me, that we shall be obliged to abandon this side, and then they will soon force the other from us; nor do I see a retreat will in any shape be practicable. Every thing, however, shall be done, that is possible, to frustrate the designs of the enemy; but what can be expected from troops ill armed, naked and unaccoutred. I shall write you again as soon as the scout returns, And am, Dear General, &c. A. ST. CLAIR. The Hon. Major General SCHUYLER. SIR, Ticonderoga, June 26, 1777. THIS moment I have received information from Hoite, of Otter Creek, that a large party of Indians and Tories are gone up that creek, supposed to be five hundred, and are designed to cut off the communication by Skeensborough. They took a pair of oxen from one of the inhabitants, and drove them about two miles above Middlebury Falls, where they halted the day before yesterday, and killed and dressed the cattle; and it is supposed that to-night they will be at the new road near Castle-Town, which is twenty-eight miles from hence, and twelve or fourteen from Skeensborough. They reported that a very large party had gone on the west side of the Lake, to fall upon Fort George. That is said to consist of 1000 Indians and Canadians. We have also had just now another attack at the Mills; we have two men killed, two taken, and two wounded, one mortally. The scene thickens fast, and Sunday next, it seems, is fixed for the attack on this place. We must make the best we can of it, and I hope at least to cripple them so as they may not be able to pursue their fortune, should it declare in their favour. I sent a party down last night to reconnoitre them, who are not yet returned, which gives me some uneasiness. I hope, however, they are safe, and will bring me some intelligence of consequence. I have some thoughts, if they are not numerous, of attacking them. If they get the worst, it will oblige them to recal their parties. If not, there will be too many left to become prisoners. I have sent to the Grants to inform them of the Otter Creek party, and to desire that all they can possibly spare of the militia may be ready to march at a minute's warning. I am, Dear General, Your's, &c. A. ST. CLAIR. The Hon. Major General SCHUYLER. Dear General, Ticonderoga, June 28, 1777. MY scout, on which I depended much for intelligence, is not yet returned, nor I fear ever will now. It consisted of three men only, the best of Whitcomb's people, and picked out by him for that purpose. The woods are so full of Indians, that it is difficult for parties to get through. I shall send off Whitcomb himself. presently, for intelligence I must have, altho' I am very loth to put him upon it, lest he should fall into the hands of the enemy, who have no small desire to have him in their power. I sent Colonel Warner to the Grants yesterday, to raise a body of men to oppose the incursions of the savages that are gone by Otter Creek, and have ordered him to attack and rout them, and join me again as soon as possible. I am very happy to find the country were apprized of the march of that party before Col. Warner got to Skeensborough, as it will probably prevent their success, and may end in their ruin. We are going on with the necessary works on the Mount as fast as possible, and have removed the most valuable of the stores and provision to that side. The bridge is in very little more forwardness, to appearance, than when you left this place, but they tell me this day will finish the getting timber for it. The boom is likewise placed, but very feebly secured for want of cables. A party of Bradford's arrived yesterday in very good season, and has had a pleasing effect upon our people, who, never the most lively or gallant, began to show signs of dejection already. How they may hold out, God knows, but this has raised their spirits a little. I could wish the batteaus were all over soon, or that you would not send them. I am extremely apprehensive that the enemy will possess themselves of the Landing, in which case they might fall into their hands. We cannot venture the teams now without a strong guard, and so many parties as we are obliged to make, with the fatigues, will very soon wear down our men. We can do nothing but form conjectures about the force of the enemy, for I cannot find a single person, on whom I can depend, to venture amongst them for intelligence; but from their manner of beginning the campaign, I conclude that they are either in full force, or very weak, and hope by letting loose the Indians. to intimidate us. I incline to believe the last, but have as yet no certain rule to go by. However, we must know soon, and it is said they have marked to-morrow to attack. I beg leave to refer you for further particulars to Colonel Varrick, who takes the charge of this, and am, Dear General, A. ST. CLAIR. The Hon. Major General SCHUYLER. Ticonderoga, June 30, 1777, half past one. Dear General, THIS morning some of the enemy's gun-boats appeared at the Three Mile Point, when the alarm was given. We could see them disembark a number of men, and the boats increased to eighteen, which are now lying abreast from the hither side of the point to about half way across the Lake. The batteaus in which they transported their troops are not come in sight, lying on the far side of the point, under cover of it. Soon after their landing, a party, chiefly Indians and Canadians, pushed towards our lines. As we had a scout down the Lake at the time of their arrival, I immediately sent out two parties to support and bring them off. The scout fell in with the enemy, and after a few shot, in which they say some of the Indians were killed, they, being overpowered by numbers, dispersed, and part of them are got in, and I have little doubt but the greatest part of them will yet make their appearance. It is probable, however, that some of them have fallen into their hands. We have had one or two alarms before this, but they were occasioned by their boats coming up near our guard boats, and their firing upon them. My people are in the best disposition possible, and I have no doubt of giving a good account of the enemy, should they think proper to attack us; and if the person I mentioned to you in my last pursues the opportunity that now presents itself, they will go back faster than they came on. He has above 1000 men. I am, Dear General, Your most obedient Servant, Hon. Major General SCHUYLER. Dear General, A. ST. CLAIR. Ticonderoga, July 1, 1777. NOT finding a convenient opportunity to send off my letter, I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th. The success of General Washington over General Howe is an event of such importance, as must destroy every prospect of the enemy's carrying their plans into execution, should they succeed here. I have ordered a feu de-joye upon the occasion, and will find some way to communicate the intelligence to the enemy. We have now two ships, eighteen gun-boats, and three sloops, lying off the Three Mile Point, and they are forming a camp upon the Point, and retrenching it. This does not look like their being strong. Other matters I hope to manage to-morrow morning, but cannot be particular for fear of accidents. I am, Dear General, Your most obedient Servant, Hon. Major General SCHUYLER. A. ST. CLAIR. This moment I have discovered that they are throwing a boom across the river Bravo! At a COUNCIL of General Officers, held at Ticonderoga, on Friday, the 20th day of June, 1777. PRESENT. Major General SCHUYLER, | Brigadier General POOR, GENERAL SCHUYLER requested the Council to take into consideration the state of this post, with respect to the number of troops necessary for its defence, the disposition of the troops, and mode of defence, the state of the fortifications, and the quantity of provision that may be depended upon. He also laid before the Council the draught of a letter, as from General Sullivan, in answer to an intercepted letter from Peter Livius, Esq; at Montreal, to that officer, intreating their opinion upon the propriety of sending that or any other, and to advise the mode of conveying one, if it should be the opinion of the Council that a letter ought to be sent. He also begged their opinion upon the proceedings, of a Court Martial, held at this post on the 29th day of May last, by which Caleb Runnels was sentenced to death; and to know if the Council would advise him to pardon or execute the convict. Captain Whitcomb, commanding two companies of rangers, raised in consequence of a resolution of the Honourable Continental Congress, having represented |