This accident happened about five hundred yards from
the fire. We put back with heavy hearts and great
difficulty our friends followed. It took an hour to
patch the gap. The cup of sorrow was not yet full.
As the men were bearing the wounded canoe to the
water, Sergeant Boyd who paddled in the small canoe,
which was drawn up as usual, taking hold of the bow
raised it waist high (as was right) intending to slide it
Campaign against Quebec ^ 1775. 4 1
gently into the water the bank was steep and slippery.
Oh ! my dear children, you cannot conceive the dread
and horror the succeeding part of this scene produced
in our minds : Mr. Boyd s own feet slipped the canoe
fell from his hands its own weight falling upon the
cavity formed by the declivity of the bank and the
water broke it in the center, into two pieces, and which
were held together by nothing but the gunwales. Now
absolute despair for the first time seized me. A thought
came across my mind, that the Almighty had destined
us to die of hunger, in this inhospitable wilderness. The
recollection of my parents, my brothers and sister, and
the clandestine and cruel manner of my deserting them,
drew from me some hidden, yet burning tears, and much
mental contrition. This was unknown, unseen and un
heard of by any, but he who is present everywhere, knows
everything, and sees our inmost thoughts. Getchel
(comparing small things with great, who much resembled
Homer s description of Ulysses, in his person, and whose
staid and sober wisdom and foresight, also bore a like
ness to the talents of that hero), resigned, yet thoughtful
and active, instantly went to work. The canoe was
brought to the fire and placed in a proper posture for the
operation. The lacerated parts were neatly brought
together, and sewed with cedar root. A large ridge of
pitch, as is customary in the construction of this kind of
water craft, was laid over the seam to make it water
tight. Over the seam a patch of strong bark a foot in
width, and of a length sufficient to encircle the bottom
even to the gunwales, was sewed down at the edges and
pitched. Again over the whole of the work, it was
thought prudent to place our pork bag which was well
saturated with liquid fat. It was a full yard wide, and
was laid down in the same manner. This work which
was laborious nearly consumed the rest of the day.
We set out notwithstanding the lateness of the hour,
and would it is likely have gone all night, well knowing
the water below to be good, but for an enlivening occur-
42 Campaign against Quebec , 1775.
rence which soon after happened. Hunger drove us
along at a cautious but rapid rate. The sterility of the
country about had afforded us no game, neither moose,
bear nor wolf: nothing in short, but the diver and a
red pine squirrel which was too small and quick to be
killed by a bullet. These squirrels did not much exceed
in size our striped ground squirrel. About dusk the
lieutenant s canoe, four hundred yards before us, had
within view turned a sharp point of land, when we heard
the crack of a rifle, and presently another and a huzza.
Apprehending an attack from an enemy, we pulled hard
to be enabled to sustain our friends. In a moment or
two, observing them pulling for the north shore which
was steep, we looked up it for the enemy. Good
Heavens ! what a sight ! We saw a moose-deer, falling
on the top of the bank. A cry of exultation seemed to
burst the narrow valley of the river. Steele had struck
the deer in the flank, as it was leaving the water, but it
sprung up the bank with agility. Wheeler, with better
fortune for us all, pierced its heart as it arrived at the top.
Seeing this you can scarcely imagine the celerity of our
movements. We were ashore in a moment. A fire
was kindled, the secondary guide cut off the nose, and
upper lip of the animal, instantly, and had it on the fire.
What a feast ! But we were prudent. We sat up all
night, selecting the fat and the tit-bits frying, boiling,
roasting, and broiling, but carefully eating little at a time.
Towards morning, we slept a few hours, absolutely care
less of consequences. We knew that we had arrived in
a land where game was plentiful, and where there were
no foes superior to our number, to oppose us.
October 12. We rose after sunrise, and began, ac
cording to practice, to examine and prepare our guns.
Prepared, mine was placed against a tree; my duty, in
course, was of the culinary kind. George Merchant,
my coadjutor, had gone to the river for water. He ran
back, seized his own gun, and intimated that a bull
moose was swimming across the river towards the camp.
Campaign against gtuebec, 1775. 43
We jumped to our arms it so happened that my station
was rearward. The enormous animal was coming
towards us, and not more than fifty paces off, his head
and horns only above water. The sight was animating.
Wheeler and some others fired at his head, but without
effect. The extreme desire they had to possess so noble
a prey, probably caused a tremor of the hand, or that
part of his body was impenetrable to our small balls,
which is most likely. The moose turned and swam to
the opposite bank. Having got to the verge of the
river, his emerging was awaited. My ball struck pre
cisely where it ought to kill. The huge animal rose
the bank by several boggling leaps, but seemed un
knowing which way to run we thought he would fall.
Wheeler, and some others, getting into the canoes, pur
sued him by his blood half a mile. When Wheeler
returned, he overloaded me with praises for the accuracy
of the shot, and was confident that the deer was killed.
We had no time to spare. We feasted till noon, and in
the intermediate moments, culled the entrails for the fat j
we even broke the bones, and extracted the marrow,
under the full persuasion that food of an oily nature is
one of the strongest mainstays of human life. Of this
principle, if we had a doubt, we were shortly after
wards most irrefragably convinced. We departed from
our camp joyously, untortured by the fear of starving ;
our canoe sunk deep by the weight of our venison.
Running some miles and suddenly doubling a point, we
saw a large grey wolf sitting on his haunches ; he was
fired at, but the distance was too great ; he escaped.
Looking down the river we saw a moose swimming from
the main to an island ; it was soon brought down. It
proved to be young, of about 300 weight. Its ears and
flanks were much torn by the wolf. This prize consti
tuted veal in our larder. The choice parts were deposited
in the canoes, the residue was at the disposal of the wolf.
October I3th, the following morning, embarking early,
after noon we arrived at our first encamping ground on
44 Campaign against Quebec ^ 1775.
the Dead river, in good health and spirits ; though pallid
and weak, for the want of substantial food in due quantity.
By this time the fat and marrow of the animals we
had killed were exhausted, and our stock of salt had been
long since expended. One who has never been deprived
of bread and salt, nor known the absence of oleaginous
substances in his food, cannot make a true estimate of
the invaluable benefits of such ingredients, in the susten-
tation of the bodily frame ; nor of the extremity of our
corporeal debility.
We ascended the bank, which is steep, and about
fourteen feet high, carrying our baggage, arms and
venison, leisurely, by piecemeal. The canoes, as being
too heavy for our strength, were secured below, in the
water, by withes. It was immediately concluded to
preserve our provisions by jerking. This operation is
done by slicing the meat into thin strips. Then driving
four forks into the earth, in a square position, at the re
quired distance perpendicularly, and laying poles from
fork to fork, and poles athwart from pole to pole. A
rack is thus made, about four feet high, on which the
sliced meat is laid, and smoke-fires are made underneath.
This duty was soon performe l . We now began to look
about us, and discuss the subject of our return to the
army, which we had, before this time, persuaded our
selves we should meet at this place. The non-appear
ance of the army and our distress, induced a conclusion
that we were deserted, and abandoned to a disastrous
fate, the inevitable result of which would be, a sinking
into eternity for want of food, for though we might have
killed more deer, the vigor of our bodies was so reduced,
that we were convinced that that kind of food could
not restore us to our wonted energy, and enable us to
perform so rugged and long a march, as that to the
frontiers of Maine. The notion of navigating the river,
was scouted as a fallacy, because we did not possess a
sufficient degree of bodily force to bear the canoes across
the twelve-mile carrying-place. As, in the case of the
Campaign against Quebec , 1775. 45
retreat of the army, we had determined to follow, it be-
can e requisite to finish the jerking, which would take
six days, to make it the more portable for our feeble
ness, and preservable if we should have wet weather on
the march. It was further concluded u That Lieut:
Steele, Getchel and Wheeler, should immediately pro
ceed on foot across the twelve-mile carrying-place, to
meet the army : if they did meet it, that they should
return to us with supplies by the end of three days, but
in all events to return." Having; no doubt of the honor
O
of those gentlemen, the rest of the party remained
cheerfully jerking the meat. Now we experienced the
full extent of a new species of starving. Having neither
bread, nor salt, nor fat of any kind, every day we re
mained here, we became more and more weak and ema
ciated. We had plenty of meat, both fresh and dried,
of which we ate four, five and six times a day, in every
shape we had the means of dressing it. Though we
gorged the stomach, the appetite was unsatiated. Some
thing like a diarrhoea ensued, which contributed to the
imbecility of our bodies. Bear s oil would have made
our venison savory, but such an animal as a bear we
had as yet not seen in all our wanderings. On the
evening of the fourth day, we looked out for our absent
companions with much heartfelt anxiety. They came
not. In the morning of the next day, we consulted
upon the question whether we should follow the army.
A majority voted for staying a few days longer to com
plete the jerking. To show you the great bodily weak
ness we were brought to, it may be proper to relate the
following anecdote as more evincive of the fact, than
any other method whirh might be adopted, to bring it
fully to your minds. Sergeant Boyd (the strongest and
stoutest man of the party and perhaps of the army), and
myself, taking our arms, descended into a canoe, and
passed the river to the mouth of the creek before men
tioned, intending to go to the next pond on the carrying-
place, there to meet, as we hoped, the advance of the
46 Campaign against Quebec , 1775.
army. We staggered along through the plain, falling
every now and then, if our toes but touched a twig or
tuft of grass. Thus going forward, we arrived at the
edge of the moss-bog, which is mentioned as we as
cended the river, and which is one and a half or two
miles from the pond. Here my worthy friend Boyd,
unable to proceed, sunk down upon a log. My seat, in
tears of excruciating grief, was taken beside him, en
deavoring to infuse comfort and courage into his manly
mind it was in vain. The debility of his body had
disarmed his courageous soul. Every art in my power
was exercised to induce him to pass the bog ; he would
not listen to me on that subject. Melancholy of the
desperate kind oppressed me. Convinced that the army
had retreated, a prognostication resulted in my mind,
that we should all die of mere debility in these wilds.
We sat an hour. At length we agreed to return to our
camp, though it was yet early in the afternoon. Our
companions were pleased to see us, thinking our coming
so soon indicated good news ; but a gloom of despera
tion followed. As a last effort to save our lives, we all
agreed to pass the river the next morning and follow the
army, which we were now assured had returned to
Fort Western. Each one put into his knapsack as much
of our mawkish food, as he could conveniently carry.
October 17. We started early, passed the river, but
from mere inability to carry our canoes, left them behind
us, at the bank of the creek. Marching forward as
fast as our feeble limbs would carry us, when we came
to the log where Boyd had seated himself, we were filled
with extatic joy to observe, on the far side of the bog,
a party of pioneers forming a causeway for the passage
of the army. Our strength redoubled we passed the
bog with considerable speed. Our wan and haggard
faces and meagre bodies, and the monstrous beards of
my companions, who had neglected to carry a razor with
them, seemed to strike a deep sorrow into the hearts of
the pioneers. They gave us a little of their food, but
Campaign against Quebec^ 1775. 47
what exhilerated us more, was the information that
Major Febiger, with the advanced-guard, lay at the next
pond. We urged forward as fast as we could. Arriv
ing at his fire a little before my company, an incapacity
to stand compelled me to sit. Febiger, in a hurried
manner, asked who we were ? and from whence we
came ? A few words explained the mystery and cause
of our distress. A glistening tear stood in this brave
soldier s eye. As it were with a sudden and involuntary
motion and much tenderness, he handed me his wooden
canteen (which contained the last spirits in the army),
from me it passed to Cunningham, who had just come
up, the most ghastly and way-worn figure in nature,
from him it went round to the rest, who arrived grad
ually, but slowly. The heart of Febiger x seemed over
joyed at the relief he had and could afford us. The
liquor had restored our fainting spirits, but this was not
enough for his generosity to exhibit. He requested us
to take seats around the fire, and wait the boiling of his
kettle, which was well replenished with pork and dump
lings. This was all devoted to our use, accompanied by
an open heartedness and the kindest expressions of interest
for our sufferings, and regard for our perseverance in
our duty as military men. This meal to all of us seemed
a renewal of life. It was accustomed food. Febiger,
ere this time, was unknown to us, but in the process of
events, he acquired our esteem and entire confidence,
as a friend and a real soldier. Our more immediate and
intimate friends were still beyond the pond, but coming
1 Christian Febiger, colonel in the Revolutionary army, born Denmark,
17475 died, Phila. Sept. 20, 1796. He had seen service before en
listing April 28, 1775, and at Bunker s Hill led a portion of Gerrish s
regiment, of which he was adjutant, to the scene of battle in season to do
good service. He served with rrarked ability throughout the war; ac
companied Arnold to Quebec, and was made prisoner in the attack on that
citadel ; was conspicuous at the capture of Stony Point, where he led a
column of attack, and at Yorktown, where he commanded the ad Va.
regiment. From 1789 until his death, he was treasurer of Pensylvania.
Drake s Biographical Dictionary, 319.
48 Campaign against Quebec ^ 1775.
forward. By-and-by Morgan came, large, a command
ing aspect, and stentorian voice. He wore leggings, and
a cloth in the Indian style. His thighs, which were
exposed to view, appeared to have been lacerated by the
thorns and bushes. He knew our story from Steele and
Wheeler, and greeted us kindly. We now found our
selves at home, in the bosom of a society of brave men,
with whom we were not only willing, but anxious to
meet the brunts of war. This was the twenty-sixth day
we had been absent from the army. In the evening we
resumed our stations in our respective messes. It was
now fully explained to us, why Steele had not brought
us relief. He had met the advance of the army on the
Kennebec side of the carrying-place. Always alert and
indefatigable, when any duty was to be done, the
labors of the men in carrying boats, barrels of flour,
etc., were intolerable, and required the strength and
athletic exertions of the officers, and particularly, such
as Lieut. Steele, to enliven them in their duty. In bear
ing a heavy burden over rugged ground, he fell and
sprained or dislocated his shoulder. Notwithstanding
this accident, he had sent us supplies, but the bearers,
either from cowardice or other cause, never came near
us. Getchel and Wheeler had other duties to attend
to they were under immediate command. We also
discovered from Steele, that Clifton and M Konkey,
soon after we left them, had deserted their post, carry
ing all they could on their backs, to meet the army.
The dastardly vices of the latter, prevailing over the
known courage, good sense, and sedate age, of the
former : nothing occurs to me contributory to the fame
of these men afterwards. The first was an invalid, the
latter a caitiff coward. In your scanning the characters
of men, which you will be compel.led to do in
your own defence, in the course of your lives, it
will be a good general rule for you to adopt : that
whether you be in the company of military men, scholars,
men of the law, legislators, etc., etc., in short, persons
Campaign against Quebec , 1775. 49
of any profession or class, if you find a person very
loquacious, dragging the conversation to himself, and in
a dictatorial way taking the lead; but. more especially if
he talks of his own prowess, deep reading, causes he has
gained, eloquence, etc., etc., but still more so if the party
boasts of wealth or ancestry : in the first instance, with
out hesitation, set such a person down in your memory
as a braggadocio, a mere puffer, until you can inquire
further for a proof to the contrary. There are, to my
knowledge, exceptions to this general rule, but few in
number, particularly in the military class. M Konkey
was of the puffing sect, and there never was a more
consummate scoundrel and coward.
October i8th. Now we turned our faces towards
the north. Having rejoined our messmates, enjoying
substantial food and warm tents, we soon recruited a
good degree of strength, and our former gayety of temper
and hilarity returned to us. We accompanied the army,
and became a kind of guides in minute matters, for the
paths and carrying places we had sufficiently developed,
for Captain Ayres and his pioneers, by strong blazing
and snagging of bushes, so that he might proceed in per
fect security, in the performance of the duties of his
office. The three companies of riflemen under Morgan
took up our old encamping ground-on the Dead river,
during the afternoon of the following day. 1
1 The place on the Kennebec where the carry commenced is now
definitely known to lumbermen and inhabitants of that region 5 indeed
the route to the ponds, and between them and the Dead river is distinctly
marked by a growth of evergreens passing through a growth of hard wood
growth, they having taken the place of the original wood cut by the army
to facilitate the crossing. It is said that some of the bateaux which were
abandoned at the ponds, and sunk there, are occasionally found on the bot
tom. Letter from Hon. James W. North.
During the survey of the north-eastern boundary in 1844, one of the
engineers traversing the swampy highland observed a hollow sound where
he struck down his Jacob start, he discovered on scraping away J^he moss
an entire bateau, composed of sawed wood which was not indigenous to the
locality, that rendered it more than probable that it was one of Arnold s
bateaux. Letter of Mr. John F. Anderson. M.
5
50 Campaign against Quebec^ 1775.
October igth and 2Oth. Here we lay encamped for
several days, waiting the arrival of the rear of the New
England troops : they came up hourly. During our
stay here, it pleased me internally, to observe that Mor
gan adopted certain rules of discipline, absolutely neces
sary to the state v>e were in, but discordant with the
wild and extravagant notions of our private men. 1
Powder and ball, particularly the first, to us riflemen,
was of the first consequence. At Cambridge the horns
belonging to the men were filled with an excellent rifle
powder, which, when expended, could not be replaced
in Canada by any powder of an equal quality. The men
1 Morgan was a strict disciplinarian. Permit an anecdote. He had
obtained the command of the rifle corps from Arnold, without any
advertence to the better claim of Hendricks, who, though the youngest
man was of the three captains, in point of rank, by the dates of commis
sions, the superior officer. Hendricks, for the sake of peace in the army,
and of good order, prudently and good naturedly acquiesced in his assump
tion of the command, for Morgan had seen more service in our former wars.
At this place Morgan had given it out in orders, that no one should fire.
One Chamberlaine, a worthless fellow, who did not think it worth while
to draw his bullet, had gone some hundreds of yards into the woods, and
discharged his gun. Lieut. Steele happened ti> be in that quarter at the
time; Steele had but arrived at the fire, where we sat, when Morgan,
who had seen him coming, approached our camp, and seated himself within
our circle. Presently Chamberlaine came, gun in hand, and was passing
our fire, towards that of his mess. Morgan called to the soldier, accused
him as the defaulter \ this the man (an arrant liar ) denied. Morgan
appealed to Steele. Steele admitted he heard the report, but knew not the
party who discharged the gun. Morgan suddenly springing to a pile of
billets, took one, and swore he would knock the accused down unless he
confessed the fact. Instantly, Smith seized another billet, and swore he
would strike Morgan if he struck the man. Morgan knowing the tenure
of his rank, receded. This was the only spirited act I knew of Smith.
Such were the rough-hewn characters which, in a few subsequent years, by
energy of mind and activity of body, bore us safely through the dreadful
storms of the revolution. Morgan was of an impetuous temper, yet withal,
prudent in war, as he was fearless of personal danger. His passions
were quick and easily excited, but they were soon cooled. This observa
tion is applicable to many men of great talents, and to none more than
Morgan. His severity, at times, has made me shudder, though it was
necessary, yet it would have been a pleasing trait in his character if it had
been less rigid. Henry.
Campaign against Quebec , 1775. 51
had got into a habit of throwing it away at every trifling
object. Upon our return from the Chaudiere, this cir
cumstance raised disgust in us ; for we had been studi
ously careful of our ammunition, never firing but at
some object which would give us the means of subsist
ence. Though we drew our loads every morning, from
a fear of the dampness of the atmosphere, yet the ball
and powder were never lost. Our bullet screws brought
the first out with ease, and it was recast, the latter was
carefully returned to the horn, where, if moist, it soon
became dry. The principal of Morgan s rules were,
that there should be no straggling from the camp; and
no firing without authoritative permission. Reasonable
as these injunctions were, they were opposed. Being
young and my friend Steele absent, a whisper of appro
bation did not fall from me, which, in my subordinate
station, might have been indelicate. It was left to the
energy of Morgan s mind, and he conquered. During
our resting here, Arnold, accompanied by Steele and
some excellent boatmen, proceeded to the head of the
river. The rifle corps preceded the main body of the
army, both by land and water. The boats, which were
heavily laden with baggage and provisions, took in no
more men than were necessary to navigate them, that is,
three to a boat. The remainder of the army marched
by land, the river being generally the guide.
Here, my dear children, permit me to give you the
genuine character of my friend, General Simpson, whom
you all know personally. He was among my earliest
and best friends. He was then as apparently eccentric,
as he is at this time : there is no obvious difference in
his manners between the two periods. As an officer,
he was always active and keen in the performance of
his duty. Hard was the service ; but his heart was soft
to his friend. Simpson invited his messmate aboard his
boat, being still somewhat feeble from our late privations :
the invitation was gladly accepted.
October 2ist. We embarked. Having Lieut.