The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-04-11
MORGAN'S RIFLEMEN.

were rocky and steep. Much of the food
stored in the boats had been spoiled by
wetting and had to be abandoned. From
this point Arnold sent two Indian messen-
gers to Canada, one to friendly citizen
and one to Gen. Schuyler. The first be-
trayed his trust and delivered a letter to
the British authorities and the other failed
to reach Schuyler.
For sixty miles farther the Kennebec
was followed, and then it was necessary to
break away and cross over the highlands
to Dead river. The carrying place here was
about twelve miles long but two or three
small ponds shortened the distance some
what, and in some places oxen could be
used. The men, however, had to travel
with heavy burdens, and the way was cut
up by ravines, swamps, rocky places and
tangled thicketS. On the ponds the men
propelled the boats by oars or poles, and
sometimes waded to their armpits and
hauled at them with ropes. Between the
ponds everything had to be carried. On
reaching Dead river Arnold reviewed the
situation. He had $50 sound men left and
provisions for twenty-five days. He eX-
pected to reach French settlements on the
Chaudiere in ten days if fortune favored
him. a block house was constructed to
shelter the sick soldiers that had to be left
behind and the expedition pushed on up
Dead river. For some distance the Jour
ney progressed favorably, but on the 23d
of October a terrific rainstorm came on in
the night while the soldiers were encamped
in valley near the river. The stream
overfiowed, rising eight feet in a few
hours, and it was with great difficulty that
everything was saved and gotten afioat
once more. The course of the channel was
obliterated by the food, and in the confu-
sion seven boats were overturned and their
loads of provisions lost.
This Was looked upon as serious disas-
ter and fell upon the second division, with
which Arnold was travelling at the time
Morgan was on ahead with his riflemen,
and two divisions, under Lieut.. Coils
Greene and Enos were following Arnold
now sent back all his sick, and instructed
Greene and Enos TO do the same, and 10
bring forward all their well men with
fifteen days provisions. All possible haste
was urged in these Instructions The dis
lance from Dead river to Chaudiere lake
was thirty miles, and twelve days pro-
visions were still on hand. The rain, which
began on the 23d, changed TO snow and ice,
and the Dead river near its source was
found to be a series OF shallow ponds and
marshes. The soldiers with Arnold iabored
faithfully and dragged or pushed their boats
through, reached the highlands between
New England and Canada, and after an
other portage of four miles came to Me-
gantic lake, the source Of the Chaudiere
One half OF the journey had been accom-
plished
About this time Arnold was Joined by
two small bodies OF scouts that had ex-
plored the wilderness in advance OF the
column and sounded the feelings OF the
French settlers on the Chaudiere The
trials OF these pioneers ana their heroic en-
durance have not been surpassed n the
history Of adventure, AID stran Ceiy enough
they have had faithful chrouicler. One /
Of the scouts was boy named Henry, and /
late IN life he wrote out story OF the ex-
perienCeS OF himself aud comrades. They !
Jared very well until they reached the |
carrying place between the kennebec and 1
Dead rivers. AZ this point the party di- +
VioeS3, the weaker members remaining be- 4
hind. the stronger pushing on. They were /
reoOcesi TO two meals day, consisting Of 4
h;1lI biscuit and half IN inch square Of /
raw pork Their only shelter from pelting /
storms OF rain and sleet was the foliage ~ /