History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1755.] FOURTH FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 259
capt. Hawiey's Last Capt. Hawley was sliot through tlie left
^^"^'- breast ; the ball was cut out near the
shoulder-blade, having pierced the left
lobe of the lungs. For nearly three weeks he lingered,
hovering between life and death ; the surgeon at one time
expressed some slight hope of his recovery. His last moments
before the fatal march were occupied in writing to
his brother, and this letter full of brotherly affection is
given below. Major Hawley was too ill to undertake a
journey to" the camp when he learned the sorrowful tidings.
That sad duty devolved upon his brother-in-law, Major
Samuel Clarke, who cheered and soothed the last few days
of the wounded and dying man.
" Lake St. Sacrament (now called Lake George)
8"^ Sept. 1755.
" I rec'd your letter dated at Springfield the SQ"* of August wherein
you manifest a great concern for us and tell me that if you should hear
from us that we were likely to proceed to effect, you are resolved,
Providence permitting, to come to us. Sr. I suppose 'tis the fixed determination
of the chief officers of the army, to proceed to Crown point
as soon as we are joined by the recruits that we hear are raised, 'tis apprehended
the consequences of our returning without going thro' with
what was projected when we set out would be so fatal that I believe
we shall be ordered to proceed altho' our Numbers should not be equal
to the Numbers that we are informed are at Crown point—but with
respect to your Coming I have but little to say. I should be very glad
to have your company, but I am sensible that j'ou are needed at home
on many accounts. Shall leave the matter to j'our priidence. Should
be very glad Lt. Lyman would come and join us and Capt. Dwight, but
I fear they will on some account or other excuse themselves. While I
am writing one of our Scouts who has just come in informs that the
day before yesterday they discovered a little west of the drowned land
the tracks of a very large body of French and Indians, who were just
gone — they say they made as great signs as our army and the.y suppose
intend to attack us or the fort at Lj'dias's but perhaps their design may
be only to attack some of our wagons as they come up with stores. We
have sent again to make further discovery and I hope they may be disappointed
in their design.
" Sr. we have now another messenger arrived who informs that he
was on the road to Lydias's from this place in company with 8 wagons,
which were going from hence for Loads (it seems they went from us
without leave) he says the wagons before him were fired upon by y"
Enemy — he heard a great outcry and fled, and is now got to us. I am
this minute a going out in Company with five hundred men to see if
we can Intercept 'em in their retreat, or find their canoes in the
drowned Land, and therefore must conclude this letter.
" from y"^ loving and only Brother
Elish.'v. Hawley."