After action report of
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Orders were received to send all available troops to rendezvous with Captain Quentin Kennedy, formerly of the 44th Regiment of Foot, at Lake George in the area known as the Narrows to counter recent intrusions by the French and Indians. New recruits Pvt. Robert Albrecht and Pvt. David Herbel, and myself, Cpl. John Bauer, were detached from the company for this mission.
Monday, the 9th. The transport packed and the canoe loaded the day before, the three of us left New Jersey at O’dark:thirty, arriving without delays at the appointed rendezvous site at slightly after 10:30am. [Truth be told, until only three weeks before, I anticipated being here by myself again. Having made my first Lake event last year, it has been the one event which I was determined to attend this year. Several others in Dunn’s were interested, but their work schedules were not co operative. Bob was my one hope, but his being self-employed also made his ability to go dependent on his work load. He had only joined Dunn’s this past year, and this would be his first tactical event, which also made him hesitant. A green coat and boiler were borrowed early on from fellow Ranger Steve Belton, just in case. And a list was drawn up, which Bob slowly worked on, just in case. Finally, three weeks before, Bob announced that “He was going!” Okay, time to pick up the pace, there was still much to do. Little did I know. Still cautious, I waited a week before relaying that information at the dinner table one evening. Dave Herbel, my youngest daughter’s fiancé, always there for dinner, perked up and proclaimed that he wanted to go also!!! Oh boy. His grand total of experience was having attended a Rev War muster in August as a colonial civilian, for part of a day. Jessie had made him a shirt, the remainder he had borrowed from me. This Tactical was no day trip. I had serious concerns. But how do you say no to anyone with the re enacting bug? A challenge with only two weeks to go, I drew up a list of items he would need to purchase post haste; shoes, canteen, socks and a green beret. A green coat, canvas leggings, boiler, pack and musket were begged from another Ranger and dear friend, Bob Clausen. I gave him britches, utensils, and a good knife. With the help of Bob Albrecht, he made a beautiful sheath for the knife, Dave’s first project. He learned to roll cartridges, and only the weekend before the event, was instructed in the use of a musket and fired off 20 + rounds, his first muzzleloader experience. On the trip up, we reviewed the Articles of War for the event, went over what to expect and how to react during an engagement, possible scenarios, safety and camp etiquette. I hoped it was enough information to see them through, and that the French and Indians would leave some pieces of them for me to bring back to their families, because here we were, and the excitement was running high.] Lt. Chauncey Goodrich of Rogers' Rangers had also just arrived, and after introductions we were briefed on the expected timetable of our advance. Our baggage was transferred to the landing site and packed into our canoe. Shortly after, a canoe arrived from the north with Captain Kennedy (Wade Stoner) and Pvt. William Filkins, also of Rogers’, with information on engagements with the French and their Indian allies the past two days. The Captain graciously offered to take Pvt. Herbel to scout back north on foot, giving him additional tutoring on the way. The rest would proceed by canoe to Commission Point.
The two-mile paddle was uneventful except for the attempts of several speed boats to sink us in their wake. Arriving at the Point, we also met Pvt. Abraham Price of the Queen’s Grenadiers, who carried a very interesting (tennis ball) grenade launcher. After unloading our baggage, Dunn’s Coy. scouted back to the south to obtain some images of several large rock outcroppings, including Monument Rock. Lt. Goodrich intercepted us on the old road while we were returning, and he had news that the French fleet and several canoes had advanced south en masse and were in control of a small island off the Point. As we were expecting a detachment from the 55th Regiment of Foot, I was sent back south to attempt to make contact, while Pvts. Albrecht and Herbel returned to the Point with the Lt. I found no evidence of the arrival of the 55th, and after hearing the exchange of gunfire, I hurriedly returned and was nearly cut off by a French landing party. I quickly dispatched two Indians who had just landed and blocked my advance, allowing my safe though hurried return. The Point was well secured with makeshift fortifications and several swivel cannon, and we were able to repulse the French attack (much to the delight of several picnickers on our right flank). After some heavy firing on all sides, the commanders called a parley for a much needed discussion of the Articles of War, and the passing of some very fine spirits, after which the French returned to their secure island retreat with empty bottles.
We were out-numbered and with the French so near, our position was precarious at best. The Captain held a council to discuss our options. We agreed upon a plan of action to abandon Commission Point in the dark and take Black Mountain Point to the north. Pvt. David Broach of the N. Y. Provincials arrived by foot and reported that the 55th had not yet arrived. The fire was built up to prepare our evening meal and hopefully deceive the French into believing we were staying the night while we quietly made preparations to leave, five of us in three canoes and one canoe in tow with supplies. We pushed off before the moon rose on a calm lake. The remaining three stayed to keep the fire burning and left an hour later to advance on foot, the illusion complete. When we arrived at our destination, Black Mountain Point was bathed in moonlight. We hurriedly spread our bedrolls, posted a night watch, and retired in a cold and windy night. During the night, a strong north wind picked up which carried a chill with it, making the exposed Point an uncomfortable place to be, and sleep restless.
Tuesday, the 10th.
In the morning after a hot breakfast, we fortified the access to the Point and placed swivel cannon in the event of an attack, although we felt fairly secure knowing that the north wind held the French fleet in place and that they had seldom ventured far from their boats. Eager to learn, Pvt. Herbel was sent out with Pvt. Broach for a scout of the area. During this time the French surprised and over-ran our position in a swift and well coordinated attack, losing several but killing everyone in our party. The two-man scout ambushed the returning force, but was also killed. (I believe we were all surprised that the French made such an effort to seek out our position on foot, especially so early in the morning, and it speaks highly of their willingness to play hard.) Honoring the Articles of War, we were obliged to abandon our position on the Point within the hour. The Captain again called for a council to discuss our options. He at first favored advancing further north, but the strong north winds made that a risky and demanding venture. The final decision was to go south and find a secure position up off the lake. While we were packing and loading gear, a French canoe came into the bay from the north, and both occupants were killed. Fighting a strong headwind, we rounded the Point and canoed south through heavy swells to land at what is called the Perch. We carefully hid our canoes, and with great effort, hauled baggage far up the steep hillside to what we believed would be a safe camp. A patrol was organized, with Pvt. Albrecht staying behind in a secluded position to observe if enemy scouts discovered our canoes or camp.
Discovering the French encamped on Hazel Island, we set an ambush and harassed them, hoping to draw them from their island retreat, but they would not co-operate. We gathered at the remains of Fort Bear Necessity and reminisced briefly over its previous grandeur. Finally continuing, we encountered a patrol of French Marines (Troupes de la Marine), and fell into a sharp engagement. The French patrol was finally dispatched, but at great costs to us. (The French Marines are an excellent unit, and it is interesting to hear their commands in French during an engagement.) I was killed while trying to out flank to the left. Pvt. Herbel reported making two kills. Pvt. Albrecht, hearing the exchange, left his position and came in upon their rear and scored one kill. Regrouping, we continued our patrol, returning to our camp by an alternate route. Worn by lack of sleep and weary from loading and unloading our canoe three times and moving camp twice within twenty four hours, Dunn’s prepared a hot meal and retired early. The Captain, feeling secure in our location did not post a watch. Although there was no enemy activity, I awoke several times to the sounds of various critter noises, large and small, in the immediate area.
Wednesday, the 11th. Refreshed after a good nights rest and a hot breakfast with coffee, the Captain organized us into a patrol. While scouting to the south, we heard the brief exchange of gunfire several times and surmised it was the 55th advancing north through hostile territory. Almost immediately after the Captain sent Lt. Goodrich and Pvt. Filkins to observe movements of the French fleet, three Indians were ambushed heading south on the road. While on their mission, Goodrich and Filkins encountered part of the 55th and returned with them. Our force now numbered ten. Our patrol swung to the east and south, keeping the road within view, and soon encountered a French patrol in company with some of their Indian allies. A running battle ensued, with each side attempting to out maneuver the other and gain control of the high broken ground to the east. In one such move, the Captain was killed in front of me, the Indian quickly abandoning his ambush and running uphill (yes,running, uphill, ah, the energy of youth) presenting a straight away killing shot. (Thank goodness, because there was no way I could have possibly pursued him.) The 55th and others in our group flanked to the right and then swept the hillside to the left, while the remaining French circled behind and around us to our left. Lt. Goodrich, Pvt. Herbel and I found ourselves in close proximity and were able to lend each other support. In this manner, we were able to dispatch the remaining French. Pvt. Herbel reported killing the French commander Med Chandler and the Indian Yellowshirt. A severely wounded Pvt. Albrecht reported one kill, and I accounted for two.
Our patrol regrouped, and we ate a refreshing noonday meal on a high rock outcropping. Reforming and continuing south, we quickly ran into a patrol of French Marines. Advance scout Pvt. Herbel was killed when his weapon misfired (something I had overlooked instructing him in). Pvt. Albrecht accounted for the French commander and one other. The French found themselves pinned in a dangerous position as they could neither advance nor retreat from the rock overhang below us. The remaining French finally asked for and received a parley. Not expecting any other enemy to be encountered this high up the hillside, our patrol returned to the old road. An ambush was set and a scout was sent out on Red Rock to spy on suspected French positions. Upon re-gathering and en route to camp, a canoe with three Indians was discovered on shore in a cove and quickly dispatched. The 55th, as well as Pvt. Dave Broach bid us farewell at this time and headed south, and to home. Thankfully, there was no evidence that our camp had been discovered, and so we again retired early without posting a guard. The night was rainy on and off, with all sleeping well, except for the Captain.
Thursday, the 12th. I was the first up as the night was quickly waning and I quietly woke the camp. The Captain had obviously been busy last night, as witnessed by a French standard within our camp. Seeing this, it was assumed the French would surly retaliate and make all efforts to discover our camp and recover their flag. The wet conditions made attempting a fire unwise. We elected for cold rations and vacated our camp with all haste. Pvt. Abe Price had quickly scouted north, returning with reports of French patrols headed south from Black Mountain Point. We hurried to set ambushes well south of our camp. From Pvt. Albrecht’s and my position in the ambush, no enemies were engaged. Pvt. Herbel reported dispatching one Indian and the loss of Pvt. Price, but not until he had killed two or three. In a separate ambush, the Captain and Lt. Goodrich reported several killed. We returned to camp, grabbed some rations and quickly left, saying goodbye to Pvt. Price who elected to also return south and to another event. The remaining six scouted north up the old road, turning east up one of the known trails and then north to cross some beautifully rugged terrain. Topping a wooded hilltop, what was perhaps a lone Indian claimed a kill on the Captain, and quickly disappeared. Fearing an ambush ahead, we finally skirted the suspect area and continued on. We quietly passed the French on Black Mountain Point far below us and proceeded north to Ranger Point. After a short rest and some refreshment we returned south, parlayed with Jon Soule (just vacating one of those small brown shacks) to pass and continued to our camp. Pvt. Filkins however had no intention of honoring the parley and fired upon the French, who in turn swarmed off the Point and gave chase. Only his fleetness of foot saved him, as the French gave a lengthy and determined pursuit. Our return to camp confirmed that the French had finally discovered it, and had marked it accordingly. However, they had not found their flag, which the Captain had carefully hidden.
At this time, finding our camp was a moot point as hostilities had ended. The Captain however would be required to make an exchange of the captured French flag for some of his confiscated possessions at the scheduled parley, which we now hurried to attend. Although there were at first some heated words over such actions, everyone just as quickly turned cordial and was for a brief time, able to share some food, spirits and camaraderie. It was good, and enjoyable, to meet our worthy adversaries. I inspected two of the docked French boats, and was impressed by their size and sleek lines. The amount of labor they must require in order for the occupants to attend the Lake event is obviously a labor of love. I was also impressed by how much cargo they could hold, and can only imagine the effort it takes in unloading and loading!! I’ll stick with my canoe, thank you, although I would gladly accept a complimentary ride if offered. As the French returned northward and home, we canoed quietly to camp, enjoying the sunset and the cool air of our last evening on the lake. In camp, we built a wood eating fire and prepared a feast of the remaining provisions and retired somewhat early.
Friday, the 13th.
Waking in the morning, we learned that the Lt. had taken ill during the night. He felt better after some hot chocolate and we could break camp. Baggage was carried to and loaded in the canoes. We pushed off and paddled hard against a stiff southerly wind which whipped up whitecaps out in the main channel. Finally reaching the launch site, canoes were unloaded one last time, and transports packed for the journey home. We stopped together for a hot meal and several toasts, finally, and with regrets, to bid each other farewell and head our separate ways. For Dunn’s Company the ride home passed quickly, each of us recalling the events of each day, the labor of patrolling beautifully rugged terrain, the gorgeous scenery, and the fellowship of good company. We have taken a silent vow, that if health and the dictates of the 21st century allow, we will all return, for there is truly no event which compares even remotely to the demands, or the rewards, of the Lake.
P.S. So how did those green recruits fare at their first event? We were fortunate to be in company with really great people; friendly, helpful and encouraging with advice and by example. I would say that all my concerns were laid to rest, and that Bob and Dave did Dunn’s Company proud, and they (we) had a blast!
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