Pennsylvania officers, knowing the feeling of Virginia regarding the route, volunteered to aid, with such information as they possessed. Major Armstrong was sent up with a trader named Dunning, who had often passed over the route. He started with an escort of a hundred volunteers to make the examination, with instructions to use great caution. In a fortnight Bouquet was enabled to report that the road across Laurel hill was less objectionable than the road from fort Littleton to fort Cumberland, and that no difficulties presented themselves after the passage of the mountain.

While Bouquet was working at the road, Forbes remained at Carlisle, in the worst of health, unable to move, prostrate with sickness. In the beginning of August he had somewhat recovered, and had he consulted only his health and ease, he would have sought quiet and repose. In the middle of August, Forbes managed to reach Shippensburg, twenty-one miles from Carlisle. When here, he heard of the fall of Louisbourg, and fired a feu de joie in honour of the event. Bouquet had arrived at Loyal Hannan, forty miles from Reastown; he had resolved to leave Grant in charge of the post, while he himself would carry on the road. Early in September Forbes was again seized with sickness. It was from this place he wrote, as to dividing the army he would consult Washington, although perhaps he would not follow his advice, as his behaviour about the roads was in no way like a soldier.* His letters shew his embarrassment from the jealousy with regard to the route. † On the 17th he heard of Bradstreet's success at fort Frontenac, and he fired a feu de joie in honour of it. While he was noticing these matters from Reastown, Bouquet on the same day was writing an account of the reverse

Can. Arch., Bouquet papers, A. 10, p. 249.

"I have seen with regret this some time past a jealousy and suspicion subsisting on the part of the Virginians which they can have no reason for, as I believe neither you nor I value one farthing where we get provisions from, provided we are supplied, or interest ourselves either with Virginia or Pennsylvania; which last I hope will be damned for their treatment of us with the waggons and every other thing where they could profit by us as from their impositions, altho' at the risk of our perdition." Can. Arch., Bouquet collection, Series A. 10, p. 256.

1758]

MAJOR GRANT.

201

which had been experienced in an expedition undertaken by major Grant.

The advancing force had been much troubled by the Indian scouts, who watched their opportunity to scalp or make prisoners any men out in small parties. The cattle and horses were kept in the woods in the neighbourhood of Loyal Hannan, and often when in search of them and when returning, the men had been attacked. Bouquet ordered out two parties, each of one hundred strong, for the Indians were again extremely active, and captain Dagworthy and the Indians attached to the force were not present. As the detachments were preparing to march, major Grant, of the highlanders, spoke privately to Bouquet, and remonstrated against this step being taken, for it would only lead to the loss of life, and would effect no result. He suggested that he

should be placed at the head of five hundred men, and be detached to reconnoitre fort Duquesne, obtain reliable information concerning the road, and learn the strength of the garrison. From the reports he had received, Grant believed that the French force, including the Indians, did not exceed six hundred men, and that a sortie could not be made with a force greater than that with which he would be present. He hoped to draw the garrison into an ambuscade, so he could obtain some prisoners. Bouquet gave his consent, it would appear unwillingly. The two parties were countermanded, and an informal council of war was held, at which colonel Byrd and major Lewis were present; it was there resolved that the attempt should be made.

Grant started with 300 Highlanders, 100 Royal Americans, 150 Virginians, 100 Maryland and 100 Pennsylvanian troops, being in all 750 men. His instructions were to proceed within five miles of fort Duquesne, and to send out exploring parties; to surprise the Indians outside the fort, attacking them with the bayonet this duty effected, or if it could not be undertaken, he was to attract the notice of the garrison by beating his drums, retire and place himself in ambuscade, so that he

could advantageously attack the pursuing party, and then retire. If the plan in any way failed, he was at once to retreat.

Bouquet saw the detachment start in the best of spirits on the 10th. Escaping the enemy's parties, on the 12th about three in the afternoon, Grant believed he was ten miles from the top of the hill overlooking the fort, when in reality he was sixteen miles distant. In the morning he detached Lewis with one hundred men and some Indians, to post himself in an ambuscade within five miles from the fort. Chew, an ensign in the force, and twenty men were sent to reconnoitre the ground, and draw the enemy into pursuit without unduly exposing themselves. Chew's Indians leaving him, he was obliged to conceal himself, and he only joined Lewis at eleven at night. Grant continued his march the following day; he found Lewis advantageously posted, but he was twelve miles from the fort. The whole force started at six, expecting to reach the hill over the fort at eleven; they did not, however, arrive until two in the morning. The Indian fires were then burned out, and there was no indication where the attack should be made, and nothing could be done.

Grant had now carried out his instructions, and his duty was to retire; but holding the opinion that the garrison was too weak to risk a sortie, he resolved to become the assailant. He ordered Lewis, with 100 Royal Americans, 200 highlanders, and 100 Virginians, to go forward and assail anything they should meet about the fort. They were not to heed the sentries, not to fire until close to the fort, and after the discharge of their pieces to charge with the bayonet. He would himself beat the retreat when it was time to retire, and they could come towards him in any order they saw fit. The distance did not exceed half a mile, and the men put on a white shirt over their uniform, to prevent mistakes of recognition. Grant placed himself with the remainder of the troops opposite the fort, and waited in some uneasiness for the indication that the attack had commenced. Major Lewis, however, returned with his force in confusion, to report that it was impossible to do anything, that the night was dark, the

1758]

GRANT'S DEFEAT.

203

road bad and cumbered with logs of wood, and that there had been fences to pass, so the men had fallen into disorder, and it had been a mercy that they had not fired upon one another. Grant left Lewis in anger, and went to two of his officers, McKenzie and Rhor, to give orders for them to be in readiness to move, for, if practicable, he would attack. Feeling desirous that something should be done, he sent a party of fifty men to the spot where two or three fires had been seen. They found no Indians to attack, so they set fire to the house in the neighbourhood.

At daybreak of the 14th Grant ordered Lewis, with the Royal Americans and Virginians, to reinforce captain Bullet, who, with fifty men, had been posted to guard the horses and baggage, with instructions to place the whole force in ambuscade.

Owing to the fog at early dawn it was not possible to make any plan of the fort; at seven the weather became more clear, and two officers were sent to sketch the works. They were sustained by a detachment. Grant states that in order to give confidence to the men he ordered the drums to beat the reveillé. In less than half an hour he saw the French troops come out of the fort in different parties, about 800 in number. They advanced skirmishing, with little order, taking advantage of any covering, moving forward briskly. Their attack was directed against the men posted on the left under captain Macdonald. Both he and the lieutenant, Campbell, were killed. Lieutenant Macdonald was wounded and the detachment, being overpowered, gave way. The 100 Pennsylvanians posted on the right, left the ground without firing a shot. In less than half an hour Grant's whole force fell in great confusion, being attacked from all directions.

The French were now reinforced from the fort and the action became more general. The British, however, continued to hold their ground, when Grant, resolving to retire, sent word to Lewis that he would join him where he had been posted, and that he must make the best stand he could until Grant fell back to him.

Lewis, however, had heard the firing, and urged by his officers had felt it his duty to advance in support of the main body. In doing so, he took a different route to that by which he had passed that morning. The latter was the route taken by Grant in his retreat, so the two parties missed one another.

When Lewis had ascended the height his men were much exhausted, and he came within the range of the enemy. Grant had then retired. Lewis attempted to make a stand, but overpowered, his men gave way before a greatly superior force.

Grant came up with Bullet's small detachment. He had been attacked, and had gallantly sustained an unequal fight. It was now persevered in, and it was here that Bullet reports that Grant, when pressed to retire, replied that he would stand so long as a man would fight with him. "My heart is broke," said Grant in his bitterness; "I will not survive this day." They were surrounded; Grant was known, and the French, calling on him by name, asked him to surrender. The French shewed great forbearance: they were determined if possible to take him alive. Bullet's party continued the fight with some confusion, for the men ceased to obey orders; finally they were seized with a general panic. Bullet with some others escaped. Grant, finding himself with about a dozen men, accepted the quarter offered him. They were then about two miles from the fort, and it was eleven o'clock in the day, when the French were called back. Major Lewis was taken prisoner, likewise two captains, four lieutenants, and two ensigns the Indians also carried away some prisoners.