to help M. de la Perrade, passing over the one whom I had stretched on the ground. The four squaws were already on M. de la Perrade, trying to get the tomahawk which he held, and with which he was trying to brain the rascal who had missed him. Seizing the Indian by the hair, I told him: "Thou a dead; I will have thy life!" The Frenchman of whom I have spoken, and who had been helping M. de la Perrade, said: "Madame, this Indian begs for life; I believe we must give him quarter." At the same time the squaws, who had, till then, been keeping up fearful cries, which prevented our hearing each other, also begged for life. Seeing ourselves masters, we deemed it more glorious to give our conquered foe life, rather than kill him.

Thus I saved my husband's life; and my son, twelve years old, saved his mother's. This action reached M. de Vaudreuil's ears; he wished to examine the case in person, and came to the spot expressly; he saw the door broken in, he spoke to the Frenchman who had witnessed the action, and learned subsequently from the Indians themselves the truth of what I have just related.

NEWPORT IN THE HANDS OF THE BRITISH.

A DIARY OF THE REVOLUTION.

(Continued.)

1778. Sept. 8. Forty prisoners are released from the Provost to go to Providence. A number of pilots that were taken in a privateer of 18 guns belonging to the state for the French service, were brought in here and committed to the Provost.

Wednesday, 10. Sailed this morning a number of small vessels with the Nonsuch, and three other large ships, bound to the eastward to take in stock from the fleet.

14. Arrived a small fleet from the fleet at Vineyard with sheep, and landed them on the east side of the island.

15. This morning they are employed in taking

the sheep on board the same vessels. This evening a number of small vessels went out of the harbor and stood to the eastward.

16. A large fleet is now in sight, supposed to be Gen. Clinton's. All the heavy cannon at Portsmouth is brought within the lines in town. The fleet passed by this harbor this evening from New York.

18. This evening arrived here Vice-Admiral Biron in the Prince Royal of 90 guns, with the Colloden of 74, from England, but last from Halifax. Admiral Byron has been long expected. Part of the fleet is from New York.

19. This evening arrived a Fleet from New York with provisions, convoyed by the Diamond Frigate, a small vessel.

22. Sailed this morning, a Fleet for Long Island for wood convoyed by a Frigate. At 10 o'clock a Salute from the Men of War in the Harbor, being coronation day. Sailed a Flag for Providence with inhabitants.

25. This day arrived a Cartell from Providence, and one from New London with prisoners. This evening arrived Admiral Howe in the Roe Buck of 44 guns, from New York. He was saluted by the Prince Royal, and returned the salute.

26. Early this morning sailed the Roe Buck for England with Lord Howe.

28. This morning sailed the Prince Royal, Admiral Byron, with the Culloden; the with Gen. Pigot for New York. They were saluted by the North Battery and returned the salute. Gen. Pigot had used great severity towards the inhabitants of this Island, that were friends to the country. He often discovered a mean spirit and cruel disposition.

29. This evening a Ship arrived from New York. She informs that Gen. Clinton has gone up the North River.

October 1. A Flag sailed for Providence with prisoners.

2. A Flag arrived from Providence with prisoners. 'Tis reported that Halifax is taken by the French.

4. A Cartell. 30 Highland and Hessians prisoners were landed at Portsmouth and came into town this morning.

8. Arrived 4 Transports from Halifax with about 50 recruits on board.

11. Arrived the Wood Fleet from Long Island with wood for the troops.

Last night there was a very hot press; all the men belonging to the Wood Fleet, and some inhabitants, are pressed and carried on board the Foury Man-of-War for New York.

12. Proclamations are put through the Town, by order of the Commissioner at New York, similar to Lord and Gen. Howe's, offering 40 days to come in.

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