ong the passage plentifully supplied. But Abercrombie decided
to wait the arrival of Loudoun, who at length reached Albany the 29th of
July, and joined Abercrombie in the policy of hesitation and delay,
though having 10,000 men at his disposal--the New England regiments,
with the provincials from New York and New Jersey, amounting to more
than 7,000 men, besides 3,000 soldiers of British regular regiments.

In the meantime the French generals were more active and energetic,
taking places of defence between Albany and Oswego, strengthening the
defences and garrison of Ticonderaga (then in possession of the French,
and called by them Fort Carillon), making a palisaded camp near the
mouth of Sandy Creek, close to Oswego, and at length attacking Oswego
itself, the enterprising Montcalm making forced marches day and night,
marching on foot, living and sleeping like his soldiers, and taking the
fort the 9th of August, after a week's siege, capturing 1,600 prisoners,
120 cannon, six vessels of war, 300 boats, stores of ammunition and
provisions, and three chests of money.

Loudoun had sufficient forces and time to penetrate to the heart of
Canada, had he possessed the qualities of Montcalm; but he preferred to
place obstacles to prevent the enemy from attacking him; and after
having spent some weeks in busy inactivity at Albany, he dismissed the
provincials to their homes, and the regulars to winter quarters.[239]

Loudoun never fought a battle in America; and the only battle in which
Abercrombie commanded he kept out of reach of personal danger, was
defeated, and retreated[240] after losing 1,942 men, among whom was
General Lord Howe, who had been selected by Pitt to be Commander-in-Chief
in America, had not succeeded to it, but had become a favourite with the
army and colonists of all classes.

The General Assembly of Massachusetts appropriated out of the public
treasury the sum of L250 for erecting a monument to his memory in
Westminster Abbey, as a testimony to the sense which the Province had of
the services and military virtues of the late Lord Viscount Howe, who
fell in the last campaign fighting in the cause of the colonies, and
also to express the affection which their officers and soldiers have to
his command.

After the disgraceful defeat and still more disgraceful retreat of
Abercrombie, the last of the incompetent English generals, General
Amherst was appointed Commander-in-Chief, assisted by General Wolfe, an