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By order of General William Johnson
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This invitation is to French & Indian War Units to attend a weekend encampment event on the grounds of Sir William Johnsons house. This is an encampment designed to introduce and educate the public about the French & Indian War in New York Colony. We encourage the participants to interact with the public.
There is No tactical planned. Troop drilling and musket fire is encouraged for public education purposes..
Participating re-enactor groups should portray a military "look" that would be appropriate in North America during the French and Indian War (1755-1763). Please help us portray an 18th century appearance to the public throughout the weekend.
Contact us if you would like to attend this event, jim@oldfortjohnson.org
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Exerpt from: Journal of Indian Affairs
Fort Johnson, March 19-April 5, 1757
The Onieda Sachems sent those Two Yound Indians to let Sir William know that the French threaten much this part of the Country as soon as the Lakes & Rivers are clear of Ice & desire earnestly we may be on our Guard.
These Two Indians say that some of the Young Fellows who are come from Candad told them there were not when they left it, above 100 of the foreign Indians there to be see, but the Govr. Told them there were a great Number shut up in a large House, having declared they would follow the Six nations Whenever they saw them, they did not see many Troops in Montreal or there abouts.
Fryday 18th.
Several Tuscarores & Onondagas arrived here who tell much the same News as the Oneidas have told & say we cannot be too much on our Guard as the French are an active enterprising People who never Sleep on those Occasions.
Saturday the 19th of March.
Sir William received by Silver Heels a Letter from Capt. Thoms Butler dated at Onondaga the 14 Inst. A Copy of which he immediately transmitted to the Commanding officer at Albany – he says (Silver Heels) an Indians told him there was an Army marched from Canada in order to Attack Fort William Henry, and that an Attack this way would also be Attempted soon.
Sunday Morning 20 March
Sir William Johnson received a Letter from Lieut. Col. Gage & two more from Lieuts. Colonel Glen & Rentzelaar with an Account of the French having Attacked Fort William Henry the day before as by a Letter from the Major at Fort Edward. On wch. He instantly Issued Orders for the Militia along the Mohock River to Muster at his House as soon as possible also sent Arent Stevens the Interpreter to acquaint the Mohocks with the News & to desire them with a very long War Belt to rise & join him, as well as those of the Six Nations who were then at Fort Johnson who very readily agreed to march with Sr. William but said they had brought no Arms Amunition &c. with them, all which was immediately provided and given to them & to many More who came afterwards & were also unprovided. Sir William sent the above Belt forward to Connojohary with Orders to forward it thro the Nations & call them down.
When the Interpreter proposed to the Mohocks the forwarding the Belt to Connojohary there was not one to be found of all the Mohocks who would go withit, buthsaid they would march directly with Sir William lest they might not be present at the Engagement a& share in the Glory of it – upon which the Interpreter was obliged to get a White Man to go with it to Connojohary Express with orders for fresh Horses.
The Interpreter returned at 5 a Clock & reported that the Mohocks would be all here as sooon as possible & begged Sir William would stay until they arrived & set off together.
Sunday Evening six a Clock
Moses was sent by the Mohocks to let Sr. Wm know they were assembling as fast as they could & would be here in the Morning early. Sir Wm. Sent them word back by Moses that he would march at break of day with as many of the five nations as were here & the Militia & desired they might follow as fast as they could, and that he intended to be cross the Woods by Lestigunan & so to the half Moon then be entered the large Room where the Six Nations were dancing the War Dance & sung his War Song, after which he made a short Speech to the Six Nations Warriors there & told them he was very glad to find them so ready to go with their Brother, to wch. they answered & said, they were determined ìto go & see what would become of him.î
Sir William Johnson Papers 9:665
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Instructions to Alexander Trumbull at Fort Johnson 1756
1. You are to keep your Party Sober & in good order & prevent their haveing any unnecessary Intercourse with the Indians, lest any difference might arise between them from too much familiarity.
2. If any difference should arise between them, or the Indians use any of Your Party Ill, I am to be immediately acquainted with it.
3. You in the Daytime keep one Sentry on the Eminence to the Northward of the House, who upon seeing the Enemy advance, is to fire his peice & retreat to the Fort. Another Sentry to be posted at the gate of the Fort on the outside who is also to enter the Fort on the advanced Sentrys alarming him.
4. The Serjant to take Care that the Mens Quarters be kept verry Clean, and that they Wash well, & freshen their Salt Provisions, the neglect of wh. Makes them subject to many Disorders fatall to the Troops in this part of the World.
5. In Case of an attack, the 2 Bastions to be properly manned, the Curtains also, there mixing some of my People wth. Yours. The remainder of My People to Man the Dwelling House & fight from thence, makeing Use of the four Wall Peices, & Musquetoons out of the Window fitted for them.
6. Whenever an alarm is given by the advanced Sentry, you will order three Pattereroes to be immediately fired that being the Signall I have given to the Mohawks, & on their approach near the Fort when Challenged, they are to Answer George as Distinct as they Can, then to be admitted if practicable.
7. When there are no Indians here the Gates to be Locked at 8 o Clock in ye. Evening and opened at Six In the Morning: first looking round about to See that all is Safe & clear _ the advanced Sentry to be posted Everry Day.
The Mens Arms & Amunition to be kept in good Order.
Sir W. Johnson
Signed Sir William Johnson
August 9, 1756 |
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This event is being made possible by support from Montgomery County Historical Society
and Schuyler's Company, of NY Provincials 1759.
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