The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for IndependenceLossing, Benson John
History
The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for Independence
Lossing, Benson John
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
merged, the river having been made deeper by the dam; but when the water
is limpid they can be plainly seen. It was twilight before we reached
the village on the eastern shore.
We supped and repaired to the packet office, where we waited until nine
o'clock in the evening before the shrill notes of a tin horn brayed out
the annunciation of a packet near. Its deck was covered with passengers,
for the interesting ceremony of converting the dining-room into a
dormitory, or swinging the hammocks or berths and selecting their
occupants, had commenced, and all were driven out, much to their own
comfort, but, strange to say, to the dissatisfaction of many who lazily
preferred a sweltering lounge in the cabin to the delights of fresh air
and the bright starlight. Having no interest in the scramble for beds,
we enjoyed the evening breeze and the excitement of the tiny tumult. My
companion, fearing the exhalations upon the night air, did indeed
finally seek shelter in one end of the cabin, but was driven, with two
other young ladies, into the captain's state-room, to allow the "hands"
to have full play in making the beds. Imprisoned against their will, the
ladies made prompt restitution to themselves by drawing the cork of a
bottle of sarsaparilla and sipping its contents, greatly to the
consternation of a meek old dame, the mother of one of the girls, who
was sure it was "bed-bug pizen, or something a pesky sight worse." We
landed at Fort Edward at midnight, and took lodgings at a small but
tidily-kept tavern close by the canal.
Fort Edward was a military post of considerable importance during the
French and Indian wars and the Revolution. * The locality, previous to
the erection of the fortress, was called the _first carrying-place_,
being the first and nearest point on the Hudson where the troops,
stores, &c., were landed while passing to or from the south end of Lake
Champlain, a distance of about twenty-five miles. The fort was built in
1755, when six thousand troops were collected there, under General
Lyman, waiting the arrival of General Johnson, the commander-in-chief of
an expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point. It was at first
called Fort Lyman, in Fort Edward.* honor of the general who
superintended its erection. It
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