expect we shall knock up a dust with the garrison at Quebec, who are already panic struck. Had we been fortunate enough to have arrived ten days sooner, we should have met no opposition, and should, I make no doubt, have carried it as it was, if we had had ammunition. My brave men were in want of everything but stout hearts, and would have gladly met the enemy,、 whom we endeavored in vain to draw out of the city, though we had not ten rounds of ammunition a man, and they double our numbers. I have gone through a variety of scenes since I saw you, an amazing deal of fatigue, trouble, and anxiety, but, thank God, am very hearty and well. Capt. Oswald begs you'd accept his compliments. Please make my compliments to Gen. Wooster and all enquiring friends; and accept the same from, Dear Sir, your friend and very humble serv't. Lieut. Buell: B. ARNOLD. POINT AUX TREMBLES, 27th Nov., 1775. SIR-You will proceed with the miller, who will direct you where you will find some cattle, which you will bring to headquarters. I am Sir, &c. Your obed't servant, B. ARNOLD. POINT AUX TREMBLES, Nov. 27, 1775. DEAR SIR-An incessant hurry of business since my arrival in Canada, has deprived me of the pleasure of writing you before this, to give you a short sketch of our tour, the fatigue and hazard of which are beyond description. A future day may possibly present you with the particulars. The 15th September, left Cambridge: same night arrived at Newburyport. 18th, embarked and sailed. 19th, thick weather and gale of wind, which divided the fleet. 20th, arrived in Kennebec river. 21st, reached Fort Western. 25th to 29th, sent off one division each day with forty-five days' provisions. From 29th to Oct. 8th, the whole detachment were daily up to their waists in water, hauling up the batteaux against the rapid streams to Norridgewock, fifty miles from Fort Western. From the 9th to the 16th, not a minute was lost in gaining the Dead River, about fifty miles. From the 16th to 27th we ascended the Dead River to Lake Megantic or Chaudiere pond, distance eighty-three miles. 28th, I embarked with seventeen men in five batteaux, being resolved to proceed to the French inhabitants and send back provisions to the detachment, who were nearly out, and must inevitably suffer without a supply. At ten we had passed on the lake thirteen miles long, and entered the Chaudiere, which we descended about twenty miles in two hours; amazing rocky, rapid, and dangerous, when we had the misfortune of oversetting and staving three batteaux, and lost all the baggage, provisions, &c. and with great difficulty saved the men. This disaster, though unfortunate at first view, we must think a very happy circumstance on the whole, and a kind interposition of Providence; for had we proceeded half a mile farther, we must have gone over a prodigious fall which we were not apprised of, and all inevitably perished. Here I divided the little provisions left, and proceeded on with two batteaux and five men with all possible expedition; and on the 30th at night, arrived at the first inhabitants, upward of eighty miles from the Lake, where I was kindly received. The next morning early sent off a supply of fresh provisions to the detachment by the Canadians and savages, about forty.of the latter having joined me. By the 8th the whole arrived except two or three sick left behind. The 10th, I reached Point Levi, seventy-five miles from Sartigan, the first inhabitants; waited until the 13th for the rear to come up, and employed the carpenters in making ladders and collecting canoes; those on Point Levi being all destroyed to prevent our crossing. Having collected about thirty, we embarked at 9 P. M., and at 4 A. M. had carried over at several times five hundred men without being discovered. Thus in about eight weeks we completed a march of near six hundred miles, not to be paralleled in history; the men having, with the greatest fortitude and perseverance, hauled their batteaux up rapid streams, being obliged to wade almost the whole way near one hundred and eighty miles, carried them on their shoulders near forty miles, over hills, swamps, and bogs almost impenetrable, and to their knees in mire; being often obliged to cross three or four times with their baggage. Short of provis ions, part of the detachment disheartened and gone back; famine staring us in the face; an enemy's country and uncertainty ahead. Notwithstanding all these obstacles, the officers and men inspired and fired with a love of liberty and their country, pushed on with a fortitude superior to every obstacle, and most of them had not one day's provision for a week. I have thus given you a short but imperfect sketch of our march. The night we crossed the St. Lawrence, found it impossible to get our ladders over, and the enemy being apprised of our coming, we found it impracticable to attack them without too great a risk, we therefore invested the town and cut off their communication with the country. We continued in this situation until the 20th, having often attempted to draw out the garrison in vain. On a strict scrutiny into our ammunition, found many of our cartridges (which to appearance were good) inserviceable and not ten rounds each for the men, who were almost naked, barefooted, and much fatigued; and as the garrison was daily increasing and nearly double our numbers, we thought it prudent to retire to this place and wait the arrival of Gen. Montgomery, with artillery, clothing, &c. who to our great joy has this morning joined us with about three hundred men. We propose immediately investing the town, and make no doubt in a few days to bring Gov. Carlton to terms. You will excuse the incorrectness of my letter, and believe me with the greatest esteem, Dear Sir, your friend and very h'ble serv't. B. ARNOLD. POINT AUX TREMBLES, 27th Nov., 1775. SIR-Yours of the 26th from Champlain, I received this minute, and have ordered a party of forty men to Grand Isle to escort the ammunition down. By no means venture by water, but on the receipt of this procure carts to bring down the whole. Pray make all possible despatch. Capt. J. Dugan. I am Sir, Your humble servant, B. ARNOLD. POINT AUX TREMBLES, 30th Nov., 1775. DEAR SIR-My last was of the 25th inst. advising you of the Hunter sloop, Capt. Napier in the snow, and a schooner's, going up to Cape Santé. They have been there until this morning, when they came down and are now off this place under full sail down. It will be impossible for them to ascend the river again this season; so that your vessels, if you think proper to send them down, will run no risk, except of ice, and may be laid up in safety at Cape Rouge. I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you these ten days; and am very anxious for your safe arrival. The ammunition you ordered us has been strangely delayed, and is not yet come to hand, but hourly expected. On receipt of it I intend⚫ returning to my old quarters near Quebec. Nothing has lately occurred worth notice, except the burning of Major Caldwell's house, supposed to be done by order of Gov. Carlton to deprive us of winter quarters. The inhabitants of Quebec are much disunited and short of provisions. We have many friends there, and if the place is attacked with spirit, I believe will hold out but a short time. I am very respectfully, Dear Sir, your most obed't humble servt. Brig. Gen. Montgomery. B. ARNOLD. POINT AUX TREMBLES, 30th Nov., 1775. GENTLEMEN-This serves to advise you that the armed ships in the river, which have been sometime off Cape Santé are now returned to Quebec; so that there will be no danger of your coming down in boats, or any Kind of water craft, except that of ice. I am Gentlemen, your humble servt, To the officers of the Cont. Army on their way from Montreal to Quebec. } B. ARNOLD. POINT AUX TREMBLES, 30th Nov., 1775. DEAR SIR-This will be handed you by Mr. Burr, a volunteer in the army, and son to the former president of New Jersey college. He is a young gentleman of much life and activity, and has acted with much spirit and resolution on our fatiguing march. His conduct, I make no doubt, will be a sufficient recommendation to your favor. I am dear Sir, your most obed't humble serv't. Brig. Gen. Montgomery. May it please your Excellency, B. ARNOLD. BEFORE QUEBEC, Dec. 5, 1775. My last of the 20th ult. from Point Aux Trembles advising of my retreating from before Quebec, I make no doubt your excellency has received. I continued at Pt. Aux Trembles until the third instant, when, to my great joy, Gen. Montgomery joined us with artillery and about three hundred men. Yesterday we arrived here and are making all possible preparations to attack the city, which has a wretched, motley garrison of disaf fected seamen, marines, and inhabitants, the walls in a ruinous situation, and cannot hold out long. Enclosed is a return of my detachment amounting to six hundred and seventy-five men, for whom I have received clothing of Gen. Montgomery. I hope there will soon be provision made for paying the soldiers, as many of them have families who are in want. A continual hurry has prevented my sending a continuation of my journal. I am with very great respect, Your excellency's most obed't h'ble serv't. B. ARNOLD. [The history of this expedition, so far as it can be gathered from the foregoing letters, terminates abruptly on the 5th of Dec., 1775, the date of the last of the series. A full account of the subsequent events will, however, be found in the journal prepared by President ALLEN, to which we have already alluded, and which immediately follows.] |