Hugh Anderson
Thomas Burnside
Benj. Brown
Nathan Chapman
John Cahail
Wm. Curtis
John Collins
John Craige
Edward Costalow
Eb^n Cymbal
John Cumings
Will^m Devine
Benj. Darling
Matthew Dickey
Isaac Day (Harvard)
Dan'l Dickinson
Jacob Emerson
James Faulkiner
Edward Logan
Chas. McCoy
Dan'l Murfey
John Mater
Morris Obrien
John Rogers
John Sparrow
George Soper
Benj^n Scott
Jer. Swan
Oliver Spalding
Will^m Scott (Petersburough)
Ebenezar Sherwin
Sam'l Stinson
Wm. Stuard
John Spraguer
Will^m Scott
Abram Scott
Nath^{ll} Taylor
Leonard Taylor
Jno. Thompson--enlisted Albany
Daniel Ware
LIST OF PERSONS IN CAPTIVITY.
The names in italics are those of the captives.
TAKEN IN MAJOR ROGERS' FIGHT, NEAR TICONDEROGA. MARCH 13, 1758.
_Joshua Conkey_, son of John; _Aaron Smith, Jr._, son of Aaron; _Andrew
Lovejoy_; _Jacob Bacon_; _Phineas Wheeler_, son of Sam'l; _Boaz Brown_,
son of Thomas; _William Prentice_, son of John; _John Hunter, Jr._, son
of John; Joseph Blanchard aplt. for _David Wallis_, _John Stewart_,
_William Willson_, _Robert Nae_, _Charles McBay_; Sarah Clark aplt. for
_Samuel Clarke_, _Leonard Taylor_, _Wm. Wilson_; _Matthew Spencer_, son
of Sarah, taken March; _Wm. Prentice_, 2d time; _Charles McKay_,
Peterboro', N. H., aplt. John McKay.
MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS 1731-1795
Robert Rogers was the son of James and Mary McFatridge Rogers. He was
born in Methuen, Massachusetts, on November 7, 1731. Early in the spring
of 1739 James Rogers, with his family, moved from Methuen, to the
wilderness of the township now known as Dunbarton, New Hampshire. He
named the rich green meadowland and upland, 2190 acres, where he
settled, "Munterloney," for a place where he had once lived in Ireland,
a mountainous district in Counties Derry and Tyrone.
Robert thus speaks of the years passed here in "Mountalona":
"It would perhaps gratify the curious to have a particular
account of my life, preceding the war; but though I could
easily indulge them herein, without any dishonour to myself,
yet I beg they will be content with my relating only such
circumstances and occurrences as led me to a knowledge of
many parts of the country, and tended in some measure to
qualify me for the service I have since been employed in.
Such, in particular, was the situation of the place in which
I received my early education, a frontier town in the
province of New Hampshire, where, I could hardly avoid
obtaining some knowledge of the manners, customs, and
language of the Indians, as many of them resided in the
neighborhood and daily conversed and dealt with the English.
"Between the years 1743 and 1755 my manner of life was such
as led me to a general acquaintance both with the British
and French settlements in North America, and especially with
the uncultivated desart, the mountains, valleys, rivers,
lakes and several passes that lay between and contiguous to
the said settlements. Nor did I content myself with the
accounts received from Indians or the information of hunters
but travelled over large tracts of the country myself, which
tended not more to gratify my curiosity, than to inure me to
hardships, and, without vanity, I may say, to qualify me for
the very service I have since been employed in."
--Rogers' Journals, Introduction. Dublin, 1769.
Robert Rogers was six feet in height, a well-formed, fine looking man,
with fine manners and magnetic presence. He was one of the most athletic
men of his time, well known in all trials of strength or skill. General
Stark used to say of him, that for presence of mind in time of danger,
he was unsurpassed.
At the age of twenty-three years he organized and disciplined his
Rangers. On the 6th of April, 1758, Captain Rogers was promoted to a
Majority and had command of this famous corps.
His Journals of his Ranging Service, present an interesting account of
his severe and perilous warfare. It is very rare. A copy recently
brought £25. Some of the principal causes of the war are exhibited with
spirit and truth in his drama Ponteach. His Concise Account of North
America and his Concise Historical Account, etc., are both rare books
containing valuable information.
He died in London, on May 18, 1795.
I claim, and with a justifiable pride, that Robert Rogers, the famous
partisan chief, was the greatest American in the "Old French and Indian
War."
Major Rogers was an author as well as a soldier. After the close of the
"Seven Years' War," he went to London and published four books, viz.:
JOURNALS OF MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS:
Containing
an account of the several excursions he
made under the Generals who commanded
upon the continent of North America, during
the late War.
From which may be collected
the most material circumstances of every
campaign upon that continent, from the
commencement to the conclusion of the War.
London
Printed for the Author
and sold by J. Millan, bookseller,
near Whitehall.
M D C C L X V
A Concise
ACCOUNT
of
North America
containing
A description of the several
British Colonies on that Continent;
including the Islands of Newfoundland,
Cape Breton, etc.,
As to
Their Situation, Extent, Climate, Soil
Produce, Rise, Government, Religion,
Present Boundaries, and the number of
Inhabitants supposed to be in each.
Also of
The Interior, or Westerly part of the
County upon the Rivers St. Lawrence,
The Mississipi; Christino, and the
Great Lakes.
To which is subjoined,
An account of the several Nations
and Tribes of Indians residing in
those Parts, as to their Customs,
Manners, Government, Numbers etc.
Containing many useful and Entertaining
Facts, never before treated of.
By Major Robert Rogers
London:
Printed for the Author, and sold by
J. Millan, Bookseller, near Whitehall.
M D C C L X V
PONTEACH or THE SAVAGES OF AMERICA
A Tragedy
London. Printed for the Author and sold by
J. Millan, opposite the Admiralty, Whitehall.
M D C C. LXVI (Price 2s. 6d.)
A CONCISE HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
of all the
BRITISH COLONIES
in
NORTH-AMERICA,
comprehending their
Rise, Progress, and Modern State;
Particularly of the
MASSACHUSETTS-BAY,
(The Seat of the present Civil War,)
Together with the
Other Provinces of New-England.
To which is annexed, An
ACCURATE DESCRIPTIVE TABLE OF THE
SEVERAL COUNTRIES.
Exhibiting, at One View, their respective
Boundaries, Capes,
Dimensions, Harbours,
Longitudes, Bays,
Latitudes, Rivers,
Divisions, or Counties, Various Productions,
Chief Towns, Animals, &c., &c.
Interspersed with
Particulars relative to the different Soils and Climates,
Capital Cities, &c., &c.
By Major Robert Rogers.
LONDON,
Printed for J. BEW, in Pater-Noster-Row. 1775.
ARCHIVES PUBLIQUES DU CANADA.
CORRESPONDANCE OFFICIELLE.
Série F. Vol. 303.
Montréal, 18 Avril, 1758.
Suit le bulletin.--Détails des succès remportés par plusieurs partis de
Canadiens et Sauvages durant l'hiver
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Les Anglais ont eu tout l'hiver le projet de surprendre ou bombarder
Carillon et s'y sont présenté plusieurs fois. Le S^r d'Hebencourt,
Capitaine au régiment de la Reine qui y a été établi commandant après la
Campagne, et la garnison out été très alerte, les courses des Anglais
ont toujours été infructueuses et le Sieur d'Hebencourt instruit qu'ils
avaient en campagne un parti de 200 hommes, profita le 13 mars de
l'heureuse circonstance de 200 Iroquois ou Nepissingues du Sault St.
Louis et du Lac des Deux Montagnes arrivés la veille avec le Sr.
Durantaye et plusieurs cadets de la Colonie, le Sieur de Langry Officer
très intelligent, quelques Lieutenans et Sergens de nos bataillons que
le zèle seul y fit marcher s'y joignirent. Le détachement Anglais
composé des soldats d'élite et de 12 officers, commandé par le Major
Roger leur meilleur partisan a été totalement défait les Sauvages ont
rapporté 146 chevelures, peu de prisonniers, seulement quelques uns pour
donner des _lettres vivantes_ à leur père, expression dont les Sauvages
nomment les prisonniers. Le reste aura péri de misère dans les bois.
Quelques uns, entr'eux deux officiers du Régiment de _Blekins_ se sont
rendus d'eux mêmes prisonniers à notre fort de Carillon au bout de cinq
jours leur guide ayant expiré la veille.
Nous avons perdu à cette action huit sauvages et nous avons eu 17
blessés ainsi que deux cadets de la colonie et un canadien. On a couvert
les morts avec grande cérémonie. On a fait des présens au nom du Roy aux
families. Le Gouverneur général recompensera la bravoure de nos Iroquois
par une promotion et donnant quelques haussecols et médailles à ceux qui
se sont distingués, ils en seront plus animés à venger la perte qu'ils
out fait.
ARCHIVES PUBLIQUES DU CANADA.
CORRESPONDANCE GENERALE.
Série B. Vol. 104, p. 133.
A Montréal le 28 9^{bre} 1759.
Monseigneur
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Il ne falloit rien moins, Monseigneur, que le succès du Détachement que
j'avois confié au S^r de la Durantay pour faire renoncer nos ennemis à
leurs préparatifs pour faire escalader en hiver Carillon. Les S^{rs} la
Durantay et de Richerville ayant été compris dans la promotion de 1757
en qualité d'enseignes en pied. J'ay placé aussy le S^r de la
Chevrotière comme enseigne on second, j'ay prématuré les favorables
dispositions de Sa Majesté à leur égard en les faisant participer aux
6000 lb qu'elle a accordée sur son état de 1757 aux Canadiens qui se
sont le plus distingués. Je leur donnay d'abord à chacun 200 lb. Vous
verrés, Monseigneur, par une de mes lettres que je n'ay pas encore recû
cette somme. Le Corps de nos officiers est en général penetré de
l'attention dont Sa Majesté honore leurs services et des recompenses
qu'elle est disposée à leur accorder. Je n'ay eu rien de plus pressé que
de les en instruire.
Le S^r Robert Roger qui étoit à la tête du Detachement que nos Cadets
defirent, eut le secret de s'échaper lorsqu'il vit la perte évidente, il
laissa sur le champ de bataille son habit et même l'ordre qu'il avoit de
son Général, ce qui me donnoit tout lieu de croire qu'il y avoit peri
d'autant mieux qu'un sauvage m'assura qu'il l'avoit tué lui-même.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Je suis avec un trés profond respect, Monseigneur,
Votre trés humble et trés obeissant serviteur
VAUDREUIL.
ANECDOTES
When Major Robert Rogers narrated his wonderful story to the officers in
the Coffee House in London, he gave "Munterloney" as his home, which
they supposed to be in Italy, and, knowing him to be an American, made
the story still more improbable. Gathered in little groups about the
tables, one night, these men were engaged in witty and pleasant
discourse, when it was agreed that the person who should tell the
greatest lie, or the most improbable story, should have his bill paid by
the Company. After all the others had told their stories, Rogers was
called upon. He said: "When a boy in 'Munterloney' he made birch and
hazel brooms, which he carried on his back through the woods, guided by
spotted trees, to Rumford, the nearest settlement, a distance of ten
miles, and sold them. He told how his father, dressed in fur, was shot
dead in the wilderness by a hunter, who mistook him for a bear. He also
related that his mother was followed several miles by a hunter who
thought her track in the fresh, light snow, was that of a wolf. Rogers'
bill was paid by the Company for it was agreed that the Major had told
the greatest _lie_, when, in fact, he had only told the _truth_. This
incident was greatly appreciated by the Major's family and admirers in
America. Major Rogers went to England in 1765 and, while travelling in a
mail-coach over Hounslow Heath, the coach was stopped by a highway
robber, who presented a pistol at the window and demanded the
passenger's money. The Major played asleep, while the other passengers
passed over their money. When it came his turn, he drowsily opened his
cloak, as if about to comply. The robber lowered his pistol. At the
psychological moment, the noted Indian fighter seized him by the collar,
dragged him from his horse through the window of the coach, and held
him prisoner while he ordered the terrified coachman to drive on to the
authorities. There the Major delivered him. The prisoner proved to be a
celebrated offender for whose head a reward of £50 sterling had been
offered. The famous Rogers received the bounty.
_London, October 8._
_Tuesday last, about two o'clock, after Major Rogers had passed through
Dartford, the post-chaise man who drove him, told him a highwayman
hovered round the chaise. As soon as the fellow came to the Major, he
seized him by the hand and pulled him into the chaise. The highwayman
answers the description in an advertisement of Sir John Fielding's. The
Major carried him to the Mayor at Gravesend, and after an examination
there, sent him to the Ratation-office, in Bow street._
New-Hampshire Gazette. January 24, 1772.
HIS REPUTATION AT HOME
From "The Veil Removed," John Fellows, New York, 1843, pp. 20 and 21.
That no doubt may rest on the mind of the reader in regard to the
authenticity of the statements of facts by Major Rogers in his journal,
the following testimony of his title to credibility has been obtained
from the distinguished gentlemen therein named, citizens of his native
state, where his character would doubtless be duly estimated:
"Concord, July 16, 1842.
"Dear Sir--
"I have made some inquiry respecting Major R. Rogers, and
among our oldest inhabitants I find but one opinion
respecting his character, and that is fully expressed in the
note enclosed to me, and transmitted herewith to you, from
Gov. Hill.
"Mr. Hill has perhaps a better knowledge of Major Rogers'
character, as an officer, than any other person here; he has
been prompted by reasons which could not have operated on
others.
"Respectfully, your obedient servant, "Robert Davis.
"Mr. Charles Coffin, New York City."
"Concord, July 2, 1842.
"Gen. Robert Davis:
"My dear Sir--
"I have this moment read Mr. Coffin's letter addressed to
you, requesting information in relation to the character of
the late Maj. Robert Rogers. Having recently had occasion to
make inquiries relative to his early history, I find
nothing in the region of his birth that goes at all to
discredit him. One of the last of his blood relations in
this vicinity who personally remembered him, a lady, died
about one year ago. From her mouth, through Mark Burnham,
Esq., a native of the same town with Rogers, I derived the
information that all the family were proud of his name, and
were reluctant to associate it with a reputation that was
not entirely unsullied. Maj. Rogers never resided in this
state permanently after the commencement of the
Revolutionary War: he was in the British service in Canada
after the close of the old French War, partly in a military,
and partly in a civil capacity. The only child bearing his
name was several years under my care as guardian: this
circumstance, among others, has led me more particularly to
mark the character of the celebrated warrior. I consider him
to have been one of the most talented men of the
country--perhaps the best partisan officer this country ever
produced. I believe him to have been the author of that
perfect mode of attack and defence which enabled a hundred
of the rangers to do more service than thousands of the
British regulars, especially in the winter service of the
old war of 1756. Such safety to troops on fatigue amid the
severest seasons of a severe climate was never secured--such
certainty in the results, either on the advance or retreat,
perhaps, was never realized by any other force than the
rangers, under the perfect arrangement and discipline
invented by Rogers. I consider him to have been as great a
man in his peculiar sphere as Napoleon Bonaparte, and of
moral courage and honesty coming nearly if not quite up to
the mark of Andrew Jackson.
"I am, respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
"Isaac Hill."
LITERARY REVIEWS
ROGERS' CONCISE ACCOUNT (From The Gentleman's Magazine for December,
1765, Vol. 35, pages 584-5.)
This is an account very different from the compilations which are
undertaken for booksellers, by persons wholly unacquainted with the
subject, and who generally have neither sufficient diligence nor skill
to regulate the multifarious materials which lie scattered before them,
perhaps in an hundred volumes, nor even to reject, much less reconcile
the inconsistencies and contradictions with which such materials always
abound.
Major _Rogers_ has travelled through great part of the country he has
described, in the course of his duty as an officer in his majesty's
army, and has received accounts of other parts immediately from the
inhabitants, or from persons who had been carried prisoners thither, and
afterwards released.
The work is concise and yet full; and the knowledge it contains is
acquired with pleasure, and retained with ease, by the regularity of the
method, and perspicuity of the stile.
The author gives an account of every province separately, and of its
first discovery and settlement; he describes its situation as to
latitude and longitude, and to the countries and seas by which it is
bounded; its extent; its rivers; its climate; its commodities,
buildings, and number of inhabitants: With a particular attention to
such facts and circumstances as appeared most interesting in a political
or commercial view.
In this work there is also an account of the interior part of _America_,
a territory much larger than the whole continent of _Europe_, and
hitherto almost wholly unknown. This territory he has considered under
three several divisions, marked out by three great rivers that rise near
the center of it, _St. Lawrence_, the _Christino_, and the
_Mississippi_.
The river _St. Lawrence_ he has traced, and is pretty well acquainted
with the country adjacent to it, as far up as lake _Superior_; and with
the country from the _Green Bay_ westward, to the _Mississippi_ at the
Gulph of _Mexico_: He has also travelled the country adjacent to the
_Ohio_, and its principal branches; and that between the _Ohio_ and the
lakes _Erie_ and _Meshigan_, and the countries of the Southern
_Indians_; and his situation gave him opportunities of gaining accounts
of the other parts, more particular and authentic than any other.
He has subjoined such an account of the _Indians_, their customs and
manners, as gives a just idea of the genius and policy of the people,
and of the method in which they are to be treated by those who wish to
preserve a safe and advantageous commerce with them. This is a very
entertaining as well as useful part of the work, for which the Major was
particularly qualified, by a long and experimental acquaintance with
their several tribes and nations, both in peace and war.
It is proposed to continue this History in a second volume, containing
maps of the colonies and the interior country, in which the faults and
deficiencies of those already extant will be corrected and supplied; by
subscription; the price one guinea.
(Some extracts from this work shall be occasionally given in the future
numbers of this miscellany.)
JOURNALS OF MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS: containing an account of the several
excursions he made, under the generals who commanded on the continent of
America, during the late war. From which may be collected the most
material circumstances of every campaign on that continent, from the
commencement to the conclusion of the war. From the specimen of the work
now before us, it appears that the accounts of Major Rogers may be
depended upon by the public; they are undoubtedly as authentic as they
are important and necessary to those who would acquire a thorough
understanding of the nature and progress of the late military operations
in North America.
The author writes like an honest, a sensible, and a modest man; and has
given, throughout his whole account, undoubted proofs that he is a brave
and skillful officer. He headed, with much reputation, the provincial
troops called rangers, during the whole course of what were called the
French wars in America.--Bibliotheca Americana Nova, or catalogue of
books relating to America, printed from 1700 to 1800, By O. Rich,
London, 1832. Quoted by
John Fellows, in _The Veil Removed_ (New York, 1843), p. 20.
ROGERS' CONCISE ACCOUNT (From the Monthly Review or Literary Journal: By
Several Hands. London, January, 1776.)
_A concise Account of North America: Containing a
Description of the several British Colonies on that
Continent, including the Islands of Newfoundland, Cape
Breton, &c. as to their Situation, Extent, Climate, Soil,
Produce, Rise, Government, Religion, present Boundaries, and
the Number of Inhabitants supposed to be in each. Also of
the interior, or Westerly Parts of the Country, upon the
Rivers St. Laurence, the Mississipi, Christino, and the
Great Lakes. To which is subjoined, an Account of the
several Nations and Tribes of Indians residing in those
Parts, as to their Customs, Manners, Government, Numbers,
&c. containing many useful and entertaining Facts, never
before treated of._ By Major Robert Rogers. 8vo. 5s. bound.
Millan.
Few of our Readers, we apprehend, are unacquainted with the name, or
ignorant of the exploits, of Major Rogers; who, with so much reputation,
headed the provincial troops called Rangers, during the whole course of
our late successful wars in America. To this brave, active, judicious
officer, it is, that the public are obliged for the most satisfactory
account we have ever yet been favoured with, of the interior parts of
that immense continent which victory hath so lately added to the British
empire.----For, as to what Charlevoix, and other French writers, have
related, experience hath shewn with what artful fallacy their accounts
have been drawn up:--with the obvious design of concealing, from other
nations, the true situation, and real circumstances of that country, of
which we were, in many respects, totally ignorant, till the British
lion, in revenge of repeated insults, tore away the veil, and opened to
our view, the wide, extended, glorious prospect!
The present publication, however, as may be supposed, from the quantity
and price above specified, contains but a part of the Major's intended
work; the remainder being proposed to be printed by subscription; and to
be illustrated with maps of the several colonies, and of the interior
country of North America. These we are assured, in the Author's
advertisement, will be 'more correct, and easier to be understood, than
any yet published.'
Our Author was, happily for his country, the better qualified not only
for the task he hath now enjoined his pen, but also for the
atchievements in which his sword hath been employed, by the circumstance
of his having received his 'early education in a frontier town in the
province of New Hampshire, where he could hardly avoid obtaining some
knowlege of the manners, customs, and language of the Indians, as many
of them resided in the neighbourhood, and daily conversed with the
English.--Between the years 1743 and 1755, his manner of life[5] was
such, as led him to a general acquaintance both with the British and
French settlements in North America, and especially with the
uncultivated desart, the mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, and several
passes that lay between and contiguous to the said settlements. Nor did
he content himself with the accounts he received from the Indians, or
the information of hunters, but travelled over large tracts of the
country himself; which tended not more to gratify curiosity, than to
inure him to hardship.----And _hardships_[6] enough he was destined to
endure!
The accounts here given of the British colonies are very brief. They
seem to have been chiefly intended to form an introduction to the
Major's description of our late conquests in that part of the world; and
which must, undoubtedly, be considered as the most valuable part of his
work. Accordingly he himself observes, that 'it will not be expected,
after volumes on volumes that have been published concerning the British
colonies on the eastern shore of the American continent, that any thing
materially _new_ can be related of them.' The only thing, adds he, 'that
I mean to attempt with regard to this is, to collect such facts and
circumstances, as in a political and commercial view, appear to me to be
most interesting; to reduce them to an easy and familiar method, and
contract them within such narrow limits, that the whole may be seen as
it were at once, and every thing material be collected from a few pages,
concerning seventeen provinces; a minute and circumstantial account of
which would fill so many considerable volumes.