became entangled in swamps and bad grounds and in that situation were attacked by general Frazier's troops, and thrown into confusion. In the mean time general Nesbit was landing his troops from the transports, directly in the way in which they must return, so as to cut off the communication with their boats. In these desperate circumstances they were nearly surrounded by the enemy, and no way of safety remained but to surrender to the British, or to disperse, and let every man shift for himself. The latter was preferred, and they made their way into the woods, where they found a shelter from the pursuit of the enemy. The next day about ten o'clock, the American troops began to collect, and the day after, June the tenth, about sun set, they arrived opposite to Sorel. In this ill judg ed and unfortunate expedition, the British suffered but very little; nor was the loss great on the American side. General Thompson, colonel Irwin, and some other officers, with a number of men, fell into the enemy's hands; but few were slain on either side. The person who had the care of the boats removed them to a place of security; and nothing more was taken by the enemy, than the prisoners which they picked up in different places; these amounted, when they were all collected, to about two hundred men.*

WHILE the Americans were thus unfortunate and retreating from every part of Canada, general Carleton conducted with much humanity and discretion. The American officers who were

* Gorden. Vol. II, p. 67. Murray. Vol. II, p. 69. Smøllet. Vol. V, p. 278.

made prisoners in Canada, he sent on board a vessel to New England, on their parole of honor; and supplied them with every thing requisite to make their voyage agreeable and pleasant. The other prisoners amounted to about eight hundred; these were called upon to take an oath not to serve during the war against Great Britain, unless they were properly exchanged; those that were almost naked, were decently clothed; and they were then sent by a flag to the American commanders. Anumber of the sick and wounded were scattered about in the woods and villages, destitute of every comfort of life, and in extreme danger of perishing through want. To prevent the melancholy fate that awaited these wretched men, Carleton issued out a proclamation, commanding the proper officers to find them out, and afford them all necessary relief and assistance at the public expence. And that nothing might be wanted to make their relief compleat and encouraging, he assured them by his proclamation, that as soon as they were recovered, they should be sent back to their respective provinces, By these acts of magnanimity and sound policy, most of these unhappy men were preserved from perishing. The officers and men returned to their several provinces, announcing the praises of sir Guy Carleton; and avowing that ne considerations should persuade them to bear arms against the British, till they were fairly exchanged.

THE American army in Canada was now greatly inferior to the British, in number, artillery, health, accommodations and every other circumstance; and nothing remained for them

but to make as expeditious a retreat as possible. The kings forces having assembled at Trois Rivieres, proceeded by land and water to Sorel, where they arrived June the fourteenth, in the evening; a few hours after the rear of the Americans had left the place. A considerable body was landed, and the command of the column was given to general Burgoyne; with instructions to pursue the American troops up the river to St. Johns, but not to hazard any thing till he should be joined by another column. On June the fifteenth general Arnold with his troops left Montreal, and having crossed the river St. Lawrence at Longuil, marched for Chambly. A large part of the British fleet and army had sailed for Montreal, and had not the winds prevent, ed, would have arrived at the city about the time that Arnold left it. The American troops having assembled at Chambly, engaged with much spirit and resolution to save their artillery and stores. Many of the men were still under the operation of the small pox, but they readily plunged into the water to drag their batteaux, loaded with cannon and baggage, up the rapids, This service was attended with much difficulty and danger, and could not be effected otherwise than by the bodily strength of men, who were up to their middle in water. In this way, with much resolution and expedition they drew more than one hundred batteaux, heavily loaded, over the falls and rapids of the river Sorel. Having thus saved their artillery and stores, they set fire to the saw mills, to three vessels and three gondolas, and to all the boats which they could not bring off; and so closely were they pursued,

.that the British were entering one end of Chambly, while the Americans were marching out at the other. On the eighteenth general Burgoyne arrived at St. Johns in the evening. The Americans had taken away every thing that could be transported, and set fire to the barracks and forts: A major Bigelow remaining with about forty men till the works were destroyed, at dusk pushed off in his boats to Isle aux Noix, to which place the American army had repaired. From the Isle the army proceeded in safety, and without any danger of a pursuit, to Crown Point; and remained masters of lake Champlain, the British not having been able to bring any of their vessels over the rapids and falls at Chambly.

A retreat had seldom been effected in more disastrous circumstances, or in greater precipi-; tation; and yet the loss of stores and men were too inconsiderable to be detailed. When Sullivan took the command of the troops, he found them reduced to the lowest state of distress by defeat, the loss of their generals and men, sickness, want of provision, cloathing and almost every necessary of life. He labored incessantly

to relieve their wants, to restore their spirits, and to reduce them to order and discipline. And by the assistance of Starks, Poor, Wayne, and other excellent officers, had succeeded in making a safe retreat before a far superior British army, and bringing his army safe to Crown Point, On June the seventeenth, Congress had appointed general Gates to take the command of the army in Canada. When he arrived at Crown Point, he, found the army in a safe, but in a very reduced situation. The number of troops which

had been ordered to Canada, were ten regi. ments; by the returns, the whole now amounted to seven thousand and six. By the losses which had been sustained at Quebec, Trois Rivieres, the Cedars, the retreat from Canada, with the deaths and desertions which had taken place, the northern army had been greatly diminished. The small pox still prevailed, not a cannon was mounted, or any preparation made for defence; nor had the men yet recovered from the labors and hardships of the retreat. Sullivan resigned the command to Gates, and on July the twelfth left the place. His conduct had been so acceptable to the army, that the field officers, in their address, bore this testimony to his merit : "It is to you, sir, the public are indebted, for the preservation of their property in Canada. It is to you we owe our safety thus far. Your humanity will call forth the silent tear, and grateful ejaculation of the sick; your universal impartiality will force the applause of the wearied soldier." The American Congress joined in their approbation of his conduct, and returned him their thanks for having saved their army in Canada when encumbered with almost insuperable difficulties, and made so judicious a re

treat,

THE business of Gates was now to recruit his army, to restore them to health and spirits, to provide them with clothing and necessary accommodations, and to prepare for defence; and in these pursuits he discovered great activity and prudence. The first business of

* Gordon. Vol. II. p. 105.