EXPEDITION AGAINST TICONDEROGA.

CAPT. NOAH PHELPS.

CHAPTER III.

EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

SECTION I.

Events of 1775—Reduction of Ticonderoga -Invasion of Canada-Carleton defeated by Col. Warner-St. Johns and Montreal taken by Gen. Montgomery-Assault upon Quebec.

from Connecticut, having purchased a tleton, where they were joined by Allen quantity of provisions, proceeded to Caswith his recruits.

While they were collecting at Castleton, Col. Arnold arrived there attended only by a servant. This officer had been As all minor contests and sectional chosen captain of an independent compadifficulties were, for a while, swallowed ny at New Haven in Connecticut, and, as up by the great and momentous concerns soon as he heard of the battle at Lexingof the Revolution, we shall now proceed ton, he marched his company to Camto a brief statement of those incidents in bridge, where the Americans were assemthe war for independence, with which the bling to invest Boston. There he receivpeople of Vermont were more immediate- ed a Colonel's commission from the Masly concerned. The affair at Lexington sachusetts committee of safety with orders produced a shock, which was felt from to raise 400 men for the reduction of one extremity of the colonies to the oth- Ticonderoga and Crown Point, which he er; and it was now perceived that their represented to be in a ruinous condition only reliance for safety was to be placed and feebly garrisoned. His commission on a vigorous and effectual resistance to being examined, Arnold was permitted to the arins and arbitrary power of Great join the party; but it was ordered by a council that Allen should also have the commission of Colonel, and should be first in command.

Britain.

The military posts on lake Champlain were at this time garrisoned by British soldiers, and the British government had been pursuing measures, by which they might, if necessary, avail themselves of the strength and resources of Canada, for the purpose of subjugating their other colonies, in case of revolt. The importance, therefore, of securing these posts to the Americans was at once perceived, and the design of effecting this object engaged at the same time the attention of several adventurers, both in Massachusetts and Connecticut, who were utterly ignorant of each other's views. But the first active measures for accomplishing an undertaking so desirable as the reduction of these posts, appear to have been taken by several enterprising gentlemen of Con

necticut.

To procure intelligence, Capt. Noah Phelps, one of the gentlemen from Connecticut, went into the fort at Ticonderoga in the habit of one of the settlers, where he inquired for a barber, under the pretence of wanting to be shaved. By affecting an awkward appearance, and asking many simple questions, he passed unsuspected, and had a favorable opportunity of observing the condition of the works. Having obtained the necessary information, he returned to the party, and the same night they began their march for the fort. And these affairs had been conducted with so much expedition, that Allen reached Orwell, opposite to Ticonderoga, with his men, in the evening of the 9th of May, while the garrison were without any knowledge of the proceedings, and without any apprehension of a hostile visit.

It was

As the success of the enterprise depended upon its being managed with secrecy and despatch, they obtained of the Connecticut legislature a loan of $1800, The whole force collected on this occaand, having procured a quantity of pow- sion amounted to 270 men, of whom 230 der and balls, they hastened forward to were Green Mountain Boys. Bennington with the view of engaging with difficulty that boats could be obtainEthan Allen in the business. Allen read-ed to carry over the troops. A Mr. ily undertook to conduct the enterprise Douglas was sent to Bridport to procure and set off to the northward with his usu- aid in men, and a scow belonging to Mr. al spirit of promptness and activity for, Smith. Douglas stopped by the way to the purpose of enlisting and collecting enlist a Mr. Chapman in the enterprise, men for the expedition. The gentlemen when James Wilcox and Joseph Tyler,

TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT TAKEN.

two young men, who were a-bed in the chamber, hearing the story, conceived the design of decoying on shore a large oar boat belonging to Maj. Skene, and which then lay off against Willow point. They dressed, seized their guns and a jug of rum, of which they knew the black commander to be extremely fond,-gathered four men as they went, and, arriving all armed, they hailed the boat and offered to help row it to Shoreham, if he would carry them there immediately to join a hunting party, that would be waiting for them. The stratagem succeeded, and poor Jack and his two men suspected nothing till they arrived at Allen's head quarters, where they were made prisoners of war.

Douglas arrived with the scow about the same time, and, some other boats having been collected, Allen embarked with 83 men and landed near the fort As the morning was advancing, it was deemed inexpedient to wait for the remainder of the men to pass over. Arnold now wished to assume the command, and swore that he would lead the men into the fort. Allen swore he should not, but that he himself would be the first man that should enter. As the dispute grew warm, some of the gentlemen interposed, and it was agreed that they should both enter at the same time, but that Allen should enter on the right, and have the command.

*

EVENTS ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

ish captain perceived that resistance was vain, and surrendered the garrison prisoners of war, without knowing by what authority Allen was acting, or that hostilities had commenced between Great Britain and her colonies. As soon as Allen had landed with his party, the boats were sent back for the remainder of the men, who had been left under the command of Col. Seth Warner. Warner arrived soon after the place surrendered, and taking the command of a party, set off for the reduction of Crown Point, which was garrisoned only by a sergeant and twelve men. They surrendered upon the first summons, and Warner took possession of the fort. Skenesborough was also taken, the same day, by another party, and Maj. Skene made prisoner.

By these enterprises, the Americans captured a British Major, a Captain, a Lieutenant, and forty-four privates. In the forts, they found more than 200 pieces of cannon, some mortars and howitzers, and large quantities of military stores; and also a ware-house filled with materials for carrying on the business of building boats. All these cost not the Americans a single man; and elated with their success, they now determined to secure the command of lake Champlain, by getting possession of an armed sloop, which then lay at St. Johns. For this purpose they armed and manned a schooner, and Accordingly, a little after day break in procured a number of batteaux. Arnold the morning of the 10th of May, 1775, took command of the schooner, and Allen they advanced towards the works followed of the batteaux, and they both set out toby their men. The sentry at the outer gether upon the expedition. But a fresh post snapped his fusee at Allen, and, re- wind springing up from the south, the treating through the covered way, was schooner out-sailed the batteaux, and Arfollowed by the Americans, who were nold soon reached St. Johns, where he immediately drawn up on the parade surprised and captured the sloop. The within the fort. With so great expedition wind immediately shifting to the north, and silence was this business accomplish- Arnold set sail with his prize, and met ed that the garrison, excepting the sent- Allen with his batteaux at some distance ries, were not awakened from their slum- from St. Johns. Thus, in the course of a bers, till aroused by the huzzas of the few days, and by a few daring individGreen Mountain Boys, already in posses-uals, was lake Champlain and its imporsion of the fort. The Capt. De Laplace, without waiting to dress himself, hastened to the door of the barrack, when Allen sternly commanded him to surrender, or he would put the whole garrison to the sword. De Laplace inquired by what authority he demanded it. I demand it, says Allen, "in the name of the Great Jehorah and the Continental Congress."

tant fortresses secured to the Americans.

The American Congress, having received intelligence that the governor of Canada had been making exertions to engage the Canadians and Indians to fall upon the frontier of the colonics, determined to send a body of American troops into that province, in the hopes that the Canadians would join the other colonies, Surrounded by the Americans, the Brit- in opposition to Great Britain. For this Allen was guided into the fort by Nathan Be-purpose, it was proposed to raise 2000 man, a young lad whose father resided hear the lake in Shoreham. Nathan had passed much of his time in company with the boys of the garrison and was familiar with every nook in the fort and every passage and by-path by which it could be ap proached.-Spark's Am. Bing. Volume 1, page 274.

men, who were to be placed under the command of Generals Schuyler and Montgomery. Much pains were taken to raise the troops, and a large number of batteaux and flat-bottomed boats were built,

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 of the place impracticable, instead of savinto the lake. ing himself by a retreat, Allen rashly deterinined to maintain his ground.

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.

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 38 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 As Col. Ethan Allen, with 80 men, of the kind which that body had ever rewas returning from one of these excur-ceived. sions, he was met by Maj. Brown, who

The besiegers, having obtained a sup

was out upon the same business with 200 ply 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 such was the disaffection of the Canadians to the British cause, that he could not 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 artil|lery 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.

stopped at the mouth of the Richelieu, and all captured by the Americans without the loss of a man.

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.

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 succeedyear.

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. Montgomerying 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

SECTION II.

Erents of 1776. Small Pox fatal in the army-American army retreats-Unsuccessful expedition against Three Rivers -Affairs at the Cedars-Chamblee 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

The Americans continued their retreat to the river Richelieu, having marched the first 45 miles without halting. Here they found several regiments waiting for them under Gen. Thompson, who a few days after succeeded to the command, by the unfortunate death of Gen. Thomas, who died of the small pox. Gen. Sullivan | vengeance disarmed.