Lake George 2006 After-Action Report
55th Regiment of Foot

October 10^th -- Privates Bond and Handy were ordered north to the shores of Lake George. They were to rendezvous with other members of the 55th as well as forward elements of a company of Rogers' Rangers that were already searching for French forces that were believed to be operating on the Lake.

Hoping to make a quick and secretive move into the first narrows, Privates Bond and Handy loaded their canoe and shoved off in the morning’s gathering light.

Almost immediately, trouble developed.

Rounding Shelving Rock, their canoe was buffeted by high winds and rising waves. In the distance, they could see a torrent of whitecaps moving steadily closer. They realized that their mission was in peril. There was no hope of a swift ascent of the lake. Instead, they would have to put to shore, establish camp and push up the lake on foot. This would surely delay and possibly prevent them from meeting up with the rangers.

While establishing camp, they heard musket fire and the report of heavier swivel guns to the North. Fearing that their friends may be in trouble, they hastened north. Always vigilant, they moved forward. After steady progress, they neared Commission Point. From previous experience, extreme caution was followed as they stealthily approached the point, only to find it empty.

They must have missed their chance in meeting the rangers. The firing they heard surely resulted in their defeat. Still looking for signs of battle and the Rangers’ path of retreat, French forces were seen on the islands off the point.

The French forces consisted of de la Marine and Indians. It became apparent that they meant business. Pouring from the island into canoes, the French Intruders made their way towards Bond and Handy. Fearing they would be cutoff and summarily destroyed, Privates Bond and Handy quickly retreated south to a fortress of boulders that would provide safety in the event of attack.

The attack never came. They now used their time to satisfy their hunger and develop a plan. After some thought, the plan was developed, calling for moving off trail, reconnoitering the point, and determining if the French were still there. If not, Bond and Handy would move north and attempt to link up with their Rangers.

Pvt. Peter Bond of the 55th of Foot

Quietly moving through the brush, they were able to see most of Commision Point. No French were visible. Feeling the time was right, they quickly moved forward, but unfortunately, right into a trap. The French de la Marine and their Indian allies caught both Bond and Handy in the open. After a brief exchange of fire, it became too much. They were finished. By the skin of their teeth, Privates Bond and Handy both fled south.

Arriving back at their camp, they silently prepared for the night. While eating, the two were rather despondent, mulling over their next move. It was obvious they were outnumbered and were unable to contact the Rangers. The weather had forced Bond and Handy to shore prematurely. Should they wait for reinforcements that were expected in the morning, or move on? They weren’t sure. Finally they decided to become thorns in the sides of their French adversaries by performing hit and run tactics to make the French wonder where and when they would hit next.

They finished dinner, geared up, and headed north towards Commision Point. When they arrived, though, the point was empty. To insure that it was indeed empty, Privates Bond and Handy swiftly swept it from one end to the other. In so doing, Bond spotted two French canoes. Upon further inspection, there was nothing of any use in them, so the canoes were filled with stones and sunk.

Soon after the canoes demise, Bond and Handy heard a fierce battle to the north. The cacophony of fire echoed up and down the lake. After some time, the sounds of battle trailed off further up the lake. From the direction to which the fire faded, they feared it was a British defeat.

Knowing that the French would soon return, Privates Bond and Handy decided an ambush was in order. They would lay in wait. They sequestered themselves behind the supports of a stone structure. This structure was the key to the defense of Commission Point. This time, the tables would be turned on the French.

With the onset of darkness, Private Bond spotted five De La Marines led by an officer. With sweat beading on their foreheads, hearts pounding, and blood rushing through every limb of their bodies, the two waited and waited. Feeling the time was right, they jumped from cover and fired at point blank range. They fired, reloaded, and fired again. They had scored hits. The French were scattered. Unfortunately, to their concern, they were now pinned down as they were. Neither the French nor they could move. In essence, it was a “Mexican standoff.”

In an attempt to break the standoff, Private Bond jumped from cover only to be hit. Jumping out in his defense, Private Handy raised his musket to only have it misfire. He, too, was then hit.

A parlay was soon called. Both the French de la Marine and the two privates shook hands, exchanged pleasantries, and parted company. Tomorrow was another day.

October 11^th. With the crack of dawn, Privates Bond and Handy expected reinforcements from Fort Edward. Unfortunately, the agreed upon time came and went. They feared the reinforcements met with unexpected circumstances. The two knew the Bloody Flux was rampant at Edward. Could it be that they, too, had caught its demon pains? They decided the time was becoming short, and so advanced up the lake in search of the Rangers to the north.

As they proceeded up the Lake, they cautiously approached Commission point. French forces were not present. The way was clear when suddenly they spotted French canoes approaching. The De La Marine had not seen them, so Privates Bond and Handy again laid in wait. As they came near the docks, Privates Bond and Handy stepped from cover and summarily dispatched the De La Marine in the lead canoe while forcing the second to flee for safer waters.

Not waiting for more French troops to come and block their way, the two quickly moved beyond the confines of Commision point, hoping to find signs of ranger activity and link up with friendly forces.

It had been a day and a half, and the two had yet to locate anyone. They knew their Rangers were present as they heard the crash of muskets and the heavier reports of swivel guns, which told of a brisk skirmishing somewhere further up the Lake. But the fog of war was lying heavy upon them. They were either blocked by French troops or just unable to find the location of battle. Where were their brethren in arms? They just didn’t know.

While making steady progress northward, they decided to search known havens of Ranger activity. In just one location, to their relief, they spotted the movement of troops, one dressed in red. Friends had finally been found! Dropping their guards, Bond and Handy quickly moved forward.

Pvt. Larry Handy of the 55th of Foot

Suddenly, their hearts sank. They had been fooled. The “friends” were French milice!

Before Privates Bond and Handy could react, shots rang out from the left. French pickets had spotted them. Returning fire, a running battle ensued. While fleeing, Bond and Handy could see the forest behind them come alive with movement. They had stumbled onto the main French camp and were hopelessly outnumbered. Running in terror, they somehow soon became concealed by the dense forest. After a short distance, they regained the trail where the forest again opened. They needed to hide and hope the French milice would be laggards and quit the chase. Spotting a dried up streambed, they took cover and laid in it. To their chagrin, they could hear the approaching French. It became evident that they would be found.

Moments later, they were upon them. A sharp skirmish occurred. The French milice officer in red was none other than the much-feared Captain Soule. Private Handy had Soule in his sights, but alas, his musket misfired again. There was no choice. Privates Bond and Handy surrendered.

The much-feared Soule and his troops exchanged pleasantries. Soule recounted the defeat of the Rangers from the previous night. To the surprise of both Privates Bond and Handy, Soule offered them safe passage to find their friends; however, he indicated that even the great Soule had no idea where they were. With hopes dashed, Privates Bond and Handy returned south. Maybe they would meet up with their delayed reinforcements.

Turning southward, they began to feel the chances in making contact with friendly units were becoming more improbable. Efforts north were completely stymied. They would return to Commision Point and wait.

Suddenly rounding a bend, a party of de la Marine were blocking the way. Privates Bond and Handy fired simultaneously. Not waiting for a response, they quickly ran uphill. Becoming winded after 100 yards, they concealed themselves in a blow down. A sharp skirmish ensued. French forces began to envelop both flanks. Time was short. Continued resistance was pointless. The two privates called for a Parlay and surrendered.

Pvt. Peter Bond of the 55th of Foot

At this time, the French told the two that their reinforcements had in fact arrived. Unfortunately for them, though, they were ambushed and forced to flee into the forest. The French provided no further knowledge of their whereabouts. Their friends had been scattered to the winds. With this, the two privates were rendered harmless. The contingent of French De La Marine let them pass. They would continue south and hopefully meet up with any surviving troops from Fort Edward.

Continuing on, Privates Bond and Handy soon passed Commission Point. Not waiting to be further targets, they pushed on to the security of their stone fortress. With an eye on the trail, they waited. Would friendly forces arrive or not?

Time passed, and still no signs of any movement along the trail. They decided to reconnoiter the point one more time. As Privates Bond and Handy approached, they spotted a French canoe tied to shore. No one was visible. It was obvious the French were searching for the two. They laid in wait. Within minutes, French troops appeared. Bond and Handy waited until there was no chance to miss. They fired and dropped both De La Marine.

With one final look from Commission Point, Privates Bond and Handy could see a canoe approaching from the south. Had they made contact with British forces? To their chagrin, they soon realized they were De La Marine. With curious and joyful greetings, the De La Marine waved and bid them a good day. Bond and Handy, in turn, cheerfully replied and continued on towards camp.

Making steady progress, they soon returned to camp. Once in camp, the two soon realized the reason behind the De La Marine’s happiness. Their camp had been captured and their supplies gone. The De La Marine left a calling card. The King of Spades. They were ransoming the privates’ provisions. In the note, they said to get beer for them, and Privates Bond and Handy’s supplies would then be returned.

“Just wait for the next meeting on the Lake,” the two privates thought. “We will again be thorns in your sides… But we expect it will be the turn of the French Marines to provide the beer!”

Private Bond

Private Handy