John's day, to return to Quebec were I had requested the Intendant to make out the detachments of Militia which should follow me to the war, without inconvenience to the Country I arrived there on the twenty-sixth, having used great diligence on the route, and found the people ordered and some canoes purchased but as they were not sufficient for the embarcation of all, we caused fifteen ;

;

flat (bottomed) pine

batteaux, suitable for the conveyance, each, of fourteen or fifteen men, to be constructed in a hurry. I divided all

my small force into three divisions, I placed myself at the head of the first which I

commanded to lead the van.

I left the management of the second to Mr. D'Orvilliers, antient Captain

of Infantry ; the third being composed of troops from the Island of Montreal and the environs, was

commanded by Sieur Dugue, antient Captain of Carignan. fore part of spring, reconnoitering Lake Ontario

Sieur D'Orvilliers had been, since the and the Seneca Country, to see where the descent

should be made and in what direction we should march to their two principal villages, of which he had made a faithful and exact plan. I selected as Major of the Brigade which I commanded, Sieur

de Villebon-Beccancour, formerly Captain of the King's Dragoons, so that acting in

was obliged to have an eye to all, I could confide in liim

;

my place, as I

he succeeded with all possible diligence

and experience. I left Quebec the ninth of July, at the head of Three hundred militiamen, accompanied by the said