Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-06-29
tie of Bunker's Hill, and fired regularly with

his men.
The next arduous service in which he
was engaged, was the expedition to- Cana
da through the wilds of Kennebec, under the
command of General Arnold He was not
ordered on this dangerous and difficult SER
vice, but persuaded Captain, who was
drafted, to exchange places with him. Thir-
ty-two days were employed in traversing
the hideous wilderness between the settle
ments on the Kennebec and the Chaudiere,
in which every hardship and fatigue of
which human nature is capable, was endur-
ed Unfortunately by the officers and troops.
On tile Highlands between the Kemnebec
and St. Lawrence, the remnant of provisi
ons was divided among the companies, who
we're directed TO make the best Of their way
IN separate divisions to the settlements on
the Chaudiere.) The last fragment of food
in Dearborn's company was shortly consum-
ed, and he was reduced to the extremity of
dividing large dog. which accompanied
him, with his Comrades. When they reach
ed the Chaudiere, from colds, extreme hard
ship and want of sustenarce, his strength
failed him, and he was unable to walk but a
short distance without wading into the river
70 refrigerate and stimulate his limbs. With
difficulty he reached poor hut on the Chau-
dierc, when he told his men he could ac-
COMPANY them no farther, animated them
forward to glorious discharge of their du-
ty, and would suffer NO one to remain TO at
tend him in his illness His company left
him with tears in their eyes, expecting to
see him no more; Dearborn was here seiz-
ed with violent fever, during which his life
was in danger for ten days, without physici-
an or medicine, and with scarcely the ne
cessaries of common life. His fine constitu-
ton at last surmounted the disease, and As
soon as he was able to mount horse, he
proceeded to Point Levi, crossed over to
VOLTS cove, and made his unexpected APP
pearance at the head of his company few
days before the assault on Quebec. At 4
O'Clock in the morning, on the 3lst of De-
cenber, in a severe snow-storm, and a cli-
mate that vies with Norway in tempests and
intense cold, he attack was commenced
Dearborn was attached to the corps under
General Arnold, who was wounded early in
the action, and carried from the field. Nor
gan succeeded to the command, and with
a voice louder than the tempest" animated
the troops, as they stormed the first barrier
and entered the town. Montgomery had
already bled on immortal ground, and his
division being repulsed, the corps under
Morgan was exposed to a sanguinary but
unavaillng contest From the Windows of
the store houses, each castle, and from the
tops OF the parapets, destructive fire was
poured upon the assailants In vain was the
second barrier gained by sealing ladders !;
double ranks of soldiers presented forest
of bayonets below, and threatened inevitable
destruction to any one who should leap from
the walls. Dearborn maintained for long
time this desperate warfare, until at last he *
the remnant of his company were overpow-
cred by sorIie of two hundred men with
field pieces, VINO attacked him in front and
rear in 4 short street, and compelled him to
surrender. The whole corps originally led
on by Arnold, were killed or made prisoners
OF war. Dearborn was now put into rigid
confinement, with number of other Off
GERS, who were not allowed to converse
with each other, unless in the presence of
the officer OF the gard. While in prison he
was urgently solicited by the french officers
to join the British; was promised Colo
nei's commission if he would accept, and
was assured il he refused, that ne would be
sent out to England in the spring and inevi-
ably hanged as a reoei. The only reply he
made to their solicitations or menaCes was,
that he had taken up arms IN defence of the
liberties and rights OF his Country; that he
never would disgrace himself or dishonor his
profession by receiving any appointment un-
der Great Britain, but was ready to meet
death in any shape rather than relinquish
the glorious cause he had espoused.
In May, 1776, Col. Meigs and himself
were permitted 20 return GA their parole
fhey were sent round to Halifax, in a ship of
war, and treated with the usual contumey
and hauteur OF English officers, who would
not design to speak to Americans, nor even
allow them TO walk the same side of the
quarter deck with themselves. They were
put ashore in Penobscot bay, aud returned
by land. In the March following, Dear
born was exchanged, and appointed Major
TO the Sd New-Hampshire regiment, COM
! manded BY Colonel ocammen. In May, he
| arrived at Ticouderoga, and was constantly
| in the rear guard, skirmishing with the Bri-
tIsh and Indians, in the retreat of st. Clair,
when pressed on by Burgoyne's army
| When the advance of Burgoyne was check
ed, and he encamped on the heights of Sara
toga, Dearborn was appointed 1t. Col. Com
! mandant of partisan corps of three hum
| dred men, stationed in front, to act as
| corps Of observation in concert with Nor
gan's rHemen.
| In the famous engagement of the 10Th oil
September, Col. Morgan himself commenc-
| ed the encounter by driving in the out
| posts and picket guards Of the right wing
| of the British army, which was Command
ed by Gen. Burgoyne in person. In the
hard fought battle of the 7tn October, he
was in the division Of Gen. Arnold, who com
menced furious and persevering attack on
the right wing Of the British forces Whilst
| Arnold pressed hard OH the enemy, Dear
born was ordered 20 pass the right, anc
take possession of six or eight heavy can
non, which played over the British into The
| American lines. I'm executing this order
he was charged By a corps of light infantry
which he repulsed with fixed bayoncts, gain