Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-19

they reached the Great Carrying Place
some 40 miles from Norrdgewoek and
three days march into the wilderness
Tho portage was crossed by the army
with great difficulty and Oct. Is it be-
came necessary to erect a blockhouse
for the formidable number of sick
which was no sooner finished than ill
ed. The last carry was passed Oct. Is
when Major Bigelow was met on his
return from the advance party with q
men in quest Of provisions.
The purpose of the expedition was.
after crossing the pathless wilderness
Of Maine, into which Arnolds army
had entered at Norrideewoek, to Join
Montgomery and make q combined at
tack on Quebec. While the expedition
was vet 100 miles from Canada the men
had been ID days upon half allowance
Of such provisions as they had and
when all provisions We're ordered into
a common stock and divided the
amount to each man was hut five
pints of four and the pork was so small
in quantity that it was not susceptible
of division, amounting to but an ounce
per man. Morgan's seven boats were
wrecked upon a fall on the Chaudere
river by which mishap the military
stores and everything on board were
lost.
Before Arnold reached Canada he
had LOST more than one-third of his
men from sickness, exhaustion and de-
sertion. When 154 miles from the in
habited portion Of Canada Col. Enos
returned with the whole rear divis-
ion. consisting Of Williams, MeCobbs s,
and Sc6tt's companies. As this move
ment was without Arnold's orders,
F'nns was tried by court martial in
December following and acquitted on
the testimony of those who returned
With him.
End of the Expedition.
At length, after eight weeks Of hard
ship and suffering the brave command
er, with his proud army that entered
Fort Western the fall before sadly
diminished, came in sight of Quebec.
Snow covered tie ground and the
weather was bitterly cold His men
were half-naked, starving and bare
footed, for their clothes had been torn
oft by the thorn bushes and in the ag
onies of hunger they had devoured
even their moecasins.
oIi the HIST QdN III 1tiD montgomery
and Arnold with their feeble forces at
tempted to storm the strongest fortified
city in America, Montgomery was kill
ed at the head of his troops and Ar
mold was severely wounded.
Col. Arnold arrived at the hospital
about daylight. Montgomery divis-
ion soon came struggling in with news
of disaster. followed by the enemy, who
were routed by well directed fire from
two field pieces which Capt. Wool
brought TO their rescue.
At this iuncture, when the enemy
was expected to be upon the hospital,
Arnold was urged to allow himself to
be carried into the country for safety.
but he would not listen TO the proposal
or suffer a man to retreat from the
hospital. He ordered his pistols loaded
ana his sword placed on his bed, de-
termned to fight to the last.
: The storm which had set in on the
morning of Jan l, 1776. continued and
no information was received from Ar
nolds division during the day. The
next day Major Meigs came from the
city on parole and gave information of
the capitulation. Caps. Dearborn and
his company in endeaVoring to Join the
main body was captured. The army,
reduced by losses, finally retired by
way of Montreal and Rouse's point to
the States.