The various British ranging units of the French and Indian War offered the British and provincial armies unique solutions to Colonial North American fighting. North America was a literal sea of trees in which one could easily get lost. In this "sea" also lived the Native Americans who used extreme violence with hit and run raids to stop the encroaching colonists. Most colonial men (future rangers) were experienced woodsmen and hunters who had learned how to survive in the hostile enviroment. They used new equipment like snow shoes and ice skates to move around the landscape. These men, defending home and family, had much more to lose than the British regulars who were there to protect them. Yet the British regulars had much to learn about fighting on the North American Continent. Who were these men and what lessons did they teach the British?
On the rugged New World frontier, settlers soon found the native canine--the wolf--was much better suited to the harsh conditions than some of the favorite breeds brought from Europe. Their experiments in crossbreeding resulted in pups that retained many of the wolf's characteristics and made hearty companions. One day while out hunting, William Stark encountered one of these wolf / dogs being beaten by a French officer. Stark reproached the action, then fought with the Frenchman and killed him. Stark and the wolf / dog, which he named Sergeant. Beaubien, went on to share many more hunting ventures, as well as years of service together for Rogers Rangers.
Many different individuals commanded the ranger units. They organized most units into companies named after the Captain who raised them. Names like Ogden, Speakman, Hobbs, and Goreham. Other names come back later in history to serve in the American Revolution: men like Stark and Putnam. In most people's minds, the name Rogers comes to mind. Robert Rogers and his brothers Richard and James all served in ranging companies. They all had an important impact on ranger and American History.
In 1755, the North American colonies were on the brink of another war for control of the continent. The British colonies began to raise provincial regiments to protect their frontiers. In Blanchard's New Hampshire regiment, Robert Rogers organized the regiment's ranging company. Robert looked for experienced woodsmen to fill his ranks. Even though he was in his early twenties, he had no problems filling his quota. One of Roger's first assignments was the building of a fort in the Great Meadows area of Northern New Hampshire. Due to a mix up in directions, the fort was too far Northeast, thus was not used at all. They dubbed the fort the Ghost Fort. Meanwhile they built another fort, Fort Edward, at Lyman's carrying place on the Hudson River. One of Rogers other duties was to check on two forts the French were building to the north.
Rogers led several scouting missions north checking up on the progress of these forts' construction and the number of men there. Burt Loescher dubbed one of these missions as the "Gopher Scout" since Rogers and another ranger crawled to and stayed in the earthen trenches surrounding Fort Crown Point. While in the trenches, they observed daily life of the French Garrison. Not all of Roger's missions were "easy" scouts. Some of them ended as battles.
Rogers and his men faced bloody battles or skirmishes near the Isle of Mouton (Isle of Mutton). The first engagement was an ambush that Rogers initiated. Rogers and his men were checking on the new Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga) the French were building. While resting, Rogers noticed a canoe of nine indians coming toward him and his men. Rogers ordered his men to fire at 100 yards. They killed or wounded five of the attackers. Rogers then tried to chase the survivors until more enemy canoes reinforced the survivors. Facing superior enemy numbers, Rogers and his men were forced to leave. Later, Rogers was trying to stop the canoe traffic between the two French forts. He gathered and loaded his men on flat bottom boats called batteaus. On four of the batteaus, he mounted four small canons. Accompanying Rogers was his brother Richard, Isreal Putnam, Ensign Noah Johnson, and several privates. While scouting the area, Rogers men stumbled on a small French picket fort. The French responded by sending out canoes and men along the bank of the lake. Rogers sent most of his men out in the batteaus and leaving the rest on shore. The batteaus fired on the canoes with their small canons, causing great harm to the occupants. Rogers turned his batteaus around and fired on the French force attacking his men left on shore. During this exchange, these men promptly boarded their batteau and fled with Rogers to safety. These were the beginning of many battles to come.
1756 saw Roger's command and scope of operations continue to grow. During the winter months, Rogers and his men raided and burned the villages around Fort Crown Point. In early spring, Governor Shirley gave Rogers and his company an independent status. Meaning he was free from the strict regulations facing many military units at the time. Many provincials breveted him a Major (an honorary rank) instead of a Captain, a pleasant boost in rank! His command increased with a company of Christian Mohicans from Stockbridge, Mass.
Fearing an attack, Lord Loudon, an admirer of Rogers, moved the rangers to an island close to Fort Edward. They called this island Roger's Island. Meanwhile Rogers and the British were facing attacks from the French Partisans (their rangers) Marin, Langy, Capt. Columbiere and Ensign Meloise. Meanwhile, Loudon sent Richard Rogers west to help Col. Webb in the Mohawk Valley. Webb was very impressed with the rangers and spread the ranger name. The next year was not going to be an easy year for Rogers and his men.
The year 1757 was an up and down year for the rangers. In January, Rogers and his men, attacked some French sleds on Lake Champlain. They missed the main body that fled to Fort Ticonderoga and warned the French there. The French sent men under Capt. Basserode and Langdale (a partisan). Basserode ambushed Rogers at La Barbue Creek. The resulting battle was a seesaw affair until Rogers ordered his rangers to disperse into the night (a common ranger tactic). The French killed many rangers in the ambush. Rogers and his men made it to Fort William Henry to recover. During the spring, the British amry was preparing to attack Fortress Lousibourg in Nova Scotia. Robert and some men left Fort Edward and went to Nova Scotia. There, Rogers and his men had numerous run ins with Goreham's rangers. Lord Loudon had to step in to settle this conflict. Meanwhile Richard Rogers' Rangers and Ogden's Rangers stayed in Fort William Henry. A small pox epidemic broke out killing Richard and several rangers. Noah Johnson was left in temporary command. The French General Montcalm launched an attack against Fort William Henry. The French out numbered the British and forced the British commander Munro to surrender. The French Indian allies massacred British prisioners trying to leave the fort. Noah Johnson and a few rangers managed to escape.
The fall of Fort William Henry forced Loudon to rethink things. First he sends Rogers back to Fort Edward. While at Fort Edward, Loud Loudon orders Rogers to organize a Cadet Company. Loudon's plan was to create two light infantry companies in each British regiment. The regiments would send suitable men to the Cadet Company to learn ranger tactics. They would bring these tactics to the regiment and teach them to the new light infantry companies. To help teach the cadets, Rogers wrote his rules of ranging. Noah Johnson was put in charge of the Cadet Company. One of the biggest supporters of the rangers was Lord Howe. Lord Howe participated in several of Rogers patrols. He was impressed with the abilities of the rangers and used some of this knowledge to reform the British army. Yet the year did not end very well for the rangers.
This group of Rogers Rangers are located on ground overlooking Lake George, New York which stretches Northward behind them. Captain Robert Rogers' men scout deeply within enemy territory supplying the latest intelligence of French activity and their daring hit-and-run tactics not only delivered great annoyance to the enemy but also boosted English spirits.
Experienced Ranger lieutenants are briefing several new cadets and a volunteer from the 42nd Highlanders, as to the basic rules outlined by Capt. Rogers - rules still employed by Ranger forces today. Among the Ranger "cadets" in the fall of 1756 is William Stark, brother of Ranger Captain John Stark, with his wolf/dog Sergeant Beaubien. At one point throughout their history, Stark entered the wolf/dog into the official Ranger muster roll to draw a Sergeant's rations and pay. It has been said that Sergeant Beaubien scared off his share of the enemy and was well deserving of his pay..
The last months of 1757 were very hard for Robert and his Rangers. The commander of Fort Edward was Col. Haviland. Haviland disliked the rangers especially thier seemingly lack of discipline. He did not make life easy on the rangers. In fact he would discharge some rangers for what he perceived as not being able to do their duties. Rogers, having trouble controlling his men, withdrew their daily rum ration and used the whip (cat o'nine tails) as punishment. Two men, Boyd, and Dawson, were caught stealing rum from the British regulars. They were both sentenced to several lashes. Since he was sick, Rogers had Capt. Sheppard carry out the sentance. A later investigation proved that there was an ok by Rogers to get some rum and Rogers later denied the order. Sheppard unhappy with Rogers part in this affair remarked that he was upset with Rogers. Since the rangers were already angry with the punishment, Sheppard's remarks pushed them over the edge. They marched to the whipping post and cut it down. One ranger pointed a firelock on Sheppard when he tried to calm things down. Col. Haviland sent some soldiers down to quell the mutiny. Haviland sent letters to Lord Loudon complaining about Rogers and his men. Rogers and Haviland did not reconcile on the issue. The year ended better when Rogers and his men went to Fort Carillon to check on the French there. Rogers managed to capture a French sergeant and butchered about seventeen beef cows in front of the watching garrison!
Rogers' Rangers On Lake Champlain behind enemy lines during his famous raid on Saint Francis in the French and Indian War
The years 1755-1757 proved to be very eventful for Rogers and his rangers. They kept tabs on the French Forts of Crown Point and Ticonderoga. They launched sneak attacks at the Isle of Mutton and around the French Forts. Rogers was honored with the title Major and the creation of a Cadet company to teach his ranging tactics to other men. Yet there was some bad times too. The death of his brother Richard, the Massacre of Fort William Henry, and the Whipping Post Mutiny. Even so, British officers, like Lord Loudon and Lord Howe learned from Rogers and his rangers and reformed the army to make it a better one. These three years showed that the British, along with Rogers and his rangers could meet and fight the French and their Indian Allies on their terms and could beat them. The next few years would be critical for control of the North American Continent.
