Re: Premonitions...and more...

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: Seamus and Timothy, my new friends,

: There is no denying the exitment we felt with the orders to march, as our own Major Rogers himself showed.  We all yelled a great Huzzah!!  But we cannot forget, as we move up the lake, that we are but 600 Rangers, the rest including our Major's older brother James, being drawn away to Fortress Louisbourg with General Amherst.  There-in lies some of the uneasiness we feel--we would like all our Rangers here for this expedition, but we know they are needed elsewhere and will do us proud!  Moreover, though, we have lost several men in the last few weeks from close-in expeditions, including the 17 or so captured by the French and their Indians at the beginning of the month.  That too causes us concern, especially as we hear more of the horrors of treatment by the Indians.  We've been sleeping aside the ruins of Fort William Henry, which makes my hair stand on end. Its horrors are still at our backs, and we can't move up-water away from there fast enough!

: I was talking to another provincial, another young man about my age, from Massachusetts, who says great things about Brigadier-General Howe but did not speak well of Gen. Abercromby.  Called him an old fatty in body and brain, or something like that.  We laughed, until his sargeant frowned on us and I was sent back to join my Rangers.  

: We will see what happens, shall we not, who shall lead and who shall stay in the rear?

: Now, do either of you have my spork?

: I am pleased to remain,
: YH&OS,
: Pvt. Chauncey Goodrich


: : On Lake George
: : July 5, 1758

: : My dearest Nancy,

: : As I write this letter to you, I am sitting in a whaleboat, filled with Rangers, headed down Lake George toward Ticonderoga. I cannot put into words the beauty of this Lake and the surrounding mountains. We put off this morning and have been steadily working our way north. The weather is calm and clear, and we have been making great progress. Stretched out behind us is an armada of whaleboats and batteaux carrying men and provisions, and flatboats which are loaded with cannon of all sorts--howitzers, mortars, and swivels. Nancy, the waters of the lake are nearly invisible because of the number of boats stretched almost shore to shore. Our flotilla stretches nearly six miles, but we are approaching Tongue Mountain and here the lake narrows, and so will stretch us out even more now. There are believed to be over one thousand boats here. Hopefully, we will make Sabbath Day Point by this evening, where we will stop and allow the rest to catch up.

: : The bagpipes of the Highlanders, the trumpets, fifes and drums of the regular Regiments have been playing since we set off. The closest I can describe the sound of the pipes is a whine that immediately sets one to think of angry bees. In fact, the swarm of sounds coming down the lake was described by a veteran Ranger in our whaleboat as “the sting of Scottish bees.”  The  pipes make a haunting sound.....one you cannot forget....as it echoes from the hills and mountains along the lake. I am sure the French know we are coming, and it must certainly put the fear into them. It is no doubt that their Indian spies have been following us all the way, and will continue to do so until we land. Their runners will be constantly taking the news to Montcalm at Carillon. It will NOT be a surprise! I am glad I am not a Frenchman awaiting us!

: : Oh, Nancy, the sights and sounds are breathtaking! I am excited beyond anything I have ever experienced, and yet there is something wrong here...terribly wrong...and it is rather disturbing. I can sense it in my hut-mate, Chauncey Goodrich, a young Ranger lad whom I met at Ft. Edward. Timothy and I were assigned to his hut, and we have become friends. He has become sullen and seems a bit pale. Many Flags and ThreeTales are in the boat beside us and from the looks on their faces, too, I sense that something just is not right. We are in the lead along with Gage’s Light Infantry, and we will land at the Narrows at the foot of the lake and advance overland to the attack on Carillon. Following us are seven regiments of regulars, five regiments of  Provincials, the artillery, and the rear guard of more Provincials. Sir William and his 400 or so Iroqouis are going to join us at the Narrows when we land there. We take assurance in Lord Howe, a British general that anyone here would follow into hell, should it be necessary. He is the spirit of this army, Nancy, and everyone here knows it! His leadership is the best I have ever seen. General Abercromby is viewed as a necessary evil!

: : I miss you, my darling, and each night, as I lay awaiting sleep, I think of you. This has been a difficult, yet necessary separation, and as soon as I can, I will return to you. I miss holding you close, and gently rubbing your back and shoulders, your head resting upon my chest. I miss the softness of your body pressed tightly against mine...that alluring odor of your perfume invading the very depths of my senses, causing stirrings within me. I miss the feel of your lovely raven hair as I run my fingers through it. I miss the probing  of your lips, your beautiful brown eyes...the touch of your hand upon mine. Your voice rings in my ears like the gentle babbling of a brook as it rushes among the rocks. My heart beats rapidly now as I think of you. Oh, my darling, if...when...I get back from this, I do not ever want to leave your side again. I love you, Nancy, and when I get home, we will talk about our future...as man and wife...if you will have me.

: : I must get along now, as we are entering the narrow part of the lake where there are many islands, and the Major wants us to be on alert.

: : Pray for us, my love, and ask that we are granted protection from harm, so that we may return safely.

: : All my love,

: : Seamus


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