Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/519

], the channel becomes wider, and, on the south-east side, receives a large body of water from a stream, at that point called South River, but higher up, named Wood Creek. From the south-west come the waters flowing from Lake George; and in the angle formed by the confluence of those two streams rises a steep and rugged eminence, called Sugar Hill, which overlooks and commands both Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. That hill had been examined by the Americans; but General St. Clair, considering the force under his command insufficient to occupy the extensive works of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, and flattering himself that the extreme difficulty of the ascent would prevent the British from availing themselves of it, neglected to take possession of Sugar Hill.

When the van of Burgoyne's army appeared, St. Clair was ignorant of the powerful force which was at hand. No news of the large reinforcements from Europe had reached him, and he supposed that it would not be difficult to repulse any assault upon the fort. The British, however, encamped with large force only four miles from the forts, and the fleet anchored just beyond the reach of the guns. After a slight resistance, Burgoyne took possession of Mount Hope, an important post on the south of Ticonderoga, which commanded part of the lines of the fort as well as the channel leading to Lake George, and extended his lines so as completely to invest the fort on the west side. The German division, under General Reidesel, occupied the eastern bank of the channel, and sent forward a detachment to the vicinity of the rivulet which flows from Mount Independence. Burgoyne, being informed that Sugar Hill, if occupied, completely commanded the fortress, resolved to take possession of it at once; and with very great labor and difficulty, after five days' labor, the artillery was dragged to the top, and the hill was named Mount Defiance, because now the British were able to defy their enemies to good purpose.

The besieged were unable to oppose any check to these movements, and St. Clair was now nearly surrounded. Only the space between the stream which flows from Mount Independence and South River remained open, and that was to be occupied next day.

In these circumstances it was requisite for the garrison to come to a prompt and decisive resolution; either, at every hazard, to defend the place to the last extremity, or immediately to abandon it. St. Clair called a council of war, the members of which unanimously advised the immediate evacuation of the forts; and preparations were instantly made for carrying this decision into effect. The British had the command of the communication with Lake George; and, consequently, the garrison could not escape in that direction. The retreat could be effected by the South River only. Accordingly, the invalids, the hospital, and such stores as could be most easily removed, were put on board two hundred boats, and, escorted by Colonel Long's regiment, proceeded, on the night between the 5th and 6th; of July, up the South River towards