North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-02-19


for-stfuek, but a British tar, who alone,
had not been so precipiiate in taking
fight. He was near q cannon with lighted
match in his hand, when he heard some OF
The enemy coming near the battery; at
this instant he piled the match 10 the can
non, which wss loaded with crepe shot.
and by the discharge Of its contents he evil
IDENTIFY produvrd considerable effect; for he
Instantly heard cries and meanings, which
were soon followed by the silence Of
death. This success exciird the coursge
Of his cowardy companions, who had fed
so suddenly at the first approach ofthe
enemy, and they afterwards fred several
shots, but no enemy was TO be fouad any
longer in that direction. Our resderywill
remember that this detachment was CON-
manded by Gen. Montgomery 10 person.
The road by which they were to penetrate
to the battery, was Immediately on the
banks Of the river, and very narrow. Un-
fortunately il was completely filled up with
ice, which, with the great quantity OF snow
that had lately fallen, made il totally i'm
passable. The brave chief, to encourage
his meu. had been obliged TO work with his
own hands, in removing the piles Of ice
which obstructed the road. 30 as 10 make
pass, in which they were Obliged to walk
one by one. All these obstacles did not
abaie the courage Of the American Gene
raj, but unfortunately retarded The attack
on the battery, awakened the suspIcions
of The British, and enabled them to prv~
pare for the attack.
After great deal Of Iabour Gen. Mont
gomery at last found himself with but 200
men out Of 900 (he other 100 having re-
treaIedJ; but at the head Of this little band
he boEdly pushed forward, towards the
British post. Bat alas, the British tar, as
we tave already said fired the fatal cannon,
and among the slain was General Mont
gomery, and, with him had also fallen
Captains MACPHERSON and Cheescman,
and ten Wivates. This sad circumstance
spread terror and confusion among the
Americans, and the remainder retreaied in
haste and disorder. BY the death Of Mont
gomery the command Of that portion OF the
American army devolved upon Col. Camp
bell, but he was NOT man of sufficient
energy and courage TO conduct such an
expedition. The Americans, therefore,
having been totally routed in that quarter,
left their enemies in the undisturbed enjoy
ment Of their cheap victory.
In the meanwhile Col. Arnold had NOV.
ed his detachment from 81. Roch Suburbs
towards Sault au MaieIor, on which he was
to make an attack. But unfortunately in
passing immediately nnder the walls near
the Hotel Dieu, he was wounded with a
ball which shattered one of his legs. This
accident however did not cool the courage
of his men, the greater part Of whom were
Canadians. The Colonel was transported
on litter to the General Hospital, which
is situated about a mile and half from
the city, at the upper end Of 81. Roch
Suburbs. Captain Morgan succeeded Ar
mold in the command Of ribs detachment.
The attack on the post Of Saul su .Msfs-
iot was begun with incredible ferceness.
and the British were soon routed, and for.
ced to abandon the battery; they retreat
ed to another entrenchment a lille nearer
the centre Of the Lower Town. THIS re-
newed the courage Of Capt. Morgan's men,
and they were holly pursuing their ene-
mics, when, unluekiy, they were rein
forced by detschments coming from Pres
de Vile, where the attack had ceased. and
also by detsehmenn from ST. Johns and
ST. Lewis Gate, where the ftint attack had
not continued as long was ssdesirsd. The
brave band under Capt. Morgan had now
10 contend against fearful odds, for the
enemys forces were increasing every min
ute, - there were 20 more attacks dreaded
on shy other quarter, BOT they commended
brsvely. u was in this second engage
ment that acts OF heFoisn snd courage
were reformed nm koth s;Asn TIL. ME