Frenchmen
who were present and demolished the fort. He first made his retreat
only about four leagues above the falls, where he had previously
erected works, surrounded by a thick wood, in order to be covered by
Indian soldiers, who will never fight on open ground, nor suffer
themselves to be driven within the walls of a garrison by a beseiging
force. The French soon after retired to Saint Anns, and not long
afterwards to Canada. The demolished fort was rebuilt on the ground of
the old one, and garrisoned the winter following, by a body of
provincial troops, and a company of Rangers, sent from Louisburgh.

The same company of Rangers as a scouting party, in March 1759, marched
up the river on the ice as far as Saint Anns. The few inhabitants below
that village had either fled before this party appeared, to St. Anns,
or into the woods, and no prisoner was taken to give information
concerning the situation or strength of the enemy, yet they continued a
forced march as far up as Saint Anns, where they found the village
deserted. They set fire to every building in it, and returned with
great precipitation to the Fort Frederick, expecting to be pursued by
the enemy. This company was early this spring ordered to join the
expedition against Quebeck, the Fort was garrisoned with a company or
more of provincials till the next or second year: when they were
relieved by a company of one of the highland Regiments. The Fort
afterwards continued to be garrisoned by a company of some British
Regiments, under different Commandants until 1770, when the British
troops were embarked from every post in the Province, on account of
some disorders that had recently been committed in Boston: the Barracks
and Stores were by order of Government placed under the care of one of
the inhabitants residing near the several Forts, specially authorized
by Government for that service. In 1774, a corporal and six privates
were sent to reside in the Barracks of Fort Frederick.

In May 1775, a brig was sent from Boston, to procure fresh provisions
for the British army then in that town, from the settlement of the
river Saint John. The same vessel was laden with stock, poultry, and
sundry other articles most brought from Maugerville in small vessels
and gondolas: all which had been put on board within about fifteen days
after the brig had arrived. While she was waiting for a fair wind and
clear weather, an armed sloop of four guns and full of men, from
Mac