Said Wilkinson to Armstrong: "It is necessary to my justification that you should, by the authority of the President, direct the operations of the army under my command particularly against Montreal." Said Armstrong to Wilkinson: "I speak conjecturally, but should we surmount every obstacle in descending the river we shall advance upon Montreal ignorant of the force arrayed against us and in case of misfortune having no retreat, the army must surrender at discretion." This was scarcely the spirit to inspire a conquering army.

As though to clinch his lack of faith in the enterprise, the Secretary of War ordered winter quarters built for ten thousand men many miles this side of Montreal, explaining in later years that he had suspected the campaign would terminate as it did, "with the disgrace of doing nothing." On the 17th of October the army embarked in bateaux and coasted along Lake Ontario to the entrance of the St.Lawrence.After being delayed by stormy weather, the flotilla passed the British guns across from Ogdensburg and halted twenty miles below.

There Wilkinson called a council of war to decide whether to proceed or retreat.

Four generals voted to attack Montreal and two were reluctant but could see "no other alternative." Wilkinson then became ill and was unable to leave his boat or to give orders.

Several British gunboats evaded Chauncey's blockade and annoyed the rear of the expedition.