Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/395

] Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, with two regiments of New York militia, and a body of New England men, amounting in the whole to about two thousand, were ordered to move towards Ticonderoga, which had remained in possession of the Americans since the expedition of Colonels Arnold and Allen.

Brigadier-general Montgomery was ordered to proceed in advance, with the troops then in readiness, and lay siege to St. John's, the first British post in Canada, about one hundred and fifty miles north of Ticonderoga. General Schuyler soon followed, and on arriving at the Isle aux Noix, twelve miles south of St. John's, sent circular letters to the Canadians, exhorting them to arouse and assert their liberties, declaring that the Americans entered their country as friends and protectors, not as enemies. The intelligence received of the situation of St. John's, determined them to wait at the Isle aux Noix, for their remaining troops and artillery. General Schuyler returned to Albany to hasten their departure; but, being prevented by sickness from again joining the army, the chief command devolved on Montgomery. On receiving the reinforcement he invested St. John's; but, being almost destitute of battering can- non and of powder, he made no progress in the siege.

Colonel Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga, had a command under General Montgomery; and was dispatched by him with about eighty men, to secure a party of hostile Indians. Allen, having effected his object, was returning to head-quarters, when he was met by Major Brown, who, with a party, had been on a tour into the country to observe the dispositions of the people, and attach them, if possible, to the American cause. It was agreed between them to make a descent upon Montreal. They divided into two parties, intending to assail the city at two opposite points. Allen crossed the river in the night, as had been proposed; but by some means Brown and his party failed. Instead of returning, Allen, with great rashness, determined to maintain his ground. In the morning the British general, Carleton, at the head of a few regulars and several hundred militia, marched to attack him. Allen, with his little band of eighty, fought with desperate courage; but he was compelled to yield, and he and his brave associates were loaded with irons, and in that condition sent to England. Allen, after undergoing every species of outrage and hardship, was brought back to the coast of America, and kept under restraint in New York, till the victory of Saratoga effected his release in May, 1778.

On the 13th of October, a small fort at Chamblet, which was but slightly guarded, was taken. Several pieces of artillery, and about one hundred and twenty barrels of gunpowder, were the fruits of this victory, which enabled General Montgomery to proceed with vigor against St. John's. In defiance of the continual fire of the enemy, the Americans erected a battery near the fort St. John's, and made preparations for a severe cannonade, and an assault, if necessary.

General Carleton, hearing of the