The roar of the distant artillery continuing day after day was plainly audible at Fort Edward; but although Monro had, at the commencement of the attack, sent off several messengers asking for reinforcements, Webb did not move.
On the third day of the siege he had received 2000 men from New York, and, by stripping all the forts below, he could have advanced with 4500 men, but some deserters from the French told him that Montcalm had 12,000 men, and Webb considered the task of advancing, through the intervening forests and defiles between him and Fort Henry, far too dangerous an operation to be attempted.

Undoubtedly it would have been a dangerous one, for the Indians pervaded the woods as far as Fort Edward.

No messenger could have got through to inform Monro of his coming, and Montcalm could therefore have attacked him, on the march, with the greater part of his force.

Still, a brave and determined general would have made the attempt.

Webb did not do so, but left Monro to his fate.
He even added to its certainty by sending off a letter to him, telling him that he could do nothing to assist him, and advising him to surrender at once.