USA > Vermont > The history of Vermont, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 5
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79
1775.] CAPITULATION OF ST. JOHN'S.
General Montgomery, upon receiving the gra- tifying intelligence of the defeat of General Carleton by Colonel Warner, at once advised the commander of the garrison at St. John's of the fact, and summoned him to surrender. As all hope of relief was now gone, and to contend further would have been madness, the garrison, on the 3d of November capitulated, being al- lowed the honours of war. They were treated with the greatest courtesy by General Montgo- mery. The regulars, five hundred in number, were sent by the way of Ticonderoga, into the interior of New England. The English com- mander had endeavoured to obtain, in his capitu- lation, permission for the garrison to go to Eng- land, but this General Montgomery positively refused; although the manner in which he dic- tated his terms to the vanquished, elicited this strong praise from an English contemporary historian : " In all transactions with our forces, Montgomery wrote, spoke, and behaved with that attention, regard, and politeness to both private men and officers, which might be expected from a man of worth and honour, who found himself involved in an unhappy quarrel with his friends and countrymen." As an illustration of the ex- pectations of an early accommodation, still en- tertained, we may remark that while the officers were permitted to retain their swords, their other arms, it was promised, should be restored
80
HISTORY OF VERMONT. [1775.
to them when the difficulty between the parent country and the colonies should pass away.
General Montgomery followed up his advan- tage by presenting himself before Montreal. General Carleton with his regulars retreated to the flotilla, and Montreal surrendered to Mont- gomery, who occupied the place with his troops. Vigorous preparations were now made to attack the vessels of Carleton, but that officer made his escape in a boat with muffled oars, during a dark night, and hastened to Quebec. The vessels, with their stores and munitions, were captured by the Americans; and the residue of the Bri- tish force, in an attempt to escape, were also captured. Had Carleton himself but been among the prisoners, the Canadian invasion would have ended in a complete triumph.
Montgomery now pushed on for Quebec. But his force was reduced by the discharge of men whose term of enlistment had expired, and by the necessity of leaving garrisons at the forts he had captured, in order to keep open the com- munication with Lake Champlain. Only three hundred men followed him on his expedition against the capital of Canada. The winter march had its terrors, for it was near the close of November before it commenced. However, the woollens and other commissariat stores found in Montreal, in part abated the rigors of the service.
81
1775.] MARCH THROUGH THE WILDERNESS.
While the events which we have enumerated took place along the St. Lawrence, one of the most arduous military feats of the Revolutionary war was going on in another quarter. To take advantage of the absence of the Canadian force from Quebec, an expedition was planned to reach that city, by a march through the forests of Maine, and either reduce it in the deficiency of its defenders, or compel General Carleton to with- draw troops from Montreal for the defence of Quebec, and thus insure success to the American attempt on Montreal. After a march attended with almost incredible hardships, Arnold ap- peared before Quebec on the 9th of November. The march had occupied about six weeks ; and from the time of leaving the last settlement on the Kennebec, to which point they were trans- ported with comparative ease, the remainder of their route lay through an uninhabited wilder- ness. The command originally consisted of about a thousand men ; but one-third, composing the rear division, turned back on account of the scarcity of provisions, and with the rest Arnold gallantly persevered. He had no other guide than the journal of a British officer, who had made the same journey some years before. But he was supported by the gallantry of his troops, who displayed a courage and fortitude in suffer- ing never exceeded in the annals of warfare. When at length they reached the scattered habi-
82
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1775.
tations of the Canadians, their last morsel of food was consumed.
Bare time was taken to refresh the men and re-organize the troops, over whom there had been little attempt at discipline for the last few days of famishing. Proclamations of a similar tenor to those distributed among the Canadians by Montgomery were circulated. An Indian scout had been despatched to inform Generals Schuyler and Montgomery of the arrival of Arnold in Canada. Unfortunately, the scout fell into the hands of Colonel McLean, and that officer, as before related, hastened from Sorel to Quebec, with his Highlanders. When Arnold arrived at Point Leon, opposite Quebec, the high winds and want of boats rendered the passage of the river impossible. On the night of the 14th of No- vember, he effected the transportation of his troops across-a wonderful feat, when we con- sider the frail nature of his boats, the danger of the rapid current, and the presence of the armed vessels. The very temerity of the under- taking caused its success.
On landing on the Quebec side, he had still nearly two miles march before he could find a place where the rugged cliffs could be surmount- ed. But he marched down the shore to Wolfe's cove, and with his hardy band, encountering the same obstacles that the British hero had sur- mounted, he stood at midnight, with the advance
83
ATTEMPT ON QUEBEC.
1775.]
party, on the Heights of Abraham. He wished to press forward at once and attempt a surprise, but was overruled by his officers in a council of war. . The opportunity of a surprise was lost, and Arnold had no artillery or other implements required for an assault. Nearly one-third of his' muskets had been rendered useless by the hard- ships of the march through the wilderness, and of powder there was not more than sufficient for six or seven rounds to a man. Still he flattered himself that some defection in the town would yet put it into his hands. He paraded on the heights for some days, and sent two flags de- manding a surrender. But General McLean, who had experience of American operations, and who probably feared what Arnold hoped, re- fused to suffer any communication with him, and even fired upon the flags as they approached. Fear united the disaffected ; and while Arnold could hold no intercourse with the town, and thus failed in opportunity, and perhaps in incli- nation, to assure the people of the safety of their property, the heterogeneous population joined for defence ; the sailors were landed to strengthen the garrison, and its force soon exceeded that of the besiegers. Under these discouraging circumstances Arnold retired to Point Aux Trem- bles, to await the arrival of General Montgomery. On his march he unconsciously passed General Carleton, who was on his way to Quebec.'
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HISTORY OF VERMONT. [1776.
Montgomery joined Arnold at the beginning of December, and comforted his half-naked troops with clothing and other necessaries. The united forces of the two expeditions did not exceed a thousand men, of whom only eight hundred could be counted effective. It was truly a for- lorn and most desperate condition. The winter was too severe to attempt a regular siege, and the opening of spring would certainly bring re- inforcements to the enemy. Under all these circumstances, and knowing the high expecta- tions which were entertained in the colonies, General Montgomery at once determined on an assault.
Accordingly, on the night of the 31st of De- cember it was attempted. Four parties ap- proached the walls in four directions, and the plan was so well concerted that every part seem- ed equally threatened. A violent storm of snow made the attack less expected. Some Canadians, posted at a block-house, fled before Montgomery, throwing away their arms. He was himself at the head of his detachment, and the difficulties of the way had lengthened his line so much that he was compelled to wait until his men came up. He assisted with his own hands to remove ob- structions. Meanwhile, the terror which the fu- gitives had occasioned within the walls some- what abated ; and as Montgomery rapidly ad-
85
DEATH OF MONTGOMERY.
1776.]
vanced at the head of his men, one or two of the garrison had ventured to return to the bat- tery which commanded the pass. One of them seized a match and discharged a gun. This ac- cidental fire proved fatal to the enterprise and its commander. Montgomery fell, and with him Captains McPherson and Cheeseman, an orderly sergeant and a private, all the result of a chance fire. The party, dispirited, instantly retreated, and the whole strength of the garrison was turned to the repulse of Arnold. Of the four apparent attacks two were feints, those only com- manded by Arnold and Montgomery being real. Arnold was thrown out of the combat by a ball which shattered his leg, and he was carried off the field. Captain Daniel Morgan then led the at- tack, but succeeded only in forcing his way into a place from which, after a . bloody contest, his retreat was cut off. He was compelled, with three hundred and forty men, to surrender ; and the loss in killed, principally in Arnold's divi- sion, was over sixty.
We have pursued this account of the invasion of Canada with the more minuteness, since its way lay through Vermont ; and the seizure of the posts on Lake Champlain, by which the enter- prise was suggested, was the work of the Green Mountain Boys. They aided largely in the successful operations on the Sorel River. And
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HISTORY OF VERMONT. [1776.
they, too, were active in the events which fol- lowed the disastrous retreat, which was at last compensated for by the capture of Burgoyne. To the history of Vermont, more than to that of any other of the states, does this passage in our annals belong.
By the abortive attempt on Canada, the fact was demonstrated that a union, by the free will of the Canadians, to the other colonies was not to be counted upon. They would cheerfully, perhaps, have acquiesced could the other pro- vinces have expelled the British from them; but they seemed willing to incur neither loss, expo- sure, nor expense for the advancement of either party. And when they perceived that the con- tinental congress, instead of sending an army into Canada to hold it against the British, and to enrich the province by the purchase of sup- plies, relied upon the efforts of the Canadians themselves, they became very loyal subjects of Great Britain ; particularly in the expectation of the arrival of British reinforcements.
Colonel Arnold fell back three miles from Quebec, and with wonderful perseverance and hardihood put on a complexion of confidence which retained the respect of the Canadians. The remains of his shattered force were kept to- gether, and through the winter the blockade of Quebec was kept up. General Carleton attempt- ed no sorties; and behind their.ramparts of ice
87
1776.] UNION OF THE COLONIES.
and snow, the gallant little besieging party awaited succour. Despatches had been sent to Montreal for assistance, and in the colonies ef- forts were immediately made to raise and forward reinforcements.
CHAPTER VII.
The people of the New Hampshire grants apply to congress for advice-Their anomalous position-Convention at Dorset and petition to congress-The memorial withdrawn-Re- sumption of operations in Canada-Difficulties of Arnold with the Canadians-Breaking out in camp of the small-pox -Arnold takes command at Montreal, and is succeeded by General Thomas before Quebec-Arrival of relief to Quebec-Retreat of the Americans to Sorel-Death of General Thomas-Unfortunate attempt to surprise Three Rivers-Retreat to St. John's-To Isle Aux Noix-To Ticonderoga-General Sullivan is superseded by General Gates-Organization of a naval force-Difficulties with which it was attended-British preparations-General Arnold appointed to command the American flotilla-En- gagement on the 11th of October-Great superiority of the British force-Renewed engagement on the 13th-Gallant conduct of Arnold-Summary of results-Sir Guy Carleton menaces Ticonderoga, but returns to winter quarters without an attack. .
CONGRESS now (1775-6) had representatives from the Thirteen United Colonies, Georgia having come into the confederation, and New York being convinced that temporizing measures would serve no longer. The Green Mountain
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1776.
Boys, although they had a regiment in the con- tinental army, were as yet unassigned, and be- longed to no government. In this difficulty, probably influenced by the example of Massa- chusetts, they sent deputies to Philadelphia to ask advice of congress as to what course it was best for them to pursue. But these gentle- men had not the advantage of membership of that body, and could only obtain informal and individual counsel. The opinion of several lead- ing members was, that they should form a tempo- rary association for the management of the business of the whole population on the New Hampshire grants, and conduct their local af- fairs by committees.
The people had already adopted these sugges- tions. Their government had been managed by meetings of towns, by committees, officers, and by leaders-sometimes appointed in public meet- ings, and sometimes acting by the implied con- sent of the public. This state of things, par- ticularly west of the mountains, had grown out of the necessity for union to resist the aggres- sions of New York. But now that the need of association to resist the overt acts of that pro- vince had ceased, the people began to feel their anomalous position. They were willing to take part in the struggle against Great Britain, but they were not willing to be mustered into the service as belonging to the province or
89
1776.]
CONVENTION AT DORSET.
-
colony of New York ; for such an admission would be a virtual surrender of all they had been contending for. And they desired some- thing more positive than the unofficial recom- mendations of members of congress in their private capacity.
In order to procure some definite arrangement, the people of the New Hampshire grants met in convention at Dorset, on the 16th of January, 1776. They drew up a memorial, which they styled " The humble petition, address, and re- monstrance of that part of America, being situ- ated south of Canada line, west of Connecticut River, commonly called and known by the name of the New Hampshire grants." They avowed their readiness, in this memorial, to bear a full proportion for the support of the contest in which the colonies were engaged; they ex- pressed their zeal in the common cause, and their willingness to be called upon whenever congress should judge it necessary. But they declared their reluctance to put themselves under the provincial government of New York, because they would do nothing which might afterward be construed into an acknowledgment of the au- thority of that province. And they concluded by requesting that whenever congress should find it necessary to call upon them, they should not be called upon as inhabitants of New York, or as persons subject to the limitations, restrictions,
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1776.
or regulations of the militia of that province, but as inhabitants of the New Hampshire grants. And they prayed that whatever commissions should be granted to any of their inhabitants, might be so worded as to respect their position in this particular.
The effect of action upon this petition, by congress, would have been to determine the points in dispute between the contending parties. It is true that an effort was made to pursue a middle course. The committee to whom the me- morial was referred, reported a recommendation that the petitioners should submit for the present to the government of New York, and assist their countrymen in the contest with Great Britain ; but that such submission ought not to prejudice their right to any land in controversy, or be con- strued to affirm or admit the jurisdiction of New York, when the troubles then existing should be ended. Mr. Heman Allen, the agent of Ver- mont, justly considered that this report, if adopted, and its resolution passed, would weaken the position of the petitioners, by putting them in an antagonistic position with congress if they refused to submit, as he judged they would; or would do prejudice to their cause with New York if they acceded, the promise to the contrary notwithstanding. Under such circumstances, Mr. Allen deemed it prudent to withdraw the petition, and he obtained leave so to do. The
1776.] DIFFICULTIES WITH THE CANADIANS. 91
petition was withdrawn on the 4th of June. One month later congress published the Declaration of Independence.
With the opening of spring, Arnold resumed active operations against Quebec, as far as his circumstances would admit. Reinforcements were under orders from the United Colonies, but the nature of the route they were obliged to take, and the severity of the Canadian winter, impeded their advance, and on the 1st day of May, 1776, the American force before Quebec did not exceed nineteen hundred men. The po- sition of the army in reference to the Canadians had become most unfortunate. While Wash- ington declared, in a letter to General Schuyler, that " Canada could only be secured by laying hold of the affections of the people, and engaging them heartily in the common cause ;" and while congress fully endorsed this opinion by their acts and resolutions, circumstances entirely frus- trated this enlightened policy. After the death of Montgomery, who had all the suavity of the gentleman united to the courage of the soldier, the efforts to conciliate the people, which had formed a part of the plan of the invasion, were interrupted. The priests were neglected, and their wavering course now terminated in adhe- sion to the cause of the crown. A commission, consisting of Dr. Franklin, Samuel Chase, and Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, was sent by con-
92
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1776.
gress into Canada with full powers to treat with the provincials. But the mission was too late, and did not reach Montreal until the tide had so completely turned that the invasion was aban- doned as hopeless.
Congress had resolved that those Canadians who adhered to the American cause should be compensated for any injury that they might suf- fer. But this resolution weighed little against the stubborn facts and necessities of the case. To supply the wants of the army, General Arnold issued a proclamation making paper money cur- rent, and promising to redeem it in four months, and declaring those enemies who should refuse to receive it. Military orders proved no better than civil edicts in giving value to a valueless currency, and great discontents were caused among the Canadians by the effort at coercion. General Carleton made good use of the dissatis- faction of the Canadians, and was not without hope of raising the siege of Quebec through their assistance. Early in the spring he de- tached sixty men from the garrison, to form the nucleus of a relieving force. The Canadians were joining it in great numbers when Arnold sent a detachment, which routed the party. Arnold had despatched an express to Wooster, who was at Montreal, to bring succours and as- sume the command. Wooster arrived on the 1st of April, and on the next day Arnold received
93
1776.] SMALL-POX IN THE CAMP.
an injury by the fall of his horse, which confined him for some time to his bed.
To add to the discomfort and peril of the small American force, the small-pox now broke out among the troops. So great was the terror from this loathsome disease, that it was with difficulty the army could be saved from total dispersion. Discipline and order were out of the question ; and the ineffectiveness of the be- sieging force was increased by the fact that the soldiers, in defiance of orders to the contrary, inoculated themselves, as that course was under- stood to diminish the danger of the disease. General Arnold retired to Montreal and took command of that post.
General Thomas, who had been appointed by congress to the command of the Canadian army, arrived at the camp near Quebec on the first of May. He found the small force so enfeebled by sickness, that not more than nine hundred men were effective, and of these three hundred were entitled to their discharge, and clamorously de- manded it. Some show of operations had been made against Quebec; but under the disadvan- tage of want of men and munitions nothing was accomplished. Early in May, the British ship Isis-name ominous of hope to the royalists- forced her way up to Quebec with men and sup- plies. General Thomas, before this arrival, had determined upon falling back, and teams and
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HISTORY OF VERMONT. [1776.
men were promised by the inhabitants to assist in the removal of stores. But the fickle Cana- dians went over to the royalists, and the Ameri- can army not only lost their aid but all means of an orderly retreat. The British re-captured the vessels which the Americans had taken. On the sixth of May, the very day of the landing of the reinforcements, General Carleton marched out at noon, with eight hundred men, to give battle to the Americans in their camp. He found it deserted by all who were in a condition to travel ; and so precipitate had the movement been, that most of the sick and all the military stores fell into his hands. The sick, not only in camp, but such as were in huts and concealed in the woods, were sought out by proclamation, and treated with the most humane attention. The Americans continued their retreat till they reached the junction of the Sorel and the St. Lawrence, and there General Thomas was seized with the small-pox and died.
Large reinforcements had now arrived to the assistance of the British in Canada, making their number about thirteen thousand men. Their advanced post was at Three Rivers. The Americans at Sorel were joined by about four thousand men under General Sullivan, who reached that post early in June. Previous to his arrival, General Thompson, who had suc- ceeded to the command upon the death of Gene-
95
1776.] RETREAT TO ST. JOHN'S.
ral Thomas, had despatched an expedition to surprise Three Rivers. It was understood that at that post there were only about eight hundred men, composing the advance of the British army. General Sullivan, upon assuming the command, sent General Thompson, with fourteen hundred men, to the. aid of the detachment already sent to Three Rivers. The result was most disastrous. The Americans, who had counted on surprising the enemy, were delayed and discovered. They were repulsed in the attack on the village, and their retreat being cut off, two hundred men were made prisoners, including General Thompson and Colonel Irwin. About thirty Americans were killed, while the British loss was inconsiderable.
On the 14th of June, having with him only about two thousand five hundred effective men, General Sullivan was compelled to retreat from Sorel, and fell back to Chambly. Here he was joined by Arnold, who had been compelled to evacuate Montreal. That post had been menaced by a superior British force, its outposts having fallen into the hands of the enemy, who now, in full strength, and flushed with success, were driving the Americans rapidly before them. The Canadians and Indians, sure on which side the greatest strength lay, were no longer passive, but flocked to the royal standard. From Cham- bly, the remains of the American army, now so much inferior to the British that resistance was
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HISTORY OF VERMONT. [1776.
out of the question, fell back to St. John's. As the British under Carleton entered Chambly on one side, the Americans marched out on the other.
On the 18th of June, Sir Guy Carleton reached St. John's in the evening. The Americans had retreated, taking every thing of value. A detach- ment of the American army remained behind to complete the demolition of the fort and barracks, and left the place just as the enemy approached. The armed vessels on the Sorel and St. Law- rence Rivers were destroyed to prevent their falling into the hands of the British, but all the baggage of the army and nearly all the stores were saved. At Chambly there are falls in the river which precluded the possibility of saving the larger vessels. The batteaux were dragged up the rapids, and served for the embarkation of the troops. At St. John's the pursuit by the British ceased, as they had no flotilla which could be carried over the rapids. General Sul- livan conducted the retreat with consummate skill and caution, and received the thanks of congress for his conduct; and General Carleton was rewarded for repelling the invasion by the Order of the Bath. It is seldom that the suc- cessful and unsuccessful both are complimented by their governments. The American army pro- ceeded up Lake Champlain to Crown Point, and thence to Ticonderoga, where General Sullivan
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