The place was at this time almost without defence, and, had Arnold possessed a suitable pontoon equipage, it might easily have been taken by surprise.

But by the time that the means for effecting a passage could be prepared, and a junction could be effected between the two American armies, Quebec was prepared to sustain their attack.

The result of that attack is too well known to require a repetition here.
Early the next season it was deemed necessary to withdraw the American army from Canada.

This retreat of undisciplined troops, in the presence of vastly superior numbers of the enemy, would have been extremely hazardous had it not been effected on a line of forts which were held by our own troops.

As it was we sustained no considerable loss.
Carleton pursued on rapidly, to co-operate with General Howe, who was now lying at New York with over one hundred ships and about thirty-five thousand troops; but he received a decided check from the guns of Ticonderoga, and retired again to Canada.
By the British plan of campaign in 1777, the entire force of their northern army was to concentrate at Albany.