George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 4, 15th edition.

[300] offered a strong military position. On the first of July,

chap. XIII.} 1758.

Montcalm sent three regiments to occupy the head of the portage; but they had been recalled. On the morning of the fifth, when a white flag on the mountains gave warning that the English were embarked, a guard of three pickets was stationed at the landingplace, and De Trepezee, with three hundred men, was sent still further forward, to watch the movements of the enemy.

After a repose of five hours, the English army, an hour before midnight, was again in motion, and by nine the next morning disembarked on the west side of the lake, about a mile above the rapids, in a cove sheltered by a point which still keeps the name of Lord Howe. The three French pickets precipitately retired.

Immediately on landing, as the enemy had burnt the bridges, the army, leaving behind its provisions, artillery and all heavy baggage, formed in four columns, the regulars in the centre and provincials on the flanks, and began its march round the bend along the west side of the outlet, over ground uneven and densely wooded. ‘If these people,’ said Montcalm, ‘do but give me time to gain the position I have chosen on the heights of Carillon, I shall beat them.’ The columns, led by bewildered guides, broke and jostled each other; they had proceeded about two miles, and an advanced party was near Trout Brook, when the right centre, where Lord Howe had command, suddenly came upon the party of De Trepezee, who had lost his way and for twelve hours had been wandering in the forest. The worn-out stragglers, less than three hundred in number, fought bravely, but were soon overwhelmed; some were killed; some drowned in the stream; one hundred and fifty-nine