e. At present, we must attend the operations
of general Amherst, whose separate army was first in motion, though such
impediments were thrown in his way as greatly retarded the progress
of his operations; impediments said to have arisen from the pride,
insolence, and obstinacy of certain individuals, who possessed great
influence in that part of the world, and employed it all to thwart the
service of their country. The summer was already far advanced before
general Amherst could pass lake George with his forces, although they
met with no opposition, and reached the neighbourhood of Ticonderoga,
where, in the preceding year, the British troops had sustained such a
terrible disaster. At first the enemy seemed determined to defend this
fortress: but perceiving the English commander resolute, cautious, and
well prepared for undertaking the siege; having, moreover, orders to
retreat from place to place, towards the centre of operations at Quebec,
rather than run the least risk of being made prisoners of war, they, in
the night of July the twenty-seventh, abandoned the post, after having
in some measure dismantled the fortifications; and retired to Crown
-Point, a fort situated on the verge of lake Champlain, General Amherst
having taken possession of this important post, which effectually
covered the frontiers of New-York, and secured to himself a safe retreat
in case of necessity, ordered the works to be repaired, and allotted a
strong garrison for its defence. This acquisition, however, was not made
without the loss of a brave accomplished young officer, colonel
Boger Townshend, who, in reconnoitering the fort, was killed with a
cannon-shot, and fell near the same spot which, in the former year, had
been enriched with the blood of the gallant lord Howe, whom he strongly
resembled in the circumstances of birth, age, qualifications and
character.

{GEORGE II. 1727-1760}

GENERAL AMHERST EMBARKS ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

While the general superintended the repairs of Ticonderoga, and the
men were employed in preparing batteaux and other vessels, his scouting
parties hovered in the neighbourhood of Crown-Point, in order to watch
the motions of the enemy. From one of these detachments he received
intelligence, on the first day of August, that the enemy had retired
from Crown-Point. He immediately detached a body of rangers before him
to take possession of the place: then he embarked with the rest of the
army, and on the four