own way, behind Trees, but finding that to little purpose, while the Enemy remained covered, he prevailed on his Men to rush in upon them, which had so good an effect that the Enemy were soon dispossessed of the swamp, but still made a running Fight from Tree to Tree. In this manner they were pushed backwards for near two Miles, when having the River in their Rear, they were obliged to cross, which they did in a Manner most terrible to themselves. It was either to drown or be shot: Destruction stared them in the Face on all sides, and it soon laid hold of them, for the Battoemen having now a fair View of them, took them down fast; and here it was that the Enemy sustained their greatest Loss. One of the Prisoners taken in this pursuit, informed Colonel Bradstreet, that one of our Indians had, during the Engagement, deserted to the Enemy, and informed them of our Disposition, on which a Party of the Enemy was ordered to cross the River, a little higher up, and to come down upon our Flanks or Rear. Col. Bradstreet marched up to the Place described by the Prisoner, and fell in with a few of them straggling before the Rest; but the whole party soon took to their Heels, and with the utmost Precipitation and Confusion, repassed the River, some leaving behind them their Arms, others their Blankets, and many Indian Implements of War. The first attack of the Enemy was made about 3 O'Clock, the Action ended about 6 in the Evening. A Scouting Party was then sent out on the North side of the River, to see if any of the Enemy were remaining, but found that they were gone off, and that in the utmost Haste and Confusion, for they had left behind them their Packs, Blankets, and Provisions. About half an hour after the Action ended, Capt. Patten, with one Hundred Grenadiers of the 50th Regt joined the Battoemen. The former being on their March from Onondago to Oswego, about 4 Miles from the place of Action, heard the Fire, and made all the Haste they could to come up, but they came a little too late. However with this Reinforcement it was determined to pursue the Enemy to their Camp about 12 Miles off, if they cou'd, by the next Morning, have 200 Men more from the Garrison of Oswego, and accordingly an Express was dispatched to Col. Mercer for that Purpose, who sent the 200 Men requested; but unluckily a Storm of Rain came on so hard as to render it impossible to keep the Men's Ammunition dry. It continued raining till next day, and then it was judged too late to attempt the Pursuit. A further Account of the Action on the 3d of July last. [From the same, Aug. 2, 1756.] You have doubtless before this Time, had the agreeable News of the Defeat of the French by the Battoemen on the Onondaga River. Capt. Bradstreet's Conduct was much to his honour, and will be very advantageous to the English operations in the present Campaign. His success against the Enemy shews us the Wisdom, of taking large numbers of Battoemen into the service-But for this Expedient, we should have been unable to keep the Passage open to Oswego; and unless our Provisions, stores &c. had been sent to that Garrison, in large Squadrons of Battoes, all other attempts to support it, would have been ineffectual; for notwithstanding our Interest in the Six Nations, we have undoubted Accounts, that 1200 of the Enemy have lain undiscovered in their Country, not far from Oswego ever since May last. When Capt. Bradstreet left Oswego, he gave strict Orders, that the several Divisions of the Battocmen should keep close together. But such an irregular Body, could not be easily kept to good order, and therefore they were at some Distance from each other, when the Enemy attacked them.-Our Success was owing to Capt. Bradstreet's taking Possession of the Island, for by this means he prevented the Enemy from fording the River, and gave the Battoemen who were fired upon, Time to rally and collect themselves on the opposite shore.-When Capt Bradstreet gained the Island, he had not above Eight Men with him, and these repulsed about 30 of the Enemy. Upon this he was joined by six more Battocmen, and was attacked a second Time by a Party of 40 French, whom he also compelled to give Way.-Capt. Bradstreet was after that, reinforced by six others, and a Party of above 70 of the Enemy then fell upon him, and by pouring in cross Fires, wounded 12 of his Men; but after some Time, the French were forced to retire a third Time. A large Body of about 400, being then observed to advance upon the North Side of the River, about a Mile higher, Capt. Bradstreet imagined, that they intended to ford the River, and surround him. On this he quitted the Island, and with 250 Men, Marched up the South side of the River, to prevent it, but the Enemy had not only forded it, but taken Possession of a Pine Swamp on that Side, before he came up. Doctor Kirkland, who was returning from Oswego, in Company with Capt. Bradstreets command, had now gathered together 200 Battoemen, with Design to reinforce him; but Capt. Bradstreet sent him Orders to keep his Post, to cover the Battoes which were behind; and directed that Capt. Butler should Command the farthest Division of Battoes down the River, and post them in the most proper Place upon the same Duty. When Capt. Bradstreet came to the Swamp, an Engagement began in the Indian Manner, which lasted above an Hour; Capt. Bradstreet then animating his Men, entered the swamp, and forced the Enemy out of it into the River, where many of them were slain. Another Party was at that Time, attempting to ford the River when Capt. Bradstreet came up with them, and after he fell in with them, the whole Body was routed. Not long after this last Action, a Company of Grenadiers belonging to General SHIRLEY'S Regiment, which was upon the March from Onondaga to Oswego, joined our Battoemen; and the next Morning 200 Men came to them from the Garrison. Capt. Bradstreet now proposed, to have gone in quest of the main Body of the French, but was prevented by excessive Rains. We lost in these Actions about 20 Men, and 24 were wounded. What the loss of the Enemy was is uncertain. All conjecture that above 100 were killed.—This we know, that above 80 Firelocks were brought to Schenectady: Seventy-four Men more were found by a Party, that afterwards went out from Oswego to patrole the Woods; and many doubtless were lost in the River. The Enemy fled in the utmost Disorder; for some Traders were passing by the Place of Action a few Days after, were hailed from the Shore by 20 Frenchmen, who being without Provisions and unable to find their Camp, were stroling about the Woods, |