John Craig served under Gen. Anthony Wayne in the
Revolution and was wounded at Trois Riviers (Three Rivers) Canada.
Here is an account of that battle.
June 8th 1776
Last night Gen. Sullivan received a letter
from Gen. Thompson advising him that he proposed to attack the enemy at
the Three Rivers by surprise, with his whole body this morning. The river
at this place was very wide , called Lake Saint Peters. The army was to
cross over in batteaus, land above the Three Rivers and attack the enemy
at daylight.Early in the morning we heard firing
down the river, which we supposed to be the attack on
the enemy according to Gen. Thompson's letter. It ,however broken and at
intervals, not like a general charge. We waited all day in suspense without
a word of inteligence from the armey.
On the morning of the 9th we again
heard the report of cannon,thosingly, and soon discontinued. About 10 o'clock
A.M. the batteaus of the Armey came in sight. In great anxiety we all hastned
to the edge of the river to meet the batteaus, but was sadly mortified
to find our armey had been defeated; that the batteaus which transported
over the armey being cut off by the enemy from the troops who lost their
way,(the troops) came up by detachment ot the enemies batteries were
driven back and finding the enemy in possession of the place were the batteaus
were left, took to the woods and swamps. Major Woods,who was left in command
of the batteaus and baggage, found himself cut off from the American
Armey and discovering two of the enemies frigates underway ordered the
batteaus to push up the river.
Having proceeded some distance and
night coming on, he halted with an expectation to meet with or armey on
their retreat, where he remained till morning. The ships of war Major Woods
discovered under way the day before entered Lake Peters, nearly abreast
of the batteaus. Finding himself in this precarious situation he ordered
those in the batteaus to proceed directly with them to the mouth of the
Sorrell-about 45 miles-with all possible dispatch,this,abandening the armey
to make the best of their way through horrid swamps up the north side of
the river.
On the 10th by order of Gen. Sullivan
crossed the river St. Lawrence to the north side with a scout of ten rifflermen
and Lieut.Read, to proceed down the
St. Lawrence until we meet the retreating armey. Proceded
Through most horrid
swamps,were almost devoured by muskeettoes of a monsterous
size and innumerable numbers;came into a very indifferent and swampy road
not meeting with a single habitation,which we followed until after dark,when
we luckly fell in with the leading detachment under Capt. Smith of the
6th Pa. Regiment, with whom we returned,leaving two of our men to direct
those in the rearthe route to the mouth Sorrell.The troops being so scattered,they
did not arrive untill the latter part or evening of the next day.
On the 12th of June,threw pu a breast work of
sand in front of our encampment,keeping a lookout for the enemy,who were
duly waiting for a fair wind to their heavy vessels up the
rapids into lake St. Peters,the only obstruction in their way here,and
even up to Montreal.
On the 15th a flag arrived from Gen. Carlton
with letters from Gen. Thompson and
Col. Ervine of the 6th. Pa. regiment,who were taken prisoners, advising
they were used well by Gen. Carlton.According to report our loss was upward
of three hundred missing; as very few were killed or wounded at the Three
Rivers,it was presumed they were generally
taken prisoners.It appeared 17 were missing from my companywho,
according to Lieut.
Smiths account,must all be prisoners as the company never came in
reach of the enemy
muskets, and that the vallient Capt. Moore ran at the first
fire of the enemies cannon
without returning a shot, being at too great a distance for the
fire of muskets to do any execution.
On the night of the 13th a council of war was
held at Gen. Sullivans head quarters,at which it was decided that it was
advisable for the Americn Armey to Evacuate Canada,and
to ***make a stand at Ticonderoga. On the morning of the fourteenth
orders were given to retreat****.
About 4 oclock on the afternoon of the
17th left St. Johns in a batteau for the Isle Aux Nois with Ensigne Varnum
and Doctor Mouse, with about 25 soliders to row the batteau, being very
heavy laden with cnnon ball and other baggage; did not reach that island
until
next morning almost weried to death-the men begin to sicken very
fast.
On the 19th the remainer of the armey came batteaus
and landed on the island.As the rear of the armey left Saint Johns the
enemies van appeared.
On the 20th the greater part of our batteaus,with
two thousand sick and invaleeds,left this island for Crown Point****I chose
to remain,still having good health*****
-Lacey,Memoirs,Penn.Mag. of History and Biog..,XXV,200ff.
In this battle John Craig was wounded and taken prisoner.