noon
At five in the afternoon , they reached Sabbath Day Point , twenty-five miles down the lake , where they halted some time for the baggage and artillery . At eleven o'clock they started again , and by daybreak were nearing the outlet of the lake . An advanced party of the French were watching their movements , and a detachment was seen , near the shore , at the spot where the French had embarked on the previous year . The companies of Rogers and James Walsham landed , and drove them off , and by noon the whole army was on shore . The troops started in four columns , but so dense was the forest , so obstructed with undergrowth , that they could scarcely make their way , and , after a time , even the guides became confused in the labyrinth of trunks and boughs , and the four columns insensibly drew near to each other . Curiously , the French advanced party , 350 strong , who had tried to retreat , also became lost in the wood , and , not knowing where the English were , in their wanderings again approached them . As they did so Lord Howe , who , with Major Putnam , and 200 rangers and scouts , was at the head of the principal column , suddenly came upon them .