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Frederick Zenner is listed on NARA Pension Rolls as being in the 3rd Regiment during the period and time of 1775 just before the Revolutionary War. He is not listed on any muster rolls found over the ineternet that re-enactment groups provide. Footnote lists the NARA - Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served in the American Army During the Revolutionary War Date: 1775-1785. The following information was found concerning the 3rd Regmiment and was copied from the following website for further interest.
The DuBois' Company Unit Historyhttp://www.3nydubois.org/ThirdNY-1775.html"...that I could confide in most..." - Major Livingston, Third NY
Third NY - Part 1 History ~ June - October, 1775 Part 1 of the Third NY Regiment History > June 1775: The Third New York Regiment is authorized under the command of Colonel James Clinton for five month's Canadian service. The Regiment is comprised of ten companies and is raised with men from a mixture of southern New York counties. Lewis Dubois of Dutchess County is appointed the 4th Captain of the Third New York Regiment (i.e. in command of the 4th Company). He receives a warrant for enlisting men and sets rapidly to work. The other Company officers are 1st Lieutenant Elias Van Benschoten Jr. and 2nd Lieutenant Andrew Ter. Lawrence (a replacement on 11 July for Cornelius Adriance, who never accepted the job). > July - August 1775: The newly raised Third New York troops are sent to Albany to be uniformed and equipped. Soldiers in the Third New York Regiment receive gray regimental coats faced green. Seven of the ten companies of the Third New York Regiment are assigned to Major General Philip Schuyler's Northern Army and will participate in the invasion of Canada via Lake Champlain, including Dubois' Company. The remaining three companies serve as Long Island coastline guards and later assist in both the construction of Fort Constitution adjacent to West Point, and manning Fort George and Fort Ticonderoga. > 9 September 1775: Dubois' Company heads north to Fort Ticonderoga. Major Livingston of the Third New York Regiment notes in his journal while at Albany: "To day marched Cap't Dubois, Billings & Johnson of our Reg't. Cap't Goforth of 1st Batt: & Cap't Lamb of the Artillery. The 3 first named companys got each man a months pay this morning. Twas delivered to their respective captains yesterday..." > 21 September 1775: By September 21st, Dubois' Company has reached Fort Ticonderoga. From Colonel James Clinton's Orderly Book for the Third New York Regiment: "Also that Captain Dubois and Denton Draw Amuntion Sufficient to fill their Catredges Boxes and that no Soldier Discharge his Gun in or Near the Camp or Wast his Amunition or pain of his Being Sent to the Guard and Tried by a Court martial...". > 28 September 1775: While at Fort Ticonderoga, a muster roll of Dubois' Company is compiled: "A Muster Roll of Cap Lewis Duboy's Company For the Third Regiment of New York Forces Now in Service of the United Colonies. Dated in the Camp at Ticonderoga Under the Command of Col'l James Clinton Esq'r: the 28 Day of September 1775." > Early October 1775: Dubois' Company heads north from Fort Ticonderoga to join other Colonial forces already at Ile aux Noix and Fort St. John. Colonial forces have had the British forces at the fort under siege on and off since early September. since several earlier attempts to actually take the fort have failed due to the Colonial troops' fears of being ambushed by pro-British Indians. The Colonial forces at Fort St. John are under the command of General Richard Montgomery (click here to see an image of General Montgomery), General Schuyler's second in command. General Schuyler had been north to Fort St. John in early September, however, due to illness, he was forced to return to Fort Ticonderoga, thereby leaving Montgomery in command at Fort St. John. > 4 October 1775: Livingston: "At 4 in the afternoon set of from Ticonderoga with Coll'o Clinton, Cap't Nicholson, Billings & Johnson & 165 men in 14 battoes. That evening reach'd Crownpoint. Left that place next morning & got as far as one Nights 27 miles from Crownpoint in Company with 2 Battoes besides my own. The rest went forward 2 miles. The next evening my battoe reach'd a point of land opposite the southern part of Grand Isle; at which Island the rest of the boats all stay'd. We kept on point till 10 in the evening & then with a small breeze stood down the Lake & went slowly on till 3 in the morning when we touch'd on shore & rested in the boat till day light & again stood down the Lake, went on shore at the Isle of Mott... From there we all set of together & at evening landed on the east side of the Lake at 7 miles distance to S. of Isle Aux Noix - pitch'd our tents on the sand, & early next morning set of again in a violent rain which lasted without any Interruption till we arrived at Isle Aux Noix were we came abt noon. Next morning got on board again & arrived safely at the Camp abt a mile 1/4 above St. Johns at 2 o'clock in the afternoon of the 9th inst." > 11 October 1775: The Colonial officers leading the attack at Fort St. John decide to place an artillery battery on the east bank of the Richelieu River (across from Fort St. John). Livingston: "...the General ordered Coll'o Clinton and 200 of his men to go upon that Business. The Col'o pitch'd upon myself to go with him... Cap't Nicolson, Dubois, Billings & Denton were pitch'd to go with us. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon we set of for the east shore in 7 Batteaus and proceeding down to where a road had been just cut on the east side & coming within little more than a half mile of the Fort they gave us several shot with Ball but every one went too high... We made no Regular Encampment but lodged about in the woods as well as we could for the night." > 12 October 1775: The day is spent cutting and carrying fascines and stakes for the battery position. At night, the battery position is completed. Part 2 of the Third NY Regiment History > 13 October 1775: During the day, the cannons are moved, with great difficulty, up into the battery position. Livingston: "At night Capt. Dubois with a party of 40 men cut off all the Bushes & Trees between our Battery and the water edge, & made the Embrazures somewhat narrower." Canadian forces sympathetic to the Colonials bypass Fort St. John on the east side of the Richelieu River and head north to Chambly, the location of another fort garrisoned by British forces. At Chambly, they are to be joined by some Colonial soldiers in order to put that fort under siege. > 14 October 1775: The Colonials man their cannons at the new battery across from Fort St. John. They begin to shell the fort and the British schooner 'Royal Savage' anchored in the Richelieu River. Livingston: "About 1 Oclock The Artillery men arrived from the Grand camp, when we began a heavy fire on the Enemy. Our Batteries on the other side were not Idle also. The Enemy bestow'd their attention chiefly on us, their fire being heavy & well serv'd the beginning of the afternoon but towards evening it slack'd much & we gave them the 2 last shots. They fired shots at us chiefly as their balls could make no impression on our Battery. We lay so near them that they soon learned to throw their shells with great exactness. But altho they were all day continually Bursting over our peoples heads or at their feet, we never lost one man by them, or had even one wounded. Early in the morning The Regulars warp'd their schooner & ran Galley close up to the North redoubt & full in our view. We shot so many Balls thro her that next morning she lay careen'd so low that the water ran into her port holes." > 15 October 1775: Artillery fire continues to be exchanged with Fort St. John. Livingston: "...Late in the night a Batteau was sent past the fort & down the falls, with a double fortified 9 pounder on board, to go to Chamblee which Fortress our people were then beseiging. The General neglecting to give Coll'o Bedle (who lay 1 1/2 miles north of St. John) notice of her going down, she received 10 or 12 shot from his guards before they could make themselves known as friends. But no hurt was received." > 16 October 1775: Livingston: "The firing this day was not very brisk. The enemys was remarkably faint & Ill serv'd. This evening another Cannon was sent down to Chamblee, & we repaired our Battery." > 18 October 1775: The British commander at Chambly, Major Joseph Stopford, surrenders the fort following only a few days of bombardment by Colonial cannons. The bombardment caused very little damage to the fort and only a few minor injuries to members of the garrison. Stopford doesn't even order the supply of arms and powder at the fort destroyed, so these materials are captured by the Colonials fully intact and are taken south to the Colonial forces at Fort St. John, who were desperately low on supplies. Livingston: "I Received orders from the General to march with 100 men of our Regiment to Caghnawaga to protect that nation from any Insults Carleton might offer them... Col'o Clinton gave me leave to choose any 2 companies to accompany me, that I could confide in most out of his Regiment & I pitch'd upon those of Cap't Nicolson & Dubois, all of us together made 108 men. This evening I set of with Lt. Van Bunschoten & my waiter thro a small rain & excessive dark, and after walking 2 miles down the Lake in as bad a path as can be imagined we ferried across to Col'o Bedles encampment who I went to see & desired to have provisions got ready in the morning for our people against they came over - Van Bunschoten & myself lodged in a poor Frenchmans house hard by." This movement of troops will reinforce the Colonial forces that are already in position opposite Montreal blocking any potential movement of the British forces at Montreal, which are under the command of General Guy Carleton. > 19 October 1775: Livingston: "This morning heard of the surrender of Chamblee, which was reduced the day before. We set of on our march from Col'o Bedles abt 8 OClock in the morning, Officers & soldiers carrying every one his Baggage... After walking 7 miles we procured a Cart to convey our packs. Just as it drew towards evening we came in sight of Laprairie & from a small elevation we were then on had a fine view of the river St. Lawrence, Montreal, Lonqieul & a large extent of Country every way. After my arrival at Laprairie it took me till dark in procuring houses for our soldiers to lodge in. The Officers & myself stay'd at the Captain of the Miltias one Messr. Biscome." Laprairie is a small town is located just across the St. Lawrence River from Montreal. > 21 October 1775: In Laprairie, Major Livingston dines with the chiefs of the Caghnawaga Nation. Livingston: "The chiefs told me... that they feared no invasion from Mr. Carleton at all, & that if he did attack them they thought themselves able without assistance from aboard to defeat him, or at least hinder him from landing. That however they were highly oblidg'd to the General for his readiness to assist them; & faithfully promis'd to transmit to me all the Intelligence they could get of the motions & designs of our Enemies." Part 3 of the Third NY Regiment History > 26 October 1775: Livingston: "Before day an express arrived from Col'o Warner who lay with his Regiment of Green Mountain Boys in number abt 300 & 4 or 5 companies of the 2d Battalion at Lonquiel, that a large body of Regulars & Canadians were marching towards his post from Sorrell, & desiring me to send him all the assistance I could. Early in the morning Cap't Dubois with his company, Cap't McCracken of the 2d Battn & his Company & one Lt. Barnum of Col'o Warners Reg't making in all 92 privates besides officers marched to Longieuil. But when they came there they found that Col'o Warner had been imposed upon & that there was not any truth in the whole affair. Capt' Dubois returned but the others all stay'd at Lonquiel." > 30 October 1775: British forces from Montreal attempt to land at Longueuil in an effort to relieve the British garrison under siege at Fort St. John. Colonial forces under Colonel Warner oppose their attempts to land and, by night, the British canoes and bateaux are forced to return to Montreal. At Fort St. John, General Montgomery orders a new artillery battery to be constructed northwest of the fort. > 1 November 1775: Livingston: "Another express arriv'd from Col'o Warner intimating that He was in fear of another attack from Carleton - sent him Lt. E. V. Bunschoten with 40 men - But the Colonel was mistaken in his surmises - Carleton never appeared, & our Lt. Returned." In the meantime, the Colonial battery northwest of Fort St. John is completed and opens fire at the British held fort. The fort, which is already significantly damaged, suffers even more serve damage due to this cannon fire. At sundown, General Montgomery sends forward a flag of truce to convince the British commander Preston to surrender. After several exchanges of terms, the British accept of the Colonial surrender terms. Fort St. John has fallen. > 2 November 1775: Livingston: "In evening we had the agreable newes brought us that St. Johns surrendered this day, after a most tedious siege of 45 days." > 3 November 1775: British forces vacate Fort St. John. They board bateaux for the journey south to the American Colonies. Colonial forces at the fort begin to move towards Laprairie to push the attack on towards Montreal. The weather has turned colder and snowy, hampering the Colonial forces marching to La Prairie. Livingston: "The Town crowded all day with carts on their way to St. Johns to convey the Baggage of our army to this place." > 4 November 1775: Livingston: "One of our Centinels being intoxicated gave an alarm at 9 in the evening that several Battoes with Regulars were landing just below us. Our small army of something less than 100 men were instantly in motion and paraded Just out of Town when we found that what the Centinel heard was nothing more than several Carts coming into Town on their way to St. Johns." > 6 November 1775: Livingston: "General Montgomery arrived in Town at 2 OClock, & at different times of the day the 1st & our Battalion." While at La Prairie, General Montgomery issues a message to the citizens of Montreal to surrender or face a Colonial bombardment. Several Montreal citizens respond and begin to discuss the actual terms of surrender. > 10 November 1775: Livingston: "13 Battoes were convey'd from Chamblee almost all the way by land to a stream of water 2 miles east of Laprairie & from thence brot to the landing by the Town." > 11 November 1775: Livingston: "At 9 this morning the General, Collo Waterburys Reg't some of the 3d Batt'n & a few of the 4th Battalion & Gen'l Woosters Reg't in all abt 500 men with 6 field pieces cross'd the river St. Lawrence & landed on Isle St. Paul directly opposite Laprairie & 1 1/2 mile from Montreal. As soon as Governor Carleton saw our people embark, He ordered all his regulars on board the vessells he had lying at Montreal, & fled down the river." Before he abandons Montreal, Carleton destroys as many military supplies as he can. The British ships make it to Sorel where a change in the direction of the wind forces the ships to bay. Colonial forces already in the Sorel area force many of the British ships to surrender. However, Carleton and several other men manage to escape and make their way to Quebec. Once at Quebec, Carleton begins work on strengthening the defenses of the walled city. > 13 November 1775: General Montgomery and his forces occupy Montreal after its citizens surrendered the town. Part 4 of the Third NY Regiment History > 15 November 1775: Once Montreal is taken, General Montgomery is forced to grant most of his New England troops an immediate discharge, as was promised to them while at Fort St. John. Most of the New York forces, however, reenlist. General Montgomery also promotes Captain Dubois to acting Major of the Third New York Regiment, replacing Major Henry Livingston, who heads home due to illness. 1st Lieutenant Elias Van Benschoten Jr. is promoted to Captain and takes command of Dubois' old company. From the names on a surviving February muster roll of Van Benschoten's Company, it appears that 39 soldiers of Dubois' old company volunteered to continue to serve in the unit (one of the highest percentages in the Third New York Regiment). Three of its men joined other "winter-over" companies. However, Van Benschoten's Company also picked up 26 new men from other companies: 12 men from Billing's (6th) Company; 2 from Bruyn's (7th) Company; 2 from Denton's (8th) Company, 4 men from the 9th Company, and 5 men from other regiments. > Late November 1775: Montgomery begins to re-outfit his forces in order to move them towards Quebec and a rendezvous with Colonial forces under Colonel Benedict Arnold. Arnold's forces arrived at Quebec in early November, by way of the Kennebec, Dead and Chaudiere Rivers. However, this route was nearly impassible (for more information about Arnold's expedition, use the following link to visit a webpage titled: Arnold Invades Canada - use your browser's "Back" function to return to our Third NY Regiment website) and Arnold's men arrived in such poor shape and small numbers that he could not attack and capture Quebec on his own. Therefore, his forces retired to Pointe aux Trembles on 19 November 1775 in order to wait for Montgomery's troops to arrive from Montreal. > 23 November 1775: From Colonel James Clinton's Orderly Book for the Third New York Regiment, orders from General Montgomery's headquarters in Montreal: "The General Reccommends to the Commanding Officers of the Regiments, and to the Captain of Each Company to Exert themselves in having their Quantity of Clothing prepared with all Expedition, that the troops may be Ready to March at the Shortest Notis." > 24 November 1775: From Colonel James Clinton's Orderly Book for the Third New York Regiment, orders from General Montgomery's headquarters in Montreal: "The troops who have their Clothing are to Embark to Morrow morning at nine Oclock on Bord Such Vessels as Shall be armed{?} for them, Taking their Baggage. The Commanding Officer of the first second and third redgiment of New York forces are to Imbark as many men as are Alredy Clothed and Compleat, the Rest as soon as Possabel, that they may Speadly Follow Captain Lamb's Company of Artilery, as also to Embark to morrow." > 27 November 1775: Anthony Clarke from the 6th Company, 1st New York Regiment joins Van Benschoten's Company as the Orderly Sergeant. Clarke: "on the 27th day of November I got my Discharge from Gen'l Montgomery & the Same Day I Enter'd into Cap't Elias V'n Benscoutens Company as Orderly Serjent Belong in the 3 reig't of the N. York forces Commanded by Collonel Clinton & Set sail from Montreal for Quebec the same Day. & stopt at the river of Serell 4 or 5 hours for a fair Wind which we got & then Proceeded Down the river of St. Laurence as far as within 21 miles at Point Detremble of Quebec where we stopt & laid our Vessels up for Winter Quarters..." > 2 December 1775: Montgomery arrives at Pointe aux Trembles and joins forces with Arnold. The combined force marches towards Quebec. Clarke: "...wee the Next Day - & 3 other Company - being Sunday, march'd on with our Men & Baggage as far as within 9 miles of Quebec, the next Day Being Monday we arriv'd at St. Foys within 2 miles of Quebec & the same Day being - Dec'r 4th - Monday we proceeded with our Company Down to the river to Guard the Guns & mortars Carriages & field Pieces Untill Wednesday Night..." > Early - Mid December 1775: Montgomery positions his New York troops on the Plains of Abraham, Arnold's musket companies north of Quebec in the suburb of St. Roch, and Arnold's riflemen, who the first forces to return to Quebec, along the St. Charles River. Montgomery establishes his headquarters in Holland House, a private residence in Ste. Foye. Montgomery demands the surrender of Quebec, but Carleton does not respond. Therefore, Montgomery orders his forces to shell Quebec. Clarke: "...then we Convey'd them up to the Gen'l Head Quarters & repaird the Same Day in the Morning to former Quarters & on Saturday Night Dec'r 9th 1775, we arriv'd at 150 rood Distance from the Fort & Errected a Snow Battery, & took some field pieces or Mortars Down to the Suburbs and fir'd & threw Several Bombshells In that night & on Sunday the 10th the regular's Burnt up Sundrey of the Houses in the Suburbs of Quebec Finished the Battery on Monday Night December the 11th & on Wednesday night we got our Guns Mounted ready to open upon the town & on Thursday the 11th we Open'd Upon the town of Quebec & rec'd Several heavy shots from them which wounded four of our men & kill'd one. Two where of Died the Night following &c..." Part 5 of the Third NY Regiment History > Mid December 1775 (continued): However, the shelling is ineffective and Carleton continues to refuse to surrender Quebec. Therefore, since bombardment is not effective, Montgomery's forces will have to storm the city. Clarke: "...and on Fryday the 15th we Sent in A flag of truce But was Not Excepted, Upon which the Gen'l Concluded to Storm the City as Soon as he cou'd get ready, & on Monday Dec'r the 18th Lieut. Hen'y V'n Derbourough came from Montreal & Major Lewis Deboys &c on the 21st of Dec'r two of the first Battallion Deserted & went into the town of Quebec." Montgomery must attack before the end of the year, when the enlistments of many of his men will expire. Therefore, he decides to attack Quebec at night during the next substantial snowstorm, which will help mask his forces' movements. > 17 December 1775: From Colonel James Clinton's Orderly Book for the Third New York Regiment, orders from General Montgomery's headquarters at Holland House: "The ginniral orders that an acspecsion Be maid by every Captain and offisor commanding companies whither the Solders are Supplied with Sufficent Complament of ammanition, and if found Deficent, they are ameadately to Supply the men, that there may be no delay on there part when cald upon action." > 21 December 1775: From Colonel James Clinton's Orderly Book for the Third New York Regiment, orders from General Montgomery's headquarters at Holland House: "The giniral desires the Commanding offisor of Regiments to answer that every Man is Supply'd with hemlock Branches, which are to be fix't on their Caps for a Signal." This was done to distinguish the Colonial forces from the British because many of the Colonial troops were wearing British clothing and uniforms captured in Montreal. > 27 December 1775: A snowstorm begins and Montgomery's orders his forces to prepare to attack both the Lower Town of Quebec and the Cape Diamond bastion. However, in the evening, the snowfall stops and Montgomery cancels the attack. > 28 December 1775: From Colonel James Clinton's Orderly Book for the Third New York Regiment, orders from General Montgomery's headquarters at Holland House: "The Geniril had the most greatest pleasure Inserving the good Disposion whith which his troops Last Night Moved. It was with great resilutitation be found him Cald upon by his Duty respect these orders, But Should hold him Self accountabel for the Lose of thee brave men, whose Lives Mite be Saved by wating for a more faverabel oppirtunity." > 30 December 1775: A new snowstorm begins with heavy snowfall. > 31 December 1775: Early in the morning, Montgomery orders his troops to attack. This time, he plans to focus his attack on the Lower City. Montgomery will lead the New York forces from the Plains of Abraham, beneath Cape Diamond along the St. Lawrence, while Arnold will attack with his men from St. Roch. Once they controlled the Lower City, the combined force will head up the road to the Upper City of Quebec. Diversionary attacks will be made at St. John's Gate and at the Cape Diamond bastion. Montgomery and his chief aides lead the New York troops along a path beneath Cape Diamond that leads to the Lower City. The path is covered with large chunks of snow-covered ice from along the riverbed of the St. Lawrence. Furthermore, the British have placed several unmanned log barricades along the path, the first several of which the Colonial forces cut through. In the meantime, Quebec's guards spot the movement of the Colonial forces and the alarm is raised, bringing all of Quebec's defenders to their posts. Beyond the second log barricade, the New York forces see a log structure in the distance guarding the path. General Montgomery, in the lead, draws his sword and heads towards the structure. The British forces in the structure man four cannons and wait for the Colonials to move closer. At 50 yards, they fire their cannons and muskets. General Montgomery and several of the aids around him are hit by grapeshot and are killed. Following their commanding officer's death, some of Montgomery's troops attempt to return fire, but their muskets will not go off due to damp powder. The remaining officers decide it is not feasible to continue the attack and order the forces to retreat back along the path, away from the Lower City. At the same time Montgomery was attacking, Arnold's forces head towards the Lower City from the north and reach several British barricades. Arnold moves forward with his men against the first barricade near Sault au Matelot. During this action Arnold is shot in his left leg. Unable to go on, command falls to Daniel Morgan who pushes the men forward. Under fire, Morgan and his men use ladders to pass over and take control of the first barricade. In this action they capture many prisoners. Further down the street, the Colonials see the sally port to the second barricade is still open. However, due to the small number of men Morgan has available and the large number of prisoners they now have, Morgan's officers convince him to wait for additional forces to arrive before going through and beyond the second barricade. Part 6 of the Third NY Regiment History > 31 December 1775 (continued): Finally, additional Colonial troops make their way to Morgan's position, however, many more British forces have also formed up on the other side of the second barricade. A British call for the Colonials to surrender is met by rifle fire from Morgan's men. Morgan's troops then try to scale the second barricade, however, the British musket fire is too strong to break through. Morgan's men and the British begin to exchange heavy fire and the Colonial forces begin to take cover in the houses and other buildings around the barricade. Once under cover, however, British musket fire prevents Morgan's men from leaving the buildings. A separate British force heads down from the Palace gate and takes control of the first barricade, thereby trapping Morgan's men. By 9 a.m., the British bring up a cannon and with no hope for retreat, Morgan's men surrender. The attack on Quebec is over. The Colonial forces suffer approximately 60 casualties and over 400 men captured. The British suffer fewer than 20 casualties. Clarke's notes concerning the attack: "...And on Sunday Morning About 2 O'Clock Being A Stormy Night the Gen'l & all our party Concluded to Storm the City of Quebec & all were order'd out & proceeded forward with the 1st 2nd 3rd regiments to the right wing on the South Detachment Went by Wolfe's Cove & Collo Arnolds party went Down to S't Rocks & went in at the North Gate's & throw'd A Signal Over to us when the Began the fire & About 300 of our men got in the Inside the Walls & the Gen'l was shot being the Leading man & his Aide-De-Camp & then Coll'l Cammel & Major DeBoys Gave Orders for A retreat which we accordingly did. & repair'd home to our Quarters Every Company & in about one Hours time we heard that Coll'l Arnolds party had taken possession of the Lower town of Quebec we were all Order'd to March Down to St Rocks. And assist Collonel Arnolds party. & when we got there our Guns was Examin'd & Not one of 50 were able to fire them of by reason of the wet And we were Order'd to retreat & take our Cannonwith us & after the retreat We heard Collonel Arnold's party of men were taken prisoners, Consisting of about 400 men & Cap't Jn'o Lamb & about 60 of his Train of Artillery were also taken prisoners. & Coll'l Arnold rec'd a wound by a Musket Bullet in the calf of the Leg And is in a fin Way to recover & lies now in the Nunnery Hospital. And Cap't Lamb rec'd a wound in the left cheek Bone Under the Eye which almost took the Sight of his Eye from him." > January 1776: Following Montgomery's death, Arnold assumes command of the Colonial forces around Quebec. However, Arnold can do no more than attempt to maintain the siege of Quebec, given the small number of men at his disposal and his limited supplies. Throughout the long winter months - the worse winter in memory with extreme cold and snow - the Colonial forces hold on around Quebec. The Colonials forces occasionally exchanged shots with the British and launch small raids in an attempt to burn vacant houses, buildings and moored ships around Quebec. Captain Van Benschoten's Company moves to Pointe Levy, south of Quebec across the St. Lawrence River. Clarke: "I heard On Sat'y Jan'r the 7th 1776 And Coll'l Arnold is Appointed Brigadeer Gen'l And has Command Untill Gen'l Woster Comes with his reinforcement from Montreal. And on Sunday Morning just before Day Break Moses Kip Serj't in our Comp'y Departed this Life About 10 miles from the City of Quebec on Jan'r the 7th 1776. And on the 9th Day on Jan'r 1776, Abraham Height was Appointed Comproller in our Comp'y & Rob't Gray Appointed Serj't And on Thursday Jan'r the 11th 1776 Collonel Clinton of the 3rd regiment came from Montreal & Arriv'd here & took the Chief Command Untill Gen'l Arnold got Better in health And on Saturday Jan'r the 13th we rec'd Orders to be ready to march over to point Levy tomorrow Morning very early & we all accordingly did that was well, Viz Lieut V'n Derburgh, Myself and Serj't Lewis & Serj't Gray & 3 Corp'l & 38 privates and proceeded as far as Mr. Bonfield's at Sillery and could Not Get Across the river that night Nor the Next Day. But on Tuesday Jan'r the 16th there Came over fo Canoes for us and brought Us all over at two Turns Except on Serj't & 1 Corp'l & 12 privates I Left Behind for A Guard p'r Order of Fred'k Weisenf's Brigade Major. And we all got as far as point Levy that Night And on the 18th Day two More of our men came over & Left two Volinteers in there Stead. And on the 19th Day Being Fryday the rear party that was at Sillery came over to us at point Levy. And on the 26th Day of Jan'r Cap't V'n Benscoten came Over to us. And On the 26th Day of Novemb'r I wrote a letter to B'r W'm And Sent it Down by a Man that was Going through poughkeepsie & on Sunday Jan'r the 27th I wrote a Letter to B'r W'm from point Levy..." > Early February 1776: Colonial reinforcements begin to arrive around Quebec. However, Arnold's number of effective troops doesn't actually go up much due to an outbreak of small pox that keeps many men in the hospital. Clarke: "...on Tuesday Feb'r the 6th Cap't V'n Benscoten was Broke out with the Small pox at the priests house at point Levy." > 16 February 1776: A muster roll for Van Benschoten's Company is compiled: "A Muster Roll of Captain Elias Van Bunschoten's Company in the third Regiment of New York Forces now in Service of the United Colonies and under the Command of Co'll James Clinton, Dated at Point Levi Febru'y 16th 1776." Part 7 of the Third NY Regiment History > Late February - Mid March 1776: Captain Van Benschoten's Company begins work on a gun battery at Pointe Levy. Clarke: "And on the 17th of Feb'r I Wrote a Letter to B'r W'm by Peter Chinton who was Going through Poughkeepsie And on the 24th Day of Feb'r Cornelius Swartwout fifer in our Comp'y came to us at point Levy & Draw'd provision the NB. That Paul Butner dies the 10th of March Brought over 12 reigemental coats & 5 p'r of Shoepacks for the Comp'y. And each of our men receiv'd two Dollars on their pay. And on Saturday March the 9th We all receiv'd one month's pay with what we had before And on Sunday night - March ye 10th - we began the East Battery at point Levy in the same Place where Wolf had his Gun battery Last war. And on the 12th Day of March the Cap't of our Comp'y Sent me an Express to the head Quarters for hoes, pick axes & Iron &c, returned to point Levy the 14th Day &c, I was informed that John Romine Belonging to our Comp'y Departed this life by A long Sickness from the 1st of Jan'r Untillthe 10th Day of March: When he Dyed in the Grand Nunnery Hospital at S't rock's, Adjoining the Suburbs of Quebec. AND, on Thursday March ye 21st the Honb'l Coll'l Clinton came to the head Quarters at point Levy as chief Commander & I am imform the whole regiment is Comeing Over to join us. AND the 22nd Instant I Wrote A letter to B'r W'm by H. Besse..." > 23 March 1776: A group of pro-British Canadians, with the approval of Carleton, plan to attack the Colonial forces at Pointe Levy. However, the Colonials get word of this plan and a force, led by Major Dubois, complete a surprise attack against the advance group of Canadians. Following this attack, the Canadians are incapable of launching their planned attack on Pointe Levy. Clarke: "...and on Saturday Morning - the 23rd - Cap't Brown & 3 other Officers & about 100 men went Down to point Levy on an Allarm to Take french Torreys Some Regulars & Some Negroes Prisoners..." > Late March - April 1776: The routine continues with the Colonial forces still attempting to harass the British. General Wooster arrives from Montreal and takes command of the Colonial forces around Quebec. Arnold sees no value in remaining in Quebec and retires to Montreal where he assumes command of the Colonial forces there. In mid April, the soldiers of Captain Van Benschoten's Company, Third New York Regiment are discharged. Clarke: "...On Saturday Night March the 23rd Dan'l Smith in our Comp'y the in the Small pox in the hospital Departed This Life, and was Burried in A Very Decent Manner &c AND on Monday March the 25th Samuel Hull was wounded by A Musket Ball through the Shoulder, takeing them Torrey Prisoners And on Tuesday March the 26th I and A reinforcement of 40 men went down to Assist our party of Men Down the Countrey And I Met 30:odd prisoners Our men Was Bringing up in Slays, the same Day, And Arriv'd at point Lacoy the Same Night. & found our Enemy all fle'd, & Proceeded Down the Country 37 miles Below point Lacoy to take Some Prisoners. & Stores of goods, and returned back to point Lacoy with 4 prisoner's on Saturday Night id 30th Instant and Set of for Point Levy the Next day being Sunday. And Got there Just before Night and on Monday the 1st of Aprill we got our Battery at Point Levy finished and the Cannon Mounted, ready to open upon the town of Quebec as Soon as we receive Orders from the Grand Camp. And on Monday one of our Jersey Soldiers rec'd a Very bad Wound in the right thigh at out New Battery & Departed this Life in about 20 hours afterwards. AND on Wednesday Morning the 3rd Day of Aprill we Opend our Battery & fird till about 2 O'Clock & then quit by reason of its raining or by reason of its being a rainey Day. AND Yesterday Morning four of our men Arrived here from Montreal that was there making the regments Cloaths &. AND on Monday Aprill 8th Cap't V'n Benscoten's {illegible} Set out for Montreal & Took with him Jacob V'n Derburgh & Caleb Matlock. And on Wednesday the 10th of April, I went over to the Grnd Camp & arrivd there the Next Day about 10 O'Clock & was Inform'd that about 3 O'Clock Yesterday in the afternoon Cap't Chausser Deserted into Quebec, And on Thursday Aprill ye 16th all our men Marched up to the ferry and Got over the river S't Laurence the Next Day, And are all going home as soon as they Settle their Accomp's with the Officers, & Seven of our men staid here that was Sick, or not able to go home" > May - July 1776: British reinforcements sail up the St. Lawrence and reach Quebec. General Wooster knows his forces cannot hold on against this far larger force and orders his troops to fall back towards Montreal. Slowly, the disenchanted, under-supplied Colonial forces move back from Quebec, Pointe aux Trembles and then Trois-Rivieres. By the end of June, with British forces heading up the St. Lawrence, the remaining Colonial forces are forced to abandon Sorel, Montreal, Chambly, Fort St. John and Ile aux Noix and retreat back to Crown Point and Ticonderoga. The Colonial attempt to take Canada is over. Primary Sources Used For Unit History: * "Journal of Major Henry Livingston of the Third New York Continental Line"; The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 22 (1898): 9 - 33 | By Gaillard Hunt, S.A.R. * "Colonel James Clinton's Orderly Book, 3rd New York Regiment"; Early American Orderly Books, 1748-1817, NYHS | Transcription by Stephen Gilbert, Third New York Regiment (Recreated) - NWTA/BAR * "Anthony Clarke's Memorandum Book, 1775-1776"; NYHS | Transcription by Stephen Gilbert, Joe Renkas, & Mary Mulcahy, Third New York Regiment (Recreated) - NWTA/BAR
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