CHAP. L July. The small-pox, which had made such havoc 1776. in the northern army while in Canada, still continuing its ravages, and infecting the re-enforcements as they arrived; it was deemed necessary to stop those which were on their march, at Skeenesborough. The mortality produced by this, and other diseases, was such, that the northern army did not exhibit the force which congress had designed to give it; and, in a council of general officers, it was determined to evacuate Crown Point, and concentrate their forces about Ticonderoga. This measure, which the feeble condition of the army, most probably, rendered advisable, was considered as surrendering lake Champlain to the enemy, and opening to them the whole country of New England. The field officers unanimously remonstrated against it; and general Washington himself expressed great surprise at it. Nothing but necessity, he conceived, could justify the abandonment of so important a place; but as he, very properly, thought himself at too great a distance to give any positive orders on the subject, the measure was persisted in. Congress were disposed to be regulated in their plans, rather by their ̧ wishes, than by the means placed in the hands of their military commanders for the execution of them; and were so far from expecting this retrograde movement, that their views were extended to the lakes Ontario and Erie, and they were then contemplating a plan for taking possession of those waters, and securing CHAP. I. them by a naval force. These speculations 1776. were soon interrupted by demonstrating to them the unwelcome truth, that, instead of acquiring the command of other lakes, they were unable to retain those already in their possession. With almost incredible exertions, the British general constructed a powerful fleet, the materials for which he transported a considerable distance over land. He afterwards dragged up the rapids of St. Therese and St Johns, thirty long boats, a number of flat boats of considerable burden, a gondola weighing thirty tons, with above four hundred batteaux. This immense work was completed in little more than three months, and, as if by magic, general Arnold saw on the lakes, the beginning of October, a fleet consisting of the ship Inflexible carrying eighteen twelve pounders; one -schooner mounting fourteen, and another twelve six pounders; a flat bottomed radeau carrying six twenty-four, and six twelve pounders besides howitzers; and a gondola carrying seven nine pounders. Twenty smaller vessels, under the denomination of gun boats, carried brass field pieces from nine to twenty four pounders, or were armed with howitzers." Some long boats were furnished in the same 2 Annual Register. CHAP. I. manner, and about an equal number of large 1776. boats acted as tenders.* This formidable fleet October 4. navigated by seven hundred prime seamen, on board of which was general Carleton himself, was conducted by captain Pringle, and the guns were served by experienced artillerists. It proceeded immediately in quest of Arnold, who was soon found very advantageously posted, and forming a strong line to defend the passage between the island of Valicour, and the western main. Notwithstanding the vast disparity of force, a warm action ensued. An unfavourable wind kept the Inflexible, and some others of the largest vessels of the hostile fleet, at too great a Intelligence was given to general Washington from Canada of these immense preparations; but he flattered himself that the account was exaggerated. By the same authority, he was also informed, that the army to invade the United States, by the way of the lakes, which was to be commanded by general Carleton, consisted of about eight thousand British and German troops, and a regiment of artillery under general Philips, with the finest train ever sent over from England, and a large body of Canadians. It was also a part of the plan, that sir John Johnson was to go round by Oswego with eight hundred Indians, M'Clean's regiment, and some volunteers, to enter the country by the way of fort George, and cut off the communication between Albany and Ticonderoga. This intelligence was communicated to the officers commanding on the lakes, and they were urged to make correspondent exertions on their part: but the means of doing so were not in their possession. 1776. distance to render any service. This fortunate CHAP. I. circumstance enabled Arnold to keep up the engagement for several hours. Towards night, the English commander thought it advisable to discontinue the action for the present; and the whole fleet was anchored in a line as near that of the Americans as it could be brought, for the purpose of preventing their escape. In this engagement, the best schooner belonging to the American flotilla was burnt, and a gondola carrying three or four guns was sunk. The best eulogium which can be bestowed on the conduct of the Americans in this affair is, that notwithstanding their inferiority of force, they were not defeated, though the enemy spoke with great praise of the conduct of their own officers and men. Finding it impossible to renew the action next day, Arnold made his escape in the night in the hope of reaching Ticonderoga, and being sheltered under the guns of the fort. The wind being favourable he was the next morning entirely out of sight. An immediate pursuit however was made, and, about noon, he was overtaken, and brought to action, a few leagues short of Crown Point. He kept up a very warm engagement for October 12. about two hours, in the course of which, those vessels, which were most ahead, pushed on with the utmost speed, and, passing Crown Point, escaped to Ticonderoga. Two gallies CHAP. I. and five gondolas which remained, made a 1776. desperate resistance. One of them, the Washington, having on board the second in command, at length struck, and was taken. Arnold defeated on the lakes. General Ticonderoga. Unable longer to maintain the action, and determined not to fall into the hands of the enemy, Arnold ran the remaining vessels on shore, in such a manner as to land their crews in safety; after which, he blew them up, and saved his men, in spite of the efforts made to prevent both. This defeat did not dispirit the Americans, nor diminish the reputation of Arnold. The gallant resistance he had made with such inferiority of force; his having, when defeated, saved his men, and prevented his vessels from falling into the hands of the enemy, were consoling circumstances, which were considered as deducting something from the loss of the lakes. A small detachment, which had been stationed at Crown Point as an out post, immediately on the approach of the enemy, set fire to the houses, evacuated the place, and retired to Ticonderoga, which it was determined to defend to the last extremity. General Carleton took possession of Crown pears before Point, and advanced a part of his fleet into lake George within view of Ticonderoga. His army also approached that place as if designing to lay siege to it. |