with the General Court and the people
of Massachusetts Bay, not only because it originated with them, but
because it was directed against a quarter (considering the French in
Nova Scotia were subdued and dispersed) whence they had the most to
fear."--_Ib._, pp. 229, 230.]

[Footnote 231: Before Johnson could attack Crown Point, he was himself
attacked in his own quarters, at what was called Carrying Place, near
Lake George, by Dieskau, at the head of 200 regular troops, 600
Canadians, and 600 savages. Johnson's force consisted of 3,400
provincial soldiers and 300 Indians, "regularly enlisted under the
English flag and paid from the English treasury." Among the New England
men was Israel Putman, of Connecticut, then a private soldier,
afterwards famous. Mr. Bancroft, as might be expected, depreciates the
services of Sir William Johnson in this important and successful battle.
But he cannot deny that Johnson selected the most advantageous position
for his camp; sent out scouts on all sides, and obtained timely
information of the approach of the enemy, and was fully prepared for it;
directed the order of battle, in the early part of which he was wounded,
causing his removal from the field, when for five hours the provincial
soldiers, good marksmen, under their own officers, "kept up the most
violent fire that had yet been known in America." The House of Lords, in
an address to the King, praised the colonists as "brave and faithful,"
and Johnson was honoured with a title and money. "But," says Mr.
Bancroft, "he did little to gain the victory, which was due to the
enthusiasm of the New England men. 'Our all,' they cried, 'depends on
the success of this expedition.' 'Come,' said Pomeroy, of Massachusetts,
to his friends at home, 'Come to the help of the Lord against the
mighty; you that value our holy religion and our liberties will spare
nothing, even to the one-half of your estate.' And in all the villages
'the prayers of God's people' went up that 'they might be crowned with
victory, to the glory of God;' _for the war with France seemed a war for
Protestantism and freedom_." (History of the United States, Vol. IV., p.
212.) Dr. Minot justly observes: "Such a successful defence made by the
forces of the British colonists against a respectable army, with which
the regular troops of France were incorporated, was an honourable
instance of firmness, deliberation, and spirit." (History of
Massachusetts Bay, Vol. I., p. 254.)]