The Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers, 1758-1775 | Page 2

for the prize before
them was supreme rule in the New World. The trading-posts and
missionary-stations of the French, in the far Northwest, and in the

bosom of the dark wilderness, several hundred miles distant from the
most remote settlements on the English frontier, attracted very little
attention until they formed a part of more extensive operations. But
when, after the capture of Louisburg, by the English, in 1745, the
French adopted vigorous measures for opposing the extension of
British power in America; when they built strong vessels at the foot of
Lake Ontario--made treaties of friendship with powerful Indian
tribes--strengthened their fort at the mouth of the Niagara river--and
erected a cordon of fortifications, more than sixty in number, between
Montreal and New Orleans,--the English were aroused to immediate
and effective action in defence of the territorial limits given them in
their ancient charters. By virtue of these, they claimed dominion
westward to the Pacific ocean, south of the latitude of the north shore
of Lake Erie; while the French claimed a title to all the territory
watered by the Mississippi and its tributaries, under the more plausible
plea that they had made the first explorations and settlements in that
region. The claims of the real owner--the Indian--were lost sight of in
the discussion; and it was a significant question asked by an Indian
messenger of the agent of the English Ohio Company: "Where is the
Indian's land? The English claim it all on one side of the river, and the
French on the other: where does the Indian's land lie?"
The territorial question was brought to an issue when, in 1753, a
company of English traders and settlers commenced exploring the
head-waters of the Ohio. The French opposed their operations by force.
George Washington was sent by the Virginia authorities to remonstrate
with the French. It was of no avail. The English determined to oppose
force to force; and in the vicinity of the now-flourishing city of
Pittsburg, in western Pennsylvania, the "French and Indian War" began.
Provincial troops were raised, and armies came from England.
Extensive campaigns were planned, and attempts were made to expel
the French from Lake Champlain and the southern shore of Lake
Ontario. Finally, in 1758, three armies were in motion at one time
against French posts remote from each other--Louisburg, in the extreme
east; Ticonderoga, on Lake Champlain; and Fort Du Quesne, where
Pittsburg now stands. General Sir James Abercrombie commanded the
expedition against Ticonderoga, accompanied by young Lord Howe as

his lieutenant. The French were under the command of the marquis
Montcalm, who was killed at Quebec the following year. The English
and provincial troops rendezvoused at the head of Lake George, went
down that sheet of water, attacked Ticonderoga, and were repulsed with
great loss. It was this portion of that campaign in which the soldier
served who kept the Journal given in the succeeding pages. It is a
graphic outline picture, in few and simple words, of the daily life of a
common soldier at that time.
During the campaign of 1759, Quebec was captured by the army under
Wolfe; Lord Amherst, more successful than Abercrombie, drove the
French from Lake Champlain; Sir William Johnson captured Fort
Niagara; and all Canada was in virtual possession of the English,
except Montreal. That fell early in the Autumn of 1760; and the
struggle for supremacy in America, between the French and English,
was ended for ever.
L.

MILITARY JOURNAL FOR 1758.
[Illustration: Lemuel Lyon FAC-SIMILE OF A PORTION OF THE
MANUSCRIPT JOURNAL.]
April 5 1758. I Lemuel Lyon of Woodstock Inlisted under Captain
David holms of Woodstock in newingLand For this present Cannody
Expordition[1]--I Received of Captain Holms £2.0s.0d.
[Footnote 1: Canada expedition.]
May 30. Received £3,-16-0.
June, 2nd. We arrived at Colonal Maysons at 12 o'Clock and marched
from their to Landard[2] Abits & Sergent Stone treated us their--then
we marched to mansfield to Deacon Eldridgs about four o'clock--then
we marched to Bolton to Landard trils, and we gave 7d a night for
horse keeping.

[Footnote 2: Landlord. The proprietor of an inn or tavern was
universally called landlord. The title is still very prevalent.]
Wednesday 7th. We had Carts to press,[3]--then we marched of from
their to Landard Strengs in Harford and from their to Landard Geds &
had raw Pork for dinner--then we marched to Landard Crews and the
Chief[4] lodges their--My mess lodged at a private house one Daniel
Catlins.
[Footnote 3: To take carts for the military service. Under martial law,
any private property may be used for the public good. A just
government always pays a fair price for the same.]
[Footnote 4: Probably General Lyman, who was the
commander-in-chief of the Connecticut forces at that time.]
Thursday 8th. Marched of and arived at Landard Gessels and