Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/86

 The taking of Louisbourg was an event the most defired by all our colonies; that harbour had always been a receptacle convenient to the enemies privateers, who infested the English trade in North America. It was the most effectual blow which France had received from the commencement of the war. By the taking of Louisbourg, she lost the only place from whence the could carry on the cod-fishery; and the only place she had in a convenient situation for the reinforcements that were sent to support the war in the other parts of America; and with Louisbourg fell the island of St. John's, and whatever other inferior stations they had for carrying on the fishery towards Gaspesie and the bay De Chaleurs, which our ships soon after this event entirely destroyed. It is incredible how much this success in America, joined to the spirit of our other measures, operated to raise our military reputation in Europe, and to sink that of France, and consequently how much it influenced our most essential interests, and those of our allies.

The plan of our operations in America was, however, by no means confined solely to this object, important as it was. Two other attempts were proposed: the first attempt was with a great force to drive the French from Triconderoga and Crown Point; in which, if we could succeed, the enemy would lose their posts from which they were in the best condition to molest our colonies, and by losing them, would lay open an easy road into the very heart of their settlements in Canada. The second attempt was to be made with a considerable, though an inferior force, from Pensylvania against Fort du Quesne: the success of this attempt would establish us in the possession of the Ohio, and break off the connection between Canada and Louisiana.

General Abercrombie, commander in chief of our forces in America, conducted the first of those expeditions. He embarked upon Lake George with near 16,000 troops, regulars and provincials, and a numerous artillery, on the 5th of July; and after a prosperous navigation, arrived the next day at the place where it had been proposed to make the landing. They landed without opposition. The enemies advanced guards fled at their approach. The English army proceeded in four columns to Ticonderoga. As the country through which their march lay is difficult and woody, and the guides which conducted the march to this unknown country, were extremely unskilful, the troops were bewildered, the columns broke and fell in upon one another. Whilst they marched on in this alarming disorder, the advanced guard of the French, which had lately fled before them, was bewildered in the same manner; and in the same disorder fell in with our forces. A skirmish ensued, in which this party was quickly defeated with the loss of near 300 killed and 148 prisoners. The loss on the English side was inconsiderable in numbers; but great in consequence. Lord Howe was killed. This gallant man, from the moment he landed in America, had wisely conformed and made his regiment conform to the kind of service which the country required. He did not suffer any under him to encumber themselves with superfluous bag-