The next year, 1759, General Jeffrey Amherst, who had succeeded General Abercromby, again advanced down Lake George to attack the Fort. On July 21st with 5743 British regulars and about the same number of provincials he left Fort William Henry. In the meantime, the French garrison at Ticonderoga had been much reduced. Montcalm had gone to the defense of Quebec, leaving General Bourlamaque, who had been slightly wounded the year before, in command. Amherst’s army followed Abercromby’s route but instead of attacking proceeded to invest the Fort. Bourlamaque soon realized that he would be starved out and captured within a reasonable time, so, after a few days defense decided to evacuate. He left Captain Hebecourt with 400 of the garrison and with the balance retreated to Crown Point and eventually to Isle aux Noix. Hebecourt kept up a heavy artillery fire as the British advanced through the French lines and threw up counter defenses. Amherst was then within 600 yards of the Fort. He did not know that Bourlamaque had retreated with most of the French Army. On the 3rd night Hebecourt embarked the balance of his force, set fire to the Fort and left a lighted match headed for the powder magazine, which was located in the South East Bastion. The Fort was soon in flames and the magazine blew up with a tremendous explosion. Hebecourt made good his retreat to Isle aux Noix where he joined Bourlamaque. An excellent description of the taking of the Fort by Amherst is contained in a letter from a Massachusetts soldier, Eli Forbush, in the Museum collection. It follows herewith: [Illustration: Sir Jeffrey Amherst] Camp at Ticonderoga or Fort Carillon Aug. 4, 1759. “Very Rev’d & Hon’d Sr.