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
*** This view is taken from the green in front of the inn at Chimney
Point, looking west-southwest. The first land seen across the lake is
Crown Point, with the remaining barracks and other works of the
fortress, and the dwellings and outhouses of Mr. Baker, a resident
farmer. Beyond the point is Bulwaggy Bay, a broad, deep estuary much
wider than the lake at Chimney Point. Beyond the bay, and rising from
its western shore, is Bulwaggy Mountain, varying in perpendicular height
from four to nine hundred feet, and distant from the fort between one
and two miles. A little to the right of the larger tree on the shore is
the site of Fort St. Frederic, and at the edge of the circle on the
left, along the same shore, is the locality of the Grenadiers' Battery.
The wharf and bridge in the foreground form the steam-boat and ferry
landing at Chimney Point.
Visit to Crown Point.--Description of the Fortress.--Its present
Appearance.
151Anxious to leave in the evening boat for Burlington, we sent our
light baggage to the inn, and immediately crossed over to Crown Point on
a horse-boat, the only ferry vessel there. Mr. Baker, an aged resident
and farmer upon the point, kindly guided us over the remains of the
military works in the vicinity, where we passed between three and four
hours. We first visited old Fort St. Frederic, the senior fortress in
chronological order. It is upon the steep bank of the lake, and the
remains of its bomb-proof covered way, oven, and magazine can still be
traced; the form of its ramparts is indicated by a broken line of
mounds.
The average width of the peninsula of Crown Point is one mile, and the
principal works are upon its highest part, near the northern end. The
peninsula is made up of dark limestone, covered quite slightly with
earth. This physical characteristic lent strength to the post, for an
enemy could not approach it by parallels or regular advances, but must
make an open assault. _St. Frederic_, standing close by the water,
lacked this advantage; and the French, feeling their comparative
weakness, exercised the valor of prudence, and abandoned it on the
approach of the English and provincials under General Amherst, in 1759,
and retired to the Isle Aux Noix, * in the Sorel. The British commander
took July 26 immediate possession, but the works were so dilapidated
that, instead of repairing them, he at once began the erection of a new
and extensive fortress about two hundred yards southwest of it, and upon
more commanding ground.
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