it, Venango, and Presque Isle; and these,
with a number of Indian auxiliaries, were detached under the command of
monsieur d'Aubry, on an attempt to reinforce the garrison of Niagara.
Sir William Johnston having received intelligence of their design,
made a disposition to intercept them in their march. In the evening he
ordered the light infantry and picquets to post themselves to the left,
on the road leading from Niagara Falls to the fortress; these
were reinforced in the morning with the grenadiers and part of the
forty-sixth regiment, commanded by lieutenant-colonel Massey; and
another regiment, under lieutenant-colonel Farquhar, was posted at the
tail of the works, in order to support the guard of the trenches. About
eight in the morning, the enemy being in sight, the Indians in the
English army advanced to speak with their countrymen who served under
the French banners; but this conference was declined by the enemy.
Then the French Indians having uttered the horrible scream called the
war-whoop, which by this time had lost its effect among the British
forces, the enemy began the action with impetuosity; but they met with
such a hot reception in front, while the Indian auxiliaries fell upon
their flanks, that in a little more than half an hour their whole army
was routed, their general, with all his officers, taken, and the
pursuit continued through the woods for several miles with considerable
slaughter. This battle, which happened on the twenty-fourth day of
July, having been fought in sight of the French garrison at Niagara,
sir William Johnston sent major Harvey with a trumpet to the commanding
officer, to present him with a list of seventeen officers taken in the
engagement, and to exhort him to surrender before more blood was shed,
while he had it in his power to restrain the Indians. The commandant,
having certified himself of the truth, by sending an officer to visit
the prisoners, agreed to treat, and in a few hours the capitulation was
ratified. The garrison, consisting of six hundred and seven effective
men, marched out with the honours of war, in order to be embarked in
vessels on the lake, and conveyed in the most expeditious manner
to New-York. They laid down their arms when they embarked; but were
permitted to keep their baggage, and by proper escort protected from
the savage insolence and rapacity of the Indians. All the women were
conducted, at their own request, to Montreal; and the sick and wounded