[cruikshank] FROM ISLE AUX NOIX TO CHATEAUGUAY 53 



of regular seamen. 1 Twelve officers and two hundred seamen were 

 required to complete his complement. Pending their arrival all 

 his vessels were removed from Plattsburg to Burlington for safety 

 and anchored or moored under protection of the batteries constructed 

 for the defence of that post where nearly four thousand troops had 

 been assembled. With the exception of two regiments of volunteers, 

 enlisted for one year, this force was entirely composed of regular 

 troops. About the middle of July, General Hampton arrived and 

 assumed command. 2 



On the morning of July 29, the British flotilla, consisting of the 

 two captured sloops, which had been renamed the Broke and Shannon, 

 three galleys and forty-seven longboats or bateaux, struggled slowly 

 out of sight of Isle aux Noix. A body of American militia had assem- 

 bled at the narrows near Windmill Point with the apparent intention 

 of opposing its passage into the lake, but dispersed on being warned 

 that if they ventured to fire upon or molest the expedition in any 

 way, their dwellings and other property would be destroyed but 

 would be unharmed if they remained quietly at home. A row boat, 

 which was observed moving off, was overhauled and captured. Dr. 

 Wood, a magistrate and chief collector of customs for the district of 

 Champlain, was recognized as one of the prisoners. He boasted rather 

 unwisely that he had already sent off information of their movement to 

 General Hampton. As he was reported as having been extremely 

 harsh "and energetic in efforts to repress smuggling, he was sent off 

 to Quebec as a prisoner of war. 



At 10 a.m. Major General Mooers, commanding the New York 

 Militia in the divisional area of Plattsburg, received information that 

 a large hostile force had entered the lake and he immediately issued 

 orders for the militia of Clinton County to hold themselves in readi- 

 ness for active service. Early on the following morning Murray 

 landed a strong party at Chazy where considerable public property 

 was destroyed. This was soon reported to Mooers who then ordered 

 two brigades of militia from Essex County to assemble for the de- 

 fence of Plattsburg. 3 



1 Macdonough to the Secretary of the Navy, June 4 and July 11. 



2 Field return of troops at Burlington, August 2, 1813. 



Present for Total present and 



duty. Sick. absent. 



U.S. Light Dragoons 122 15 140 



U.S. Artillery 76 14 90 



U.S. Infantry 2441 367 3617 



Volunteers 536 159 806 



3169 552 4053 



Wilkinson's Memoirs, Vol. III. 



3 Mooers to Governor Tompkins, August 4. 



