MONTGOMERY ADVANCES INTO CANADA.

at Ticonderoga and Crown Point to convey the forces to Canada.

ETHAN ALLEN TAKEN.

men. Brown informed Allen that Montreal was entirely without defence, and might easily be surprised; and it was finally agreed between them that they should proceed to make an immediate attempt upon it. Allen was to cross the river and land a little north of the city, while Brown was to land a little to the south, and both were to commence the attack at the same time. Allen crossed over with his little band of 80 men, in the night, as had been agreed, but he waited in vain for the appearance of Brown to co-operate with him. And when day

Montgomery set out from Crown Point on the 21st of August, but soon received intelligence that the British Gen. Carleton was prepared to obstruct his designs -that he had provided a considerable naval force and was about entering the lake with a body of British troops. To prevent this, Montgomery proceeded down the lake, with the forces which had arrived, to the Isle la Motte, where he was soon joined by Gen. Schuyler; and they both moved forward to the Isle aux Noix, where they took proper measures to pre-light appeared, and rendered the surprise vent the passage of the British vessels into the lake.

From this place, the American generals sent proclamations into the adjacent country, assuring the Canadians that they had no designs against them, and inviting them to unite with the Americans in asserting their rights and securing their liberties. On the 6th of September, they proceeded without opposition towards St. Johns with their whole force, which did not exceed 1000 men. A landing was effected about a mile and a half from the fort, but, while advancing to reconnoitre the works, their left was attacked by a party of Indians, who killed three and wounded eight of the Americans. The Indians were, however, soon repulsed, with the loss of five killed and four severely wounded. Finding the fortress well garrisoned and prepared to make a vigorous defence, the Americans thought it prudent to return to the Isle aux Noix, and there wait the arrival of their artillery and re-enforcements, which were daily expected.

of the place impracticable, instead of saving himself by a retreat, Allen rashly determined to maintain his ground.

Gen. Carleton soon received intelligence of Allen's situation, and early in the morning marched out against him, with about 40 regulars, together with several hundred English settlers, Canadians and Indians. Allen's force was made up of Green Mountain Boys and Canadians, and at the head of these he fought with desperate courage until most of the Canadians had deserted him, and fifteen of his men were killed and several wounded. But courage was unavailing against such a superiority of numbers. Allen was taken prisoner, on the 25th of September, with 39 of his men, and by order of Gen. Carleton they were all immediately loaded with irons. In that condition, they' were put on board a man of war, and carried to England. During the voyage they were treated with such rigor as to render their suffering almost intolerable.

Montgomery was in the mean time pushing the siege of St. Johns as fast as Schuyler returned to Albany to con- his embarrassed circumstances would perclude a treaty, which had been some time mit. He derived much assistance from negotiating, with the Indians, leaving the the Canadians, who had joined him, and command to Montgomery. On the 17th being informed by them that the little of September, Montgomery, having re- fortress of Chambly, situated further ceived the expected re-enforcements, pro- down the Sorel, contained a large quanticeeded to St. Johns and laid siege to that ty of ammunition and military stores, of fortress. The place was garrisoned by which the besiegers were much in need, the greatest part of two British regiments, he ordered Majors Brown and Livingston and contained nearly all the regular troops to proceed against it. The garrison, conin Canada, and it was at the same time sisting of about one hundred men, after a well supplied with artillery, ammunition short resistance surrendered themselves and military stores. The first measure on the 18th of October, prisoners of war. of Montgomery was an attempt to detach | By this capitulation the Americans obthe Indians, who had joined Gen. Carle- tained 120 barrels of powder, a large ton, from the British cause. Having suc- quantity of military stores and provisions, ceeded in this, parties of the provincials and the standard of the 7th Regiment. were dispersed over the country and were This standard was immediately transmitfavorably received by the Canadians. ted to Congress, and was the first trophy of the kind which that body had ever received.

Carle-tained

As Col. Ethan Allen, with 80 men, was returning from one of these excursions, he was met by Maj. Brown, who was out upon the same business with 200

The besiegers, having obtained a supply of ammunition and stores by the cap.

CARLETON DEFEATED.

ST. JOHNS TAKEN.

UNSUCCESSFUL ASSAULT ON QUEBEC.

ture of Chambly, made their advances | river in the night in a small canoe with upon the fort at St. Johns with increased muffled oars. A large number of armed vigor. The garrison consisted of between vessels loaded with provisions and other six and seven hundred men, who, in the necessaries, and Gen. Prescott with 120 hopes of being soon relieved by General British officers and privates, also attemptCarleton, made a resolute defence. Carle-ed to escape down the river, but were ton exerted himself for this purpose, but stopped at the mouth of the Richelieu, such was the disaffection of the Canadi- and all captured by the Americans without ans to the British cause, that he could not the loss of a man. muster more than one thousand men, in- The attention of Montgomery was imcluding the regulars, the militia of Mont-mediately turned towards Quebec, where real, the Canadians, and the Indians. Carleton was now making every preparaWith these, he purposed to cross the St. tion for defence. Col. Arnold, after surLawrence and join Col. Maclean, who mounting incredible difficulties and hardhad collected a few hundred Scotch emi-ships, had passed through the wilderness grants and taken post at the mouth of the from Maine to Canada, and appeared beRichelieu, hoping, with their united for- fore Quebec with 700 men on the 9th of ces, to be able to raise the siege of St. November, and now Montgomery, having Johns and relieve the garrison. removed every obstacle, hastened forward to join him, which he did on the 1st day of December. Their united force amounted to only about 1000 men, while that of the garrison numbered 1500; but as the latter was made up principally of Canadians and militia, Montgomery still had hopes of success. Finding that the artillery and shells produced but little effect upon the enemies' works, and that the weather was becoming too severe to carry on a regular siege, it was finally determined to make a general assault upon the town.

In pursuance of this design, Carleton embarked his troops at Montreal with the view of crossing the St. Lawrence and landing at Longueil. Their embarkation was observed by Col. Seth Warner, from the opposite shore, who, with about 300 Green Mountain Boys, watched their motions, and prepared for their approach. Just before they reached the south shore, Warner opened upon them a well directed and incessant fire of musketry and grape shot from a four pounder, by which unexpected assault, the enemy were thrown into the greatest confusion, and soon retreated with precipitation and disorder. When the news of Carleton's defeat reached Maclean he abandoned his position at the mouth of the Richelieu and hastened to Quebec.

By these events, the garrison at St. Johns was left without the hope of relief, and Major Preston, the commander, was, consequently, obliged to surrender. The garrison laid down their arms on the 3d of November, marched out of the works and became prisoners of war, to the number of 500 regulars and more than 100 Canadian volunteers. Gen. Montgomery treated them with the greatest politeness, and had them conveyed by the way of Ticonderoga into the interior of New England. In the fort was found a large quantity of cannon and military stores.

Col. Warner, having repulsed General Carleton, and caused Col. Maclean to retire to Quebec, proceeded to erect a battery at the mouth of the Richelieu, which should command the passage of the St. Lawrence, and thus block up Gen. Carleton at Montreal. In this situation of things, Gen. Montgomery arrived from St. Johns, and took possession of Montreal, without opposition, on the 13th of November, Gen. Carleton having abandoned it to its fate, and escaped down the

Accordingly, on the morning of the 31st of December, the troops were led on to the attack. But it proved unsuccessful. The gallant Montgomery was slain, and nearly one-half the American troops. were killed, or taken prisoners. Arnold, though severely wounded, took the command of the shattered forces and continued the blockade, determined to await the re-enforcements which he believed would soon be sent on to his relief. Thus terminated in this quarter, the campaign of 1775, and thus commenced those reverses, which were to attend the American arms in Canada during the succeeding year.

SECTION II.

Events of 1776. Small Pox fatal in the army-American army retreats-Unsuccessful expedition against Three Rivers -Affairs at the Cedars-Chambly and St. Johns abandoned by the Americans -Naval engagement on lake Champlain -Crown Point abandoned.

The re-enforcements, which were sent to the relief of Arnold, arrived but slowly, and when Gen. Thomas reached the camp before Quebec, on the 1st day of May, 1776, the whole American force at that

RETREAT OF THE AMERICAN ARMY.

AFFAIRS AT THE CEDARS.

place did not exceed 1900 men. In this and several battalions arrived about this state of things, and before any thing of time, and Sullivan having taken the comconsequence had been attempted against mand, now planned an enterprize against the city, the small pox commenced its the enemy which savored much more of ravages among the provincial troops, and boldness than prudence. The British arit is hardly possible to conceive the dis- my, which was now augmented by retresss, the terror and confusion it occa-enforcements from Europe to more than sioned in the American camp. Ignorant 13,000 men, had their chief rendezvous of the true nature of the disease, and of at Three Rivers, a post on the north side the means by which its progress might be impeded; and anticipating dangers, which their fears had greatly magnified, the troops could, with difficulty, be prevented from a total dispersion. The soldiers, having heard that inoculation was the surest preventive of a fatal termination, proceeded, in defiance of orders, to inoculate themselves; and the recruits as they arrived, did the same, and thus was the disease still wider diffused, so that out of 3000 troops, which had now arrived, not more than 900 were fit for duty.

of the St. Lawrence, about half-way between Quebec and Montreal. Gen. Sullivan conceived the design of surprising this post, and for that purpose detached Gen. Thompson on the 7th of June, with 1800 men, who proceeded down the river in the night, expecting to reach Three Rivers before day-light. But unavoidable delays rendered it impossible. They were discovered by the British, before they reached the village, who marched out, attacked and dispersed them, making their general, and about 200 men prisoners.

Montreal had, early in the spring, been After a few trifling efforts against the placed under the command of Arnold, who town, Gen. Thomas was convinced that was now raised to the rank of brigadiernothing of consequence could be effected general, and a party of 380 Americans with an army in the condition to which under Col. Beadle had been posted at the his was reduced, and being nearly desti- Cedars, a small fort 43 miles above that tute of provisions, and daily expecting city. Being frightened at the appearance the British garrison would be re-enforced of a force descending the river to attack by the arrival of an army from England, him, Beadle abondoned the command to it was concluded, in a council of war, to Major Butterfield, and hastened to Montabandon the siege and make the best re-real for a reenforcement; and Butterfield, treat their circumstances would permit. with an equal want of spirit, surrendered The next day a British man of war and the fort and garrison on the 15th of May. two frigates arrived at Quebec, with succours for the town, having, with incredible exertions and dexterity, cut their way through the ice while the navigation was extremely difficult and dangerous,

One thousand marines having been landed from the ships, Gen. Carleton put himself at the head of these, and 800 of his own troops and about noon marched out to give battle to the Americans. But he was too late. Gen. Thomas, foreseeing this event, had commenced his retreat; but it was done with so great precipitation that the Americans had left behind, their artillery, stores and baggage, and a number of their sick. Carleton was content with getting possession of these, and with being relieved of his besiegers, and did not pursue the Americans. The prisoners who fell into his hands were treated with the most humane and kind attention.

As soon as Beadle arrived at Montreal, Arnold detached Major Sherburne with 140 men, to relieve the fort at the Cedars. On their way they were attacked, surrounded, and after a gallant defence of nearly two hours, made prisoners, by a body of 500 Indians. Many of the Amer icans were killed or wounded in the engagement. Twenty others were afterwards put to death in cool blood, with all the aggravations of savage barbarity. The remainder were stripped, driven to the fort and delivered up to Capt. Foster, to whom Butterfield had surrendered.

When the intelligence of these events reached Arnold, he put himself at the head of eight or nine hundred men and flew to the rescue of the unfortunate captives. Upon his approach to the fort he received a communication from Capt. Foster, informing him that if he would not The Americans continued their retreat consent to a cartel, which he had already to the river Richelieu, having marched the forced Major Sherburne and other officers first 45 miles without halting. Here they to sign, the prisoners should all be immefound several regiments waiting for them diately put to death. Arnold hesitated, under Gen. Thompson, who a few days but humanity and a regard for the capafter succeeded to the command, by the tured officers, at length compelled him to unfortunate death of Gen. Thomas, who accede to the proposal, and thus was his died of the small pox. Gen. Sullivan | vengeance disarmed.

|

RETREAT FROM CANADA.

NAVAL FORCES OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

sembled at Skenesborough. On the sixth of August, six hundred men arrived from New Hampshire, and re-enforcements were daily arriving from other quarters. The army was also all the time improving in health and discipline, and was active and vigorous in preparations for defence.

The American army in Canada was so much inferior to the British, that nothing remained for them but to make the best retreat in their power. On the 14th of June, they abandoned their post at Sorel, which a few hours afterwards was in possession of the British army. Gen. Burgoyne was immediately detached with one column in As it was of the greatest importance to pursuit of the Americans, but with orders the Americans to preserve the command not to hazard an engagement until he of the lake, by constructing upon it a nashould receive a re-enforcement. On the val force superior to that of the British, 15th of June, Arnold withdrew with his they engaged with their usual activity in troops from Montreal and marched to accomplishing this object. But in the Chambly, where the American forces prosecution of it they had innumerable were assembled, and were engaged with difficulties to encounter. Their timber much spirit and resolution in dragging was to be cut in the woods and dragged their artillery and stores up the rapids. by hand to the place where it was wanted This service was attended with much for use; the materials for naval equipdifficulty and danger; but they succeed-ments were to be brought from a great ed in drawing up more than one hundred batteaux, heavily laden, and having set fire to the mills and the shipping which they could not bring off, they left the village of Chambly at the very time the British were entering it on the other side. On the 18th of June, Gen.Burgoyne reached St. Johns in the evening, but the Americans had taken away every thing of value and set fire to the fort and barracks. Major Bigelow, with about 40 men remained at St. Johns till the works were all destroyed, and left that place the same evening that Burgoyne arrived there, and joined the American army which had halted at the Isle aux Noix.

The British were unable to get any of their vessels over the rapids at Chambly, and were, consequently, unable to continue the pursuit of the American army, which now proceeded in safety to Crown Point. This retreat was conducted by Sullivan, with such consummate skill and prudence, as to retrive his character from the imputations brought upon it by the rash and unsuccessful expedition against Three Rivers, and to merit the thanks of Congress, and of the whole army.

On the 12th of July, Gen. Sullivan was succeeded by Gen. Gates, in the command of the northern army. The first business of Gates was to restore to health and soundness the sick and wounded, and to increase his force by new recruits. He assembled a council of war, by which it was resolved to abandon Crown Point, and concentrate all their strength and make a vigorous stand at Ticonderoga, and on Mount Independence, which is situated on the opposite side of the lake. A general hospital was established at fort George, to which those who were sick with the small pox, were sent forward, and to avoid this contagious and loathsome disease, the new recruits were as

distance over roads almost impassable; and the ship-carpenters were so well employed in the sea ports that it was with extreme difficulty that any could be procured. Yet, notwithstanding these obstacles, by perseverance and industry, they had, on the 18th of August, completed and equipped three schooners and five gondolas, carrying in the whole 55 cannon, consisting of twelve, nine, six and four pounders, and seventy swivels. This armament was manned by three hundred and ninety-five men, and was completely fitted for action.

In the mean time the British were employed in preparing a fleet at St. Johns. Six armed vessels had been built in England and sent over for the express purpose of being employed or lake Champlain ; but it was found impossible to get them over the falls at Chambly without taking them in pieces, transporting them in that form, and then put them together again above the rapids. They succeeded in dragging up a large number of boats entire, and having re-built their vessels, they were ready by the first of October, to enter the lake with their fleet. This fleet consisted of the Inflexible, carrying eighteen twelve pounders, the Maria, of fourteen six pounders, the Carleton, of twelve six pounders, the Thunderer, a flat bottomed radeau, or raft, with six twenty pounders, six twelves and two howitzers, some gondolas, carrying seven nine pounders, twenty gun boats, carrying each one brass field piece from nine to twenty four pounders, and some with howitzers, and four long boats, with each a carriage gun, serving as tenders. These, amounting to thirty-one in number, were all designed and prepared for attack and battle; and were to be followed by a sufficient number of vessels and boats for the transportation of the royal army, with

NAVAL ENGAGEMENT ON THE LAKE.

AMERICANS DEFEATED.

its stores, artillery, baggage and provis- | served, and to be entirely out of sight of ions. the British the next morning. As soon as it was discovered that the Americans had fled, the British, anxious to obtain a decisive victory, commenced a pursuit, and during the day an American gondola was overtaken and captured. On the 13th of October, the wind being favorable to the British, they renewed the chase, and about noon overtook the American fleet a few leagues from Crown Point. A warm engagement ensued, which was supported with great resolution and gal

This fleet was navigated by seven hundred experienced seamen, commanded by Captain Pringle, and the guns were served by a detachment of men and officers from the corps of artillery, and far exceeded any thing the Americans were able to provide. On the 11th of October, the British fleet and army proceeded up the lake. The American armament, which amounted to 15 vessels of different sizes, was put under the command of General Arnold, who had taken a very advan-lantry on both sides for nearly four hours. tageous position between Valcour island and the western main. There they formed a strong line of defence, and hoped to be able to check the progress of the ene

my.

The Washington galley, commanded by Gen. Waterbury, had been so shattered in the action of the 11th, as to be useless. in this engagement, and was surrendered after receiving a few broadsides.

Arnold was on board the Congress galley, which vessel was attacked by the Inflexible and two shooners, all within musket shot. After sustaining this unequal combat for nearly four hours, Arnold became satisfied that no exertion of courage or skill, could enable him much longer to withstand the superior force of the enemy. He was, however, determined that neither his vessels nor his men should become the trophies of their victory. Having by his obstinate resistance given several of his vessels an opportunity to escape to Ticonderoga, he now run the Congress galley and five other vessels on shore, in such manner as to land his men

The British were sensible of their superior strength, and moved forward boldly to attack the Americans. A severe engagement ensued, which was maintained for several hours with much spirit and resolution. The wind being unfavorable, the British were unable to bring the Inflexible and some of their other vessels into action, which was principally sustained by the Carleton and the gun boats; and as the wind continued adverse, the British, notwithstanding the result had thus far been in their favor, judged it prudent to withdraw from the engagement; but as night approached, they again advanced and anchored in a line as near the Americans as possible, to pre-in safety and blow up the vessels in devent their escape.

This engagement was sustained on both sides with a courage and firmness which are seldom witnessed. Among the Americans, Gen. Waterbury, of the Washington galley, was in the severest part of the action. Excepting one lieutenant and a captain of marines, his officers were all either killed or wounded. He himself fought on the quarter deck during the whole action, and at the close brought off his vessel though shattered and almost torn in pieces. The result of this action was favorable to the British, but less so than they had anticipated, knowing their own force to be double that of the Americans. They had one of their gondolas sunk, and one blown up with 60 men. The Americans had one of their schooners burnt, a gondola sunk, and several of their vessels much injured.

Arnold was now convinced that he could not withstand the superior force of the enemy, and under cover of the night, which was dark and foggy, resolved to attempt a retreat to Ticonderoga. In this measure he so far succeeded as to pass directly through the enemy's line unob

fiance of every effort which the British could make to prevent it. This action took place at no great distance from the mouth of Otter Creek, and the remains of Arnold's vessels were to be seen there upon the beach for many years.

The British, under Gen. Carlton, having now recovered the command of lake Champlain, it was supposed they would next attempt the reduction of Ticonderoga; and, had Carleton moved forward immediately, it was supposed that he might have possessed himself of that important fortress without much difficulty, as it was illy prepared for defence. But the wind blowing from the south, Carleton landed his army at Crown Point, the Americans having a few days before dismantled the fort and destroyed what they could not carry away, and joined the main army at Ticonderoga. The Americans applied themselves with vigor in strengthening their entrenchments at Ticonderoga, and by the daily arrival of reenforcements, and the recovery of the sick and wounded, Gates soon found himself at the head of 12,000 effective men. In this situation he was not unwilling