Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-10-12
NAVAL COMBAT ON LAKE CHAM
PLAIN

History fine Unibd States
Till October, Arnold roamed the lake with
ont check on the fourth Of that month,
Carleton began bis cautious advance on the
tenth, all his feet was in motion Arnold,
whose judgment did not equal bis courage,
moored his squadron in the bay between Vail
cour island and the main. This choice OF
station met with the warm approval Of Gen.
Gates but one more absurd Or more danger
GUS could not have been made, for il left the
great channel of the lake undisputed to his
enemies, who, on the morning of the eleventh,
with a wind from ths northwest, passed be-
tween Great and Vaicour islands, aud came
into his rear. They had much more than
twice his weight Of metal, twice as many
fighting vessels, and skilled seamen and
officers against landsmsn. He awoke too
late 10 the hopelessness Of his position
but his audscty did not fail him forming
line ag anchor from Valcour TO the main, he
advanced in NE schooner Roya Sewage
supported by his Iow-galleys. The wind IA
yored him, while IL kept OF the lnhsxible,"
which was already to the south Of him 4; but
the Carleton was able to get into action,
and was sustained by the artillery boats. or
these, one was sunk, though its men we're
saved but the best seaminship and gunnery
gained the advantage; the galleys were driv-
en- back; the Royal Savage" crippled 10
its masts aud rigging, fell to the eeward,
and was stranded on Valcour island, whence
Arnold, with the crew, m 4de his way TO the
Congress" Meantime the " Carleton" ac-
compauied by lhe aGiilery-bosts, had the
daring u beat up against the breeze, till 1t
came within musket-shot Of the American
/ line, when it opened fire from both Sides
The " Congress" on which Arnold was
obliged to act as gunner, was hurt in her
msin-mas and yards, was hulled twelve
times, and hit seven times between wind and
water the goudola New York" lost all
her officers except her captain; in the
Washington" the first lieutenant was
killed, the captain aud master wounded, the
maln-mast shot through so it became useless
A gondoia was sunk. or the British artil-
lery-boats, one, OF perhaps two, went down
The Carleton" which, owing Co the wind
could receive no succor, suffered severely;
Dactes, its captain, fell senseless from a
blow; Brown, lieutenant OF marines, lost
an arm but Psllew, lad Of nineteen, who
succeeded to the command, carried on the
fight, 10 prevent Arnold's escape. Just be-
fore dark. when sixty or more Of the Ameri-
cans and forty or more of the British had
J
on the signal Of recall, towed the =" Carleton"
out Of the reach Of shot. Al eight in the
evening, the British feet anchored having
THEN left wing near me mainland, the right
near Valcour island, with several armed boats
still further to the right, to guard the passage
between Valcour and Great island and they
were confident that at the dawn Of the next
day oil the "rebe" " vessels must be captured
or destroyed Arnold and his highest officers,
Waterbury and Wiggesworth, saw no hope
bat in running the blockade. 1t was the
night Of the new moon, and the cir was hazy
an hour OF two before midnight iney had the
dauntless nardihood to hoist anchor silently
in the thick darkness Wigglesworth, in the
" Trumbuli," lead the retreat; the gondolas
aud small vessels followed; then came Wat
erbury in the Washington" and, last of all,
Arnold in the Congress; 3 and, having
fair wind, they stole unobserved through the
British feet, close to its left wing.
When day revealed their wonderful escape,
Carleton could not restrain his anger. Ad-
vancing slowly against southerly breeze, in
the morning Of the thirteenth he came in
sight of the iugidves near the island OF -Four
Winds; at half past twelve he was near
enough to begin cannonade. Waterbury
wished to run his ship ashore but Arnold
hoped still for chance TO give battle. At
half-past one the wind came suddenly out oil
the north. striking the British sails first; the
" Washington" was oveTtaken near Split
Rock, and compelled to strike the :" Con
gress," with four gondolas, keeping up a
running fight Of Ave hours, suffered great
loss. and was chased into a small creek in
Panton on the east side of the lake. To save
them from his pursuers, Arnold set them on
FIRE, withither colors flying. The last TO go
on shore, he formed their crews, and. in sight
OF the English ships, marched of in perfect
order. His fame for courage rose higher
than before, but az the expense Of fleet,
which he had reckessly sacrificed without
public benefit
= THE President AND NEGRo SUFFRAGR.
The following brief letter, like a bubble,
shows one of tbs spots where Andrew john
son went down:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
WASHINGTON d. C. Aug Is 65