The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-12-06

his letter together with a copy of that 10
which 1t is an answer, were Immediately
submitted to a council Of war, composed Of
my general officers and colonel command.
ing the elite, the chief engineer and adiu-
tant general, who unanimously gave it as
their opinion, that "the attack on Mon
treal should be abandoned for the present
season and the army near Cornwall should
be Immediately crossed TO the American
shore Tor taking up winter quarters aud
that this place afforded AN eligible position
for such quarters
acquicsced in these opinions, net from
the shortness of the stock of provisions,
(Which had been reduced by the act of God)
because that Of our meat had been increas-
ed live days, and our bread had been re-
duced only two days, and because we could.
in case of extremity, have lived on tho enc,
my-but because the loss of the division
under maJor-generaI Hampton weakened
my force too sensibly TO justify the attempt.
In all my measures and movements of mo-
ment l have taken the opinion Of my gene
raj officers, which have been in accord Of
with my own.
remained on the Canada shore until the
next day, without seeing or hearing from
the power force of the enemy i'm our
tais position with tho artillery and infantry
The dragons have been ordered to Uucs
and its vicinity, and expect are so or 60
miles on the march.
You have under cover summary all
stract of the killed and wounded in the af-
lair OF the | til instant, which shall soon be
followed by particular return, to which
just regard will be paid to individual me-
rits The dead rest in honor, s. the wound
ed bied for their country and deserve il.
gratitude.
with perfect respect, SC.
t9igned) JAMES WILKINSON.
Extract eta letter IF RE isih Woverber,
from Gen. WiIkinson.
II is fact, for which ana authorised
to pledge myself on the most confidential
authority, that on the fourth Of the presen,
month, the British garrison of Montreal
consisted solely of 400 marines s 900 sail
ors, which had been sent up from Quebec.
we have, with the provision here and that
left at Chateaugay, about 40 days subsist-
ence, TO which shall add so more"
Hon. Gen. John Armstrong,
Secretary at War.
From Gen. Wilkinson to Gen. Hamilton.
Headquarters Of the army, Z miles
above Ogdensburgh, Nov. 9Th,
1878, Gin the evcning)
SILL address you at the special instance
oil the secretary OF war, who by bad roads,
worse weather and ill health, was diverted
from meeting me near this place, and de-
termined to tread back his steps TO Wash
Ington from Antwerp, on the 29lh instant.
am destined to and determined on
the attack of Montreal, if not prevented
by some act Of God; and to give secnri.
~ to the enterprise, the division under
your command must co.""srate with the
corps under my immediate orders-The
point of rendezvous is circumstance
OF the greatest interest to the issue of
this operation, and the distance which
separates us, and my ignorance of the
practibiiity Of the direct or devious roads
or rouls by which you must march, make
II necessary shat your own Judgment should
determine the point. 70 assist YOU in
making the soundcst determination, and
to take most prompt and cffeclual mca-
sures, ! can only inform you Of nv ipten-
lions and situation in som RESPECTS Of the
first importance. shall pass Prescott 10
night, because the stage Of this season
vii! nor allow me three days to take it. shall
cross the eayalry at Hamilton, which will
not require day. shall thonce press
forward and break down every obstruction
on this TO Grand River, there 10 crosa the
Perrot, and with my scews TO bridge the
narrow inner channel, and thus 10 obtain
tooth6id on Montreal Island at about twes,
" miles from the city after which our
artillery, bayopets md awords must Sc.