North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-04-15


as a safe landing was concerned but hav-
ing taken a guide, who, either through ig-
norance or treachery, led them astray, il
was broad daylight belore they could ex-
tricate themselves from .heir difficulties
Their march, which ought 10 have been
but few miles, occupied them most part
Of the night & part Of The next morning
Ii was nine O'Clock A. NJ. before they
could reach the town where the English
troops were stationed. Blu, they had al
ready been informed Of the approach o! the
enemy and held themselves in readiness 10
receive them. The Americans greatly
iatigued by their long, tedious, and diff
cult march through swamps and wilder
ness, were ill-prepared to meet their enc
mics; but they could not retreat, and
4. had TO make the best Of it. The English
troops under the command o! Gen. Nesbit
which were yet on board Of transports.
were Immediately ordered to land, and
whilst the troops'of Gen. Fraser were Civ
ing battle TO the Americans, Gen. Nesbt
attacked them in the rear, aud after a
short conflict the Americans were COM
pIetely routed, and fled in all directions.
The English pursued them and made a
great number of prisoners. That our rea-
ders may have correct idea oil this battle,
and Of the suferings the Americans had to
go through after being taken prisoners,
we shall here quote a passage from the
life of captain Duclos -
{" We built batteries and fort at Sorel
and made stand until generals Sullivan
and Thompson arrived with a reinforce
ment, and a quantity of batteaux, suffi-
Gent TO carry fifteen hundred men OF our
army over Lake ST. Peter, in order to
surprise the British garrison, at place
called Three Rivers. We landed with
forty-four batteaux, loaded with our small
army at Ponte du Lac, on the l2th Of May,
ll776. After having taken Canadian out
Of his bed, about two O'Clock in the morn
ing, we compelled him to pilot US to the
town Of Three Rivers, by the nearest
route, undiscovered by any one. But he
being so terrified, lost the right path tina,
lead to the main road. He begged of me
to let him go back, as soon as he could get
another man TO 60 in his place, on account
of his wife being sick, Gas was the inter.
prefer, in front, with Gen. Thompson and
colonel VIM. Maxwell.) asked them i
, they would consent to discharge him or
those conditions. They replied, that
might let him 60, after he had got gooc
pilot. The first house we came TO, soor
r after, compelled the owner thereof to &c
I with US. He endeavored to excuse him
self, but to no purpose. compelled hin
to go, and not only so, but continued thu
4 former under keepers, lest he should notify
2 the enemy OF our approach. IL, however
I being dark, we missed the road, and, abou
. day-break found ourselves in a swamp
: within three miles of the town, and with
in half mile Of the St. Lawrence. Capt
D Church, belonging TO colonel Morgan's ri
r femen, advanced, and continued alongside
of the river, for the purpose of discovering
the enemy's patroling boats. About breaI
of dav, he discovered barge rowing will
great rapidity towards the guard ship
: which was at anchor in the stream, anC
the whole fleet, with Gen. Bourgoyne anC
his army on board. We, being discover
ed, they fred on us from their shipping
\ with their cannon, continually. We sup
. posed they continued this incessant firing
for the purpose Of preventing our advance
: TO the Town. We were ordered TO pres
k forward, notwithstanding their heavy fire
J., was detached TO the bank of the river
4 to see if the enemy were landing any o
their troops, while our general formed hi
: troops in solid column for defence.
: marched out of the reach Of their fire. will
: eighteen privates, one SERGEANT, and on
{ corporal, and advanced by a small grow
of timber, within about twenty rods of tn
river, in full sight of the fleet, where
saw the British troops landing from ever
= vessel, as fast as they possibly could.
J. +" then ordered my detachment about
and as was passing by the grove, wa
fred upon by party of infantry, conceal
:. ed in the grove, and PROSTATE on tn
u ground. Iordered my party 10 dislodg
n them, by charging them out Of the grove
n was soon reinforced, and while attemp,
ing to rout them they were also reinforced
with so great q superiority OF numbers
i that | was compelled 10 give ground
: after being shot through my right leg
~ bieh hronoht me IN the ground WAS