the fort, were employed in making a formidable intrenchment,
where they intended to wait for a reinforcement of three thousand
men, who had been detached under the command of M. de Levi, to make a
diversion on the side of the Mohawk river;* but, upon intelligence
of Mr. Abercrombie's approach, were now recalled for the defence of
Ticonderoga.

* This officer intended to have made an irruption through
the pass of Oneida on the Mohawk river, but was recalled
before he could execute his design. General Abercrombie
afterwards sent thither brigadier Stanwix, with a
considerable body of provincials, and this important pass
was secured by a fort built at that juncture.

This information determined the English general to strike, if possible,
some decisive stroke before the junction could be effected. He therefore,
early next morning, sent his engineer across the river on the opposite
side of the fort, to reconnoitre the enemy's intrenchments; and he
reported that the works being still unfinished, might be attempted with
a good prospect of success. A disposition was made accordingly for the
attack, and, after proper guards had been left at the saw-mill and the
landing-place, the whole army was put in motion. They advanced with
great alacrity towards the intrenchment, which, however, they found
altogether impracticable. The breastwork was raised eight feet high,
and the ground before it covered with an abbatis, of felled trees, with
their boughs pointing outwards, and projecting in such a manner as
to render the intrenchment almost inaccessible. Notwithstanding these
discouraging difficulties, the British troops marched up to the assault
with an undaunted resolution, and sustained a terrible fire
without flinching. They endeavoured to cut their way through these
embarrassments with their swords, and some of them even mounted
the parapet; but the enemy were so well covered, that they could
deliberately direct their fire without the least danger to themselves:
the carnage was therefore considerable, and the troops began to fall
into confusion, after several repeated attacks, which lasted above four
hours, under the most disadvantageous circumstances. The general, by
this time, saw plainly that no hope of success remained; and, in order
to prevent a total defeat, took measures for the retreat of the army,
which retired unmolested to their former camp, with the loss of about
eighteen hundred men kille