battle battle skirmish fought rogers rangers french indian troops french indian war january battle given british combatants wearing january captain band rangers scouting expedition near fort ambushed mixed troop french regulars indians fighting ended darkness set significant casualties sides french reports claimed british distinct advantage background french indian war broke british french colonists territorial disputes colonial escalated following year include regular troops french enjoyed successes frontier battles british notable failure occurred british stopped southward advance battle lake george bases fort located crown point new_york known british french indian allies continued scout probe british defenses upper hudson_river british fewer indian allies resorted companies rangers scouting reconnaissance activities ranger companies organized directed eventually known prelude winter rogers companies rangers stationed fort william henry southern end fort edward upper hudson forts principally garrisoned elements 44th 48th regiments formed frontier british province new_york french province canada captain rogers led scouting expedition january stopping fort william henry acquire provisions additional soldiers company left fort january men heading frozen day men turned injuries remaining men continued north reaching point fort january spotted moving lake fort rogers sent lieutenant men intercept spotted stark men seen retreat woods turned british gave chase french escaped rogers succeeded taking seven prisoners rogers learned questioning prisoners french indian war party arrived forts garrisoned thousand regulars concerned escaped raise alarm rogers immediately ordered return camp council disapproved return route violation rogers ranging guidelines overruled citing need speed deep snow early afternoon returned camp rested way south leader supply convoy rogers intercepted returned alerted fort commander according report immediately sent party regulars regiment command accompanied canadian militia indians indians primarily ottawa command french indian leaders defeat battle rogers men walked ambush according estimate french indians british fortunate french muskets wet gunpowder surprise nearly complete lieutenant stark bringing rear ranger column established defensive line rise men gave covering fire retreated position retreated rogers ordered captives slain men freely fight lasted hours ended sunset rogers injured twice battle head hand french reported disadvantage snow knees darkness set rogers survivors retreated miles sent stark men assistance january rogers returned able bodied wounded soldiers aftermath questioned men captured battle learned disposition men materials way albany fort captured british ended slaves indians published pamphlet described captivity spent years slavery traveling far mississippi_river reaching albany november similar battle fought following year rogers nearly killed company
Battle on Snowshoes (1757)