| The Journal of Jeremiah Bancroft, 1755 |
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A junior officer under John Winslow's command at Grand-Pré, Jeremiah Bancroft, from Massachusetts, also kept a daily journal of his experiences during the 1755 campaign. [Aug. 19th] … sailed for Mines where we arrived the next morning and marcht to thire Mass house took possession and Hoisted an English Flagg the Col. Gave Orders to the Soldiers not to take anything from the french not so much as a fowl. Afterwards he entertained his Officers with a Good Dinner. After Diner the Col. sent for sum of the head of the french to take such things out of their Mass house as was sacred for his soldiers must Lodge in it which they did without objection. On Thirsday [Aug.] 21st our men was set to work a gatting and cutting up Piequits [pickets] in order for a Garison it was Laid out to Enclose the Mass house and ye two Dwelling houses it was 17 rods [85m] in Length and nine rods [45m] in Bredth. Satterday 30th [Aug.] the Col. ordered the Burying Place to be enclosed which was dun this Day with pickets the Col. marches this Day with 50 men to se the cittuation of the french villages. Frydy ye 5th [Sept.] the french being ordered to come to the Col. into the forte as they supposed to receive sum new orders but contrary to their expectation the Gate was shut and they confined as Prisoners the Col. showing them by his orders which was that they must be sent off and that the land and cattle was become forfeted to the King. Being themselves so Decoyed the shame and confusion of face together with Anger so altered their countenences [faces] that it cant be expressed… |