 | The American war |  |
30
BOOK II.
THE ARGUMENT.
The expedition against Canada by Montgomery, Wooster, Arnold, &c. Their march through the woods; the forts Chamblee, and St. John's, with Montreal, taken: Provision vessels intercepted on the river: The provincials march to Quebec, invest, and attack the fort: General Carleton's gallant defence. The garrison stormed, Arnold wounded, and retreating; Gen. Montgomery, Macpherson, &c. killed, and the provincials driven back, with the loss of about 700. The siege, and blockade continued, Lord Dunmore's transactions in Virginia; his attack at the great bridge, near Norfolk, and repulse: The death of Capt. Fordyce: Norfolk attacked, and burnt by the British, and provincials: Lord Dunmore's retreat, with the ships of war, &c. to Gwin's Island; driven from thence by the provincials, suffers in a storm, and sails for New York. Lord Petersham arrives at Quebec with 200 men; a sally made, the provincials retreat: Reinforcements arrive from the congress, and the Generals Burgoyne, Fraser, Reidesel, Philips, &c. from England, with about 7000. The provincials retreat to Sorel's Banks; the Cedar's Fort taken; the battle at Trois Rivieres, General Carleton, &c. continuing the chace; Montreal and Fort Chamblee retaken, St. John's burnt; all Canada evacuated; and the provincials retreat over the Lake Champlain: Generals Carleton, Burgoyne, Captain Douglas, &c. prepare to follow them: The engagement on the lake, and total defeat of the provincial fleet.
The progress of the British arms to check,
The congress sent an army 'gainst Quebec:
Montgom'ry, Wooster, Lamb, and Arnold, sped
To distant dang'rous war, and fearless led
Thro' vast extent of savage desert land,
An indefatigable chosen band:
With chearful minds (to hardships much inur'd)
They cold, fatigue, and pinching want endur'd!
Macpherson, Schuyler, Brown, and thousands more,
With Cheeseman, Hendricks, Cooper, next explore
The pathless wilds; a rugged space of ground;
And hard to pass as Alpine hills are found!
They travers'd gloomy unfrequented shades;
Thro' dens of death, and savage ambuscades,
They forward press'd, and rush'd through ev'ry bar,
Against Quebec to bear the destin'd war:
By the Canadians join'd, and well supply'd;
'Gainst Fort Chamblee the forces first were try'd;
This obstacle, which in their passage lay,
They soon surmounted, and march'd on their way:
Onward they press'd, their first grand point in view!
Tho' dangers and obstructions greater grew!
Against Montreal their hasty march they spent;
But Fort St. John, a strong impediment,
Must be surmounted, ere they can advance;
Five hundred vet'rans; some noblesse of France;
With Preston, form'd a strong retarding bar,
To check the progress of th' advancing war:
Both parties equally determin'd were,
Both seem'd alike for battle to prepare:
Fierce was th' attack, Lamb and Montgom'ry made;
Williams, as fierce return'd the cannonade:
The French noblesse, the regulars were brave;
The brisk provincials little respite gave!
The implements of death were briskly ply'd:
Each other's firmness both the parties try'd:
With reinforcement, Carleton strove to land,
To join, and make a formidable stand;
At least to throw some succours in, and try
To introduce a plentiful supply:
But the Green Mountaineers their station held,
And the detachment from the shore repel'd.
Almost a certain prey to ruin left,
Of ev'ry hope of succour quite bereft;
Thus far outnumber'd, press'd on ev'ry side;
The fort's defendants on themselves rely'd;
Not to submit most resolutely bent,
Till powder, ball, and ammunition spent,
And pinching famine star'd them in the face,
Compelling them t' evacuate the place:
But ere they from the garrison march'd forth,
They made their foes confess their warlike worth:
Montgom'ry gen'rously bestow'd applause;
Approv'd their firmness in their Sov'reign's cause
The colonists advancing, persever'd,
And in Montreal the flag of vict'ry rear'd;
Whilst Carleton was endeav'ring to secure
The royal stores, and make Quebec more sure;
But in his grand attempt the Gen'ral fail'd;
Again the continental force prevail'd;
Thro' all surrounding dangers Carleton past,
And safely reach'd the garrison at last.
The congress sent an army 'gainst Quebec:
Montgom'ry, Wooster, Lamb, and Arnold, sped
To distant dang'rous war, and fearless led
Thro' vast extent of savage desert land,
An indefatigable chosen band:
With chearful minds (to hardships much inur'd)
They cold, fatigue, and pinching want endur'd!
Macpherson, Schuyler, Brown, and thousands more,
With Cheeseman, Hendricks, Cooper, next explore
31
And hard to pass as Alpine hills are found!
They travers'd gloomy unfrequented shades;
Thro' dens of death, and savage ambuscades,
They forward press'd, and rush'd through ev'ry bar,
Against Quebec to bear the destin'd war:
By the Canadians join'd, and well supply'd;
'Gainst Fort Chamblee the forces first were try'd;
This obstacle, which in their passage lay,
They soon surmounted, and march'd on their way:
Onward they press'd, their first grand point in view!
Tho' dangers and obstructions greater grew!
Against Montreal their hasty march they spent;
But Fort St. John, a strong impediment,
Must be surmounted, ere they can advance;
Five hundred vet'rans; some noblesse of France;
With Preston, form'd a strong retarding bar,
To check the progress of th' advancing war:
Both parties equally determin'd were,
Both seem'd alike for battle to prepare:
Fierce was th' attack, Lamb and Montgom'ry made;
Williams, as fierce return'd the cannonade:
The French noblesse, the regulars were brave;
The brisk provincials little respite gave!
The implements of death were briskly ply'd:
Each other's firmness both the parties try'd:
32
To join, and make a formidable stand;
At least to throw some succours in, and try
To introduce a plentiful supply:
But the Green Mountaineers their station held,
And the detachment from the shore repel'd.
Almost a certain prey to ruin left,
Of ev'ry hope of succour quite bereft;
Thus far outnumber'd, press'd on ev'ry side;
The fort's defendants on themselves rely'd;
Not to submit most resolutely bent,
Till powder, ball, and ammunition spent,
And pinching famine star'd them in the face,
Compelling them t' evacuate the place:
But ere they from the garrison march'd forth,
They made their foes confess their warlike worth:
Montgom'ry gen'rously bestow'd applause;
Approv'd their firmness in their Sov'reign's cause
The colonists advancing, persever'd,
And in Montreal the flag of vict'ry rear'd;
Whilst Carleton was endeav'ring to secure
The royal stores, and make Quebec more sure;
But in his grand attempt the Gen'ral fail'd;
Again the continental force prevail'd;
33
And safely reach'd the garrison at last.
Montgom'ry briskly march'd his destin'd course,
Join'd by a fresh accumulated force,
Canadians, restless, and unsatisfy'd,
Came pouring in well arm'd, on ev'ry side:
Like a large flood he swept, met little check;
Still push'd determin'd on against Quebec.
Before the siege commenc'd, or cannonade,
A threat'ning rough demand Montgom'ry made:
The fall of Fort Chamblee, and strong St. John,
Had flush'd his forces, as he led them on,
And mov'd him, thus his sentiments t' express,
“I head bold troops, accustom'd to success!”
Carleton well known for firmness in the field,
To this rude summons wou'd not tamely yield:
Prepar'd for war, resentment fir'd his soul;
And emulation seem'd to rouze the whole:
To prove they were not prepossess'd with fear,
No flags of truce were suffer'd to come near.
Much better on their guard against surprise,
Than watchful Argus with his hundred eyes;
No incantations lull'd them to repose;
In gloomy expectation of their foes;
With utmost care each avenue they barr'd,
Their most impetuous charges to retard.
Join'd by a fresh accumulated force,
Canadians, restless, and unsatisfy'd,
Came pouring in well arm'd, on ev'ry side:
Like a large flood he swept, met little check;
Still push'd determin'd on against Quebec.
Before the siege commenc'd, or cannonade,
A threat'ning rough demand Montgom'ry made:
The fall of Fort Chamblee, and strong St. John,
Had flush'd his forces, as he led them on,
And mov'd him, thus his sentiments t' express,
“I head bold troops, accustom'd to success!”
Carleton well known for firmness in the field,
To this rude summons wou'd not tamely yield:
Prepar'd for war, resentment fir'd his soul;
And emulation seem'd to rouze the whole:
To prove they were not prepossess'd with fear,
No flags of truce were suffer'd to come near.
Much better on their guard against surprise,
Than watchful Argus with his hundred eyes;
No incantations lull'd them to repose;
In gloomy expectation of their foes;
34
Their most impetuous charges to retard.
The siege commenc'd; but yet Montgom'ry made
Against the fort a fruitless cannonade:
To vex Quebec his war was chiefly bent,
And show'rs of shells, and carcasses, were sent:
Oft as the lambent flames, and smoke arose
(A welcome spectacle to Carleton's foes)
As oft the firm defendants of Quebec,
Their pleasure damp'd, and gave the flames a check:
The troops, and tars, within their storm defy'd;
Their mortars, and their cannons, briskly ply'd:
As masses of accumulated snow,
Dissolve amidst bright Sol's meridian glow;
So the provincial army, day by day,
Thinn'd by desertion, seem'd to melt away:
Tho' some who were not genuine sons of Mars,
Fainted amidst fatigues of dang'rous wars.
The continental officers remain'd
With their main corps, and a close siege maintain'd.
Finding their batt'ry small impression made,
Resolv'd by night t' attempt an escalade!
Revolving time brought on the destin'd night;
The colonists made ready for the fight:
Before the parties to their station went,
Montgom'ry anxious for that night's event;
Knowing th' attempt great firmess would require,
He strove t' infuse his own heroic fire:
To gain that end, the forces he address'd,
And to this purport thus himself express'd:
Our foes as yet have 'scap'd an overthrow;
To strength of walls their present safety owe:
Lull'd in security our force deride;
Therefore now fittest to be closely try'd:
We may expect they'll stagger, and shrink back
From such an unexpected rough attack:
Can they our charge successfully withstand!
Their works so large, the fort so weakly mann'd!
Should the reverse of what we hope appear;
Surely my friends no threat'ning dangers fear;
Who travell'd dreary forests by my side;
'Midst hunger, cold, and hourly dangers try'd!
Who left their homes, with warring hear is elate
Through distant Canada to penetrate!
In freedom's cause, to face grim death ye came,
And through his portal rush to endless fame!
The border's gain'd, supply'd with proper food,
Your hopes reviv'd, your wasted strength renew'd;
Like to young eagles, scorning slow delay,
Onward ye push'd, to pounce upon your prey:
I see you're ready, therefore need not ask,
T' attempt one more laborious dang'rous task:
Thro' many dangers you've unshaken past;
And will not shrink from this, perhaps the last:
If we this night the royal force defeat,
Our enterprize would then be most complete:
All Canada must next our pow'r confess:
It shall, they cry'd, if Providence will bless
This night's attempt; for o'er yon hostile wall,
We'll force our way, or there we'll nobly fall:
Around Montgom'ry look'd, well pleas'd to trace
Enthusiastic glow in ev'ry face;
Advance, he said, and in the list of fame,
Let each man boldly strive t' insert his name;
Make our foes own, whate'er th' event may be,
We fought like men determin'd to be free!
Th' alarm was made, and Britain's sons of Mars,
In fierce conjunction, with her dauntless tars,
Like growling lions, rouz'd from sweet repose,
Indignant arm'd to meet their coming foes!
The precious moments swiftly fled away;
But Carleton stood a stranger to dismay;
Serenely view'd his forces drawing near;
Saw no reluctant signs of tardy fear;
The chiefs advanc'd intrepidly sedate,
The troops, the tars, and all appear'd elate!
He thought it a good omen of success,
Turn'd to the chiefs, and thus began th' address.
Our force this night, the storming foes will try;
On you, I can with confidence rely:
Cæsar wou'd smile to see you sally forth;
You know your stations, and I know your worth:
He thus proceeded: Britain's gallant tars
Will range this night among her sons of Mars:
From pole to pole much fear'd, and greatly fam'd,
Ye may be aptly Boanerges nam'd:
Your country claims your service on the land,
Firm as the Grecian phalanx ye can stand!
Behold this letter, which Montgom'ry sent;
However brave, most rigid his intent!
He deigns to write in terms of low disgrace,
And stiles this garrison a wretched place!
Treats me with threat'ning insult! and on you,
Bestows the epithet of motly crew!
His words like magic wrought; from man to man
Resentment flash'd, and resolution ran:
We've heard enough they said, and gave a shout,
(Discordant to th' assailing troops without);
We wish no more delay; we long to go
'Gainst this successful, this victorious foe,
Carleton had now obtain'd his soul's desire,
Had rouz'd the troops, and set the tars on fire:
He gave the word, to right and left they fil'd,
He mark'd their readiness, and grimly smil'd:
Brave Hamilton advanc'd with Britain's tars,
And bold Maclean, with northern sons of Mars,
The gallant Laws, M'Dougal, Caldwell too,
With warlike ardor to the battle flew:
English, Hibernians, Caledonians frown'd,
And emulously took their stations round.
Against the fort a fruitless cannonade:
To vex Quebec his war was chiefly bent,
And show'rs of shells, and carcasses, were sent:
Oft as the lambent flames, and smoke arose
(A welcome spectacle to Carleton's foes)
As oft the firm defendants of Quebec,
Their pleasure damp'd, and gave the flames a check:
The troops, and tars, within their storm defy'd;
Their mortars, and their cannons, briskly ply'd:
As masses of accumulated snow,
Dissolve amidst bright Sol's meridian glow;
So the provincial army, day by day,
Thinn'd by desertion, seem'd to melt away:
Tho' some who were not genuine sons of Mars,
Fainted amidst fatigues of dang'rous wars.
The continental officers remain'd
With their main corps, and a close siege maintain'd.
Finding their batt'ry small impression made,
Resolv'd by night t' attempt an escalade!
Revolving time brought on the destin'd night;
The colonists made ready for the fight:
Before the parties to their station went,
Montgom'ry anxious for that night's event;
Knowing th' attempt great firmess would require,
He strove t' infuse his own heroic fire:
35
And to this purport thus himself express'd:
Our foes as yet have 'scap'd an overthrow;
To strength of walls their present safety owe:
Lull'd in security our force deride;
Therefore now fittest to be closely try'd:
We may expect they'll stagger, and shrink back
From such an unexpected rough attack:
Can they our charge successfully withstand!
Their works so large, the fort so weakly mann'd!
Should the reverse of what we hope appear;
Surely my friends no threat'ning dangers fear;
Who travell'd dreary forests by my side;
'Midst hunger, cold, and hourly dangers try'd!
Who left their homes, with warring hear is elate
Through distant Canada to penetrate!
In freedom's cause, to face grim death ye came,
And through his portal rush to endless fame!
The border's gain'd, supply'd with proper food,
Your hopes reviv'd, your wasted strength renew'd;
Like to young eagles, scorning slow delay,
Onward ye push'd, to pounce upon your prey:
I see you're ready, therefore need not ask,
T' attempt one more laborious dang'rous task:
Thro' many dangers you've unshaken past;
And will not shrink from this, perhaps the last:
If we this night the royal force defeat,
Our enterprize would then be most complete:
All Canada must next our pow'r confess:
It shall, they cry'd, if Providence will bless
This night's attempt; for o'er yon hostile wall,
We'll force our way, or there we'll nobly fall:
36
Enthusiastic glow in ev'ry face;
Advance, he said, and in the list of fame,
Let each man boldly strive t' insert his name;
Make our foes own, whate'er th' event may be,
We fought like men determin'd to be free!
Th' alarm was made, and Britain's sons of Mars,
In fierce conjunction, with her dauntless tars,
Like growling lions, rouz'd from sweet repose,
Indignant arm'd to meet their coming foes!
The precious moments swiftly fled away;
But Carleton stood a stranger to dismay;
Serenely view'd his forces drawing near;
Saw no reluctant signs of tardy fear;
The chiefs advanc'd intrepidly sedate,
The troops, the tars, and all appear'd elate!
He thought it a good omen of success,
Turn'd to the chiefs, and thus began th' address.
Our force this night, the storming foes will try;
On you, I can with confidence rely:
Cæsar wou'd smile to see you sally forth;
You know your stations, and I know your worth:
He thus proceeded: Britain's gallant tars
Will range this night among her sons of Mars:
From pole to pole much fear'd, and greatly fam'd,
Ye may be aptly Boanerges nam'd:
Your country claims your service on the land,
Firm as the Grecian phalanx ye can stand!
Behold this letter, which Montgom'ry sent;
However brave, most rigid his intent!
He deigns to write in terms of low disgrace,
And stiles this garrison a wretched place!
37
Bestows the epithet of motly crew!
His words like magic wrought; from man to man
Resentment flash'd, and resolution ran:
We've heard enough they said, and gave a shout,
(Discordant to th' assailing troops without);
We wish no more delay; we long to go
'Gainst this successful, this victorious foe,
Carleton had now obtain'd his soul's desire,
Had rouz'd the troops, and set the tars on fire:
He gave the word, to right and left they fil'd,
He mark'd their readiness, and grimly smil'd:
Brave Hamilton advanc'd with Britain's tars,
And bold Maclean, with northern sons of Mars,
The gallant Laws, M'Dougal, Caldwell too,
With warlike ardor to the battle flew:
English, Hibernians, Caledonians frown'd,
And emulously took their stations round.
Towards the ramparts, Brown and Livingston,
To make two feints, led two small parties on:
Montgom'ry next, intrepidly drew near,
To make a rough attack at Aunce de Mere;
The firm Hibernian led New Yorkers on,
Macpherson, Campbell, (sons of Caledon)
With Cheesman march'd, and resolutely came,
Scorning impediments in quest of fame:
Meanwhile, amidst a dreadful cannonade,
Another rough attack bold Arnold made:
Lamb, and th' artill'ry corps, now ceas'd to wield
The distant batt'ring thunder of the field;
They march'd to succour Arnold in the fight,
Amidst the horrors of that fatal night;
To reinforce that corps, which first appear'd
In Canada, and hostile banners rear'd:
Bold, hardy, obstinate, they seem'd to be;
An indefatigable enemy!
Bold were the troops and tars, who firmly stood,
Where those men strove to make their footing good!
They pass'd St. Roques, and onward press'd, not far,
Before they felt the weight of Britain's war:
But, pond'rous as it was, they persever'd;
Press'd fighting onward, and each other chear'd!
The snow began to wear a purple stain,
Ting'd with the blood of Arnold's party slain.
Brave Carleton military skill display'd;
From right to left, the garrison survey'd;
With active vigilance, he travers'd round;
Now with the tars, now with the troops, was found:
In various parts, the British chiefs were heard,
Examples rouz'd, and exhortations chear'd:
The combatants in diff'rent places bled,
Where Arnold charg'd, and where Montgom'ry led:
Quebec, to Etna strong resemblance bore,
(Heaving, and lab'ring with convulsive roar):
Its sides, and summit, crown'd with heaps of snow,
'Midst peals of thunder, and black sulph'rous glow!
Montgom'ry, Campbell, and Macpherson strove
To keep their spirits up, as on they drove:
Lamb, Oswald, Cheesman, Humphrys, Hendricks too,
With Arnold, in the van to the battle flew;
And in conjunction fierce, with these were seen,
The gallant Ogden, Biclowe, Meigs, and Green:
Th' assailants, and th' assail'd, rush'd to the fight,
Invelop'd in the gloom of wintry night:
Sliding on ice, and trampling in the snow;
They felt no cold; an animating glow,
With vital warmth the distant parts supply'd;
They nipping frost, and chilling blasts defy'd:
In leaden show'rs, alternate, in the dark
At random sent, death found the destin'd mark:
As they advanc'd, the danger greater grew;
One barrier pass'd, a second rose to view:
Here death, and Carleton's corps, in ambush lay,
To charge, obstruct, and seize their destin'd prey:
Montgom'ry here, a “ne plus ultra” found;
Macpherson too, receiv'd a mortal wound;
Cheesman, with these, here drew his latest breath;
(Most precious morsels for the jaws of death):
Their fall fill'd all around with sudden dread;
(Thro' the New Yorkers consternation spread);
The fifes began to sound, and the drums beat
The welcome notice of a quick retreat:
Successive Cooper, Humphrys, Hendricks fall;
From rifled tubes no more to send the ball.
To make two feints, led two small parties on:
Montgom'ry next, intrepidly drew near,
To make a rough attack at Aunce de Mere;
The firm Hibernian led New Yorkers on,
Macpherson, Campbell, (sons of Caledon)
With Cheesman march'd, and resolutely came,
Scorning impediments in quest of fame:
Meanwhile, amidst a dreadful cannonade,
Another rough attack bold Arnold made:
38
The distant batt'ring thunder of the field;
They march'd to succour Arnold in the fight,
Amidst the horrors of that fatal night;
To reinforce that corps, which first appear'd
In Canada, and hostile banners rear'd:
Bold, hardy, obstinate, they seem'd to be;
An indefatigable enemy!
Bold were the troops and tars, who firmly stood,
Where those men strove to make their footing good!
They pass'd St. Roques, and onward press'd, not far,
Before they felt the weight of Britain's war:
But, pond'rous as it was, they persever'd;
Press'd fighting onward, and each other chear'd!
The snow began to wear a purple stain,
Ting'd with the blood of Arnold's party slain.
Brave Carleton military skill display'd;
From right to left, the garrison survey'd;
With active vigilance, he travers'd round;
Now with the tars, now with the troops, was found:
In various parts, the British chiefs were heard,
Examples rouz'd, and exhortations chear'd:
The combatants in diff'rent places bled,
Where Arnold charg'd, and where Montgom'ry led:
Quebec, to Etna strong resemblance bore,
(Heaving, and lab'ring with convulsive roar):
Its sides, and summit, crown'd with heaps of snow,
'Midst peals of thunder, and black sulph'rous glow!
Montgom'ry, Campbell, and Macpherson strove
To keep their spirits up, as on they drove:
Lamb, Oswald, Cheesman, Humphrys, Hendricks too,
With Arnold, in the van to the battle flew;
39
The gallant Ogden, Biclowe, Meigs, and Green:
Th' assailants, and th' assail'd, rush'd to the fight,
Invelop'd in the gloom of wintry night:
Sliding on ice, and trampling in the snow;
They felt no cold; an animating glow,
With vital warmth the distant parts supply'd;
They nipping frost, and chilling blasts defy'd:
In leaden show'rs, alternate, in the dark
At random sent, death found the destin'd mark:
As they advanc'd, the danger greater grew;
One barrier pass'd, a second rose to view:
Here death, and Carleton's corps, in ambush lay,
To charge, obstruct, and seize their destin'd prey:
Montgom'ry here, a “ne plus ultra” found;
Macpherson too, receiv'd a mortal wound;
Cheesman, with these, here drew his latest breath;
(Most precious morsels for the jaws of death):
Their fall fill'd all around with sudden dread;
(Thro' the New Yorkers consternation spread);
The fifes began to sound, and the drums beat
The welcome notice of a quick retreat:
Successive Cooper, Humphrys, Hendricks fall;
From rifled tubes no more to send the ball.
Tho' three detachments met a foul defeat,
And were compell'd at distance to retreat:
With twenty-five selected from the rest,
Arnold, and Oswald, to the battle prest,
Against a two-gun battery, which lay
As an impediment, and barr'd their way:
Here they charg'd home, on death, or conquest bent;
Incessant show'rs of lead before them sent:
The fort's defendants firm resistance made:
Firm, Arnold's corps sustain'd their cannonade!
An hour, each party's fortitude was try'd,
Ere victory declar'd on either side.
'Midst death, and wounds, which were at random dealt,
Arnold at length th' unwelcome greeting felt;
Soon was the vital stream perceiv'd to flow,
And mark his purpled footsteps in the snow:
As from the front he mov'd to gain the rear,
They shouted, and resolv'd to persevere;
Swept o'er the rampart, like a swelling flood,
And bought the little battery with blood.
With brisk dispatch, on the provincials came,
Trampling in snow, and wrapt in sheets of flame,
Press'd on the regulars, who thought to gain
A second barrier, and that post maintain;
But ere they were in proper stations fix'd,
The rough provincial vanguard 'mongst them mix'd:
Not far from thence the regulars retir'd;
Twice thus repuls'd, with indignation fir'd;
Like hunted boars they chaf'd, determin'd stood;
And with redoubled rage the fight renew'd;
To their assistance, gallant Laws drew near
'Gainst Arnold's corps, and closely charg'd their rear:
With him, to battle brave M'Dougal rush'd,
And briskly backwards the provincials push'd:
With emulation fir'd, each party strove
Who shou'd come first, as to the spot they drove:
Like torrents rushing from a rocky height,
Shouting they came, and press'd to closest fight:
The colonists receiv'd them with a shout;
Fac'd ev'ry way, encompass'd round about:
Like wolves, by troops of hunters hemm'd around,
Three hours they fought, and firm maintain'd their ground!
Oswald, and other gallant leaders, thought
To banish gloomy fears, and briskly fought;
Lamb, likewise, resolutely persever'd,
And by example all around him chear'd.
When they to make a brisk retreat design'd,
No friendly outlet cou'd those forces find;
Wherever they explor'd the fatal place,
Death, and destruction, star'd them in the face:
Each avenue by hostile troops was barr'd;
Th' artill'ry stood their passage to retard;
Against their front a mortal storm to throw,
And roar their passports to the shades below.
In front, the flanks, the rear, at once assail'd,
From hope excluded, now their spirits fail'd;
They stood upon the margin of the grave;
By hard necessity compel'd to crave
That life, and mercy, which the brave bestow
On foes, submitting 'midst an overthrow;
They call'd for quarter, and by gestures shew'd
Tacit acknowledgment, they were subdu'd:
On all sides quickly ceas'd destructive roar;
Confusion, tumult, slaughter, was no more.
The foes repell'd, and each avenue clear,
The dead, and wounded, claim'd a decent care:
They Cheesman, Hendricks, and Macpherson found,
Humphries, and Cooper, breathless on the ground:
Montgom'ry lay among the foremost slain;
His military virtues now remain
Deeply imprinted in each leader's mind;
To all his hostile operations blind;
Britannia's chiefs his clay-cold carcase eye,
Pity the man, and heave a gentle sigh:
As death hath laid the bold Hibernian low,
Carleton forgets Montgom'ry was a foe:
His threat'ning letter they resent no more;
Respectfully convey'd 'midst hostile roar,
In solemn pomp, attended by the brave,
He sunk with warlike honour to the grave;
There, all hostilities, and jars must cease;
There, likewise, let his ashes rest in peace.
And were compell'd at distance to retreat:
With twenty-five selected from the rest,
Arnold, and Oswald, to the battle prest,
40
As an impediment, and barr'd their way:
Here they charg'd home, on death, or conquest bent;
Incessant show'rs of lead before them sent:
The fort's defendants firm resistance made:
Firm, Arnold's corps sustain'd their cannonade!
An hour, each party's fortitude was try'd,
Ere victory declar'd on either side.
'Midst death, and wounds, which were at random dealt,
Arnold at length th' unwelcome greeting felt;
Soon was the vital stream perceiv'd to flow,
And mark his purpled footsteps in the snow:
As from the front he mov'd to gain the rear,
They shouted, and resolv'd to persevere;
Swept o'er the rampart, like a swelling flood,
And bought the little battery with blood.
With brisk dispatch, on the provincials came,
Trampling in snow, and wrapt in sheets of flame,
Press'd on the regulars, who thought to gain
A second barrier, and that post maintain;
But ere they were in proper stations fix'd,
The rough provincial vanguard 'mongst them mix'd:
Not far from thence the regulars retir'd;
Twice thus repuls'd, with indignation fir'd;
Like hunted boars they chaf'd, determin'd stood;
And with redoubled rage the fight renew'd;
To their assistance, gallant Laws drew near
'Gainst Arnold's corps, and closely charg'd their rear:
With him, to battle brave M'Dougal rush'd,
And briskly backwards the provincials push'd:
41
Who shou'd come first, as to the spot they drove:
Like torrents rushing from a rocky height,
Shouting they came, and press'd to closest fight:
The colonists receiv'd them with a shout;
Fac'd ev'ry way, encompass'd round about:
Like wolves, by troops of hunters hemm'd around,
Three hours they fought, and firm maintain'd their ground!
Oswald, and other gallant leaders, thought
To banish gloomy fears, and briskly fought;
Lamb, likewise, resolutely persever'd,
And by example all around him chear'd.
When they to make a brisk retreat design'd,
No friendly outlet cou'd those forces find;
Wherever they explor'd the fatal place,
Death, and destruction, star'd them in the face:
Each avenue by hostile troops was barr'd;
Th' artill'ry stood their passage to retard;
Against their front a mortal storm to throw,
And roar their passports to the shades below.
In front, the flanks, the rear, at once assail'd,
From hope excluded, now their spirits fail'd;
They stood upon the margin of the grave;
By hard necessity compel'd to crave
That life, and mercy, which the brave bestow
On foes, submitting 'midst an overthrow;
They call'd for quarter, and by gestures shew'd
Tacit acknowledgment, they were subdu'd:
On all sides quickly ceas'd destructive roar;
Confusion, tumult, slaughter, was no more.
42
The dead, and wounded, claim'd a decent care:
They Cheesman, Hendricks, and Macpherson found,
Humphries, and Cooper, breathless on the ground:
Montgom'ry lay among the foremost slain;
His military virtues now remain
Deeply imprinted in each leader's mind;
To all his hostile operations blind;
Britannia's chiefs his clay-cold carcase eye,
Pity the man, and heave a gentle sigh:
As death hath laid the bold Hibernian low,
Carleton forgets Montgom'ry was a foe:
His threat'ning letter they resent no more;
Respectfully convey'd 'midst hostile roar,
In solemn pomp, attended by the brave,
He sunk with warlike honour to the grave;
There, all hostilities, and jars must cease;
There, likewise, let his ashes rest in peace.
Whilst thus in Canada destruction rag'd,
And those once friends, as mortal foes engag'd!
Dunmore alarm'd, observ'd the gath'ring storm;
Seiz'd printing types, and timely strove t' inform
The rash insurgents, ere it was too late,
They'd meet distress, and rush upon their fate,
Shou'd he their num'rous slaves emancipate.
Press'd on all sides, he quitted hostile ground,
And in the ships of war an azyle found:
But reinforc'd by many a gallant tar,
He landed oft to prosecute the war;
Emancipated slaves he arm'd, and train'd;
In frequent skirmishes advantage gain'd;
Strove for the honour of Great Britain's arms,
And always kept th' insurgents in alarms;
Each opportunity he well employ'd,
And with assiduous care his foes annoy'd,
Seiz'd on their arms, their warlike stores destroy'd.
By a deserter over-reach'd at length,
And misinform'd of the provincial strength;
He sent a small (but good) detachment out,
O'er Norfolk's Bridge t' attack a strong redoubt;
And in the rear of those bold sons of worth,
Three hundred blacks reluctant sally'd forth;
But few of those across the bridge were found;
They cautious trod on safe and distant ground;
Leslie's example, and persuasion too,
Cou'd not bring up the tim'rous dastard crew:
But Britain's troops and tars, together mix'd,
With wonted vigor, and their bay'nets fix'd,
A brisk and most intrepid onset made,
Amidst a mortal heavy cannonade:
And were on all sides charg'd, and briskly ply'd,
By thrice their numbers, trench'd, and fortify'd!
Yet on they rush'd, burning with warlike flame;
And to the breastwork resolutely came!
Fordyce led on a few brave sons of Mars,
And Squires brought up Britannia's active tars:
In his career, arrested by a ball
The gallant Fordyce got a mortal fall:
Nappier, and Leslie bold, their foes defy'd;
And with their blood the bed of honour dy'd:
As boldly Batut to the breastwork led
Th' advancing party, and as fearless bled
The British troops and tars at length gave way;
The dead, and wounded, round the ramparts lay:
Not one amongst the prisoners was found,
But had receiv'd an honourable wound.
Woodford, and Spotswood, chief in the command,
(Who join'd with Blackburn, there to make a stand)
Confess'd how boldly on the Britons came,
And rush'd determin'd o'er the field of fame:
Of gallant Fordyce, thus they both relate,
“His firmness merited a better fate:”
Among the foremost brave, who fell that day,
The Caledonian near the breastwork lay;
He was no more; th' assailants were retir'd;
His intrepidity his foes admir'd!
With military pomp, the troops attend
His cold remains; had Fordyce been a friend,
What cou'd they more their great respect to shew,
Than give the warrior ev'ry honour due?
Thus, on each side, at honour's glorious call,
Brave Englishmen, and Caledonians fall:
Hibernians, and provincials, emulate
Their warlike deeds, and rush upon their fate:
With these, to sanguin'd fields, the sons of worth,
From ancient Britain likewise sally forth:
They fall esteem'd by the surviving brave;
Descend regretted to the silent grave:
When hostile heroes are consign'd to death,
Resentment dies with their departing breath;
Tho' whilst contending for a fatal spot,
Fraternal love, and friendship was forgot.
The loss was great; 'twas hard to be sustain'd:
The troops no longer on the shore remain'd:
On march'd the colonists with hearts elate,
Seiz'd Norfolk town, and hasten'd on its fate:
Within short musket shot they dar'd to stand,
And brav'd Dunmore on Norfolk's hostile strand!
Soon after this the Liverpool arriv'd,
Strengthen'd their force, their drooping hopes reviv'd;
Nearer they hove, in thunder made th' attack;
And from their wharfs drove the provincials back;
Gloomy they turn'd, reluctantly retir'd;
And the deserted town was quickly fir'd:
Frantic with rage th' insurgents seem'd to be,
(Treating a friend, as if an enemy!)
Drove all before them from th' adjacent ground;
And widely spread a blazing ruin round!
Not female shrieks, nor supplicating age,
Cou'd stem the torrent of their wasting rage!
'Gainst pity steel'd, and deaf to friendship's call,
Stores, farms, and villages, were doom'd to fall!
Want, sickness, storms, 'gainst Dunmore jointly strove;
And on th' unfriendly coast some vessels drove;
He sail'd, to join the forces where they lay,
Ready t' attack New York, by land and sea.
And those once friends, as mortal foes engag'd!
Dunmore alarm'd, observ'd the gath'ring storm;
Seiz'd printing types, and timely strove t' inform
The rash insurgents, ere it was too late,
They'd meet distress, and rush upon their fate,
Shou'd he their num'rous slaves emancipate.
Press'd on all sides, he quitted hostile ground,
And in the ships of war an azyle found:
43
He landed oft to prosecute the war;
Emancipated slaves he arm'd, and train'd;
In frequent skirmishes advantage gain'd;
Strove for the honour of Great Britain's arms,
And always kept th' insurgents in alarms;
Each opportunity he well employ'd,
And with assiduous care his foes annoy'd,
Seiz'd on their arms, their warlike stores destroy'd.
By a deserter over-reach'd at length,
And misinform'd of the provincial strength;
He sent a small (but good) detachment out,
O'er Norfolk's Bridge t' attack a strong redoubt;
And in the rear of those bold sons of worth,
Three hundred blacks reluctant sally'd forth;
But few of those across the bridge were found;
They cautious trod on safe and distant ground;
Leslie's example, and persuasion too,
Cou'd not bring up the tim'rous dastard crew:
But Britain's troops and tars, together mix'd,
With wonted vigor, and their bay'nets fix'd,
A brisk and most intrepid onset made,
Amidst a mortal heavy cannonade:
And were on all sides charg'd, and briskly ply'd,
By thrice their numbers, trench'd, and fortify'd!
Yet on they rush'd, burning with warlike flame;
And to the breastwork resolutely came!
Fordyce led on a few brave sons of Mars,
And Squires brought up Britannia's active tars:
In his career, arrested by a ball
The gallant Fordyce got a mortal fall:
44
And with their blood the bed of honour dy'd:
As boldly Batut to the breastwork led
Th' advancing party, and as fearless bled
The British troops and tars at length gave way;
The dead, and wounded, round the ramparts lay:
Not one amongst the prisoners was found,
But had receiv'd an honourable wound.
Woodford, and Spotswood, chief in the command,
(Who join'd with Blackburn, there to make a stand)
Confess'd how boldly on the Britons came,
And rush'd determin'd o'er the field of fame:
Of gallant Fordyce, thus they both relate,
“His firmness merited a better fate:”
Among the foremost brave, who fell that day,
The Caledonian near the breastwork lay;
He was no more; th' assailants were retir'd;
His intrepidity his foes admir'd!
With military pomp, the troops attend
His cold remains; had Fordyce been a friend,
What cou'd they more their great respect to shew,
Than give the warrior ev'ry honour due?
Thus, on each side, at honour's glorious call,
Brave Englishmen, and Caledonians fall:
Hibernians, and provincials, emulate
Their warlike deeds, and rush upon their fate:
With these, to sanguin'd fields, the sons of worth,
From ancient Britain likewise sally forth:
They fall esteem'd by the surviving brave;
Descend regretted to the silent grave:
When hostile heroes are consign'd to death,
Resentment dies with their departing breath;
45
Fraternal love, and friendship was forgot.
The loss was great; 'twas hard to be sustain'd:
The troops no longer on the shore remain'd:
On march'd the colonists with hearts elate,
Seiz'd Norfolk town, and hasten'd on its fate:
Within short musket shot they dar'd to stand,
And brav'd Dunmore on Norfolk's hostile strand!
Soon after this the Liverpool arriv'd,
Strengthen'd their force, their drooping hopes reviv'd;
Nearer they hove, in thunder made th' attack;
And from their wharfs drove the provincials back;
Gloomy they turn'd, reluctantly retir'd;
And the deserted town was quickly fir'd:
Frantic with rage th' insurgents seem'd to be,
(Treating a friend, as if an enemy!)
Drove all before them from th' adjacent ground;
And widely spread a blazing ruin round!
Not female shrieks, nor supplicating age,
Cou'd stem the torrent of their wasting rage!
'Gainst pity steel'd, and deaf to friendship's call,
Stores, farms, and villages, were doom'd to fall!
46
And on th' unfriendly coast some vessels drove;
He sail'd, to join the forces where they lay,
Ready t' attack New York, by land and sea.
Tho' the provincials had receiv'd a check,
Fresh reinforcements pour'd around Quebec:
More than six thousand came at honour's call,
Determin'd to revenge Montgom'ry's fall:
Each hour, 'midst frost and snow, they well employ'd;
With red hot balls, the suburbs they destroy'd:
The continental forces persever'd;
The glorious end in view, their spirits chear'd;
With scaling ladders, they approaches made,
And seem'd determin'd on an escalade;
Expecting amply to retaliate
That slaughter, when Montgom'ry met his fate!
The troops, and tars, baffled each bold attack,
Incessant strove to drive th' assailants back;
More critical their situation grew;
With giant strides grim danger nearer drew:
The British ministry were much alarm'd,
And with dispatch three royal vessels arm'd;
They, gallant Douglas, Linzee, Harvey, chose,
To counteract their num'rous active foes:
Two hundred men, with Petersham, their chief,
They bore to give besieg'd Quebec relief:
They sail'd from Britain early in the year,
And Douglas first to Newfoundland drew near;
Here wintry mountains swam upon the sea!
(A land of ice around the vessel lay!)
The season seem'd against Quebec to war
And nature form'd a most tremendous bar!
But what can Britain's fearless tars impede?
Shou'd winter lend their adversaries aid;
Onward they'd sail with animating glow,
And boldly dare his storms of driving snow!
Warm for the fight, thro' frigid seas wou'd glide,
Dash'd by the floating rocks on either side!
Here, for a passage, Douglas briskly strove,
And thro' surrounding ice determin'd drove!
Near sixty leagues 'midst floating dangers past!
And safely reach'd St. Lawrence gulph at last!
Near the same course, Linzee, and Harvey sail'd,
And over ev'ry obstacle prevail'd;
Cover'd with ice, they likewise found the sea;
But resolute, impatient of delay;
They crouded on, and after Douglas forc'd their way!
Time fled away, each hour more precious grew,
And Linzee, onward with impatience flew:
Soon after him, Douglas, and Harvey came,
And launch'd their bolts, wrapp'd up in British flame:
From Levi's Point the colonists withdrew,
And full of dismal apprehensions grew;
On shore two hundred grenadiers were sent,
And Carleton, on retaliation bent,
Welcom'd the gallant Petersham to land,
And straightway for a sally gave command:
Forth from two gates, a living torrent pour'd,
And on each brow a grim defiance low'r'd:
Carleton's approaching war they greatly fear'd;
As planet struck the colonists appear'd!
With efforts faint, the first attack sustain'd;
Their field-artill'ry undischarg'd remain'd!
They tents, petards, and scaling ladders left!
As if of resolution quite bereft!
Their military stores abandon'd lay!
Their muskets, and cartouches, mark'd the way
They fled; which onward led to Dechambault,
There felt returning glow, and made an halt.
Now Indians, and Canadians, from afar,
With Forster join'd, and eager for the war,
Came rushing on, to drive th' invaders back,
And with the Cedars Fort began the attack;
At their approach they felt a cold dismay,
Submitted soon, and at discretion lay.
To vex his foes, Carleton the time improv'd,
With speed embark'd, and up the river mov'd:
Douglas, and Harvey, vigorously wrought
With naval diligence, and forward brought
Transports, with troops, artillery, and stores,
And safely landed them on diff'rent shores,
With Fraser, Phillips, Nesbit, and Burgoyne,
Who flew with ardor Carleton's corps to join.
The colonists now strove to shake off fear,
And check the victors harrassing their rear;
To Trois Rivieres two thousand boldly sped;
Thompson, and Irwin, this detachment led:
The sixty-second regiment there they found,
With Fraser, in possession of the ground;
Ready for war the posted Britons stood;
A close and smart encounter quick ensu'd:
But soon the colonists a flight began,
And towards Sorel in disorder ran,
As Carleton with his forces forward prest,
To bring the fugitives to closest test;
Too facile for attack this place they deem'd,
And Montreal now more eligible seem'd:
Not yet from dismal apprehensions freed,
From thence, to Fort St. John's they march'd with speed;
Determin'd seem'd to stand, and wait th' event,
Join'd by the welcome reinforcements sent:
Again the colonists affrighted grew,
As near the fort Burgoyne's detachment drew;
And terror struck, as on his party came,
They fled, and left the buildings in a flame!
Fresh reinforcements pour'd around Quebec:
More than six thousand came at honour's call,
Determin'd to revenge Montgom'ry's fall:
Each hour, 'midst frost and snow, they well employ'd;
With red hot balls, the suburbs they destroy'd:
The continental forces persever'd;
The glorious end in view, their spirits chear'd;
With scaling ladders, they approaches made,
And seem'd determin'd on an escalade;
Expecting amply to retaliate
That slaughter, when Montgom'ry met his fate!
The troops, and tars, baffled each bold attack,
Incessant strove to drive th' assailants back;
More critical their situation grew;
With giant strides grim danger nearer drew:
The British ministry were much alarm'd,
And with dispatch three royal vessels arm'd;
They, gallant Douglas, Linzee, Harvey, chose,
To counteract their num'rous active foes:
Two hundred men, with Petersham, their chief,
They bore to give besieg'd Quebec relief:
They sail'd from Britain early in the year,
And Douglas first to Newfoundland drew near;
47
(A land of ice around the vessel lay!)
The season seem'd against Quebec to war
And nature form'd a most tremendous bar!
But what can Britain's fearless tars impede?
Shou'd winter lend their adversaries aid;
Onward they'd sail with animating glow,
And boldly dare his storms of driving snow!
Warm for the fight, thro' frigid seas wou'd glide,
Dash'd by the floating rocks on either side!
Here, for a passage, Douglas briskly strove,
And thro' surrounding ice determin'd drove!
Near sixty leagues 'midst floating dangers past!
And safely reach'd St. Lawrence gulph at last!
Near the same course, Linzee, and Harvey sail'd,
And over ev'ry obstacle prevail'd;
Cover'd with ice, they likewise found the sea;
But resolute, impatient of delay;
They crouded on, and after Douglas forc'd their way!
Time fled away, each hour more precious grew,
And Linzee, onward with impatience flew:
Soon after him, Douglas, and Harvey came,
And launch'd their bolts, wrapp'd up in British flame:
From Levi's Point the colonists withdrew,
And full of dismal apprehensions grew;
On shore two hundred grenadiers were sent,
And Carleton, on retaliation bent,
Welcom'd the gallant Petersham to land,
And straightway for a sally gave command:
Forth from two gates, a living torrent pour'd,
And on each brow a grim defiance low'r'd:
48
As planet struck the colonists appear'd!
With efforts faint, the first attack sustain'd;
Their field-artill'ry undischarg'd remain'd!
They tents, petards, and scaling ladders left!
As if of resolution quite bereft!
Their military stores abandon'd lay!
Their muskets, and cartouches, mark'd the way
They fled; which onward led to Dechambault,
There felt returning glow, and made an halt.
Now Indians, and Canadians, from afar,
With Forster join'd, and eager for the war,
Came rushing on, to drive th' invaders back,
And with the Cedars Fort began the attack;
At their approach they felt a cold dismay,
Submitted soon, and at discretion lay.
To vex his foes, Carleton the time improv'd,
With speed embark'd, and up the river mov'd:
Douglas, and Harvey, vigorously wrought
With naval diligence, and forward brought
Transports, with troops, artillery, and stores,
And safely landed them on diff'rent shores,
With Fraser, Phillips, Nesbit, and Burgoyne,
Who flew with ardor Carleton's corps to join.
The colonists now strove to shake off fear,
And check the victors harrassing their rear;
To Trois Rivieres two thousand boldly sped;
Thompson, and Irwin, this detachment led:
The sixty-second regiment there they found,
With Fraser, in possession of the ground;
49
A close and smart encounter quick ensu'd:
But soon the colonists a flight began,
And towards Sorel in disorder ran,
As Carleton with his forces forward prest,
To bring the fugitives to closest test;
Too facile for attack this place they deem'd,
And Montreal now more eligible seem'd:
Not yet from dismal apprehensions freed,
From thence, to Fort St. John's they march'd with speed;
Determin'd seem'd to stand, and wait th' event,
Join'd by the welcome reinforcements sent:
Again the colonists affrighted grew,
As near the fort Burgoyne's detachment drew;
And terror struck, as on his party came,
They fled, and left the buildings in a flame!
After expelling their invading foes,
The colony began t' enjoy repose:
Carleton determin'd ev'ry foe to save
From pain, distress, want, sickness, and the grave;
Offer'd both pardon, food, and health, and ease,
To such as shou'd the kind occasion seize:
Lest conscious of their crimes, a sad dismay,
Shou'd tempt them their surrender to delay;
He gave command to search the woods around,
That such might in their lurking holes be found;
Proclaiming he design'd each man should be
To health restor'd, and set at liberty,
T' enjoy the former comforts of their lives;
'Mongst children, brothers, fathers, friends, and wives!
The colony began t' enjoy repose:
Carleton determin'd ev'ry foe to save
From pain, distress, want, sickness, and the grave;
Offer'd both pardon, food, and health, and ease,
To such as shou'd the kind occasion seize:
50
Shou'd tempt them their surrender to delay;
He gave command to search the woods around,
That such might in their lurking holes be found;
Proclaiming he design'd each man should be
To health restor'd, and set at liberty,
T' enjoy the former comforts of their lives;
'Mongst children, brothers, fathers, friends, and wives!
Meanwhile, the colonists strove hard to gain
The distant friendly shore of Lake Champlain;
Carleton, Burgoyne, and Douglas, made a stand,
Detain'd perforce upon Canadia's land;
They wou'd have follow'd the provincial fleet,
But ere they cou'd in naval thunder greet,
They must some great uncommon efforts make,
To match the colonists upon the lake:
To work they went, all ranks incessant wrought,
And all things necessary forward brought;
Up rapid streams the naval war was tow'd!
And over land, boats, and gondolas rode!
Which, as the pond'rous apparatus mov'd,
A most laborious undertaking prov'd:
Shipwrights, and seamen, chearfully proceed
To reconstruct, rig, and equip with speed
The fleet, design'd the naval war to make,
And bear Great Britain's thunder o'er the lake:
Soon amidst chearful shouts, they left the shore;
Away for Crown Point ev'ry vessel bore:
Near Valicour, Arnold determin'd lay,
To harrass, vex, and hold the fleet in play:
And now, the British fleet appear'd in view;
The Carleton, and the gun-boats, nearer drew;
A brisk attack on Arnold's fleet they made,
Against his much superior cannonade;
But Dacres fought like a true British tar
Still persever'd, and bore th' unequal war!
Till order'd at a distance to retire,
Beyond the reach of Arnold's naval fire:
At night, both parties near each other lay;
Pringle, and Dacres, waiting for the day,
When all their force arriv'd, and fleet to fleet,
Shou'd be drawn up, and in loud thunder greet:
But so, not Waterburg, nor Arnold thought;
At Valicour, they had experience bought;
And timely fled, inspir'd with cautious dread,
Whilst thick nocturnal gloom the lake o'erspread:
The morn arriv'd, no foes appear'd in sight,
So sudden, and so speedy was their flight!
With all the sail the British fleet could make,
Towards Crown Point they stood across the lake;
The second day their foes appear'd in sight,
The tars now grew impatient for the fight;
Pringle, and Dacres, emulously strove
Who shou'd excel, and like a tempest drove
Among their foes; who, scorning to retire,
Slacken'd their sail, and soon return'd their fire:
Both parties strove their courage to display,
And neither seem'd inclining to give way;
For Waterburg, and Arnold were engag'd,
Where the chief fury of the battle rag'd:
Longer had both in doubtful fight been try'd,
Ere victory declar'd on either side;
Had not a strange phænomenon arose,
Stemming towards the continental foes!
Who soon began to feel desponding dread,
When with her full-blown cloud of canvas spread,
The ship Inflexible, was seen to glide,
And fling destruction from each thund'ring side!
Then overaw'd by that uncommon sight,
Arnold sheer'd off, and soon declin'd the fight,
Spread ev'ry useful sail, ply'd ev'ry oar,
To shoot ahead, and gain the nearest shore;
Tho' there, his fleet in flames consum'd away,
He sav'd his forces for another day;
With which th' amphibious leader made a stand
Against Burgoyne, disputing for the land!
Schank well employ'd the great advantage gain'd
Against those hostile vessels that remain'd:
The Lee, the Washington, the Jersey, felt
The vengeance Pringle, Schank, and Dacres dealt.
The distant friendly shore of Lake Champlain;
Carleton, Burgoyne, and Douglas, made a stand,
Detain'd perforce upon Canadia's land;
They wou'd have follow'd the provincial fleet,
But ere they cou'd in naval thunder greet,
They must some great uncommon efforts make,
To match the colonists upon the lake:
To work they went, all ranks incessant wrought,
And all things necessary forward brought;
Up rapid streams the naval war was tow'd!
And over land, boats, and gondolas rode!
Which, as the pond'rous apparatus mov'd,
A most laborious undertaking prov'd:
Shipwrights, and seamen, chearfully proceed
To reconstruct, rig, and equip with speed
The fleet, design'd the naval war to make,
And bear Great Britain's thunder o'er the lake:
Soon amidst chearful shouts, they left the shore;
Away for Crown Point ev'ry vessel bore:
Near Valicour, Arnold determin'd lay,
To harrass, vex, and hold the fleet in play:
51
The Carleton, and the gun-boats, nearer drew;
A brisk attack on Arnold's fleet they made,
Against his much superior cannonade;
But Dacres fought like a true British tar
Still persever'd, and bore th' unequal war!
Till order'd at a distance to retire,
Beyond the reach of Arnold's naval fire:
At night, both parties near each other lay;
Pringle, and Dacres, waiting for the day,
When all their force arriv'd, and fleet to fleet,
Shou'd be drawn up, and in loud thunder greet:
But so, not Waterburg, nor Arnold thought;
At Valicour, they had experience bought;
And timely fled, inspir'd with cautious dread,
Whilst thick nocturnal gloom the lake o'erspread:
The morn arriv'd, no foes appear'd in sight,
So sudden, and so speedy was their flight!
With all the sail the British fleet could make,
Towards Crown Point they stood across the lake;
The second day their foes appear'd in sight,
The tars now grew impatient for the fight;
Pringle, and Dacres, emulously strove
Who shou'd excel, and like a tempest drove
Among their foes; who, scorning to retire,
Slacken'd their sail, and soon return'd their fire:
Both parties strove their courage to display,
And neither seem'd inclining to give way;
For Waterburg, and Arnold were engag'd,
Where the chief fury of the battle rag'd:
Longer had both in doubtful fight been try'd,
Ere victory declar'd on either side;
52
Stemming towards the continental foes!
Who soon began to feel desponding dread,
When with her full-blown cloud of canvas spread,
The ship Inflexible, was seen to glide,
And fling destruction from each thund'ring side!
Then overaw'd by that uncommon sight,
Arnold sheer'd off, and soon declin'd the fight,
Spread ev'ry useful sail, ply'd ev'ry oar,
To shoot ahead, and gain the nearest shore;
Tho' there, his fleet in flames consum'd away,
He sav'd his forces for another day;
With which th' amphibious leader made a stand
Against Burgoyne, disputing for the land!
Schank well employ'd the great advantage gain'd
Against those hostile vessels that remain'd:
The Lee, the Washington, the Jersey, felt
The vengeance Pringle, Schank, and Dacres dealt.
The provincials took at Ticonderoga, Chamblee, &c. 127 prisoners, a large quantity of materials for boat-building, naval stores for three vessels, 110 barrels of flour, 159 barrels of pork, 11 ditto rice, 7 ditto pease, 6 ditto butter, 50 swivels, 5 mortars, about 106 shells, 1 cohorn, 1 howitz, 500 hand grenades, 333 muskets, 6,564 cartridges, 10 tons of musket balls, 3 cart loads of flints, 114 cannons, from 6 to 24 pounders, 30 new carriages, 134 barrels of gun-powder. All these things served to feed, encourage, and supply the provincials with every thing necessary to reduce Fort St. John's, &c.
The provincials say they took at Fort St. John's, which surrendered 3d Nov. 1775, a great quantity of military cloathing; 17 pieces of excellent brass artillery, 2 of them 24 pounders, and the rest field-pieces; 2 royal howitzers, several mortars, cohorns, a considerable quantity of military stores, and a number of iron cannon; 500 regulars, 100 Canadians, some of them French noblesse; and about 200 besides, at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Kenesborough; and speak of their own loss as small in comparison, except in the engagement with the Indians near the Ohio.
They took the Gaspee armed vessel, with seven sloops and schooners, having on board Brigadier General Prescot, Captain William Dunbar, major of brigade, Captain William Gamble, quarter-master-general; Captains Anstruther, Swan, Crawford, and Harris; Lieutenant Cleveland, Ensigns Gamble, Leslie, and M'Donald: Dr. Beaumont; 150 privates; most of the 26th regiment, and the artillery; 4 cannons, 3 barrels of powder, 2,380 musket cartridges, 8 chests of arms, 200 pairs of shoes, intrenching tools, 760 barrels of flour, 26 barrels of biscuit, 675 barrels of beef, 376 barrels of butter.
Vide General Montgomery's letter to General Carleton, when he demanded the town and garrison, which was printed in the public papers and magazines of February and March 1776.
The provincials advanced under cover of a snow-storm; which being in their rear, drove against the front of the British forces.
This battle was fought on the 31st of December 1775. General Carleton, in his letter to General Howe, says, that in this affair, the British forces lost only 1 lieutenant of the navy, doing duty as a captain in the garrison, with 4 rank and file, and 13 ditto wounded, 2 since dead: the enemy lost between six and seven hundred, and between 40 and 50 officers, killed, wounded, and takes prisoners; 5 mortars, and 1 cannon: the provincials say they lost between 60 and 80 killed and wounded, and 300 taken prisoners.
This happened on the 9th of December 1775. The colonists in their account of this action, say, they had but 1 man wounded; but that Lord Dunmore lost upwards of 100 killed, wounded, and taken. An officer on board his majesty's ship Otter, gives an account of the action, and burning of Norfolk, &c. He says, we had 60 killed, wounded, and taken. For a further explanation of those transactions, as well as of the skirmish at Moor's Bridge Creek, in North Carolina, the 27th of February 1776; the insurrection, battle, and disarming of the Caledonians, and their party; the letters, and behaviour of the governors of the several colonies; vide the Magazines, Annual Registers, Remembrancers, and the public prints of that date; in which appeared several accounts of the tumultuous insurrections through the continent, tarring and feathering, needless oppression, and wanton barbarities, laid to the charge of both parties (how justly I cannot take upon me to determine); all which occurrences are too long for insertion here, and some of which are much below the dignity of an heroic narrative.
The Isis, Captain Douglas, sailed on the 11th day of March 1776, and about a week after the Surprize, Captain Linzee, and the Martin, Captain Harvey, sailed: they all arrived at Quebec, 6th of May 1776.
Various contradictory reports have been propagated, of breach of articles on one side, and savage cruelty on the other.
In this retreat, and the different attacks, the provincials lost 22 pieces of cannon left in the woods: 390 men taken prisoners at the Cedars Fort: 120 at Kinchin: 200 in the action near Trois Rivieres; with Major General Thompson, General Irwin, and other officers; the killed and wounded uncertain. For a more complete investigation, vide General Sir Guy Carleton's letters; in which he writes, that not 20 of the king's troops were lost in the skirmishes; and that the provincials destroyed by fire, all the boats, and large craft, they could not drag up the rapids, with a quantity of provisions, stores, &c. See likewise Captain Douglas's letters, and others.
The two battles were fought on Lake Champlain, on the 11th and 13th of October 1776, in which, Captain Pringle says, the killed and wounded of the English do not amount to 40; on the provincial side, uncertain. General Arnold in the Congress galley, with 5 gondolas, ran on shore; they were immediately abandoned, and blown up by the provincials: the Boston, the Royal Savage, the Lee, and another, were destroyed in two engagements: the Washington galley, and the Jersey gondola, were taken, with Brigadier General Waterburg.
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