Posted by Pvt. Chauncey Goodrich on October 13, 2001 at 09:41:41:
Dear all,
I've returned from the Lake George battle and have had a day's rest. On Sunday early afternoon, I made my way north to join a force of Rangers and other British officers and men to fight the French and Indians. Upon my arrival, I heard that my fellow countrymen were attacking enemies in a far-off land, and while I was eager for news about that, I knew I was going to have to wait a long time, as such news takes ages to filter out to us in the wilderness. Besides, I had to prepare for my own battles ahead, including fending off the cold of Autumn on Lake George.
We had good number of people there, some of whom are shown in the picture I hope is attached (which includes myself and Major Mike). We were on a site somewhere north of the ruins of Fort William Henry, the exact position of which I cannot divulge. While we set up headquarters in the small fortress we built last fall, most of us had to camp outside of the walls, amongst the trees. Monday saw no action, but on Tuesday morning early, a raiding party went out in the canoes and found an Indian camp, and took several scalps. That day, on patrol, weI found none of the enemy, as they seemed to be hiding. The afternooon patrol likewise came back scalpless.
Unlike last year when we were awakened at midnight to swivel guns and war hoops, the nights were quiet. Only owls hooting, branches falling, mice a-twittering, and the lake lapping the shore. The sky was clear, and the moon and stars were so bright. The time during my watch in the wee hours after midnight flew by while I listened intently for the sound of footfalls (man or beast).
Wednesday we made an all-day foray. After ambushing several milice and an Indian in the morngin, we came up to one of the Indian camps, which was well guarded. We took some hits and had to retreat. We climbed high up to face what we thought were oncoming French, going high up the mountains on the eastern side and coming down a steep cliff face. We came down on the north side of the French camps and hit first the regular's camp (at which point I had my first two kills) and then the Indian camp again, when we finally did some damage. It was there that we heard from the distance one Indian calling, "Give us Chauncey and we'll let you live!" Ah, the name of Chauncey Goodrich is already known amongst the enemy! On our way back, sweeping the woods, we found two small parties, which we dispatched quickly and efficiently (and I added a third to my tally for the week).
That night, at 3:00am, a large party went north, half in canoes and half on foot (I was amongst those staying behind to man the swivel guns in the event the French came south to find us). It took them a full three hours in the dark to get to the camp, which by day would take half that time. There, they waited until just dawn to attack. Within 5 minutes of their arrival, it was all over, and the enemy were dead in their blankets and bedrolls. The victors returned about 8:00am, carrying a British flag which had been captured two years earlier!
Captain Floyd and Major Fitzgerald both say that this was the greatest route of the French in the history of the Lake George Tactical event. Huzzah to the King's men!!
I returned Thursday evening to learn what I could of this other -- this real -- fighting and killing, and you can imagine how I yearned for the relative peace of Lake George.
YHOS,
Pvt. Chauncey Goodrich