His foreboding proved true.  Webb had scarcely reached the Great Carrying Place, when tidings of disaster fell upon him like a thunderbolt.  The French had descended in force upon Oswego, taken it with all its garrison; and, as report ran, were advancing into the province, six thousand strong.  Wood Creek had just been cleared, with great labor, of the trees that choked it.  Webb ordered others to be felled and thrown into the stream to stop the progress of the enemy; then, with shameful precipitation, he burned the forts of the Carrying Place, and retreated down the Mohawk to German Flats.  Loudon ordered Winslow to think no more of Ticonderoga, but to stay where he was and hold the French in check.  All was astonishment and dismay at the sudden blow.  “Oswego has changed masters, and I think we may justly fear that the whole of our country will soon follow, unless a merciful God prevent, and awake a sinful people to repentance and reformation.”  Thus wrote Dr. Thomas Williams to his wife from the camp at Fort Edward.  “Such a shocking affair has never found a place in English annals,” wrote the surgeon’s young relative, Colonel William Williams.  “The loss is beyond account; but the dishonor done His Majesty’s arms is infinitely greater."[425] It remains to see how the catastrophe befell.

[Footnote 425:  Colonel William Williams to Colonel Israel Williams, 30 Aug. 1756.]

Since Vaudreuil became chief of the colony he had nursed the plan of seizing Oswego, yet hesitated to attempt it.  Montcalm declares that he confirmed the Governor’s wavering purpose; but Montcalm himself had hesitated.  In July, however, there came exaggerated reports that the English were moving upon Ticonderoga in greatly increased numbers; and both Vaudreuil and the General conceived that a feint against Oswego would draw off the strength of the assailants, and, if promptly and secretly executed, might even be turned successfully into a real attack.  Vaudreuil thereupon recalled Montcalm from Ticonderoga.[426] Leaving the post in the keeping of Levis and three thousand men, he embarked on Lake Champlain, rowed day and night, and reached Montreal on the nineteenth.  Troops were arriving from Quebec, and Indians from the far west.  A band of Menomonies from beyond Lake Michigan, naked, painted, plumed, greased, stamping, uttering sharp yelps, shaking feathered lances, brandishing tomahawks, danced the war-dance before the Governor, to the thumping of the Indian drum.  Bougainville looked on astonished, and thought of the Pyrrhic dance of the Greeks.

[Footnote 426:  Vaudreuil au Ministre, 12 Aout, 1756.  Montcalm a sa Femme, 20 Juillet, 1756.]