[cruikshank] from ISLE AUX NOIX TO CHATEAUGUAY 137 



militia under the command of Lieut. Patrick Smith, an experienced 

 mariner, to bring in several small merchant vessels reported on the way 

 up the river. While among the islands on the night of June 28-9, Smith 

 fell in with two American schooners, the Island Packet and Sophia, 

 which he promptly captured and burnt. The vessels he had been sent 

 to protect soon after came insight and were safely brought into Kingston.* 



Some slight defensive works which had been constructed for the 

 defence of the harbour were hastily armed with guns of small calibre 

 after which only one light field gun remained available. The militia 

 of the vicinity turned out with alacrity to the number of six hundred 

 for garrison service and displayed a strong desire to learn the proper 

 performance of their duties. Twelve hundred muskets were distributed 

 in the region extending westward from Glengarry to Hastings. Four 

 troops of militia cavalry were stationed in pairs at regular intervals 

 along the road from Montreal to York to carry despatches and main- 

 tain the communication. As senior officer in the district Colonel 

 Richard Cartwright assumed command of the militia assembled at 

 Kingston. He reported that they could be relied on to furnish escorts for 

 convoys by land or water and suggested that redoubts and blockhouses 

 should be built at suitable places along the route to assure their safety. 



Eleven American schooners had taken refuge at Ogdensburg where 

 batteries were being constructed and militia assembled for their pro- 

 tection. Their capture or destruction would immediately ensure the 

 command of Lake Ontario, but this enterprise could not be attempted 

 without the assistance of a small body of regulars and Cartwright 

 recommended that at the same time an active and experienced regular 

 officer of rank superior to any militia officer in the district should be 

 appointed to take command, f 



Colonel Robert Lethbridge, an inspecting field officer in the Mon- 

 treal district, was accordingly selected but carefully instructed to 

 undertake no offensive operations unless they were calculated "to 

 strengthen a defensive attitude." The safety of Kingston was naturally 

 designated as his principal object although the protection of the general 

 line of communication was considered as of scarcely less importance. 

 If unable to maintain his position he was instructed to destroy or remove 

 all stores and supplies which might be useful to the enemy, assemble 

 all loyal and well disposed inhabitants and retire upon York or Montreal, 

 or keep the field as circumstances might direct. J 



*i\lajor Donald Macphprson to the Military Secretary, July 5; New York Even- 

 ing Post, 1812. 



fHon. R. Cartwright t) Prévost, July 5. 



JBaynes to Brock, July S; Baynes to Letlibridge, July 10; Prévost to Brock, 

 July 11.' 



