Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/396

372 of St. John's, raised a force for its relief. He had posted Colonel McLean, with a Scotch regiment, at the mouth of the Sorel, and attempted to cross at Longueil, for the purpose of forming a junction, and marching to the relief of St. John's. Colonel Warner, who was stationed at Longueil with three hundred mountaineers and a small piece of artillery, kept up so warm a fire upon their boats, that they were compelled to return to Montreal.

When the news of this repulse reached Montreal, he sent a flag to Major Preston, who commanded the besieged fortress, summoning him to surrender; as all hope of relief was cut off by Carleton's repulse, and further resistance could only lead to useless destruction of lives. It was accordingly surrendered, November 3d, and soon entered by the American troops.

General Carleton now abandoned Montreal to its fate, and made his escape down the river in the night, in a small canoe, with muffled oars. The next day, General Montgomery, after engaging to allow the inhabitants their own laws, the free exercise of their religion, and the privilege of governing themselves, entered the town. His benevolent conduct induced many to join his standard : yet some of his own army deserted from severity of climate, and many whose time of enlistment had nearly expired, insisted on returning home.

With the remnant of his army, consisting of three hundred men, he began his march towards Quebec, expecting to meet there the detachment of troops under Arnold, who were to penetrate by the way of Maine.

Arnold commenced his march with one thousand men, about the middle of September. After sustaining almost incredible hardships, he arrived at Point Levi, opposite Quebec, on the 9th of November. On the 13th, he crossed the St. Lawrence in the night, and ascended the precipice which Wolfe had ascended before him, formed his army, which, from the hardships it had endured, was reduced to seven hundred men, on the heights near the memorable plains of Abraham. He then marched towards Quebec, in the hope of surprising it. But, being convinced by a cannon-shot from the walls, that the garrison were ready to receive him, he was obliged to retire; and on the 18th, marched to Point aux Trembles to await the arrival of Montgomery.

On the 13th of October, Arnold had intrusted an Indian whom he met, with a letter for General Schuyler, giving him information of his progress, which the Indian delivered to General Carleton; and thus, in all probability, was the enterprise frustrated. General Carleton, who had escaped the vigilance of the Americans, proceeded at once to put Quebec in a state of defence against the contemplated attack of the invaders.

Montgomery arrived on the 1st of December, and took command of the forces, which amounted only to nine hundred men. After clothing the half-naked troops of Arnold with garments which he had brought with him, the whole force set forward together for Quebec. On their march thither, they were now exposed to all the severities of a Canadian winter ; the driving sleet