[cruikshank] FROM ISLE AUX NOIX TO CHATEAUGUAY 91 



defence of his post" and praised de Salaberry for "his judicious and 

 officer-like conduct displayed in the choice of position and arrange- 

 ment of his force." 1 



Singularly enough, de Salaberry was keenly disappointed for he 

 considered that much more credit was due him, and he addressed a 

 hasty and ill-advised complaint to the Adjutant General. 



"The dispositions made to receive the enemy on the 26th were 

 made by myself. No one interfered with them and no officer of supe- 

 rior rank came up until the action was over. It is true I was ably sec- 

 onded by Lt. Col. McDonell of the Glengarry Fencibles, who had 

 taken up a fourth position two days before, and by all the officers 

 engaged." 2 



A sudden forward movement by Captain Pring, who advanced 

 from Isle aux Noix to Chazy and took possession of that place with the 

 intention of seizing a depot of stores at the Indian village, some three 

 miles inland, miscarried from lack of co-operation on the part of the 

 officer commanding at Odelltown, but the custom house and barracks 

 at Windmill Point were destroyed and much alarm for the safety of 

 the line of communication between Plattsburg and the Four Corners 

 was naturally excited. 



Martin Chittenden, the recently elected Federalist Governor 

 of Vermont, having learned that the Third Brigade of the Third Divi- 

 sion of the militia of that State had been ordered into the State of 

 New York and a portion of it placed under the command of an officer 

 of the United States Army, took this opportunity of asserting his 

 authority by issuing an order for the immediate return of these troops 

 to their homes where they were directed to hold themselves in readi- 

 ness for service, declaring his opinion that "the military forces and 

 resources of this State should be reserved for its defence and pro- 

 tection exclusively, excepting in cases provided for by the Constitu- 

 tion of the United States and then under orders from the Commander- 

 in-Chief." Some officers refused to obey and a fierce war of corre- 

 spondence followed. 



On arriving at Sackett's Harbour, Colonel King learned with 

 dismay that Armstrong had taken his departure for Washington more 

 than a week before. He then decided to follow Wilkinson down the 

 St. Lawrence and ask instructions. He overtook the flotilla about 

 noon on November 6, six miles above Prescott, preparing to pass the 

 British batteries at that place under cover of darkness. He candidly 

 told Wilkinson that he carried letters from Hampton to the Secretary 

 but had no message for him. Wilkinson had already meditated writing 



1 General order, Oct. 27. 



2 De Salaberry to Baynes, Nov. 1. 



