HISTORY OF VERMONT. 57 



had his leg shattered, so that he was obliged to 

 be carried off. His officers however continued 

 the attack with much vigor, till the British hav- 

 ingdispersedthc Americans inevery other quarter, 

 directed their whole force against this small body, 

 «nd entirely surrounded them. Nor did their 

 courage forsake them even in these desperate 

 circumstances. They continued the fight for 

 three hoprs longer, till their numbers were much 

 reduced, and they were fully convinced that 

 some misfortune must have befallen Montgome- 

 i-)'^ and his party. At length no hope or pros- 

 pect of relief remaining, they were forced to sub- 

 mit to necessity, and. surrendered themselves 

 prisoners of war. 



In this unfortunate affair, the Americans lost 

 nearly half their troops. About one hundred 

 were slain, and many more were in captivity ; 

 and not more than four hundred remained, 

 who were fit for duty. A council of war de- 

 termined that Arnold should take the command^ 

 and continue the blockade ; but the troops im- 

 mediately quitted their camp, and retired about 

 three miles from the city, and placed themselves 

 in the best situation they could ; hoping for re- 

 lief, but expecting ah attack. 



Thus fell general Richard Montgomery^ in 

 the cause of liberty and America. He was de- 

 scended from a very respectable family in the 

 kingdom of Ireland. In the preceding war he 

 had served with much reputation in the British 

 army, which was employed in America. When 

 peace was proclaimed he remained in America, 

 married a lady of much virtue and delicacy, and 

 purchased an estate in the province of New 



VOL. II. G 



