MacDonough's general instructions were:
"Cooperate with the army, but at any price retain supremacy of
the lake," and he declined to receive Hampton's order.
Threatening court-martials and vengeance on his return, Hampton
now set out by land; but at Chateaugay he was met by a much
smaller force of Canadians who resisted him so successfully that
he ordered a retreat and his army retired to Plattsburg.
Meanwhile General Wilkinson had done even worse. His army
numbered 8000. Of these the rear guard were 2500. A body of 800
Canadians harassed their line of march. Turning to brush away
this annoyance, the Americans were wholly defeated at Chrystler's
farm and, giving up the attack on Montreal, Wilkinson crossed the
St. Lawrence and settled for the winter at Chateaugay.
In December, America scored an important advance by relieving
Hampton of his command.
As the spring drew near, it was clearly Wilkinson's first play to
capture La Colle Mill, which had been turned into a fortress of
considerable strength and a base for attack on the American
border, some five miles away.
Of all the scouts Rolf best knew that region, yet he was the one
left out of consideration and despatched with papers to
Plattsburg.
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