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

pllcation of my handkerchief over The
wound. On our rtreaf great confusion
prevailed among our troops, lnsomnch that,
although our officers, with their swords
drawn, exerted themselves 10 the utmost
Of their power, 10 cause The men to keep
Their ranks, IL proved ineiiectual--th the line
broke, and every man made the best oil his
way to the batteaux
We were completely driven off the
ground by The enemy, and about seven
hundred and thirty ofeur men either killed !.
wounded or taken prisoners, & the remain
der made their escape 10 Poin:e du Lac,
where we had left the forty-four balteaux,
with four men on board OF each, for fear
the enemy should capture them-and il
happened well; had il not been for those
boats, the whole OF our little army must
have been taken that day. They but just
escaped as il was, and were followed by
armed boats, loaded with men, half way to
Sorel, and, having marched and Fowed all
night, were so iatigned that many officers
and soldiers went into Canadian houses
for reireshment, as they were extremely
hungry. Gen. Thompson, and number
Of Pennsylvania officers being discouraged,
entered Canadian house, about one mile
/ from where we had made our stand, and
surrendered 10 the enemy without making
any resistance A cowardIy piece OF conduct,
indeed. They could have made their rs
cape if they had mind TO. Although was
wounded at the commencement OF the bat
tie, made my escape, with one seIean;
and ten men, through the woods. The
next day, about -four O'Clock, we reached
the creek that empiies into the lake ST.
Peter, within few miles of fort guarded
by Major Frazer, with two brass field
pieces, and one hundred and fifty British
Grenadiers.
g They were apprised Of our coming
through the woods, but in what mum Der
we were, they did not know. We had
been there but halt an hour undiscovered
before we heard the Indians screeching be-
hind, and looking for US. Soon after we
held a council what TO do. My men being
almost starved to death, and much iatigu-
ed, agreed 10 show themselves in the open
field with their arms. As soon as thev
were discovered, ma jor Fraser sent an Off
, Ger with a white handkerchief, on the point
Of drawn sword, 10 demand a parley.
directed my sereant TO meet him half
way, with his sword drawn the same way.
He stopped, and acquainted my serjean,
that general Bourgoyne had promised the
Indians half guinea for every scalp they
would fetch him that there was a party
Of them back OF us, and that il we did not
surrender soon, it would not be in their
power TO save our lives, and on the other
hand, in case we surrendered, we should
have good quarters. heard what wa.
said, and directed my SERGEANT 10 march
the men out into the open field, halt, and
ground their arms. followed, by the as
sstance of two Of my men, who carried
me to the commanding officer, who re-
, ceived my sword and commission. After
interrogating me whether there were any
/ more of ny men in the woods, he sent the
Canadian who had pioted us, for horse
and chaise to carry me TO Three Rivers vii.
lage and after having placed a guard
over my men, soon commenced his march
. thither, myself in company. About three
, miles from the place from whence we
! we started, they halted, and the ma jor, in
! friendly manner, ordered two Of his sol
diers to help me out of the caleche, and
brought me into an Old Canadian house
4 where he informed me that himself and his
detachment. had put up the preceding
night watching for US. They had nothing
: but straw to rest upon, and no refreshmen
but rum bread and cheese, share o.
which lie impaired 10 me, and apoIogizeC
that it was the best he had. was ex.
tremely hungry and faint, on account O
my wounds, and not having eaten any
+ victuals for almost two days. After was
: refreshed, he informed me that his orders
| were TO stay and occupy that pos, until fur
/ Their orders, bnt stated that he would senC
word 10 the captain of the provost guarc
in the town, TO find me a place 10 stay
. and provide doctor to dress my wound
I but on my arrival, | found the captain o
' the proves, guard had co many prisoners Il
take care of, that he could find no place 10
me; he, however, ordered me TO be pu
. under the care OF two artillery se1eants
: in an old house, on straw, where no ont
. lived. | remained there until about TIVE
. O'Clock the next day, without eating, o
having my wound dressed. The othcer
!. who were taken the day before were pu
on board Of two British transports in thI
: harbour; and the soldiers crowded togeth
en- where they could find shelter to pu
;. them in, until the next day, when the,
were taken and put on board OF four differ