nt to release them; Arnold promising to
return an equal number of royal troops within two months. This compact,
however, was shamefully violated by congress, under pretence that
Forster had treated the prisoners taken at the Cedars in a barbarous
manner--a pretence which was utterly unfounded. In the meantime General
Carleton being reinforced by more troops from England, repaired to
Three Rivers, about midway between Quebec and Montreal. Imagining that
Carleton had only sent a detachment, General Sullivan, who had succeeded
to the command of the troops on the death of Thomas, ordered General
Thomson and Colonel St. Clair to cross the St. Lawrence, and to make a
night attack on the forces of the English. These two officers did not
arrive at Three Rivers till the day dawned, and as soon as they were
seen the alarm was given all along the bank, and a fire was opened
upon them from some ships. They landed from their boats, and in their
confusion ran into a broad morass, where they were attacked in front by
General Fraser, and in their rear by General Nesbit; while Major Grant
took possession of a bridge, which rendered their escape over the river
Des Loups impracticable. Many were killed and wounded, and General
Thompson, with Colonel Irvine, and about two hundred men, were taken
prisoners. The rest fell back in disorder across a bog into a wood on
their left, and on the next day crossed the bridge which Major Grant had
occupied, and which was by some mistake now left unguarded, whence they
reached their boats, and escaped to their main body at Sorel. General
Carleton embarked the mass of his forces and pursued them by water;
but when he arrived at Sorel he found that place evacuated, and the
batteries dismantled. General Burgoyne, who had arrived with the last
reinforcements from England, was charged with the pursuit of Sullivan,
while Carleton himself recrossed the St. Lawrence to look after Arnold.
That officer, however, glad to make his escape from Canada, embarked his
men, crossed over the river at Long Isle, and joined Sullivan at
Fort St. John, on the Sorel. The two American generals did not deem
themselves safe at this fort, and they therefore set fire to it, as well
as that of Chamblee, and continued their retreat up the river. They
were followed by Burgoyne; but when that general reached the head of the
Sorel, and saw the lake beyond it well supplied with armed vessels,
he desisted from the pursuit, and rejoined Gen