1776.]

BATTLE ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 275

the attention of Gates being wholly directed to strengthening the fortress at Ticonderoga. The Americans having captured or destroyed in their retreat all the vessels upon Lake Champlain, Carleton was compelled to halt his army at the foot of the lake, until the necessary water craft could be obtained. Toward the close of summer he succeeded in getting together five vessels of a larger size than any composing the fleet of Arnold, besides twenty smaller craft, and a number of armed boats. When he had manned this formidable flotilla with seven hundred seamen from the ships in the St. Lawrence, he set out in search of the American fleet. In the engagement which followed, on the 6th and 7th of October, Arnold lost eleven of his ships, and ninety men; the remainder, with great difficulty, succeeded in obtaining shelter beneath the guns of Ticonderoga. Having, by this victory, gained command of the lake, Carleton took possession of Crown Point, from whence, on being joined by his army, he threw out his advanced parties as far as Ticonderoga. Gates, however, in the meanwhile, had received large reinforcements of militia; and Carleton, fearing to risk an assault upon a fortress garrisoned by eight thousand men, withdrew his forces from the lake on the approach of winter, and returned to Canada.

CHAPTER XXI.

New York Congress-State government established-Cam. paign of 1777-Howe's movements-Battle of Brandywine -Of Germantown-Burgoyne's invasion-His successful advance-Takes possession of Ticonderoga-Retreat of St. Clair-Evacuation of Skenesborough-Of Fort AnneWeakness of the northern army under Schuyler-Fort Edward abandoned-Schuyler crosses the Hudson-Advance of Burgoyne-Fort Schuyler besieged by St. LegerBloody skirmish with Herkimer-Death of Herkimer—Arnold advances to the relief of Fort Schuyler-Success of his stratagem-St. Leger deserted by the Indians-Breaks up the siege Battle of Bennington-Defeat of Baum and Breyman-Schuyler superseded by Gates-Condition of Burgoyne -Crosses the Hudson-First battle of Behmus's HeightsSecond battle of Behmus's Heights-Retreat of Burgoyne to Saratoga Provisions captured on the Hudson-British council of war-Surrender of Burgoyne.

DURING the whole of the disastrous campaign of 1776, the provincial congress of New York had exerted themselves, with considerable success, to repress the spirit of the Tory population; and by judicious but energetic measures prevented them from taking up arms and openly joining the British standard.

The establishment of a state government having become necessary, a convention of delegates assembled at Kingston on the 20th of April, 1777, and adopted the first American constitution that gave the choice of governor to the

1777.] BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN.

277

people." On the 3d of July following, Brigadier-General George Clinton was elected to fill that important office.

The early part of 1777 was wasted by Howe in dilatory movements, having for their object the capture of Philadelphia. Putting at length his forces in motion, he sailed down the Delaware, and entering the Chesapeake, landed at the head of Elk. From thence he commenced his march upon the capital of Pennsylvania. Routing the American forces posted to intercept him on the banks of the Brandywine, he followed up the retreating troops; and after surprising Wayne in a night attack near Paoli, entered the city of Philadelphia on the 25th of September. The main body of the enemy being encamped at Germantown, Washington withdrew his forces to Skippack Creek, about fourteen miles distant. Having soon after ascertained that the British army had been weakened by detachments, Washington determined to seize the opportunity of attacking the camp at Germantown. Marching by four different routes, on the night of the 3d of October, he succeeded at first in gaining an advantage over the enemy; but reinforcements arriving, and a thick fog coming on, the Americans were eventually obliged to retreat, with a loss, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, of over one thousand men.

But it was not so much upon the military

operations on the Schuylkill or the Delaware, that the hopes of the British ministry rested for success in the campaign of 1777, as upon an invasion from Canada by General Burgoyne. The plan arranged by that active officer was, to march with a strong force by way of Lake Champlain, and, after capturing the frontier fortresses in the hands of the Americans, advance to Albany. From the latter point, he expected to be able to obtain possession of the strong passes in the Highlands of the Hudson, by the co-operation of the British troops in New York; five thousand men, under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, being stationed in and around that city. By this complete possession of New York, the New England states would have been effectually cut off from all the provinces south of the Hudson River.

The march of Burgoyne was at first one series of triumphs. With an army of eight thousand British troops, and a motley array of boatmen and irregulars, he proceeded to Lake Champlain, where, after holding a council with the Six Nations, he was joined by four hundred of their warriors. As soon as he had received this accession to his force, he proceeded to Ticonderoga, before which he appeared on the 1st of July. Seizing a steep hill which overlooked the fort, he planted his artillery upon its summit, and made his preparations for an immediate attack.

1777.]

RETREAT OF ST. CLAIR.

279

St. Clair, the American commander, having under him in garrison only three thousand men, all of whom were indifferently armed and equipped, saw at once his inability to successfully contend with the force that had so unexpectedly appeared against him. No hope being left of saving the garrison but by an immediate retreat, he despatched his stores and baggage in batteaux to Skenesborough, and abandoning Ticonderoga, fell back with the troops overland, in the direction of the same post. His flight no sooner became known, than he was hotly pursued by a detachment of the enemy, eight hundred strong, commanded by General Fraser. The American rear-guard, consisting of three regiments numbering about twelve hundred men, was overtaken the next day at Hubbardton. One of the regiments taking to flight, the whole brunt of the battle fell upon the two remaining. These, animated by the exhortations of Colonels Francis and Warner, fought for some time with great bravery; but when Frazer had received a reinforcement of Germans under Reidesel, they broke and dispersed, leaving two hundred prisoners in the hands of the enemy. The post at Skenesborough having been evacuated and burned, and Fort Anne soon after sharing the same fate, St. Clair fell back upon Rutland; but succeeded at length, on the 13th of July, in joining Schuyler at Fort Edward.