Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-16
THE NORTHERN CAMPAIGN.

TO the Editors ofrhe National InteLiceacey.
Our Northern army, it seems, has gone in.
10 winter quarters and this circumstance
alone is seized upsn by many honest. and no
doubt some dishonest men, and tortured M,
to an abortion OF the Campaign. 1t is Z me
surprizing that the world should SO greatly
wonder at any army going into winter quar-
ters In the winter season, and that in a eli
mate intensely cold. Had il been possible
Tor the greatest eXertion of military skill and
talents to have prevented the unusual falls
OF snow and rain, and to have Gained the
temPestuCus winds during the month of DC
tober, Ialso would have been surprised at a
halt short or Montreal or further because a
Military General ought not to delay until to-
morrow that which may be as easiiy effected
to-day. But when the elements are known
to have rendered ally movement impracti-
cable IN all October, and extremely difficuit
IN November--where then was the nee ssh
~ or the iAducement to hazard our all by a
movement at the most Indictment and unset
tied season, FOR the chance of gaining what
may be accomplished with greater ease and
equal certainty in any subsequent monlh from
TINS time, until the LIST of May next The
British can neither augmen: Iheir force in
canada, nor retreat from that province be
lore the month of June-and we NAV rest
assured ~ this. Iii is not in our hands be
tore that time, our failure will not be owing
to our troops having been provided with
comfortable quarters, during the boisterous
months OF November and December.
am sorry to find, any where, dispositi
on to enlist the public mind on opposite sides.
between the commanding generals. One
ought 10 command, and public opinion ought
70 be suspended until proper season. On
fortunately, however, public iinpatience is
by some means excited. An expectation
was entertained, that our army would take
up its winter quarJers in Montreal. and that
expection seems to be disappointed "Some
un'oward circumstance excepted it would
have been there ;" this was the utmost ex.
pectatioA mat could have been nationally en-
tertalned. Tbs was Reasonable exDecta-
tiUn, and It's reasoDatleness is proved by the
very circumstance which now causes disap-
pomtment. The army, it is now known.
was d, stined tor that place, and in full march
to 1t, but has been delayed by the elements
alone. And wherein does the disadvantage
OF little delay consist? In two particulars
only, and these probably not material. The
canada militia viii remain little longer
under the control of the British and the
seise OF Quebec, cannot be commenced a.
early as nigh have been possible. But il IS
not probably, that few weeks in the dead
of winter can either convert The Canada
militia into any thing materially more terri
bic than they were in November last, nor
materially add to the means of comfortable
subsistence to the garrison Of Quebec.
But there is another view of the subject, "A little
reflection on which must completely dissipate all
ideas oil uDeasness, in consequence of the present
position OF the northern army this view is as clear
and distinct As any proposition n Eucld and is sim
ply this: IL we are not in force fully sufficient TO
make stand At Montreal, in complete defiance of
the whole British force in Canada in this case
we are much safer on our own side of the st. Law
renee.
If on the other hand we arc in force sufficient. Il;
this case we have lost tinc, but can chOose our
day " ALL the months ufJansafy, February Marcel,
aud April, for let il be always Remembered tbst
whilst the position ct our amy is ore every way
convenient for the receipt OF supplies and rciniorce
isents, the enemy can neither add 10 his number.
receive additional supplies Of any kind, nor effect by
any possible means retreat
Ia the present ease then, it we are in every res
pest ready u make head IN Canada still the pre-
'ent delay can do us material injury. 1--we are
not thus completely prepared, It may be an essen !
ai advantage. la either case neither time nor adj
'aBtsge IS really lost, and NJ all events we have
Iroudenty aud necessarily avoided the ncacuialts |
wards which must have attended the moveTn emf |!
i an army, mt the commencement Of Canada win