n trees, and to break up the
bridges.

On the Lake road, at Deer Creek bridge, I posted 200 men (p. 235)
under Captain Sproul, of the 13th regiment, with orders to
_abatis_ the woods, to place obstructions in the road, and to
fortify himself; to this party I added two field pieces. In
advance of that position, was Lieutenant-Colonel Appling, with
110 riflemen, watching the movements of the enemy and procuring
intelligence. It was ascertained that before daylight on the 6th,
the enemy would advance in two columns, on the two roads before
mentioned, dividing at Sampson's, a little below Chazy village.
The column on the Beekmantown road proceeded most rapidly, the
militia skirmished with his advanced parties, and, except a few
brave men, fell back most precipitately in the greatest disorder,
notwithstanding the British troops did not deign to fire on them,
except by their flankers and advanced patrols. The night
previous, I ordered Major Wool to advance with a detachment of
250 men, to support the militia, and set them an example of
firmness. Also Captain Leonard, of the light artillery, was
directed to proceed with two pieces, to be on the ground before
day; yet he did not make his appearance before 8 o'clock, when
the enemy had approached within two miles of the village. With
his conduct, therefore, I am not well pleased. Major Wool, with
his party, disputed the road with great obstinacy, but the
militia could not be prevailed on to stand, notwithstanding the
exertions of their general and staff officers; although the
fields were divided by strong stone walls, and they were told
that the enemy could not possibly cut them off. The State
dragoons of New York wear red coats, and they being on the
heights to watch the enemy, gave constant alarm to the militia,
who mistook them for the enemy, and feared his getting in their
rear. Finding the enemy's columns had penetrated within a mile of
Plattsburgh, I despatched my aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Root, to
bring off the detachment at Dead Creek, and to inform
Lieutenant-Colonel Appling that I wished him to fall on the
enemy's right flank. The colonel fortunately arrived just in time
to save his retreat, and to fall in with the head of a column
_debouching_ from the woods. Here he poured in a des