PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA COUNTRY AND MOHAWK VALLEY.

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and all the ammunition that could be found, thrown notwithstanding into the water. He had the 15batteaux staved in, and then set out to meet the sortie of which he had been informed. But helearned on the road that the Indians had repulsed it after having killed 17 men. This sortie wasfrom Fort Williams on the intelligence carried thither by the Negro. The Indians who, unwilling toattack Fort Bull, took charge of the road, acquitted themselves so well that this detachment quicklyretreated with a loss of 17 men. The Indians coming some hours after to congratulate M de Levyon his fortunate success failed not to make the most of their advantage.

A Chief asked him if he proposed attacking the other fort; which was nothing more than a boaston his part. M de Lery replied he would proceed forthwith if the Indians would follow him. Thisreply drove this Chief off and all those of his party prepared to follow. Our troops did the sameand encamped in the wood three quarters of a league from the fort. The fort Bull prisoners wereexamined and we learned that Colonel Johnson having been informed of our march had sent noticeto all the posts, regarding it, however, as impossible in consequence of the rigor of the season. FortBull is situate near a small creek that falls into that of Chouaguin about four miles from the fort.Fort Williams is near the River Mohawk which falls into that of Corlar. The Carrying place fromone Fort to the other is about tour miles long over a pretty level country though swampy in someplaces.

M de Lery’s detachment was 15 officers, 2 Cadets, 10 soldiers of the Queen’s Regiment, 17 ofGuyenne’s, 22 of Bearn’s, 27 of the Colony; in all 93 soldiers: 166 Canadians, 33 Iroquois from theLake of Two Mountains, 33 from La Presentation, 18 from Sault St. Louis , 3 from St. Bigin, 3 Abe-nakis of Missiskoui, 2 Algonquins , and 11 Nipissings. Total 362 men, 265 of whom attacked thefort. A soldier of the Colony and an Indian from La Presentation were killed. A soldier of theQueen’s, 2 Canadians and 2 Iroquois were wounded.

It is estimated that more than 40 thousand weight of powder was burned or thrown into the creekwith a number of Bombs, grenades, and balls of different calibre. A great deal of salted provisions,bread, butter, chocolate, sugar and other provisions were likewise thrown into the water. The storeswere filled with clothes and other effects which were pillaged; the remainder burnt. This day costthe English 90 men of whom 30 are prisoners. Our detachment killed or captured 30 horses. 1

[ N. Y. Mercury April 5,1756.]

By an Express that arrived here on Friday last, from Albany, we are told that a Number of French & Indians had attacked Lieutenant Bull, and 30 men, that were posted at the upper End of theGreat Carrying Place; that he, & some of his People were killed, and a small store and Provisions init burnt; & that they were in Pain for some of their Battoes, which they feared were cut off by theenemy. *

1 After this exploit they retired to the woods and formed their main body which consisted of 400 Freneh and 300 Indianscommanded by one of the principal gentlemen of Quebec ; as soon as they got together, they threw themselves on theirhneesand returned thanks to God for their Victory; an example says Eastburn well worthy of imitation. They continuedtheir march through the woods about four miles, and then it being dark, and several Indians being drunk, they encamped. . . .They encamped and rested much in the same manner the night following; and the next morning, Sunday the 28th, they rosevery early and retreated hastily towards Canada , for fear of General Johnson who as they were informed was on his marchagainst them. . . . After a march of seven days they arrived at Lake Ontario where they were met by some French batteaus with a large supply of provisions, of which they had been so much in want that they had subsisted during somepart of the march upon horse flesh, and had even devoured a porcupine without any other dressing than sufficed just to scorchoff* the hair and quills. Eastburn, after a tedious voyage with part of this company, arrived at Oswegotchy an Indian town.— Eastburn’s Narrative .

Those who may not have access to the Vol. of the Annual Reg. containing this Nar. will find it reprinted in Loudon’sColl, of Ind. Narratives, Carlisle, Pa., 1811, Vol. ii; Incidents of Border Life, Chambersburgh, Pa. , 1839; also in Drake’sTragedies of the Wilderness, Boston , 1841.