Beschreibung:

Autograph Manuscript Signed (“Stephen Cross”), 50 pp recto and verso, in brown ink, folio and 4to, original marbled wrappers, [Canada & France, 1756-1757], titled by the author “Journal up to Lake Ontario,” browning, edges chipped, two leaves with tape repairs, one leaf detached, some stains, wrappers worn. Stephen Cross was a shipbuilder from Newburyport. His adventure begins in March, 1756 when he "agreed to go to Oswego on to Lake Ontario to build some vessels for the Kings service, to transport the army across the lake and assist in attacking the French Forts Frontenack and Niagara." Cross records his journey and arrival in Oswego in good detail, with storms, reports and rumors of Indian attacks, and harrowing descriptions of trying to haul and build ships in a muddy, remote fort surrounded by forest "constantly infested with the enemy." Cross worked through the summer in these conditions, with continuously escalating Indian attacks and desertions by British soldiers. On the 14th of August, Fort Oswego fell and Cross was captured: "On the appearance of day light, our morning gun was fired as usual. But a shot put in it and pointed to Fort Ontario, concluding the enemy to be there. We were immediately answered by 14 shot from so many heavy cannon, which they had prepared in a faschene battery on the high bank of the river before the Fort. (In the cover of the night), upon which our guns were briched about on their platforms. All that could be brot to bear. And as severe a cannonade, on both sides as perhaps ever was ... The Commandant Colonel Mercer about this time was killed by a cannon ball. Thus the man who this day a week ago had the lives of two valuable men in his hands, and would not extend mercy to them. Now had not time to see for his own life ... We were all ordered to cross the river and put ourselves under the protection of the regular French army. Thus this place fell into the hands of the French, with a great quantity of stores. We supposed about 9000 Barrels of provisions. A considerable number of Brass and Iron cannons and Mortars. One vessel just launched fit to carry 18 guns. One Brigg with 14 guns. Two sloops pierced for 10 guns each ...", etc. Cross further gives a thrilling description of the aftermath of Montcalm’s victory, "Some of our soldiers before they came over went to the store houses and filled their canteens with rum. As soon as they got safe into Fort Ontario under the French guard, they began to drink soon and got intoxicated and soon began to fight with one another, with others singing, dancing, hallowing and cahoosing. That it appeared more like bedlam than a prison. Soon after the Indian had got into our fort. They went searching for rum which they found. And began to drink. When they soon became like so many Hellhounds. And after murdering and scalping all they could find on that side came over the river with a design to do the same to all the rest ..." Cross and the other prisoners were narrowly saved by the French. Cross continues to provide nearly daily entries of his experience as a prisoner of war en route to France, with scenes of near shipwreck, attempted rape, escape plotting, general hunger and strife. The narrative ends in January of 1757 when he is ill in hospital. Cross would live on to become one of the first selectmen in Newburyport and an active patriot in the Revolutionary War. Published in: Sarah E. Mulliken, ed., "Journal of Stephen Cross of Newburyport, Entitled 'Up to Ontario,' the Activities of Newburyport Shipbuilders in Canada in 1756," Essex Institute Historical Collections 75 (1939), 334–357, 76 (1940), 14–41 (photocopy included in this lot with transcripts of the journal). See illustration.