USA > Connecticut > The history of Connecticut, from the first settlement of the colony to the adoption of the present constitution, vol. II > Part 20
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CHAPTER IX.
EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA.
ON the very day that the people of the eastern colonies were engaged in fighting the battle of Bunker Hill, the General Congress, then in session at Philadelphia, gave to Colonel Washington a commission to be commander-in-chief of the American forces, and pledged themselves in the most solemn manner that they would assist him and adhere to him with their lives and fortunes, in the maintenance and prosecu- tion of American liberties. On the same day, they chose, by ballot, Artemas Ward, first major-general; Horatio Gates, adjutant-general; and Charles Lee, second major-general. Two days afterwards, when the cheering news of the battle had reached them, they elected Philip Schuyler, third major- general, and Israel Putnam, fourth major-general, without a dissenting vote .*
That very day was also distinguished by another event that at once evinces some of the peculiar traits of the North American Indians, and the speed with which the news of the battle had spread over the continent. I refer to the speech sent by the chiefs and warriors of the Oneidas, addressed to Governor Trumbull of Connecticut, and through him to the four New England provinces. It is a fair specimen of aboriginal eloquence, and is as follows :+
"As my younger brothers of the New England Indians, who have settled in the vicinity, are now going down to visit their friends, and to move up parts of their families that were left behind-with this belt by them, I open the road wide,
* Botta, i. 217; Gordon, i. 350.
t This speech I have transcribed from Gordon's Hist., i. 360, 361.
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clearing it of all obstacles, that they may visit their friends, and return to their settlements here in peace.
" We Oneidas are induced to this measure on account of the disagreeable situation of affairs that way ; and we hope by the help of God, they may return in peace. We earnestly recommend them to your charity through their long journey.
"Now we more immediately address you our brother, the governor, and the chiefs of New England.
" Brothers !- We have heard of the unhappy differences and great contention between you and Old England. We wonder greatly, and are troubled in our minds.
" Brothers !- Possess your minds in peace respecting us Indians. We cannot intermeddle in this dispute between two brothers. The quarrel seems to be unnatural. You are two brothers of one blood. We are unwilling to join on either side in such a contest, for we bear an equal affection to both you old and New England. Should the great king of Eng- land apply to us for aid, we shall deny him. If the colonies apply, we will refuse. The present situation of you two brothers is new and strange to us. We Indians cannot find, nor recollect in the traditions of our ancestors, the like case, or a similar instance.
" Brothers-For these reasons possess your minds in peace, and take no umbrage, that we Indians refuse joining in the contest. We are for peace.
" Brothers !- Was it an alien, or a foreign nation, who had struck you, we should look into the matter. We hope, through the wise government and good pleasure of God, your distresses may be soon removed, and the dark clouds be dispersed.
" Brothers !- We have declared for peace; we desire you will not apply to our Indian brethren in New England for assistance. Let us Indians be all of one mind, and live with one another ; and you white people settle your own disputes betwixt yourselves.
" Brothers !- We have now declared our minds. Please to write us, that we may know yours. We, the sachems and warriors, and female governesses, of Oneida, send our
229
WASHINGTON ARRIVES IN CAMBRIDGE.
[1775.]
love to you, brother, governor, and all the other chiefs in New England."*
General Washington, accompanied by General Lee and other gentlemen, immediately set out upon his journey toward the North, to place himself at the head of the American . army. Everywhere on his way he was greeted with the most hearty congratulations, and at different points where he stopped, he was waited on by deputations of gentlemen, and escorted by them from place to place, with manifestations of the profoundest regard. A committee was appointed by the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts to meet him at Spring- field, more than one hundred miles from Boston, and to pro- vide suitable escorts to conduct him and his party to Cam- bridge in a style befitting his rank. On his arrival at the head-quarters of the army, he was received with hearty tokens of enthusiasm. His first care was to bring the army into a state of discipline. With this view, he soon formed the troops into three grand divisions, consisting of about twelve regiments each. He placed the right wing under the command of Major-General Ward, the left under that of Major-General Lee, and to Major-General Putnam he com- mitted the command of the reserve.t
This was the first time that Washington and Putnam, the two most remarkable military chieftains of that day, had ever met, though each had been preceded by such a military reputation as must have long before elicited the admiration of the other. The manly bearing of Putnam, his frankness, his fearlessness, his simplicity of character, his energy and tact, his industry and activity, all associated with one who
* At the special session of the General Assembly of Connecticut, which con- vened on the first day of July, 1775, It was resolved that the governor should make a kind and friendly answer to the speech sent to this colony by the Oneida Indians, and procure a belt of wampum to be sent them ; and that the sum of £12 for the expense of transmitting the same should be paid out of the treasury, and that the governor should direct Colonel Hinman to assure the Indians of the peaceable dis- position of the people of the colony towards them."
t See Humphreys, Gordon, Pitkin, Botta, &c.
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had already reached that period of life when men usually seek retirement and exemption from care, made an impres- sion upon the mind of Washington that subsequent events and a more intimate acquaintance only served to confirm. Washington was forcibly struck with his skill and alertness in hurrying forward the plan of military defenses that he had marked out for the army. Hence it was with unfeigned admiration, that he could not repress, that he remarked, " You seem to have the faculty, General Putnam, of infusing your own industrious spirit into all the workmen you employ."* In an incredibly short period of time, the continental lines were so strengthened, and so many redoubts mounted with cannon were thrown up, that the American army could defy any attempt that the enemy might venture to make upon them at Cambridge. Soon after Washington's arrival, every- thing was reduced to order and system. Method soon became a habit with the soldiers, who vied with each other in their efforts to gain the approval of their officers.
About the 20th of July, the declaration of the Continental Congress, setting forth their reasons for taking up arms, was proclaimed at the head of the several divisions. The tem- perance and coolness of that body of statesmen is well exem- plified in the concluding sentences of that document :
"In our own native land, in defense of the freedom that is our birthright, and which we ever enjoyed until the late violation of it; for the protection of our property, acquired solely by the honest industry of our forefathers and ourselves ; against violence actually offered, we have taken up arms. We shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed shall be removed, and not before.
" With an humble confidence in the mercies of the Supreme and impartial Judge and Ruler of the Universe, we most devoutly implore his divine goodness to conduct us happily through this great conflict, to dispose our adversaries to
* Humphreys, p. 99-note.
-
231
OUR COAST INVADED.
[1775.]
reconciliation on reasonable terms, and thereby to relieve the empire from the calamities of civil war."*
Putnam had ordered his division to be paraded on Prospect Hill, to listen to the reading of the declaration. As soon as the last words were pronounced, the troops all shouted three times, as with one voice, the word, " Amen !" Scarcely had the echoes of this unwonted huzza died upon the ear, when a signal-gun was fired from the fort, and suddenly the new standard that had just arrived from Connecticut, rose and unfurled itself in the fresh summer breeze, exhibiting on one side, in large golden letters, the words, " An appeal to Heaven!" and on the other, the armorial bearings of Connecticut, with its simple shield unsupported and without a crest, marked with the three vines that have from the first symbolized the knowledge, liberty and religion of the emigrants who founded the state, and with the scroll that assures us that they will flourish forever in the new soil where the divine Husband- man has planted them.t
The news of the battle of Bunker Hill was received in Connecticut with the most lively enthusiasm. In some places, the event was celebrated with bonfires, processions, and the illumination of public and private buildings. It became a general theme of conversation at the fire-side, in the work-shop, on the farm, and in the streets ; the pulpit and the forum echoed its history in words of burning eloquence.
Not long after, the coast of the colony was invaded. On the 30th of September, Captain Wallace of the Rose man-of- war, with two tenders, gave chase to a small American vessel, and would doubtless have taken possession of her had she not fled for refuge into Stonington harbor. This so enraged Captain Wallace, that he immediately opened his guns upon the town and kept up a constant discharge of artillery nearly the whole day, with considerable effect. He wounded one of the inhabitants, shattered their houses and
* Humphreys, p. 100.
+ " Qui Transtulit Sustinet." He who transplanted doth sustain them. See Humphreys' Life of Putnam, p. 100, 101.
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stores with cannon balls, and carried off with him at night a schooner loaded with molasses, and two small sloops. The marks of this cowardly act are visible in the old structures that are still preserved there as relics of the protecting care of the British government .*
The perfidious behavior of Governor Tryon, of New York, and the very cordial support that he received at the hands of the principal men of that province, awakened many well founded suspicions in the minds of all those in the other colonies who were friendly to the cause of American liberty. New York at this time, was swarming with tories, who, from interested motives or from a real love of British rule, were disposed, as far as they could with safety to themselves, to thwart the measures of the Continental Congress.t Such was the importance of securing the North river, that Con- gress ordered that a fortification should be erected in the highlands, and a garrison established there. They also, on the 27th, ordered Lord Sterling to marshal the New Jersey forces for the defense of that colony. He was directed to erect barracks for them at some point in the eastern division of New Jersey, as near New York as practicable, and keep them there upon drill, and to await further orders.
For a long time the opposition to the popular movements of the country had been checked by the powerful influence of a newspaper press in New York city, belonging to Mr. Rivington, a man of much ability and of unbounded activity, who was a staunch supporter of Governor Tryon. The seeds of a loyal submission to the will of the new ministry, and the
* Miss Caulkins (Hist. New London, p. 516,) mentions "Captain Benjamin Pendleton, and other brave and true men," who, when the tender of the Rose pursued one of its victims to the village wharf, rallied and drove the invader from its prey. The person wounded was Jonathan Weaver, Jr., a musician in Capt. Oliver Smith's company. (Hinman, p. 192.) The village of Stonington Long Point-the place attacked-was again cannonaded by the British, August 9, 1814, with a very similar result, buildings being damaged, one man severely wounded, and no one killed. Long Point formed a part of the farm of that intre- pid pioneer of Stonington, Mr. William Chesebrough.
+ Gordon, i. 402. This writer states that owing to the intrigues of Gov. Tryon, " the troops of New York are not to be depended upon" in emergencies.
233
DESTRUCTION OF RIVINGTON'S PRESS.
[1775.]'
unjust doings of the British government, were disseminated through the columns of his lively sheet so broadcast and in such a quick soil, that they were sure to take root and spring up in all parts of the town and neighborhood. It was finally determined to abate this press as a nuisance. Captain Isaac Sears, a bold officer, of a temperament not likely to leave a good work half done, undertook to execute the enterprise. Four days before the orders above alluded to were issued to Lord Sterling, Sears gathered together a troop of one hun- dred horsemen from Connecticut, armed to the teeth with swords, carbines, and muskets, and riding furiously to Riving- ton's place of business, seized and carried off his printing- press, types, paper, and all his other materials for the manu- facture of public opinion. Some of this property was totally destroyed. While this summary proceeding was going on, the tories gathered in crowds and pressed hard upon the little company, with menacing looks and gestures. Sears called out to them, in a voice of thunder, and told them if they dared to offer the least resistance he would order his men to fire upon them. That they might be sure of the sincerity of his declarations, he at the same time ordered his men to make ready to execute his threat. This hostile demon- stration instantly cleared the street, and the work proceeded as calmly as if it had been the execution of a solemn judicial sentence. This was the first time that Connecticut had ever had occasion to interfere with the liberty of the press.
General Washington having obtained favorable accounts from Canada, and being persuaded that neither the Indians or Canadians could be prevailed upon to take up arms against the Americans, conceived the design of detaching a body of troops from head-quarters, to cross the wilderness through the province of Maine to Quebec. On consulting with Gen. Schuyler, that gentleman fully approved of the proposed plan ; and in a short time all the preliminaries of the expedi- tion were in readiness. This detachment was designed to cooperate with the troops, under command of General Mont-
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
gomery, that were to proceed to Canada by way of Lake Champlain .*
On the evening of the 13th of September, 1775, the corps marched from Cambridge for Newburyport, where six days after, they embarked on board ten transports bound to Ken- nebec, fifty leagues distant. The expedition consisted of eleven hundred men, commanded by Colonel Arnold, aided by Colonels Christopher Green and Roger Enos, and Majors Meigs and Bigelow. On the 20th of September, they entered Kennebec river, and proceeded up to Gardner's town. The enterprise had thus far been conducted with such dispatch, that only fourteen days had elapsed since the orders were first given for building two hundred batteaux, for collecting provisions, and for drafting eleven hundred men.t
The troops embarked on board the batteaux on the 22d, and proceeded to Fort Western on the east side of the river. From this point, they proceeded up the Kennebec in three divisions. The navigation was so obstructed by water-falls, rapids, rock, fallen trees, and other incumbrances, that they were frequently compelled to carry their batteaux, baggage, and other articles, until they came to a part of the river that was navigable. One of these carrying-places was twelve miles and a half across. By the 15th of October, their pro- visions were so reduced that the men were put upon short allowance. About this time, Colonel Enos was ordered to send back the sick, and those that could not be furnished with provisions ; but, contrary to Colonel Arnold's expectation, he returned to Cambridge with his whole division. The heavy rains produced a flood, and such was the rapidity of the stream that on the 23d, five or six of the batteaux were upset, and several barrels of provisions, a number of guns, a consider- able amount of clothing and other articles, were lost. Some- times the company could proceed only from three to seven
* Gordon, i. 406; Graham, iv. 400, 401. t Gordon, i. 406.
# Colonel Enos was from Connecticut. He was tried by a court-martial for his retreat, but was honorably acquitted. It was shown that he had but three days provisions on hand, and was one hundred miles from the English settlements. A. council of war had advised his retreat. Gordon, i. 409.
235
ARNOLD ARRIVES AT POINT LEVI.
[1775.]
miles in a day. On leaving the river, they encountered almost interminable forests, mountains, and swamps, besides cold, storms, and famine. The half famished soldiers devoured their dogs, cartouch-boxes, and shoes .*
On the 4th day of November, after a march of thirty-one days through an uninhabited wilderness, Major Meigs and his men reached a French house, where they were hospitably treated. Arnold and his entire remaining force reached Point Levi on the 9th of November. Before gaining that point, however, it was manifest to his mind that the people had been advised of his approach; and he soon ascertained that an Indian, to whom he had imprudently intrusted important dispatches for General Montgomery, had treacher- ously given them into the hands of the enemy.t
Generals Montgomery and Wooster in the meantime had been joined by General Schuyler, at Isle la Motte, whence they moved on together to Isle aux Noix. Here Montgomery drew up a declaration, which he sent among the Canadians by Colonel Allen and Major Brown, assuring them that the army was designed only against the English garrisons, and was not intended to interfere with the rights, liberties, or religion of the people.
The army, numbering about one thousand men, proceeded, without any obstruction to St. John's. Upon landing, and reconnoitering the fortresses, it was ascertained that they were complete, and well furnished with cannon. After receiving and firing a few shots, it was thought advisable to return to Isle aux Noix, which was accordingly done. Schuyler now left Montgomery and Wooster in command,
* Gordon.
+ Botta, i. 283. "It is easy to imagine the stupor of surprise which seized the inhabitants of Quebec, at the apparition of these troops. They could not com- prehend by what way or in what mode, they had transported themselves into this region. This enterprise appeared to them not merely marvellous, but miraculous, and if Arnold, in this first moment, had been able to cross the river and fall upon Quebec, he would have taken it without difficulty." In consequence of receiving the letter alluded to, Colonel Maclean had withdrawn all the batteaux from the right bank to the other side of the river.
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
who, being reinforced, commenced the siege of St. John's, September 17th. After several days of almost incessant firing, and after various attempts to negotiate a surrender, St. John's was given up to the Americans, November 3d. The garrison consisted of about five hundred regulars and one hundred Canadians, together with twenty-two iron cannon, two howitzers, seven mortars, seventeen brass can- non, and eight hundred stand of arms, besides a considerable quantity of shot, shells, ammunition, &c .*
On returning from their mission into the interior of Canada, Colonel Allen and Major Brown, with an aggregate of only two hundred and eighty men, rashly conceived the design of capturing Montreal. In attempting to carry out this plan, Allen had fifteen of his men killed, and he and the remainder of his corps were taken prisoners.t From some cause, Major Brown did not arrive at the place designated in season to participate in the attack and repulse ; but fortunately he was still at liberty to fight in the cause of his country. On the 18th of October, Chamblee surrendered to Majors Brown and Livingston-with six tons of powder, eighty bar- rels of flour, one hundred and thirty-four barrels of pork, eleven barrels of rice, over six thousand five hundred musket- cartridges, and other valuable military stores.Į
On the 11th of November, Generals Montgomery and Wooster arrived at Montreal; and on the following day, they entered the city without opposition. Sir Guy Carleton, the governor, retreated hastily from the place, and reached Que-
* Gordon, i. 428 ; Botta, i. 278.
t Botta, i. 277. Colonel Allen, was put in irons and carried to England as a traitor. He published a narrative of his imprisonment and treatment while a prisoner, which contains much of thrilling incident and romantic adventure.
# Gordon, i. 426. Sedgwick, in his Hist. of Sharon, (p. 45, 46,) states that a company from that town marched under Montgomery to Canada ; and that four members of that company were with Allen in his attempt on Montreal, viz. : Adonijah Maxam, David Goff, William Gray, and Samuel Lewis. They, together with Roger Moore, of Salisbury, were among those who were carried to England with Col. Allen. Alexander Spencer, of Sharon, joined Arnold's expedition through the wilderness, but died on the march.
237
STORMING OF QUEBEC.
[1775.]
bec in safety .* After taking effectual measures to retain the advantage he had thus gained over the enemy, Montgomery marched on toward the capital, expecting to be joined by Colonel Arnold and his detachment in its neighborhood, and hoping to complete the conquest of Canada before the arrival of British reinforcements. A union with Arnold was soon effected ; and Montgomery learned to his chagrin that his entire force amounted to but little more than eight hundred men. This diminution in the numbers that he had anticipated, was occasioned by various unforeseen events. He had been compelled to leave a considerable part of his troops under General Wooster, for the protection and defense of Montreal ; many of his own as well as of Arnold's soldiers, in consequence of fatigue, exposure, and want of suitable food, had become disabled ; and the return of Enos' division, -each and all had contributed to this result.
The garrison of Quebec consisted, at this time, of one hundred and seventy regulars under Colonel Maclean, a com- pany of fifty soldiers from the 7th regiment, forty marines, and about eight hundred militia. t
On the 6th of December, 1775, the little army of Mont- gomery appeared before Quebec, and sent forward a flag of truce, which was fired upon by order of Sir Guy Carleton. The Americans now commenced in earnest the work of fortifying their position. Their batteries were built of snow and water, which soon became solid ice. On them Mont- gomery planted his ordnance and howitzers; but the artillery proved inadequate, and it was soon resolved by a council of war to storm the city.
The assault commenced during a furious snow storm, on the evening of December 31st, at two different points-one party being conducted by General Montgomery in person ; while the other was led on by Colonel Arnold. A third division under Colonel Livingston and Major Brown, had been directed to make a feint upon the walls to the south- ward of St. John's Gate, and to set fire to the gate. The
* Graham, iv. 400. + Gordon, ii. 19. # Gordon, ii. 20.
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
commanding general entered the city at the head of his division, and attacked the guard-house; but he was soon killed, the officer who took command ordered a retreat, and the wounded were carried off to the camp. Meanwhile, Arnold advanced rapidly under the fire of the besieged who manned the walls; but, being wounded in the leg, he was carried to the hospital .. Captain Morgan, a bold and resolute officer, now took command; but after a desperate struggle, continued until day-light, the invasion was abandoned and the retreat sounded. The Americans had lost, during the night, in killed and wounded, about one hundred men, includ- ing several officers of merit. The fall of Montgomery, was especially deplored, not only by the army, but by the whole country .*
The immediate command of the northern army now devolved upon General Wooster. The reader has seen what sufferings this gallant little band had undergone, and what almost miraculous difficulties they had surmounted. But worse than all the obstacles that nature had thrown in his way-worse than the ravages of loathsome disease and the barbarities practised by a savage foe-were the wounds inflic- ted upon his delicate sensibilities by the insulting behavior of his superior in rank and his most uncompromising enemy. Snugly quartered at Albany, where Abercrombie had made himself so comfortable during a most interesting period of the last French war, with plenty of good cheer and little to do, Schuyler had leisure to fan into new activity the embers of his hatred to Wooster, that had never gone out in his bosom. Had he been half as efficient in forwarding clothing to cover the nakedness of the gallant troops under Wooster's charge, to protect them against the sharp frosts and piercing winds of Canada, or half as sedulous in sending provisions to keep them from starving while they were vainly attempting to starve the garrison at Quebec, as he was in torturing the feelings and attempting to humble the pride of their leader,
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