Chambly, Fort, capture of
In 1775 it was supposed by
General Carleton that the fort at
Chambly, 12 miles below
St. John, at the rapids of the
Sorel, the outlet of
Lake Champlain, could not be reached by the republicans so long as the
British held the post above and kept only a feeble garrison there.
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Fort Chambly. |
Informed of this by
Canadian scouts,
Montgomery, besieging
St. John, sent
Colonel Bedel, of
New Hampshire, with troops to capture the post.
He was assisted by
Majors Brown and
Livingston.
The attack was planned by Canadians familiar with the place.
Artillery was placed in bateaux, and, during a dark night, was conveyed past the fort at
St. John to the head of Chambly Rapids, where the guns were mounted and taken to the place of attack.
The garrison surrendered after making slight resistance.
The spoils were a large quantity of provisions and military stores; also the colors of the 7th Regiment of British regulars, which were sent to the Continental Congress, and were the first trophies of war received by that body.
This disaster hastened the downfall of
St. John.
See
St. John, siege of. 
