Chill autumn was upon him when, on the 25th of September, with about a thousand picked men, he began to advance up the Kennebec River and over the height of land to the upper waters of the Chaudiere, which discharges into the St.Lawrence opposite Quebec.

There were heavy rains.

Sometimes the men had to wade breast high in dragging heavy and leaking boats over the difficult places.

A good many men died of starvation.

Others deserted and turned back.