CHAPTER IX.
British preparations for the prosecution of the war--Indications at the North--Doubtful position and conduct of General Howe--Embarrassing to the Americans--Intercepted correspondence--General Howe sails to the Chesapeake--Enters Philadelphia in triumph--Burgoyne approaches from the North--Indian policy--Sir Guy Carleton--False estimates of the strength of Ticonderoga--Burgoyne arrives at Crown Point--Feasts the Indians--Invests Ticonderoga--Carries the outworks--Fortifies Sugar Hill--The fortress evacuated by St. Clair--Retreat of the Americans--Battles near Skenesborough and at Fort Ann--Burgoyne enters the valley of the Hudson--Schuyler, without means, retreats from Fort Edward--Terror of the people--Cruelties of the Indians--Story of Miss McCrea--General flight of the population--Mrs. Ann Eliza Bleecker--Heroism of Mrs. Schuyler--Attempted assassination of General Schuyler. 195