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Forster alleging that he had positive orders from Government for that purpose. CARTEL FOR EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. After the maturest deliberation on the customs and manners of the savages in war, and which I find so opposite and contrary to the humane disposition of the British Government, and to all civilized nations, and to avoid the inevitable consequences of the savage customs in former wars, (which, by their threats and menaces, I find is not changed,) that of their putting their prisoners to death, to disencumber themselves in case of their being attacked by their enemies—I have, therefore, in compliance with the above disposition in Government, and the dictates of humanity, thought fit to enter into the following articles of agreement with General Arnold, in the name of the power he is employed by, and of the officers and soldiers who shall be released by this agreement, whose rank and number shall be endorsed on this cartel: 1st. That there shall be an exchange of prisoners faithfully made, returning an equal number of his Majesty’s troops of the same rank with those released by this agreement, as soon as possible within the space of two months, allowing a moderate time for casualties that may render the performance of this article impracticable. 2d. That the prisoners shall be conducted in safety, with all possible convenience and despatch that circumstances will permit, to the south shore of the river St. Lawrence, from which they are to repair to St. Johns, and return to their own countries immediately, without committing any wastes or spoil on their march thither, allowing ten or twelve to go to Montreal to transact their private affairs. 3d. That the prisoners so returned shall not, under any pretext whatsoever, either in words, writing, or signs, give the least information to Government enemies, or their adherents now in arms, in the least prejudicial to his Majesty’s service. 4th. That hostages be delivered for the performance these articles to the full, according to the sense and spirit of the agreement, without any equivocation whatsoever. 6th. That the security of the subscribers be given to the inhabitants for all the waste and spoil committed by the detachment under Colonel Bedel, on fair accounts attested and signed, being delivered, and for which the hostages are not to be answerable. It being our full intention to fulfil the above articles, we mutually sign and interchange them, as assurances of performance. Given under our hands this 27th day of May, 1776.
1st. The prisoners shall be sent to the south shore of the St. Lawrence, within one league of Caughnawaga, and from thence to St. Johns and their own country, except twelve, who have liberty to go to Montreal; for which purpose six days shall be allowed; and hostilities to cease on both sides. 4th. Four Captains shall be sent to Quebeck as hostages, and remain there until prisoners are exchanged. 6th. The Continental troops, from principle, have ever avoided plundering. Upon proof being made of any waste committed by Colonel Bedel’s detachment, reparation shall be made. Given under our hands at St. Ann’s, this 27th of May, 1776BENEDICT ARNOLD, Brigadier-General of the Continental Troops. GEORGE FORSTER, Captain, commanding the King’s Troops. Two Majors, nine Captains, twenty Subalterns, and four hundred and forty-three Soldiers. But if the prisoners can be conducted in less time, this truce to cease on the return of the last boats employed on this service, on notice given. GEORGE FORSTER, Captain, commanding the King’s Troops.
May 27, 1776. Answer: If Captain Forster will choose to have hostilities commence in less time than six days, it will be perfectly agreeable to me, provided the time is fixed on, and notice given this evening. BENEDICT ARNOLD, Brigadier-General. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MAJOR HENRY SHERBURNE, OF NEWPORT, TO A GENTLEMAN IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE-ISLAND, DATED NEW-YORK, JUNE 18, 1776. On my arrival at Montreal from New-York, I was informed that a detachment of one hundred and forty men was ordered from our regiment to reinforce the Cedars, a fort about forty-five miles southwest from Montreal, which was then attacked by a body of regulars, Canadians, and savages. I offered my service to take the command of this party, and was honoured with the thanks from the two Commissioners from Congress on the occasion.* On the 16th of May, I marched off my detachment from Montreal, but meeting with many difficulties in procuring boats, rendered it impossible for me to cross the lake till the 18th. The enemy had then got so near, that while Captain Bliss was out in pursuit of teams, not two miles from the landing place, he was taken by some savages and Canadians. From him I received a letter the same evening, acquainting me with his unhappy situation; also, that five hundred Canadians and savages had collected, who had determined to attack me that night. This information I thought sufficient to occasion a retreat, and by two o’clock in the morning got our men and provision safe back over the lake. Next day, being the 19th, began the embarkation again, but the wind being very violent, could cross only one boat that day. Captain Sullivan, brother to General Sullivan, went in her, and with a small party landed near a priest’s house, whom he compelled to go with him to the house in which Captain Bliss was confined, released him, and safely returned him to me that day. On the 20th I again passed the lake with my party, and immediately began my march for the Cedars, nine miles distant. When we had advanced five miles on our way, at the entrance of a wood we discovered the enemy who immediately attacked us from all quarters. We stood our ground, openly exposed to the enemy, while they were under cover of trees, &c., one hour, when, finding they were endeavouring to get in our rear, I immediately ordered a *NEW-YORK, June 20.—The following authentick account is communicated by an officer of the detachment it principally concerns. On advice that a reinforcement was necessary at the Cedars, a small fort forty-five miles southwest from Montreal, where a party of four hundred men, under the command of Major Butterfield were posted, on the 16th of May, one hundred and forty men, under the command of Major Henry Sherburne, were detached from Montreal. He met with great difficulties at the lake, which, after crossing, he was obliged to repass and cross again, so that it was the 20th before he could proceed from thence with one hundred men, including himself, the rest being left for guards, and other necessary services. Ahout eleven or twelve o’clock they set out for the Cedars, distant nine miles; and having marched about five, they were attacked by a large body of savages and Canadians, who, under cover of a wood, fired upon them. Our people, though entirely exposed, without shelter, maintained an obstinate engagement for one hour and forty minutes; when the savages, having surrounded, rushed upon and disarmed them. Then a scene of savage barbarity ensued, and many of our people were sacrificed to their fury—butchered with tomahawks and other instruments of murder. The enemy consisted of ahout one hundred Canadians and four hundred savages, who immediately stripped the prisoners almost naked, and drove them to the fort, where they were delivered to Captain Forster, of the Eighth Regiment, who had with him about forty regulars, and then commanded the fort, which had been the day before surrendered to him, with little if any resistance, by Major Butterfield— an event which was neither known nor in the least suspected by Major Sherburne. Captain Forsler and the regulars kept within the lines, and were not of the party who surrounded and so barbarously used our people; but after they were brought to the fort, they were repeatedly again and again stripped of the small remainder of their clothes, till many of them had not sufficient to hide their nakedness. Our loss in the whole action was about twenty-eight, viz: killed and wounded in the action, and killed afterwards in cold-blood, about twenty; carried off by the savages, seven or eight. Of the enemy were killed twenty-two, whose deaths were ascertained, and among them a chief warrior of the Seneca tribe, on whose account our prisoners were probably used with the more cruelty, insult, and abuse. Major Sherburne and the other officers were sent to an Indian town called Connasadoga, at the lake of the Two Mountains; the private men to a desolate island in the middle of the lake, where they were scantily supplied with provision barely sufficient to keep them from starving, and though the weather was cold, without any clothes, and without any covering but the canopy of heaven, for eight days, when they were released on a cartel agreed to between General Arnold and Captain Forster, viz: that there should be an equal exchange of prisoners within two months, allowing for casualties; and for the performance on our part were pledged the bodies of four Captains, who were left as hostages, viz: Captain Sullivan, (brother to the General,) Captain Bliss, of Major Sherburne’s party, and Captains Stephens and Green, of Major Butterfield’s party. General Arnold, with a party of about eight or nine hundred men, arrived the 26th, and though with about five hundred he appeared upon the lake, happily for the prisoners he did not cross it. If he had, it appeared from every circumstance that they would have been all murdered, dispositions *
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