North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-04-01


down to Montreal for re-inforcements.
BY The absence Of colone! Beiel, the COM
mand Of the post fell on major Bu,ierfeld.
On the 18th the British landed at Poiate
du Diable, six miles above the church Of
the Cedars, aud under the cover Of a thick
wood they proceeded to within a mile Of
the American garrison, without being dis
covered. At this place they halted, and the
English officer formed his plan 10 invest the
fort. A part of his army took to the woods
and penetrated as nearly as possible TO the
fort whilst a party Of Indians, were stationed
at the Cascades, with the intention of cut
ting of all communication between the be-
sieged and the city Of Montreal. The In
dams met party Of Americans that were
taking provisions TO the camp. who imme-
diately fled with the news that the British
were in the vicinity. The English cap
tain sent flag Of truce to major Butter
field, summoning him TO surrender forth
with, informing him, THAI in case OF non
compliance, he would storm the place. To
this the continental officer answered that
he wished four hours for consultation, but
captain Foster perceived that his object
was TO gain time, and being informed that
colonel Bedel had gone to Montreal for the
express purpose of bringing reiniorcements
he sent word to major Butterfeld that if he
did not surrender without any delay, he
would not answer for the consequence OF
his refusal that the Indians were then
under his controul, and If he would snrren-
der without bloodshed he would protect
the garrison from the savages. But if a
single drop Of blood was split, then, he
could not controul the ferocity of the ma
tives; to the cruelty and baTbaritv Of
which, the Americans would be unmerci-
fully abandoned. This second demand,
began to weaken the courage and resolu-
ton OF the American commander, who
agreed to surrender, on condition, that,
his garrison should be allowed to retire to
Montreal. To this condition captain Fos-
ter would not accede and redoubt was
Immediately thrown up by the British on
the edge of the wood, about five hundred
yards distant from the fort. The next
morning the English officer marched his
men within 125 yards Of the post, and open
ed on the Americans, heavy and in
cessant fire, at 10 O'Clock the American
officer struck his colors, and surrendered on
condition, that the lives Of his men should
DC spared, and their baggage be preserved
from plunder.
The next day captain Foster was inform
ed that major Sherburne, Of the continen-
tai army, was advancing from Montreal 10
the help Of the garrison at the Cedars he,
therefore ordered 100 Indians TO place
themselves in ambush on both sides OF
the main road, where they remained con-
cealed in the woods, until the detachment
of major Sherburnc advanced, when, they
were suddenly attacked and surrounded by
the Indians. After sharp and severe
engagement, the American officer was
forced TO surrender, and was taken with his
men to fort Cedars, which, as we have al
ready mentioned, had fallen into the hands
Of the British. This fight between major
Sherburne's detachment and the Indians
took place on the 20th May, and lasted
about an hour. As soon as the Americans
had surrendered, they were, contrary to
their capitulation, put into the hands OF
the Indians, who stripped them of their
clothes and wearing apparel, and left them
in complete state of nakedness. Two
of them were put to death by the Indians.
who tortured them in the most cruel and
savage way, one Of them being shot, and
the other roasted alive.
Captain Foster seeing that the number
OF the prisoners in bis hands was too great,
and wishing to effect an exchange with the
Americans, required OF major Sherburne to
sign cartel for the exchange of himself
and men, Tor as many British Of equal rank