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22. Col Warner, having repulsed Gen. Carlton and caused Col Maclean to retire to Quebec, proceeded to erect a battery at the mouth of the Sorel, which should connuand the passage of the St Lawrence, and thus block up Gen. Carlton at Montreal. In this situation of things, Gen. Montgomery arrived from St Johns and took possession of Montreal, without op- position, on the 13th of November, Gen. Carlton hay- ing abandoned it to its fate and escaped down the river in the night in a small canoe with muffled oars. A large number of armed vessels loaded with provi- sions and other necessaries, and Gon. Prescot with 8
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
120 British officers and privates, also attempted to escape down the river, but were stopped at the mouth of the Sorel, and all captured by the Americans without the loss of a man.
23. The attention of Montgomery was immediate- ly turned towards Quebec, where Carleton was now making every preparation for defence. Col Arnold, after surmounting incredible difficulties and hard- ships, had passed through the wilderness from Maine to Canada and appeared before Quebec with 700 men on the 9th of November, and now Montgomery, having 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 town, 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.
24. 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 se- verely 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 commen- ced those reverses, which were to attend the Amer- ican arms in Canada during the succeeding year.
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RETREAT OF THE AMERICAN ARMY.
SECTION II.
Events of 1776. Small Pox fatal in the army-Amer- ican army retreats-Unsuccessful expedition against Three Rivers-Affairs at the Colors-Chamblee and St Johns abandoned by the Americans-Naval en- gagement of lake Champlain-Crown Point aban- doned.
1. 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 first day of May, 1776, the whole American force at that place did not exceed 1900 men. In this state of things, and before any thing of consequence had been attempted against the city, the small pox com- menced its ravages among the provincial troops, and it is hardly possible to conceive the distress, the ter- ror and confusion it occasioned in the American camp. Ignorant of the true nature of the disease, and of the means by which its progress might be impe- ded ; and anticipating dangers, which their fears had greatly magnified, the troops could, with difficulty, be prevented from a total dispersion. The soldiers, hav- ing heard that inoculation was the surest prevent- tive 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.
2. After a few trifling efforts against the town, Gen. Thomas was convinced that nothing of consequence, could be effected with an army in the condition to which his was reduced, and being nearly destitute of provisions, and daily expecting that the British gar- ison would be re-enforced by the arrival of an army from England, it was concluded, in a council of war, to abandon the siege and make the best retreat their
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
circumstances would permit. The next day a British man of war and two frigates arrived at Quebec, with succors for the town, having, with incredible exer- tions and dexterity, cut their way through the ice while the navigation was extremely difficult and dan- gerous.
3. One thousand marines being landed from the ships, Gen. Carlton 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 com- menced 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. Carlton 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.
4. 'The Americans continued their retreat to the river Sorel, having marched the first 45 miles with- out halting. Here they found several regiments waiting for them under Gen. Thompson, who a few days after succeeded to the command, by the unfor- tunate death of Gen. Thomas, who died of the small pox. Gen. Sullivan and several battalions arrived about this time, and Sullivan having taken the com- mand, now planned an enterprise against the enemy, which savored much more of boldness than pru- dence. The British army, which was now augmen- ted by re-enforcements from Europe to more than 13000, had their chief rendezvous at Three Rivers, a post on the north side of the St Lawrence, about half way between Quebec and Montreal. Gen. Sul- livan conceived the design of surprising this post, and for that purpose detached Gen. Thompson on the 7th of June, with 1800 men, who preceded down the river in the night, expecting to reach Three Rivers bofore day light. But unavoidable delays ronderod
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AFFAIRS AT THE CEDARS.
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.
5. Montreal had, carly in the spring, been placed under the command of Arnold, who was now raised to the rank of Brigadier general, and a party of 390 Americans under Col Beadle had been posted at the Cedars, a small fort 43 miles above that city. Being frightened at the appearance of a force de- scending the river to attack him, Beadle abandoned the command to Maj. Butterfield, and hastened to Montreal for a re-enforcement ; and Butterfield, with an equal want of spirit, surrendered the fort and gar- rison on the 15th of May.
6. As soon as Beadle arrived at Montreal, Arnold detached Maj. Sherburne with 140 men, to relieve the fort at the Cedars. On their way they were at- tacked, surrounded, and after a gallant defence of nearly two hours, made prisoners, by a body of 500 Indians. Many of the Americans 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 re- mainder were stripped, driven to the fort and delivered up to Capt. Foster, to whom Butterfield had surren- dered.
7. 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 unfortu- nate captives. Upon his approach to the fort he received a communication from Capt. Foster, inform- ing him that if he would not consent to a cartel, which he had already forced Maj. Sherburne and other officers to sign, the prisoners should all be im- mediatelyput to death. Arnold hesitated, but humanity and a regard for the captured officers, at length com- pelled him to acceed to the proposal, and thus was his vengence disarmed. 8*
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8. 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 Brit- ish army. Gen. Burgoyne was immediately detached with one column in pursuit of the Americans, but with orders not to hazard an engagement until he should receive a re-enforcement. On the 15th of June, Arnold withdrew with his troops from Montreal and marched to Chamblee, where the American for- ces were assembled, and were engaged with much spirit and resolution in dragging their artillery and stores up the rapids.
9. This service was attended with much difficulty and danger ; but they succeeded 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 Chamblee 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. Maj. 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.
10. The British were unable to get any of their vessels over the rapids at Chamblee, and were, con- sequently, unable to continue the pursuit of the American army, which now proceeded in safety to Crown Point. This retreat was conducted by Sul- livan, with such consummate skill and prudence, as to retrieve 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.
11. On the 12th of July, Gen. Sullivan was suc-
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CROWN POINT ABANDONED.
ceeded 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 aban- don Crown Point, and concentrate all their strength and make a vigorous stand at 'Ticonderoga, and on Mount Independence, which is situated on the oppo- site 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 assembled at Skeensborough. On the sixth of August, six hundred men arrived from New Hamp- shire and re-enforcements were daily arriving from other quarters. The army was also all the time im- proving in health and discipline, and was active and vigorous in preparations for defence.
12. As it was of the greatest importance to the Americans to preserve the command of the lake, by constructing upon it a naval force superior to that of the British, they engaged with their usual activity in accomplishing this object. But in the prosecution of it they had innumerable difficulties to encounter. Their timber was to be cut in the woods and dragged by hand to the place where it was wanted for use ; the materials for naval equipments were to be brought from a great 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.
13. In the mean time the British were employed
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
in preparing a fleet at St Johns. Six armed vessels had been built in England and sent over for the ex- press purpose of being employed on lake Champlain; but it was found impossible to get them over the falls at Chamblee without taking them in pieces, transposing 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 eigh- teen twelve pounders, the Maria, of fourteen six pounders, the Carlton 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 howit- zers, 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 its stores, artillery, baggage and provisions.
14. This fleet was navigated by seven hundred experienced scamen, cammanded by Captain Pringle, and the guns were served by a detachment of men and officers from the corps of artillery, and far exceed- ed 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 Gen. Arnold, who had taken a very advantageous 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 enemy.
15. The British were sensible of their superior
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NAVAL ENGAGEMENT ON L. CHAMPLAIN.
strength, and moved forward boldly to attack the Americans. A severe engagement ensued, which was maintained for several hours with much spirit end resolution. The wind being unfavorable, the British were unable to bring the Inflexible and some of their other vessels into action, which was princi- pally sustained by the Carleton and the gun boats ; and as the wind continued adverse, the British, not- withstanding the result had thus far been in their favor, judged it prudent to withdraw from the en- gagement ; but as night approached, they again advan- ced and anchored in a line as near the Americans as possible, to prevent their escape.
16. This engagement was sustained on both sides with a courage and firmness, which are seldom wit- nessed. 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. Hc hinself 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.
17. Arnold was now convinced that he could not withstand the superior force of the enemy, and un- der the cover of the night, which was dark and foggy resolved to attempt a retreat to Ticonderoga. In this measure he so far succeded as to pass directly through the enemy's line unobserved, and to be entirely out of sight of the British the next morning. As soon as it was discovered that the Americans had fled, the Britishi, anxious to obtain a decisive victory, commen- ced a pursuit, and during the day an American
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
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 gallantry on both sides for nearly four hours. The Washington galley, comman- ded by Gen. Watterbury, had been so shatterred in the action of the 11th, as to be useless in this engage- ment, and was surrendered after receiving a few broadsides.
18. Arnold was on board the Congress galley, which vessel was attacked by the Inflexible and two schoon- ers, 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 obsti- nate resistance given several of his vessels an oppor- tunity to escape to Ticonderoga, he now run the Congress galley and five other vessels on shore, in such manner as to land his men in safety and blow up the vessels in defiance 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 scen there upon the beach for many years.
19. 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 Carlton 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, Carlton landed his army at Crown Point, the Americans having, a few days before destroyed the fort and every thing
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CARLTON RETURNS TO CANADA.
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 re-enforce- ments, and the recovery of the sick and wounded, Gates soon found himself at the head of 12000 effec- tive men. In this situation he was not unwilling that Carlton should make an attempt to get possesion of the place. But that judicious commander did not see fit to hazard an assault ; and, after spending about a month in reconnoitering the American works, he re-embarked his army at Crown Point and returned to Canada, and thus terminated the military enterpri- ses on lake Champlain, for the year 1776.
SECTION III.
Events of 1777. Advances of Gen. Burgoyne-Ti- conderoga abandoned by the Americans-Battle at Hubbardton-Retreat from fort Edward-Battle at Bennington-At Stillwater-Surrender of Burgoyne.
1. Before the opening of the campaign of 1777, Sir Guy Carleton was superceded in the command of the British forces, designed to enter United States from Canada, by Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne, who was a great favorite of the ministry and an office of some repu- tation. He was, however, unacquainted with the American character and service, and was by no means so well fitted to plan and execute the opera- tions in this quarter as the general whom he sup- planted. The regular force allotted to Burgoyne amounted to 7113 men, exclusive of the corps of artillery. Of these, 3217 were Germans and the remainder British troops. This force was expected
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to be increased on its arrival in America by a large number of Canadians and Indians, for whom arms and accoutrements were forwarded from England. Burgoyne was also provided with an excellent train
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of brass artillery, and was assisted in the command by Generals, Philips, Fraser, Powel, Hamilton, Reid- sel and Specht, all of them able and . experienced officers.
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BURGOYNE ADVANCES ON L. CHAMPLAIN
2. General Burgoyne arrived at Quebec on the 6th of May, and took the command of the army de- signed for the expedition. On the 12th, Fe proceeded to Montreal, using every possible exertion to collect and forward the troops and stores to Lake Cham- plain. Between the 17th and 20th of June, his whole army was assembled at Cumberland Head, at which place it embarked and proceded up the Lake without opposition. June 21st, Burgoyne landed his army on the west side of the Lake at he mouth of the river Boquet, in the present township of Wills- borough, New York. Here he was joined by four or five hundred Indians, who were to assist in the expedition. After making for the Indians a war feast according to their custom, Burgoyne addressed a speech to the chiefs and warriors, calculated to ex- cite their savage ardor in the British cause, and to give such direction to their fierceness and cruelty as should best sulserve his designs against the Ameri- cans.
3. General Schuyler, being supposed most fully to possess the confidence of the inhabitants of this part of the country had been appointed to the com- mand of the northern department of the American army, but he arrived at Ticonderoga only four days previous to Burgoyne's council with the Indians at the river Boquet. On inspecting the works, Schuy- ler found them in many parts unfinished and the whole in a very bad condition. He likewise found that very few of the recruits which had been order- ed to that post, had arrived, and that the militia of the neighborhood could not be safely called in, lest the provisions of the garrison should be exhausted before the arrival of supplies. Leaving the com- mand of this post to Gen. St Clair, Schuyler re- turned to fort Edward, for the purpose hastening forward re-enforcements and provisions.
1. On the 30th of June, the enemy advanced towards Ticonderoga upon both sides of the lake,
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
and encamped for the night about four miles from the American lines. The next day their whole ar- my and fleet proceeded forward and took their position just without the reach of the American cannon; the fleet anchoring in a line between the di- visions on the east and west shore of the lake. On . the 2d of July a party of 500 of the 'enemy under Capt. Fraser, attacked a pieket of 60 men, within 200 yards of the American batteries, and, forcing them to retire, advanced within 60 yards of the works, scattering themselves along the whole front of the American lines; the right wing of the Brit- ish army moved up from their position on the lake at the same time and took possession of Mount Hope.
5. St Clair, supposing that an assault was intend- ed, ordered his men to conceal themselves behind the parapets and reserve their fire. Fraser's party, pro- bably deceived as to the real position of the Amer- ican works, which were in a measure concealed by bushes, continued to advance till an American sol- dier discharged his musket, which seemed to be un- derstood as a signal, and the whole line arose and fired a volley ;- the artillery following the example without orders. This fire was made at random and the effect of it was to produce so much smoke that the enemy could not be seen till they were beyond the reach of the American guns; and consequently every individual except one escaped.
6. On the 4th of July, Gen. Burgoyne issued a proclamation, designed to spread terror among the Americans, and persuade them to come and hum- ble themselves before him, and through him, suppli- cate the mercy of their offended king. The number and ferocity of the Indians, their eagerness to be let loose upon the defenceless settlements, and the greatness of the British power, and the utter ina- bility of the rebellious colonies to resist it, were all set forth in bold relief. His gracious protection was
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AMERICAN WORKS AT TICONDEROGA.
promised to all those, who should join his standard, or remain quietly at their homes ; but utter destruc- tion was denounced upon all such as should dare to oppose him. This proclamation was couched in terms the most pompous and bombastic; but upon the Americans it produced no other emotions than those of derision and contempt. Its threatenings and its promises were alike disregarded-none were terrified by the former, and none were won by the latter.
7. Although every. possible exertion had been made by St Clair and his men, the state of the American works and of the garrison were not such as to insure a long and vigorous defence. The old French fort had been strengthened by some addi- tional works, several block houses had been erected, and some new batteries had been constructed on the side towards lake George. The Americans had al- so fortified a high circular hill on the east side of the lake opposite to Ticonderoga, to which they had given the name of Mount Independence. These two posts were connected by a floating bridge twelve feet wide and one thousand feet long, which was supported by twenty two sunken piers of large timber. This bridge was to have been defended by a boom strongly fastened together by bolts and chains; but this boom was not completed when Burgoyne advanced against the works.
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