It was now determined to
prosecute hostilities from Nova Scotia, which then included New
Brunswick, upon the northeastern States of the American Union. With
this view, Sir John Sherbrooke sent Colonel Pilkington in the
_Ramilies_, commanded by Sir Thomas Hardy, to take possession of Moose
Island, the chief town of which is Eastport, commanded by a strongly
situated fort, on an overhanging hill, called Fort Sullivan. The fort
was, however, only occupied by Major Putnam, six other officers, and
eighty men, and was taken possession of on the 11th of July, without
resistance, the garrison being made prisoners of war. As soon as the
news of this successful enterprise reached the ears of Sherbrooke, he
determined upon personally undertaking another expedition. On the 26th
of August, he, accordingly, embarked, at Halifax, the whole of the
troops at his disposal, in ten transports, and in company with the
squadron, commanded by Admiral Griffiths, sailed for the river
Penobscot, on the 1st of September, when the fort at Castine,
commanding the entrance to the river, was evacuated and blown up. The
American frigate _John Adams_, was in the river and, on the approach of
the fleet, she was run up the river as high as Hampden. The better to
protect her from capture her guns were taken out and, at some distance
below Hampden, batteries or earthworks were erected, in which all the
guns of the frigate were placed. The capture or destruction of the
_John Adams_ was, however, determined upon, and Captain Barrie, of the
_Dragon_, with a party of seamen, accompanied by Colonel John, at the
head of six hundred of the 60th regiment, was sent off to effect it.
For a short time the batteries resisted, but the attack being well
managed the Americans gave way, and, having set fire to the frigate,
fled in all directions. The expedition pushed on to Bangor, which
surrendered without resistance; and from thence they went to Machias,
which surrendered by capitulation, the whole militia of the county of
Washington being put on their parole not to serve again during the war.
The whole country between the Penobscot and the frontier of that part
of Nova Scotia, which is now New Brunswick, was then formally taken
possession of, and a provisional government established, to rule it
while the war continued.

About this time, the army in Canada was re-inforced by the arrival of
several generals and officers who had acquired distinction in Spain,
and by the