n NxVrURAL A'ND CIVIL 



had been ordfei-ed to Canada, were ten regi. 

 ments ; by the returns, the whole now amounted 

 to $igven thousand and six. By the losses which 

 had been sustained at Quebec, Trois Rivieres, 

 the Cedars, the retreat from Canada, with th6 

 deaths and desertions which had telken place, th^ 

 northern army had been greatly diminished* 

 The small pox still prevailed, not a cannon was 

 mounted, of any preparation made fof defence ; 

 nor had the men yet recovered from the labofsl 

 and hardships of the retreat. Sullivan resigned 

 the command to Gates, and on July the t\velfth 

 left the place. His conduct had been so ac- 

 eeptable to the army, that the field officers, in 

 their address, bore this testimony to his merit : 

 *- It is to you, sir, the public are indebted, for 

 the preservation of their propert}'- in Canada. It 

 is to you we owe our safety thus far. Your hu- 

 manity will call fori'h the silent tear, and grateful 

 ejaculation of the sick ; your universal impar- 

 tiality will force the applause of the wearied sol- 

 dier."^ The American Congress joined in > 

 their approbation pf his conduct, and return- 

 ed him their thanks for having saved their army 

 in Canada when encumbered with almost insu- 

 perable diiiiculties, and made so judicious a re- 

 ireat. 



The business of Gates was now to re- 

 cruit his arm}^ to restore them to health and 

 spirits, to provide them v/ith clothing and ne- 

 cessary accommodations, and to prepare for de- 

 fence ; and in these pursuits he discovered great 

 activity and prudence. The first business of 



