CHAPTER III.

AMERICAN WAR....Progress and events of the war in the year 1776. Carleton's humanity and prudence. Arnold continues the blockade of Quebec. Sufferings and perseverance of the Americans. Arrival of the British fleet and army at Quebec, and retreat of the Americans. Proceedings at the Cedars. Defeat of the Americans at Trois Rivieres. Humanity and magnanimity of general Carleton. Proceedings of the British. Retreat of the Americans from Canada, under general Sullivan. Measures of general Gates to secure Ticonderoga, and build a fleet on the lake. Exertions of the British to secure the command of lake Champlain. Defeat and destruction of the American fleet. Carleton lands with his army at Crown Point. Returns to Canada without attacking Ticonderoga. Reflections on the events of the campaign, on the American character and firmness, and on the conduct of Sir Guy Carleton.

1776. GENERAL CARLETON was now engaged in preserving the city of Quebec. Having been successful in defending it against the violent assault of the Americans, he was now employed in strengthening the works, reducing the garrison to greater order and discipline, and making preparations to repel any further attempts that might be made against it, till reinforcements could arrive from England. From the manner in which he had treated Allen and the

prisoners which he took at Montreal, it was feared that he would act with severity against the Americans who had now fallen into his hands. His conduct was altogether the reverse. The number of British prisoners which the Americans had captured, and the dignity and magnahimity of his own mind, had raised him above the exasperated feelings and cruel revenge, with which monarchs generally contemplate what they call rebellion. And while the other British commanders in America were affecting to display their regard to the British king and government, by abuse, insolence, and inhumanity, to those Americans whom the fortune of war had thrown into their hands; Carleton discovered the principles and feelings of exalted bravery and humanity, by a dignified and polite treatment of the officers and privates who were be come his prisoners. Their general was put into an elegant coffin, and buried with those military honors and attentions, which became his rank and character. The officers were provided with money, and other articles which they wanted, invited to dine with the British commander and officers, and treated with all those attentions that the customs of war had made respectful and consoling to the unfortunate. The privates were as well treated and fed as prisoners of war are accustomed to expect. By this method of conduct the British general was not only securing the confidence of his own garrison, but conferring favors on his prisoners, which increased their obligations to preserve the honor of soldiership in every part of their conduct. But as it was altogether uncertain what new forces the H

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Americans might bring against Quebec during the winter, or what further attacks might be made upon the city before he could obtain any succours, that sagacious commander did not venture to run any risk, to make any attack on the Americans, or to take a step which might occasion the loss of a single man of his garrison.

WHILE Carleton was pursuing such measures within the walls of Quebec, Arnold and his men had their quarters about three miles from the city; and kept up a proper blockade, preventing any supplies from being thrown in. He had not more than four hundred men fit for duty, and from their reduced numbers and situ ation they were in constant expectation of an attack. Discouraging and desperate as their circumstances seemed to be, instead of any symptoms of fear, Arnold and his men discov ered amazing vigor of mind and perseverance in their enterprise. An express was sent to general Wooster at Montreal, to come with a reinforcement and take the command; but as that could not be done without considerable delay, Arnold still persevered in the blockade, and rendered the condition of Quebec still precarious, by obstructing all supplies of provisions, or other necessaries. It was not till the twenty fifth of January that they received any assistance, on that day a small reinforcement of twenty seven men arrived from Massachusetts; other small detachments soon followed. All the troops that could be spared from Montreal were sent down, but it was not till late in the month of February, that the troops before Quebec amounted to nine hundred and sixty men; of

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and seventy two were privates fit for duty. With this small addition they were so much encouraged as encouraged as to advance, and begin works against Quebec, bu their artillery made no impression. One of the loyal Canadians, a Mr. Beanjeu, had collected a body of above three hundred men, with a design of dispersing the Americans and raising the siege; with this party, eighty of the Americans had an encounter on March the twenty fifth, and soon and easily dispersed them:

WHEN the American Congress received information of the disaster at Quebec, they ordered four battalions to Canada; and in April they increased the number to ten, and genera. Thomas was sent to take the command. The most of these troops were on their march, and by the first of May, general Thomas arrived in the camp, but the number that had arrived in the vicinity of Quebec, amounted to no more than nineteen hundred men. An event however had taken place, which reduced them to a state of impotence and inactivity; the small pox, the scourge and terror of the English colonies, had broke out and was carrying destruction and dismay through the American camp. Whether casual or through design, a girl who had been a nurse in the hospital at Quebec came out from the city, and gave this distemper to some of the continental soldiers. It was impossible to prevent the disorder from spreading, and the soldiers regardless of all orders to the contrary, consulted their own safety, and innoculated themselves. The reinforcements which were daily arriving did the same; and as they

had neither medicines, suitable provisions, or barracks; sick, weak, and dejected, they were scattered all around the city. In this state was the American army when Thomas took the command; and on the first of May, there were not nine hundred men fit for duty.

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THOMAS however wished to put his army in motion, and attempt something attempt something against the enemy. The ice about the city was in a great measure glare, and the river would now admit of navigation. A party of the Americans went below the city and fitted out a fireship: On the third of May they took the advantage of the flood, and at ten o'clock in the evening, sent her up to set fire to the shipping in the harbour. At the same time the army was drawn up, to avail themselves of the confusion that was expected from the fire, and to assault the city if circumstances should prove favourable. fireship coming from below did not at first give any alarm, it was supposed to be for the relief of the city. Being night, the ship arrived near to the vessels in the harbour, before it was discovered to be an enemy. The British then commenced a very heavy fire from the city; the people on board the fire ship lighted the train, her sails took fire and in a moment she was in a blaze; but the tide beginning to ebb, she was carried down the river, and the men escaped in their boats. Thomas now perceived that nothing could be done to any effect against the enemy, by' an army in the condition to which his was reduced, and that their provision would last for no longer a time than three days. The season was also ap proaching in which troops would not fail to arrive