Immediately in
the rear, and on the skirt of the wood, the French had
constructed a sort of bomb-proof, possibly intended to
serve as a cover to the workmen originally employed in
clearing the woods, but long since suffered to fall into
decay. Without the fortification rose a strong and triple
line of pickets, each of about two feet and a half in
circumference, and so fitted into each other as to leave
no other interstices than those which were perforated
for the discharge of musketry. They were formed of the
hardest and most knotted pines that could be procured;
the sharp points of which were seasoned by fire until
they acquired nearly the durability and consistency of
iron. Beyond these firmly imbedded pickets was a ditch,
encircling the fort, of about twenty feet in width, and
of proportionate depth, the only communication over which
to and from the garrison was by means of a drawbridge,
protected by a strong chevaux-de-frise. The only gate
with which the fortress was provided faced the river; on
the more immediate banks of which, and to the left of
the fort, rose the yet infant and straggling village that
bore the name of both.
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