Extract of a Letter from Mount Independence, near Ticonderoga: Upon a moderate calculation they have now twelve thousand men which are effective

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Last evening an express brought intelligence from Crown-Point, that heavy firing had been heard for several hours that day on the Lake, upon which the General (eleven at night) issued orders that we should hold ourselves in readiness for an attack; but we are all still to-day and hear nothing from our fleet. What boats the enemy had we know not, but it is thought here they have not a sufficient naval force to cope with us. Upon a moderate calculation we have now twelve thousand men which are effective. The Colonels Whitcomb' s and Finney' s regiments arrived here last week, and we hear there are two more hard by. Our works go on briskly. We have plenty of good bread, beef, and salt pork.