The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for IndependenceLossing, Benson John
History
The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for Independence
Lossing, Benson John
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
November 3 grounded 172their arms on the plain near by. The officers
were allowed to keep their side-arms, and their fire-arms were reserved
for them. Canadian gentlemen and others at St. John's were considered a
part of the garrison. The whole number of troops amounted to about five
hundred regulars and one hundred Canadian volunteers.1 The Continental
troops took possession of the fort, and Montgomery proposed to push on
to Montreal.
Insubordination again raised its hydra-head in the American camp. The
cold season was near at hand, and the raw troops, unused to privations
of the field, yearned for home, and refused, at first, to be led further
away. But the kind temper, patriotic zeal, and winning eloquence of
Montgomery, and a promise on his part that, Montreal in his possession,
no further service would be exacted from them, won them to obedience,
and all but a small garrison for the fort pressed onward toward the
city. **
The fort at St. John's remained in possession of the Americans until the
latter part of May, 1776, when they were completely driven out of
Canada. Arnold and Sullivan, with their detachments, were the last to
leave that province. The former remained in Montreal until the last
moment of safety, and then pressed on to St. John's, with the enemy
close at his heels. Two days before, he had ordered the encampment
closed there, and a vessel upon the stocks to be taken apart and sent to
Ticonderoga. Sullivan, who was stationed at the mouth of the Sorel, also
retreated to St. John's. The commanders wished to defend the fort
against the pursuing enemy, but the troops absolutely refused to serve
longer, and they all embarked, and sailed up the lake to _Isle Aux
Noix_. When every loaded boat had left the shore, Arnold and Wilkinson,
his aid, rode back two miles and discovered the enemy in rapid march
under Burgoyne. They reconnoitered them a few moments, and then galloped
back,
* The spoils of victory were 17 brass ordnance, from two to twenty-four
pounders; 2 eight-inch howitzers; 7 mortars; 22 iron ordnance, from
three to nine pounders; a considerable quantity of shot and small
shells; 800 stand of arms, and a small quantity of naval stores. The
ammunition and provisions were inconsiderable, for the stock of each was
nearly exhausted.
** Armstrong's Life of Montgomery,
Rendezvous of Burgoyne's Army at St. John's.--Departure for Chambly.--
French Canadian Houses, Farms, and People.
173stripped and shot their horses, set fire to the works at St. John's,
pushed off from shore in a small boat, and overtook the flotilla before
they reached _Isle Aux Noix_. Having no vessels with which to pursue the
Americans, Burgoyne rested at St. John's. In the course of the autumn he
returned to England.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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