Details
[FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR]. JOHNSON, Sir William (1715-1774), British Superintendant of Indian Affairs. Document signed ("Wm Johnson"), with three-line autograph subscription, to Major Jacob Glen, Schenectady, [New York], 20 August 1756. 1 page, folio, neat repairs to some small separations, scattered small stains.
SIX DAYS AFTER MONTCALM TAKES OSWEGO, JOHNSON CALLS OUT MILITIA TO ASSEMBLE WITH "A GOOD FIRELOCK WELL FIXED, A SWORD, OR HATCHET [AND] FORTY ROUNDS"
A letter written at a crucial point in the bitter conflict on the northern border between New France and the British colonies. Having repelled a French attack on Fort George the previous September, Johnson responds with alacrity to news that the French under the Marquis de Montcalm have atacked and taken the British outpost at Oswego, on Lake Erie, only 6 days earlier: "On receiving Intelligence of the Enemys having taken Possession of Oswego, his Majestys Service and the Security of the rest of the Frontiers requires the immediate Exertion of our Militia. Wherefore you are hereby required to march immediately with five hundred men of the Second Battallion of the Regiment of Militia of Foot to Burnetsfield, there to join me, you are to take especial care that each man be provided with a good firelock well fixed, a sword, or Hatchet, Forty Rounds of powder and Ball, three good flints, and Six days provision, in Draughting said Men you will by all means avoid oppression, and all just cause of Complaint."
Johnson went on to capture Niagara from the French, and march with Amherst on the successful expedition against Montreal.
SIX DAYS AFTER MONTCALM TAKES OSWEGO, JOHNSON CALLS OUT MILITIA TO ASSEMBLE WITH "A GOOD FIRELOCK WELL FIXED, A SWORD, OR HATCHET [AND] FORTY ROUNDS"
A letter written at a crucial point in the bitter conflict on the northern border between New France and the British colonies. Having repelled a French attack on Fort George the previous September, Johnson responds with alacrity to news that the French under the Marquis de Montcalm have atacked and taken the British outpost at Oswego, on Lake Erie, only 6 days earlier: "On receiving Intelligence of the Enemys having taken Possession of Oswego, his Majestys Service and the Security of the rest of the Frontiers requires the immediate Exertion of our Militia. Wherefore you are hereby required to march immediately with five hundred men of the Second Battallion of the Regiment of Militia of Foot to Burnetsfield, there to join me, you are to take especial care that each man be provided with a good firelock well fixed, a sword, or Hatchet, Forty Rounds of powder and Ball, three good flints, and Six days provision, in Draughting said Men you will by all means avoid oppression, and all just cause of Complaint."
Johnson went on to capture Niagara from the French, and march with Amherst on the successful expedition against Montreal.