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

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 their we went to Brecfirst and then we marched from their to our stores in Litchfield[5] to Squire Sheldings and then to Landard Buels and lodged their and our Captain was sent for to a man in another Company that had fits.
[Footnote 5: In Litchfield county, Connecticut.]
Friday 9th. Then marched from their and we