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

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The siege, and that he was preparing TO
remove up the river, fell his marital ar
do1f returning, and marched out of the
city with about 500 men 10 pursue the
Americans. General Carleton was ac-
companied by the brave Colonel Maelcan:
both struve 10 retrieve the honors lost BY
their shameful Fight Of the preceding fall,
by grand show Of bravery, in a cautious
pursuit of the retfeating army. Govern
or Carleton, however succeeded in captur-
ing, or rather in picking up few pounds
OF pork, some bread, few sheets of writ
ten paper, aud a few bundles of old clothes.
which the Proyincias thought proper not
to burden themselves with The British
boosted Of having also captured a few
pieces of cannon, several howitzers, and
some firearms.
Capt. Nicholson who was commanding
the detachment of Canadians left at Pointe
Levi, shamefully abandoned his post and
ran away, leaving the poor Canadians
TO the mercy OF the English authori-
ties, into whose hands they of course fell.
We shall see that in their report on the
causes OF the failure of the Cana
dian campaign, the committee recommend
ed TO Congress that the cowardly conduct
OF Capt. Nicholson should be immediately
investigated; and if proved guilty he ought
to be forthwith dismissed from the service
Of the United Colonies.
In The course Of the afternoon two fri
gates were sent TO Slery Cove, TO destroy
the American craft laying there. The
Provincials retreated as far up the St.
Lawrence as the mouth Of the Sorel river,
where they were joined by four new bat
taIions Just arrived from the United Colo
MES. At this place Gen. Thomas was taken
i'll with the small pox, and died in very
short time. This officer had taken COM
mand of the American army in the most
critical conjuncture possible, and no blame
whatever, can in Justice. be attached to
his proceedings, during the short time he
was in Canada. On the contrary, he used
all the means within his power to ensure
success to the American army, and shew-
ed great deel of prudence and skill. By
the death Of Gen. Thomas the command of
the army devolved on Gen. Sullivan. The
small pox had made considerable ravages
in the American army. And during their re-
treat from Quebec, they had been forced
to leave many Of their sick behind them !;
these had been kindly received by the
Canadians, who Hospitality sheltered and
gave them all the relief in their power.
Gen. Carleton, moved by compassion for
those unhappy beings, issued proclama-
ton in which he ordered the officers of
militia, and all other persons in the Pro-
vince, TO search for them and to tender
them all the care necessary TO their resto-
ration to health. This humane proclama-
tidh shall stand an everlasting monument
of honor and glory to Sir Guy Carleton.
In consequence of this proclamation
great number of the Americans who laid
concealed in the woods, or in miserable
huts, were brought TO more comfortable
quarters, where they soon recovered, after
which they were allowed to return to their
homes Such generosity and kindness is
scarcely equalled in the history Of nations,
and cannot be too much praised; this hon.
orable trait in the character of Gov. Garlic
ton atoned, in some measure, for his pu-
siIlanimity and cowardice in the beginning
ofhis military exploits against the Ameri-
can arms, in the fall of ITS.
A party Of Americans, to the number oil
$50 men, under the command of colonel
Bedel, was posted a, the Cedars, forty-three
miles above Montreal. They had some
works of defence, consisting of lines OF
pickets and entertainments, with two
field pieces. On the Ilth of May, capt.
Foster, OF the sth British regiment, &C
companied by two subaltern officers, left
0Swecatchie, (now Ogdensbnrgh) al the