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CHAP. V.

1775

Arnold's expe

dition by the way of the

Kennebec.

General Washington, foreseeing that the whole force of Canada would be concentrated about Montreal, had projected an expedition against Quebec, by a detachment from his camp before Boston, which was to march by the way of Kennebec river, and passing through the dreary wilderness lying between the settled parts of Maine and the St. Lawrence, and crossing the rugged mountains, and deep morasses, which abounded in that country, to penetrate into Canada about ninety miles below Montreal.

The object proposed by this hardy enterprize was either to compel Carleton, whose force would not admit of a division, to draw his troops from the upper country, and thereby open an easy passage to the army invading the province by the way of the river Sorel, or, if he should maintain that position, to take possession of Quebec, which all his accounts assured him was absolutely unable to hold out against the force which would appear before it; and, if attacked by an American army before the return of Carleton, would surrender without firing a shot.

This arduous enterprize was committed to Colonel Arnold. About a thousand men, consisting of New England infantry, some volunteers *, a company of artillery, under a Captain Lamb, and three companies of rifle men, were selected for the service.

Notwithstanding the unremitting exertions of the General, the delays in expediting them, occasioned by the derangements of the army, were such, that they could not commence their march till about the middle of September.

The success of this expedition very much depended on the

* Colonel Burr, since vice-president of the United States, was of this number.

friendly

1775

friendly temper of the province; and the instructions given to CHAP. V. Arnold, inculcated with great care, the cultivation of a good understanding with the Canadians. They even enjoined him to abandon the enterprize, if this sudden invasion of their country should threaten to irritate them, and induce them to take up arms against the United Colonies. He was also particularly directed to use the utmost possible expedition; to keep up a correspondence with the upper army, which, it was hoped, might be effected by means of the St. Francois Indians; and to keep the General himself regularly informed of every event of importance which should occur. He was furnished with about one thousand pounds in specie to defray contingent expences, and with a cargo of manifestoes to be dispersed through Canada.

The letter accompanying these orders is strongly indicative of the impressions which had been received of the dispositions of the Canadians, as well as of the importance attributed to that province in the existing war.

"You are," said the General," entrusted with a command of the utmost consequence to the interests and liberties of America; upon your conduct and courage, and that of the officers and soldiers detached on this expedition, not only the success of the present enterprise, and your own honour, but the safety and welfare of the whole Continent may depend. I charge you therefore, and the officers and soldiers under your command, as you value your own safety and honour, and the favour and esteem of your country, that you consider yourselves as marching, not through an enemy's country, but that of your friends and brethren, for such the inhabitants of Canada, and the Indian nations have approved themselves, in this unhappy contest between

SS 2

CHAP. V.

3775

between Great Britain and America. That you check, by every motive of duty and fear of punishment, every attempt to plunder and insult the inhabitants of Canada. Should any American soldier be so base and infamous as to injure any Canadian or Indian in his person or property, I do most earnestly enjoin you to bring him to such severe and exemplary punishment as the enormity of the crime may require; should it extend to death itself, it will not be disproportionate to its guilt at such a time, and in such a cause. But I hope and trust that the brave men who have voluntarily engaged in this expedition will be governed by far different views; that their order, discipline, and regularity of behaviour, will be as conspicuous as their valour. I also give it in charge to you, to avoid all disrespect to, and contempt of, the religion of the country, and its ceremonies. Prudence, policy, and a true christian spirit, will lead us to look with compassion on their errors, without insulting them. While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious of violating the rights of conscience in others, and should ever consider, that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to him only, in this case, they are answerable.

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Upon the whole, Sir, I beg you to inculcate on the officers and soldiers, the necessity of preserving the strictest order during their march through Canada. To represent to them the shame, disgrace, and ruin to themselves, and country, if they should by their conduct turn the hearts of our brethren in Canada against us. And on the other hand, the honour and rewards which await them, if, by their prudence and good behaviour, they conciliate the affections of the Canadians and Indi

ans

ans to the great interests of America, and convert those favour- CHAP. V. able dispositions they have shewn into a lasting union."

The opinion which had been formed of the favourable dispositions of the Canadians was not disappointed by the event. They gave essential aid to the Americans, and very much facilitated their march through that province. But the previous difficulties to be surmounted were much greater than had been apprehended. The country had never been well explored, and it opposed obstacles to the march, which only perseverance like that of Arnold's, and his brave and hardy followers could have conquered. Colonel Enos, who commanded the rear division, consisting of one third of the detachment, returned from the Dead River, a branch of the Kennebec, with his men; and, though his appearance excited at first the utmost indignation in the army, yet on being arrested, he was acquitted by a court-martial, on the principle, that it was absolutely impracticable to obtain provisions on the route sufficient to preserve his troops from perishing with famine.

Arnold, who, at the head of the two first divisions still prosecuted his march, was thirty-two days traversing a hideous wilderness without seeing a house, or any thing human. The troops were under the necessity of hauling their batteaux up rapid streams, of taking them upon their shoulders, with all their provisions, across carrying places, and of traversing, and frequently repassing, for the purpose of bringing their baggage, deep morasses, thick woods, and high mountains. These impediments, notwithstanding the zealous and wonderfully persevering exertions of his men, so protracted his march, that, though he

had

1775.

CHAP. V.

1775

had expected certainly to enter Canada about the middle of October, he did not reach the first settlements on the Chaudiere, which empties itself into the St. Lawrence, near Quebec, till the third of November.

On the high grounds which separate the waters of the Kennebec from those of the St. Lawrence, the scanty remnant of provisions was divided among the companies, each of which was directed, without attempting to preserve any connection with another, to march with the utmost possible celerity into the inhabited country. Whilst those who gained the front were yet thirty miles from the first poor and scattered habitations which composed that frontier of Canada, their last morsel of food was consumed. But, preceded by Arnold, who went forward for the purpose of procuring for them something which might satisfy the first demands of Nature, the troops still persevered in their labours, with a vigour unimpaired by the hardships they had encountered, until they once more found themselves in regions frequented by human beings.

After a march of such unexampled fatigue, no further time was allowed for repose than was barely sufficient to collect the rear, which was greatly scattered, and to refresh the men, during which time the address, signed by General Washington, was published, and every assurance given to the people that they came to protect, and not to plunder them. The line of march was resumed, and on the ninth of November this gallant corps reached Point Levi, opposite Quebec.

The town was almost entirely without a garrison; and no

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