Report of the Winter Encampment at Fort 4

Feb. 8-9 '03

Submitted by Pvt. Wade Stoner

Four of Rogers' Rangers—Craig Villaneuve, Chauncey Goodrich, Wade Stoner, and Wallace McMillan (his first outing as a Ranger)—were dispatched to the Fort at No. 4 to help bolster the King's forces in the face of increased hostilities.

The smithy (left) and the southern end (right) of the Fort at No. 4, in 2-3 ft. of snow.

Pvt. Wade Stoner, with bread rations from the baker.

Snowshoes in front of Parker House.

The Rangers were housed in Hastings along with roughly a dozen militia. Other rangers and civilians were housed in the other buildings. The hospitality of the fort offered welcome relief from the cold and boring days of recent past. The pathways in the foot-and-half of snow squeaked and squealed under the steps of passers by.

The skies were clear both day and night, thereby ensuring that the temperature remained plenty cold. When early patrols Saturday morning found no signs of savages, a wood-cutting party was dispatched to resupply the fireplaces. Having to bring the wood down the slope east of the fort, we dragged a tobogan, carving a deep groove into the snow, but that prooved slow and taxing, as we shed wood at every moment, and was abandoned. Craig Villaneuve had been ill Friday evening and when his condition worsened Saturday morning he was taken to the infirmary.

Later when most of us were warming by the fire and enjoying some tea along with a few bites of cheese and sausage, reports that savages had been spotted passed quickly through the fort. All able bodies, which seemed to be barely a majority, were quickly called to muster. Private Goodrich, having the most experience of the uniformed rangers, received a provisional field promotion to Lieutenant and was placed in charge of two companies made up of rangers and irregulars. Those of us who had them affixed our snow shoes. Those without would have to make do as best they could in the deep snow.

The hostiles had been spotted in the tree line outside the south gate. The two companies of rangers were dispatched with orders to flank the savages from the south, toward the river. The regulars would provide the direct offensive body. As LT Goodrich maneuvered us toward the river with the second company providing cover (we thought), several French Marines were spotted hiding over the river bank. The first company moved further to the north and then on towards the river. The second company, however, did not move out to back up the first, and in fact the British commanders, unaware the first company was flushing the enemy along the bank, and not used to Ranger tactics, called the second company to withdraw from their position as back-up. That, combined with the deep snow, left the first company over extended and at risk of being cut off from the rest of the King's forces.

The savages were content with maintaining their position and harassing the regulars positioned at the south gate. The French, however, recognized the rangers' vulnerability and quickly swung the south end of their line up toward the fort, completely severing the first company from the main body and the four rangers were captured before they could escape through the deep snow to the north end of the fort. The French Commander presented the hostages for ransom and after a lengthy parlay (and much harassment from the French line), the captives were returned to the fort.

The evening provided great food and good company. Some of the irregulars we bunked with offered fresh venison. Chauncey cooked a wonderful turkey soup that was enjoyed by all in the house. Young Mac, our newest recruit, performed well and held his own amongst the rough crowd in Hastings House.

Smoke billowing from the chimneys against the clear late night sky provided a calming diversion from the day's hostilities. Solid walls, good food, a fireplace, a wood floor; it was enough to soften the hardest ranger, at least for a day or two.

YH&OS, 
Wade Stoner

Postscript

After the battle on Saturday, Bob Bearor was given a special award, something like a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for his contributions to reenacting the French and Indian War, including his extensive and very real research, his dedication to the French history, and many books. That Saturday evening, we all celebrated with a fine party of the two sides together.