From the specimen of the work now before us, it appears, that the accounts published by 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 he has given, throughout his whole conduct, undoubted proofs, that he is a brave and a skilful officer. For a farther idea of this gentleman, in his literary capacity, see our review of his Account of North America, in the preceding part of our No. for the present month.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Hebencourt
[2] A small party of the French, as we have since heard, had a fire here at this time: but, discovering my advanced party, extinguished their fire, and carried the news of our approach to the French fort.
[3] I had before this desired these gentlemen to retire, offering them a Serjeant to conduct them; that as they were not used to snow-shoes, and were unacquainted with the woods, they would have no chance of escaping the enemy, in case we should be broke and put to flight, which I very much suspected. They at first seemed to accept the offer, and began to retire, but seeing us so closely beset, they undauntedly returned to our assistance. What befel them after our flight, may be seen by a letter from one of the Gentlemen to the commanding officer, which I have inserted next to this account of our scout.
[4] This unfortunate officer, and his whole party, after they surrendered, upon the strongest assurances of good treatment from the enemy, were inhumanly tied up to trees, and hewn to pieces, in a most barbarous and shocking manner.
[5] What that manner of life was, the Author hath not more particularly intimated; but we do not suppose he was employed in any military capacity.
[6] For a detail of our Author’s adventures, after he obtained the command of those American light-armed infantry, called Rangers, see the Journals of Major Rogers, mentioned in our Catalogue for this month: a work wrote, as he declares, ‘not with silence and leisure, but in, desarts, on rocks and mountains, amidst the hurries, disorders, and noise of war, and under that depression of spirits, which is the natural consequence of exhausting fatigue.’
[7] The history of the Five Indian Nations of Canada; viz. The Mohawks, Oneydoes, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senekas; to whom are also added, as a sixth nation, the Tuscaroras. The Necariages of Misil makinac, have also been received as a seventh nation.