commanded the harbour, a large stretch of the river, and the entire
surrounding country for miles in extent. It looked down upon the ruins
of Fort Frederick, which it replaced, and across to the site of another
old Fort where the brave and noble Lady LaTour and her little band of
men made their gallant resistance to a treacherous foe.

Fort Howe proved a great comfort to the trading post at Portland Point,
and to the thirty or more families settled in the vicinity. Scarcely
had it been erected, and its guns mounted, when the rapacious pirate
from Machias, A. Greene Crabtree by name, appeared upon the scene, as
he had done before with disastrous results. But this time he received
the surprise of his life. He viewed with astonishment the new Fort
upon the hill, and the flag of England floating from the ramparts. So
great was his astonishment that he beat a hasty retreat, and troubled
no more the little settlement at Portland Point.

Fort Howe was not a large place, containing in all two blockhouses
and barracks, with twelve rooms for the officers, and accommodation
for one hundred men. The armament consisted of two five and a half
inch brass mortars, and eight iron guns, the latter including two
eighteen-pounders, four six-pounders, and two four-pounders.


Although Fort Howe was small, yet it meant a great deal to the people
scattered along the St. John River and its various tributaries. It was
the seat of authority where all knew that true British justice would be
meted out by the brave, sturdy commander in charge, Major Gilfred
Studholme. It had a restraining influence upon restless, warlike
Indians, and rebels dwelling along the river. At the same time it
filled the hearts of all loyal, peaceful people with a feeling of