COMMEMORATION

OF THE

BATTLE OF LAKE GEORGE,

SEPTEMBER 8, 1903.

BY ARTHUR J. C. SOWDON.

HE victory of Sir William Johnson over the Baron Dieskau, Sept. 8, 1755, was commemorated by the New York Society and the General Society by the unveiling of a bronze and granite monument on the field where the battle was fought Sept. 8, 1903. The event proved to be a great demonstration in every way worthy of the Society, and attracted many distinguished guests and many thousand visitors. About a thousand soldiers. were present, the procession was dignified, the literary exercises were interesting, and the weather was perfect.

For several years the New York Society had been engaged in raising the necessary funds and in considering plans for a monumental design which should fittingly commemorate the battle. One was furnished by Mr. Weingert of New York, a sculptor of merit, approved at the Chicago Exposition. The work consists of two bronze figures,- Sir William Johnson and his famous Indian friend, King Kendrik. These stand upon a rough dark granite pedestal about fifteen feet in height.

The beautiful section of country in which the battle was fought, and the lovely season of the year, made the occasion one of rare enjoyment. On the previous Saturday, Sept. 5, 1903, the great Fort William Henry Hotel began to fill up with the advance guard of the Society. The early cars brought Vice-Gov.-Gen. Howland Pell, Esq., chairman of the committee in charge, and Secretary Morris P. Ferris, of New York. Soon after came Gov.-Gen. Frederic J. De Peyster, wife and daughters. Two companies of the Seventy-first regiment New York State militia and the Glen Falls company Second N. Y. S. M. arrived and went into camp on the hill in rear of the hotel. The Society headquarters were now opened at the hotel; the building was finely decorated, many Colonial flags were displayed. In this matter the other hotels and the town followed suit. James William Beekman, governor of the New York Society, and other officials came on the later trains. The following day, Sunday, September 6, was as lovely a day as ever dawned. During the morning a troop of the Second U.S. Cavalry and a section of U.S. Artillery, who had marched all the way from Fort Ethan Allen by order of the Secretary of War, went into camp, and pitched their tents just beyond the New York Seventy-first. After church services were over many ladies and gentlemen strolled over the hill to witness the laying out of a camp by U.S. regulars. At three P.M. the Society gave a sail down the lake, on the steamer "Horicon," to members and their families, the militia, U.S. soldiers, and all who were connected officially with the occasion. At sunset many visitors went out to the camps to witness the dress parade.

Monday, September 7, another superb day. All was bustle and excitement about the hotel. Hundreds of

strangers came into the little village of Caldwell to see whatever there was to be seen. The State governors were to arrive; and first came Governor Chamberlain of Connecticut and his fine staff under escort of the two companies of New Haven and Hartford Foot Guards and the troop of U.S. Cavalry, amid the firing of a salute by the U.S. Battery. Next came Governor Odell, of New York, and his large and brilliant staff, escorted by all the New York troops present, the U.S. Cavalry, and amid more gun-firing. In each case, as the governor alighted in front of the hotel, he was saluted by his escort and loudly cheered by the lookers on. About five o'clock guns announced the coming of Governor McCullough, of Vermont, Society Governor Benedict, and a party of ladies and gentlemen, and soon they arrived at the house under escort of Uncle Sam's prancing horsemen; and the cavalry had barely time to return to the railroad station before the train the train came in came in bearing Lieut.-Governor Curtis Guild, Adjutant-General Dalton, and the full Massachusetts staff. The guns poured forth their welcome, carriages were taken, and under escort of the cavalry and a fine company of militia from Pittsfield, Mass., they proceeded to the hotel. And so the hotel had become about as full as it could be. The exciting day closed with a ball, in which the State governors and their wives received, together with General Roe and wife, he being in command of all the troops. It was a pleasing sight,- the mingling of the blue and gold of the United States officers, the brilliant red of the foot guards, the black and gold of the various staff officers, with the fine dresses of the ladies.

Tuesday, September 8, Commemoration Day, opened most auspiciously. Never was a celebration favored with more perfect weather. Thousands of strangers came