severe fighting. Victory remained with the British; but the fact that
the enemy could so long withstand regular troops in the open field, was
decisive of the fate of the campaign.

Next morning the army took a position almost within cannon shot of the
enemy, fortifying the right wing, and covering the bateaux and hospital
with the left. The position of the enemy was unassailable. The savages,
whose atrocities had mainly contributed to create the present
difficulties of the army, now deserted altogether; and great part of the
provincials and Canadians followed their example.

Hoping that he might be relieved by a diversion from New York, Burgoyne
sent advices to Sir Harry Clinton, acquainting him with his present
situation, and his intention to remain till the 12th of October.
Meantime, he took every precaution to secure his camp. While his army
was melting away by sickness, battle, and desertion, the enemy were
daily becoming stronger. They had even been enabled to detach a force to
the northward, which, on the 17th of September, surprised the posts on
Lake George, and took an armed sloop, some gun-boats, and a great number
of bateaux. They afterwards ventured to attack Ticonderoga and Mount
Independence, and cannonaded them four days before they were repulsed.

At the beginning of October it became necessary to reduce the allowance
of provisions. This and every other hardship was submitted to without a
murmur; and never did an army better maintain its character than did
this gallant force in its hour of hopeless danger. On the 7th, as there
had been no intelligence from New York, General Burgoyne, accompanied by
Phillips, Reidesel, and Frazer, made a movement to reconnoitre towards
the enemy's left, with 1,500 men, and ten guns. They had advanced within
three quarters of a mile of the enemy, when a sudden and determined