Table of contents
Preface
Of the military movements on the Northern frontier during the Revolution, much has been written about the brilliant campaign of Richard Montgomery in 1775, which terminated in his untimely death on the last day of that year. Much has also been written about the disastrous campaign of John Burgoyne in 1777. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter I
The News from Lexington and Concord – The Uprising throughout the Colonies – Mass-meeting at the State House, Philadelphia – Organization of Associators – Jonathan Jones’ Company – The Rev. Thomas Barton and Bangor Church – Initiatory steps for Resistance to Great Britain – Major Philip Skene – Organization of the Regular Army – The Six Pennsylvania Regiments – William Irvine – William Allen – The Captains of the First Pennsylvania Regiment – Col. John Bull – Col. John Philip De Haas – Lt. Col. James Irvine – Major Anthony James Morris – The British Barracks at Philadelphia – Mounting Guard at the State House and along the Wharves – The Uniforms of the Pennsylvania Troops – Arrival of Martha Washington at Philadelphia – Lord Dunmore’s Movements in Virginia – Philadelphia in the Winter of 1775-1776. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter II
Solicitude of Congress for Affairs in Canada – Philip Schuyler calls for Reinforcements – Congress orders the First Pennsylvania and Second New Jersey Regiments to Canada – William Maxwell – Reinforcements from the Eastern Colonies – March of Jonathan Jones’ Company for Canada – Their stay in Albany – Arrival of Sir Henry Clinton at New York – Mutiny at Albany – Traversing the frozen Lakes – Distressing condition of the Army before Quebec – Small-pox among the Troops – A Futile Attempt by Mr. Beaujeu to relieve the Garrison—Erection of Batteries and opening fire upon the Town— Arrival of General David Wooster at Quebec—Departure of Benedict Arnold. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter III
Congress sends a Committee to Canada – Their Journey thither – Return of Dr. Franklin and Rev. John Carroll – The Supervision of the Northern Army – General Charles Lee ordered to the Command in Canada – The Order revoked, and General John Thomas sent in his stead.-.Further Reinforcements for the Army in Canada.-.Captain Ebenezer Stevens – Colonel John Patterson – The change of Feeling on the part of the Canadians towards the American cause – Arrival of General Thomas at Quebec – Condition of Affairs there – An Unsuccessful Attempt to send a Fire-ship into the enemy’s shipping – A Council of War resolves upon a Retreat – Arrival of the British ships Surprise, Martin, and Isis with Reinforcements – A Sortie by Sir Guy Carleton – Precipitate Retreat of the Americans – Aaron Burr – Recovery of valuable Papers by Captain Jonathan Jones – Merciful Conduct of General Carleton – A Murder in Captain Jones’ company – The Americans endeavor to make a Stand at Deschambault – A Council of War determines to continue the Retreat to Sorel – A Skirmish below Deschambault – Mr. Acklam Bonfield – The retreating Americans reach the mouth of the Sorel – Dr. Senter establishes a Hospital for the sick at Montreal—Deplorable Condition of the Troops at Sorel – Death of General Thomas. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter IV
Benedict Arnold sends Troops to the Cedars – Captain Forster’s Party Attempts to Dislodge them – Colonel Bedel Abandons his Post – Major Henry Sherburne sets out with Reinforcements – Delays in his March – Disgraceful Surrender by Major Butterfield – The Conduct of Bedel and Butterfield Condemned by George Washington – They are Court-martialed and Dismissed the Service – Disastrous Defeat of Sherburne’s Party – Barbarous Treatment of the Prisoners – The Loss on both sides – Indignation throughout the Colonies at the Ill-treatment of the Prisoners – Benedict Arnold sets out to their Belief – The Commissioners of Congress send the First Pennsylvania Regiment to Reinforce Arnold – They Purchase Thirty Loaves of Bread for them in Montreal – Forster, advised of their Approach, Retreats – The Pursuit – Benedict Arnold Demands a Surrender of the Prisoners – A Council of War decides against a Surprise – An Exchange of Prisoners and an Armistice agreed upon – Retreat of Forster’s Party above the Cedars. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter V
An Attempt to Recover the Lost Ground down the St. Lawrence – Colonel Arthur St. Clair is sent against Three Rivers – Waiting Impatiently for the First Pennsylvania Regiment – General Wooster Relieved – General Sullivan Assumes Command of the Army – He Sends General Thompson with Additional Troops to Join St. Clair – Captains Jonathan Jones and Benjamin Davis join the Force under General Thompson with their Companies – Arrival of Resolutions of Congress – Additional Reinforcements of Militia and Indians ordered by Congress – The Battle of Three Rivers. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter VI
John Sullivan’s force after the Battle of Three Rivers – Condition of the Troops – Desertions – Fortifying the post at Sorel – The Retreat – The retreating Americans reach Chambly – Brunswick and Hessian troops – George III contracts for them with the German princes – Departure of the first detachment for Quebec under Frederick Adolphus von Riedesel – Arrival of General John Burgoyne with British reinforcements – The British army which ascended the St. Lawrence – Pursuit of the Americans up the Sorel river – The Americans burn Chamblee and continue their retreat to St. Johns – The sick are sent to Isle aux Noix – Benedict Arnold’s retreat from Montreal – The Americans retreat to Isle aux Noix, and the British occupy St. Johns – Congress and George Washington reconciled to the situation – Congress inquires into the causes of the disasters in Canada. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter VII
At Isle aux Noix – Distressing Condition of the American Troops – Evacuation of Canada – Removal of the Sick to Crown Point – Massacre of Pennsylvanians by the Enemy’s Indians – Their Burial and Epitaph – The Retreat from Isle aux Noix to Isle la Motte and Crown Point – Encampment of the Troops at that place. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter VIII
General Horatio Gates Appointed to the Command of the Army – He arrives at Albany and learns of the Retreat – A question of Command between Philip Schuyler and Horatio Gates—They set out together for Crown Point – Reconnoitering Parties are sent down the Lake – Capture of Captain Wilson and his Men – Brigadier – General Gordon is Killed by Lieutenant Whitcomb – A Council of War determines to abandon Crown Point and remove the Sick to Fort George – Remonstrance of Field Officers – George Washington and his Generals disapprove of the action of the Council – General John Sullivan takes offense at the Appointment of Horatio Gates, and Resigns his Commission – A General Hospital established at Fort George – Removal of the Sick—Their Neglect and Sufferings —Removal of the Army to Ticonderoga. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter IX
Ticonderoga—The Pennsylvania Troops occupy and repair the French lines – Baron de Woedtke – Composition of the Army that Retreated from Canada – Colonel Enoch Poor – Division of the Army into Brigades – Ship-carpenters are sent up from the Atlantic Seaboard – Other Mechanics begin to arrive – Mount Independence is cleared – Camp Life and Duties – Sickness on Mount Independence – Colonel John Qreaton – Want of Mail facilities. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter X
News of the Declaration of Independence – A Copy is sent to John Burgoyne with a Demand for the Perpetrators of the Barbarities after the Cedars – Guy Carleton returns an Offensive Answer – Sectional Animosities between the Troops – Ordnance and Ordnance Stores – Their removal from Ticonderoga by Colonel Henry Knox – Court-Martial of Colonel Moses Hazen – Disrespectful Conduct of General Benedict Arnold – His Arrest Requested, but Refused. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter XI
Terror Created by the News of the Retreat – Measures for raising Reinforcements – Reports of Small-pox interfere with Enlistments – Additional Bounties Offered – The Militia Rendezvous at Number Four – New Road from Mount Independence to Rutland—Sufferings of the Militia in the Wilderness – Reinforcements Retarded by Inoculation – The Sick required to Disclose, under oath, how they took the Disease – Alarm at the Re-introduction of Small-pox by the Militia – Disappearance of Small-pox from the Army – Arrival of Reinforcements at Ticonderoga – Formation of a New Brigade – General James Brickett – George Washington orders three of the fullest Regiments to be sent from Boston – Their arrival at Ticonderoga – A Company of Mohican Indians – Construction of the Jersey Redoubt – Completion of the Intrenchments about the French Lines – Delays in the Works on Mount Independence – Colonels Reed and Arthur St. Clair appointed Brigadier-Generals – General James Reed – Conflicting Claims of Majors Wood and Morris to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Second Pennsylvania Regiment – A Rest from Unremitting Labors – Court-Martial of Deserters and other Offenders – Cleanly appearance of the Pennsylvania Troops. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter XII
Work on the Fleet at Skenesborough – Benedict Arnold Assigned to the Command – Arrival of part of the Fleet at Crown Point – A False Alarm – Conflict of Authority between General Arnold and Captain Jacobus Wynkoop – The Fleet Sails down Lake Champlain – Arrives at Windmill Point – Position of the British Army – A Boat’s Crew driven from the Shore with Loss of Life – The Fleet Cannonades the Wood, which occasions a False Report of an Engagement with the Enemy – Activity at Ticonderoga and Albany in Consequence Thereof – False Reports from the Mohawk Country – The Fleet Ascends the Lake and Anchors behind Valcour Island – Colonel Edward Wigglesworth – The Row-Galleys join the Fleet – Sickness among the Ship-carpenters at Skenesborough. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter XIII
Scarcity of Clothing in the Army – Anxiety occasioned by Expiring Enlistments – De Haas,’ Maxwell’s, and part of Wind’s Regiments Consent to Remain – Movements of the British Army – Arrival of a Second Detachment of Hessian and Brunswick Troops – The British Advance up the Lake – General William Phillips – News of the Naval Battle received at Ticonderoga – Arrival of Benedict Arnold with the Remains of the Fleet at Ticonderoga. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter XIV
Construction of the British Fleet – It Sets Sail upon Lake Champlain – The Naval Battle of October llth – Skillful Retreat of the Americans – Viscount Exmouth – Escape of part of the American Fleet – The Naval Battle of October 13th – Surrender of the Washington – Benedict Arnold Runs his Vessels Ashore and Burns them – Ambushing the Bridle Path to Crown Point – Escape of Arnold and his Men to Ticonderoga – The Loss on both sides – Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Hartley – Release of American Prisoners – Carleton’s motive for releasing them. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter XV
Occupation of Crown Point by the British Army – An Attack on Ticonderoga expected – It is delayed by unfavorable winds – The Americans improve the time by preparing for it – New Post established on Mount Hope – Construction of a Boom across the Lake – Cutting down the trees on the Crown Point Road – Wet and stormy weather – Precautions against surprise – Construction of a Floating Bridge between Ticonderoga and Mount Independence – Provisions for the Wounded – Scouting Parties – Horatio Gates calls for Ten to Fifteen Thousand Militia – The Lower Country alive with the movements of armed Men – Arrival of New England Militia at Ticonderoga – Scarcity of Provisions – Washington’s opinion of Militia – Promotion of Lieutenant-Colonel James Irvine, Major Anthony James Morris, Captain Jonathan Jones, and Captain David Grier – Advance of General Fraser’s Division to Putnam’s Point under the Guns of the British Fleet – General Simon Fraser – An Attack hourly expected – Richard Stockton and George Clymer – Their comments on the sufferings of the Troops. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)
Chapter XVI
The Alarm Guns Announce the Approach of the British – The Americans promptly Man the Fortifications – Landing of British Troops on Three-Mile Point – A Reconnaissance by British Gunboats – An Assault upon the Works Imminent – The British Troops Retire Without Striking a Blow – Further Suspense – Detachments sent by Horatio Gates to « beat up » the Enemy’s advance post – The British Army Retreats into Canada – Horatio Gates Dismisses the Militia and Details a Permanent Garrison for Ticonderoga – Departure of the First Pennsylvania and First and Second New Jersey Regiments – Their March Southward – Departure of General Gates with Bond’s, Porter’s, Reed’s, Bedel’s, Stark’s, Poor’s, Greaton’s, and Patterson’s, Regiments – Their March to Reinforce Washington’s Army – Departure of other Troops from Ticonderoga – Dispatches for General Guy Carleton which failed to reach him – Causes of the Retreat – Return of General John Burgoyne to England – Lieutenant-General John Burgoyne – Washington visits Ticonderoga – Conclusion. (LINK TO FULL TEXT)