great activity and unconquerable resolu- | tion, Berkshire county is indebted for the first great thoroughfares through her mountains, and the early access of emigration to her valley. Under a general commission from General Pownall, Col. Pomeroy labored assiduously in this great duty for many years of the early part of his life, and the success which his untiring industry gave eventually to all his projects for the public weal, accomplished much for his future reputation.

In 1745, Pomeroy accepted a commission as Major in the expedition which was raised against Louisburg, on the island of Cape Breton. Perhaps no one event in the early history of the New England colonies more clearly exhibits the temper and spirit of the people, than this does. All Europe seemed convulsed with war. France and England, without adequate cause, became mingled in the melée, and like two mastiffs, scarce rested from recent strife, sprang from their kennels and rushed to the fray. Before the news of an infraction of peace had reached New England, a body of French from Cape Breton had surprised the little English garrison of Causeau, and destroying the fort, plundering the fisheries, and burning the buildings, had carried to Louisburg eighty men as prisoners of war. The people of New England were in great alarm, for they could expect no aid from the mother country, and were of themselves ill able to sustain the burden of a war. The temper of the people, however, was aroused, and Massachusetts, obtaining, by a single vote in majority, the acquiescence of the Legislature to an expedition against Louisburg, prepared for the conflict.

Solicited to engage in the enterprise, Pennsylvania furnished a small supply of provisions, New York of ammunition. New England furnished the men. From New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts, a few more than four thousand troops were enlisted for the expedition. The fishermen of Marblehead, chased from the fishing banks by French privateers, gladly led forth in the enterprise, while to support them, with no knowledge of the science of war, but with hardy frames and fearless hearts instead, gathered the ploughmen of the Merrimac, the lumbermen of the Kennebec, the hunters of the Penobscot, the

pioneers of Fort Massachusetts, and the quiet husbandmen from the banks of the Connecticut. On the last day of April, 1745, the little fleet, containing only its one-and-twenty cannon, landed its promiscuous soldiery to bombard a city, whose walls of thirty feet in height, and surrounded by a ditch of eighty feet in width, were fortified by two hundred and thirteen cannon, and manned by sixteen hundred men. On the evening of that day the young Major thus writes in his journal :

Tuesday, April 30, 1745.-This was a fair, pleasant morning. We came in sight, sun one hour high, of Louisburg. There appeared a great number of French marching up the seaside toward Cabarough Bay, to prevent our people's landing; but as quick as possible, though the sea ran so high as to make it difficult, our boats were on shore, and the men, springing from the foremost, ran to meet the French, and

came in shot of them. There was a short but

sharp engagement. Two of the French were killed on the spot, one was taken prisoner, and several were wounded, while we had none killed, and two cnly slightly wounded. The French ran off as fast as they could, our men following them, hut the woods being very thick they soon got out of sight. The blood of our boys being up, numbers followed for the woods them, so that by the next morning they had as fast as they landed, and finally got round killed two more, taken three more prisoners, and chased the rest into the town. We all landed safe, though in great danger, and encamped that night on Cape Breton."

After investing the city of Louisburg for more than a month, with no apparent signs of a surrender, it might be supposed that the hearts of the besiegers would be discomfited. That such was not the case, the following letter shows very plainly :

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"From the Grand Battré, 1 miles north from the City of Louisburg, May the 8th, 1745.

"MY DEAR WIFE -Notwithstanding the many dangers and hazards I have been in since I left you, yet I have been, through the goodness of God, preserved. Though much worried with the great business I have upon my hands, I cheerfully go on with it. I have much to write with but little time, and shall therefore only give some hints.

The Grand Battré is ours. Before we en

tered it, the people had fled out of it, and gone over to the town, but had stopped up the touchholes of the cannon. General Pepperill gave me the oversight of some twenty smiths in boring them out, and though cannon balls and bombs

hundreds of them were fired from the city and the island fort, striking some the Battré, some the parade, and some in our very midst, yet none of us were hurt, and as soon as we could get the cannon clear, we gave them fire for fire. Louisburg is an exceeding strong, handsome and well situated place, with a fine harbor. It seems impregnable, but we have been so successful hitherto, that I do not doubt but Providence will deliver it into our hands. It looks as though our campaign would last long, but I am willing to stay till God's time comes to deliver the city into our hands, which I do not doubt will in good time be done. We have shut them up on every side, and still are making our works stronger against them. Their houses are compact, for which reason our bombs must do much hurt, and distress them in a great degree.

My dear wife, I expect to be gone longer from home than I did when I left it, but I desire not to think of returning till Louisburg is taken. I hope God will enable you to submit quietly to his will, whatever it may be, and enable you with courage and good conduct to go through the great business that is now upon your hands, and not think your time ill-spent in teaching and governing your family according to the word of God.

"The affairs at home I can order nothing about, but must wholly leave them, hoping they will be well cared for. My kind love to Mrs. Sweetland, my duty to Mother Hunt, and love to brothers and sisters all.

"My dear wife, if it be the will of God, I hope to see your pleasant face again; but if God in his holy and sovereign providence hath ordered it otherwise, I hope to have a glorious meeting with you in the kingdom of Heaven, where there are no wars, nor fatiguing matches, nor roaring cannon, nor cracking bombshells, nor long campaigns, but an eternity to spend in perfect harmony and undisturbed peace. This is the hearty desire and prayer of him that is your loving husband. SETH POMEROY."

From the cottage in the bosom of New England, where there is much concern about the expedition," leaving her children, whom she "orders after the word of God," to the care of " Mother Hunt," the wife, care stealing upon her "pleasant face" but making no inroads upon her brave heart, answereth thus:—

now write not knowing what will befall you; may infinite Power give you to tread upon the high places of the enemy, preserve you from death, be your shield, strength, support, counsellor, deliverer from harm, keeper from evil and all fire, your guide and instructor in all your dangerous engagements and laborious undertakings. Your labors are great, concerns many, and an exposedness to sudden death awaits you. My heart is with you; my soul distressed and much pained for you. May God be my support, in whose hand is the breath of all life and the soul of all living. May God enable me to trust his goodness, faithfulness, and rely on his mercy, till the evil be past and divine gales blow a heavenly calin. My dear husband, suffer no anxious thought to rest in your mind about me, your tender offspring, or business at home. We are all in a Christian land, daily experiencing divine favors. Our neighbors and friends are ready upon all occasions to afford their assistance when needed or required. I am in health, and also the family at present. No evil at any time hath occurred since your departure. Mr. Pease hath been faithful in your shop business, and behaves with good content, and by these presents his due regards. Seth, your other little self and second name, I have sent down to New Haven about a month ago. Our dear and tender parents, brethren and sisters are in health-kinsfolk and all others in this town, not one person sick that I know of. Divine Providence smiles as though our enemy this summer would be restrained, and our peace not disturbed. The whole town is much moved with concern for the expedition, how Providence will order the affair, for which religious meetings every week in town are maintained. My dear husband, I leave you in the hands of God, desiring to submit to his will, whatever it may be.

"Please to write every opportunity. Mr. Sweetland sends his kind love to you. My love to you in the bonds of peace, and may God grant you to see much of Divine goodness; all which is the true desire of your dutiful and MARY POMEROY. loving wife, "To Major Seth Pomeroy, in the expedition against Cape Breton, these."

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over

Think of that! With hard work all day long, " erecting fascine batteries," viewing salient angles," boring out the touch-holes of spiked guns," dragging cannon boggy morasses, for which Joe Meserve of New Hampshire had invented sledges that they might not stick again in the mud," and "giving the enemy fire for fire," our young Major, "after prayer at night, reads his wife's letter aloud to his company. "Fight, my brave boys, for the whole town is moved with concern how Providence will

Northampton June the 11th, 1745. "SIR-I, your mother, relations, and friends are generally well, blessed be God. We want to hear from you and the fleet and army; and a particular account of the bigness and strength of the city Louisburgh, the height of the walls, &c., your power and interest against scaling the walls, for I suppose that if you get inside of the city the place is not taken, for I conclude that every house is so strong that they are after a sort a castle. But these things I must leave to those who are on the spot, who are the best judges. But still we want to hear of all the men of war that came from France being taken. But we desire patiently to wait God's time. In the mean time, for your encouragement, I would inform you and your soldiers, that God, in his providence, hath remarkably stirred up in this town a spirit of prayer for victory in this grand expedition, and I hear also throughout the land, for in this town the parents and some other relations of those gone in the expedition, have constantly set apart some time every week to pray to God for success in this grand affair. And we have reason to conclude that it hath not been in vain; for God hath in a very remarkable manner smiled upon the fleet and army, and we really hope and earnestly pray that the Lord of Hosts and God of Armies would still be on our side, and then there is no danger but your enterprise will be crowned with glory and triumph. Be much in prayer; abstain from all appearance of evil; watch ticularly against those sins a soldier's life exposeth one unto; and above all things, keep always the fear of God before your eyes, and that will be a security to you living or dying.

par

"With respect to your business at home, all goes on well. Your wife manages the affairs with conduct and courage, and indeed those she was unacquainted with before you went away. Pease doth well in a wonderful manner, with a little additional encouragement I promised him.

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'My service to the General. My due regards to Com. Warren. The Lord prepare and prosper you, and return you all again to your respective homes, is the desire and prayer of your loving and affectionate father,

"EBENEZER POMEROY. "To Maj. Seth Pomeroy at Cape Breton.”

Like Cromwell's soldiers, "fighting for truth and no lie," it is not wonderful that

the expedition prospered and Louisburg was taken. On the 8th of August, after nearly five months' absence, Major Pomeroy returned home. The traveller of this day, leisurely making his morning toilet, takes his seat after breakfast in the railroad cars, and makes an early dinner with his family in Northampton. As matter of contrast, we subjoin the last entries made in the Louisburg journal:

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Tuesday, August 6th, 1745.--Having finished my business in Boston, I set out for Northampton.

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Wednesday, 7th.-Lodged at Mr. Wareham Williams, and kindly entertained. Early in the morning set out, and arrived at night at Capt. Conniver's, Brookfield. Lodged there upon free cost.

"Thursday, 8th.-Went this morning over to Brigadier Dwight's, eat breakfast with Madam Dwight. Came to Cold Spring and dined. Arrived home at Northampton about 5 o'clock. Amen.'

During the ten years which followed the Louisburg expedition, Major Pomeroy held several offices of trust in the service of his country. In two instances he raised a body of men and marched into what is now the State of Vermont, to repel an expected invasion from Canada. He also had command of Fort Massachusetts on the extreme north-western border of the State, reconstructing its fortifications and enlarging its outposts. It was not until the year 1755, however, that he was again called into the field. Though there had been no open rupture between France and England since the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748, the French settlements in this country had been gradually making encroachments upon our frontiers. To repel these, General Braddock had been sent to Virginia, to act in conjunction with the colonial force, in that direction; Governor Shirley, Commander-in-chief of his Majesty's armies in America, led an expedition against Niagara, and Sir William Johnson commanded an expedition against Crown Point. Of the forces which were furnished by Massachusetts, Pomeroy first commanded as Lieutenant Colonel, and upon the death of Williams, the founder of Williams College in Massachusetts, as Colonel. Nearly five thousand troops were furnished by New England and New York for the enterprise. Advancing from Albany in July, 1755,

with such care and regularity, that the scouts of the enemy are able to get no advantage of the wagons or the army. Upon the whole that I hear, I think there is the greatest probability that Braddock is master of the Ohio before this time. We hear of Indians daily up and down the river, seeking opportunity to pick off our men, but, blessed be God, there hath none fallen into their hands yet, though I daily fear there will. The people in this place are kind, and seem to be hearty to put forward the expedition. Gov. Shirley hath made no public attempt yet to get any of our army with him; what he designs this day, I cannot tell, as he sent a serjeant this morning desiring me to dine with him, and I suppose the rest of the field officers are invited also.

"My love to my children; service to Mr. Ely; and sincere love to my dear wife from her loving husband, SETH POMEROY.

To Mrs. Mary Pomeroy, at Northampton."

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Northampton, August 9th, 1755. "HONORED AND DEAR SIR-The most tender regard which I bear to you, constrains me to let you know how I and your family do in your absence, by every opportunity which presents itself; knowing that hereby I may rejoice you in your difficulties, which, if I should refuse to do, I should be unworthy to be called the wife of so tender a husband as yourself. The reading of your departing from Albany, raised, at first, a commotion in my anxious breast for you, but knowing it must be so, I endeavored to calm myself, and commit you to Him who has heretofore protected you, trusting that He will still care for you and for us. You may know by these that I, your anxious wife, am, through Divine goodness, in the enjoyment of health, and I earnestly pray that they may find you so. Your children also are well, and by these present their duty to their tender and beloved father. The business goes on well. Captain Witt's guns are done, though he has not yet come for them. I received yours, dated 21st past, and was exceeding glad to hear of your health. Be kind enough to let me know something particular concerning the general scheme and affair, for I trust to what I have from you. Indeed, I am truly concerned for you and those with you. You have doubtless heard of Gen. Braddock's defeat, and how the salvation of the whole army from destruction was made, under God, by a young American officer named George Washington. I pray this news may not dishearten you. Remember that after the defeat of the Lord's people at Ai, the kings of the land combined together, and thought they would cut them off, but the Lord had other thoughts about them. Such things he has done for his people and will do again. I commend you all to Him who knoweth the end from the beginning. In the expectation of

hearing from you often, I, who am your most affectionate wife, subscribe my name, MARY POMEROY."

SETH POMEROY TO COL. ISRAEL WILLIAMS.

"Lake George, Sept. 9th, 1755. "HONORED AND DEAR SIR:-Yesterday was a memorable day. I, being the only field officer in Col. Ephraim Williams' regiment supposed to be living, think it my duty to let you know what happened the 8th of this instant, which was yesterday. This forenoon until this two of the clock having been spent in council, and many letters to be written, I must be excused for my shortness and imperfections.

"On the Sabbath, just at night, we had news that a large body of men marched up Wood creek southwardly. Supposing that they intended to cut off our wagons, or attack the fort at the carrying place, we sent Monday morning about 1200 men, near 200 of them being Indians, commanded by Col. Williams, Col. Whiting, and Col. Cole of Rhode Island, to attack them. Whiting was in the middle, Cole bringing up the rear, and Old Hendrick, King of the Six Nations, before with Col. Williams. When they had advanced about three miles, the guns began to fire. It was then between ten and eleven o'clock. We put ourselves into as good a position of defence as we could, not knowing but what our men would retreat and bring the enemy upon us. To our great surprise, it was not long before they retreated. Those who came first were bringing wounded men with them, and others soon flocked in by hundreds, a perpetual fire being kept up and drawing nearer and nearer, till nearly 12 o'clock, when the enemy came in sight. The regulars marched, as near as I could tell, about six deep, and nearly twenty rods in length, in close order, the Indians and regulars at the last wing helter-skelter, the woods being full of them. They came within about twenty rods, and fired in regular platoons, but we soon broke their order by firing our field pieces among them. The Indians and Canadians directly took trees, within handy gun shot. They fought with undaunted courage, till about 5 of the clock in the afternoon, when we got the ground. I cannot tell our loss nor the loss of the enemy yet with any certainty. As soon as they retreated, I ran out upon the ground before where I stood to fight, and found ten dead and three wounded. Among these last was the General of the French army and his aid, whom I ordered carried to my tent. He came with full assurance to lodge in our tents that night, and to his great surprise he did, but, blessed be God, as a wounded captive. Col. Williams was shot dead in a moment, and before he had time to fire his gun. Capt. Hawley was also shot mortally before he fired. My brother, Lieut. Pomeroy, I have an account of his being well till the army retreated. He asked,