|
Montreal, June 2, 1776.
GENTLEMEN: On my return to this place, I received intelligence from Colonel De Haas that the enemy had abandoned their post at Quinze Chiens, the 30th ultimo, and were seen next morning three miles above the Cedars,. On their way up they made a precipitate retreat, and left behind them a quantity of flour. I repeated my order to Colonel De Haas to burn and destroy the town and inhabitants of Canassadaga, and afterwards to destroy the fort at St. Ann's, and retire to La Chine. Last evening an express arrived from him, who advises that on the 31st they received intelligence by some Frenchmen that seven hundred Indians were arrived at Canassadaga from the upper countries, and were on the point of attacking St. Ann's, on which Colonel De Haas called a council of war, which concluded it best to retire from the fort. The express came away at three o'clock, P. M., and the troops were to leave it immediately after. The advice Colonel De Haas received from the Frenchmen appears to me very vague and uncertain, neither do I believe a single Indian has arrived from above. The orders I sent Colonel De Haas were very positive; and how he should think of calling a council to determine if he should obey them, appears to me very extraordinary. A fatality seems to attend every of our enterprises. Enclosed are sundry depositions respecting the affair at the Cedars. Our prisoners are most of them delivered up. I have sent all the sick from this to Isle-aux-Noix. Nothing new from below since you left us. Our future conduct must be governed by advice from that quarter. I am making every possible preparation to secure our retreat. I have secured six tons of lead, ball, and shot. Merchandise or the inhabitants I have not as yet taken hold of; I intend it to-morrow. It is impossible to know one hour beforehand the necessary steps to be taken. Everything is in the greatest confusion; not one contractor, Commissary, or Quartermaster: I am obliged to do the duty of all. I wish with all my heart we were out of the country. We had much better begin anew, and set out right and methodically.
Enclosed is the list of the prisoners who came into Caughnawaga, attested by Captain Osgood, who was appointed on my part to receive them. They were fired at on their leaving Quinze Chiens, and narrowly escaped. Major Sherburne will deliver you this, to whom I beg leave to refer you for particulars.
I am, with great esteem and affection, gentlemen, your obedient, humble servant,
B. ARNOLD.
To the Honourable Commissioners of Congress.
Major BUTTERFIELD'S Testimony respecting a breach of the Convention at the CEDARS
The savages did plunder the prisoners of almost all their clothes, beginning their pillage and plunder the evening we surrendered, but plundered us chiefly after Major Sherburne was taken. Captain Forster being acquainted with it, said it was not in his power to prevent it.
I believe Captain Forster and the other officers did not induce the savages to take any of the prisoners, but exerted themselves to redeem and rescue the prisoners out of their hands. I did not hear the Indians say that Captain Forster promised them all the plunder. Some of the prisoners said that they heard some of the Indians say that Captain Forster promised them all the plunder.
As to what number of prisoners the savages have taken or murdered, I am under a disadvantage of not knowing, by not seeing the last party that came in. They murdered one of my party the eighth day after we were taken. Have taken with them several young lads, and all the blacks, also one young child from one of the women. Of the whole number I cannot assert as yet what are killed and carried away by them.
There were nine Canadian soldiers, and one Lieutenant, a Canadian. Captain Forster did refuse to exchange them with the rest of the prisoners. He said it was not in his power to release them, signifying that they were liable to be treated as deserters from the King's troops by their taking up arms against their own military laws and Government. Did likewise carry the soldiers away in irons, and the Lieutenant with a guard. The number of prisoners taken with me were, according to my best knowledge, three hundred and ninety.
Test:
ISAAC BUTTERFIELD.
Montreal, June, 177G.
Captains EASTABROOK'S and WILKINS'S.Testimony respecting a breach of Convention at the CEDARS.
Question 1. How long were you apprised of the approach of the enemy before you were attacked?
Answer. Three days.
Q. 2. Did you hear their numbers?
A. We heard that there were fifty regulars, and between three and four hundred savages; but when the fort was given up, we suppose that the enemy consisted of six hundred in all, including one hundred Canadians.
Q. 3. Did the Commanding Officer exert himself in getting provisions into the fort?
A. He did in procuring flour, but nothing else.
Q. 4. How much provision had you when attacked?
A. Three barrels of pork, one barrel and a half of beef, twenty bushels of meal, besides five or six horses.
Q. 5. Was any to be got in the neighbourhood?
A. None, unless by force.
Q. 6. How much ammunition had you for small-arms and how much for field-pieces when you capitulated?
A. Twenty rounds per man for small-arms, thirty for the smallest cannon, five cartridges for the largest, half a barrel of powder, and about fifteen pounds of musket-ball.
Q. 7. Did not the private soldiers and many of the officers beg of Major Butterfield to let them go out and attack the enemy?
A. They did: which he refused.
Q. 8. How much longer do you think you could have held out against the enemy?
A. We expected the enemy to make a general attack on Sunday night, the same night we gave up; which if they had, it is our opinion that we could have defended the fort from being taken, and even beat them if we had sallied out from the fort upon them.
Q. 9. Did Major Butterfield seem terrified or not?
A. He seemed much terrified.
Q. 10. How were you treated by the enemy after capitulation?
A. Cruelly insulted, and repeatedly stripped of almost everything, and several murdered.
Q. 11. How many were murdered, their names and companies, and for what reason?
A. Three or four; of their companies, and for what, we cannot tell.
Q. 12. Were you fired upon or any one killed after the articles were signed for the exchange of prisoners?
A. We were fired at, but none killed.
Q. 13. How were the prisoners sent off, and where delivered?
A. They began to send off the prisoners the 27th of May, and continued till the 31st. Five boat-loads were landed at Chateauguai, and the rest at St. Ann's.
Q. 14. Did Captain Forster promise plunder to the savages?
A. He was told by Lyanee, the Interpreter, in Captain Eastabrook's presence, that he had promised all the plunder to the savages, and that they should strip the prisoners to the skin, which Captain Forster did not deny.
DANIEL WILKINS,
JOESPH EASTABROOK.
Personally appeared before me Captain Joseph Eastabrook and Captain Daniel Wilkins, and made solemn oath that the foregoing answers to the questions proposed to them, are just and true, to the best of their knowledge.
B. ARNOLD, Brigadier-General.
Montreal, June 2, 1776.
GENTLEMEN: On the strictest inquiry, I find that Major Sherburne has acted with great prudence, spirit, and resolution. I beg leave to recommend him as an officer worthy of your particular notice; and am, with great esteem and respect, gentlemen, your obedient, humble servant,
B. ARNOLD.
To the Hon. Samuel Chase and Charles Carroll, Esq., on their way to Philadelphia.
|