Intelligence received by the Congress from General Schuyler

v3:727

Philadelphia, September 18, 1775.

General Montgomery, from information received on the 25th of August, being apprehensive that the enemy' s armed vessels, might get into the lake, unless an immediate movement was made to the Isle-aux-Noix, resolved to proceed with what force he could carry, of which he advised General Schuyler, who was at Albany, attending the Indian treaty. General Schuyler, upon receipt of this, immediately left Albany, and on the 30th arrived, very much indisposed, at Ticonderoga, which place he left the 31st, after having given the proper orders for bringing up the artillery, &c˙, &c. On the 4th of September, General Schuyler joined General Montgomery at Isle-la-Motte. On that day, both moved on, and arrived at Isle-aux-Noix. On the 5th, General Schuyler drew up a declaration, which he sent among the Canadians. And as it was judged going to St˙ John' s, weak as he was, (his numbers not exceeding one thousand,) might have a good effect on the Canadians, and encourage them to join, he resolved upon the measure, and accordingly, early on the 6th, embarked, and, without any obstruction, proceeded towards St˙ John' s. When he arrived in sight of the enemy' s works, and at the distance of about two miles, the enemy began to fire from their fortress, but without doing any damage; he approached half a mile nearer, and then landed, without opposition, in a close deep swamp. After being formed, his Army marched in the best order they could, in grounds marshy and covered with woods, in order to approach and reconnoitre the fortresses. Major Hobby and Captain Mead, of the Connecticut forces, being on the left, and a little advanced, were attacked, in crossing a creek, by a party of Indians, from whom they received a heavy fire; but our Troops gallantly pressing on them, they soon gave way, and left us the ground. In this encounter we lost a Sergeant, a Corporal, and three Privates killed, one missing, and eight wounded, three of whom are since dead. Besides these, Major Hobby was shot through the thigh, but not dangerously; and Captain Mead received a slight wound through the shoulder, as did Lieutenant Brown in the hand. The surviving wounded are in a fairway of recovery. Night now coining on, our Generals drew their men together, and cast up a small intrenchment to defend themselves, in case of an attack in the night. In the evening, General Schuyler received certain intelligence that the enemy' s fortifications were complete, and plentifully furnished with cannon; that one of their vessels was launched, and would be ready to sail in three or four days, and is to carry sixteen guns. He also learned, that in the afternoon' s engagement five Indians were killed, and four badly wounded, besides several others, the condition of whose wounds was not known; and that Captain Tyce, of Johnstown, was wounded in the belly.

On the 7th, in the morning, (having been undisturbed through the night, excepting by a few shells, which did no other damage than slightly wounding Lieutenant Mills,) it was thought most advisable to return to the Isle-aux-Noix, throw a boom across the channel, erect the proper works for its defence, and to prevent the enemy' s vessels from entering the lake.

Upon this, General Schuyler ordered the Troops to embark, and he returned to the Isle-aux-Noix without any molestation; where, when the express came away, he was erecting proper works to secure the entrance into the lake, and to be in readiness on the arrival of further re-enforcements, which were expected, to take the advantage of any events that may happen in Canada.