When I arrived within nine miles of Quebeck, with the six companies of our regiment, I was hailed by an officer on board of a vessel belonging to us, and informed that our whole Army was retreating with the utmost precipitation, and advised to retreat with the regiment as fast as possible...They had determined not to make a stand till they got to the mouth of the Sorel; but a letter coming from General [Benedict] Arnold, promising a reinforcement of men and cannon, they determined to wait here until an officer could return, who was sent to Montreal by General [John] Thomas. The fleet is arrived at Quebeck. A frigate of thirty-six guns, a ship of twenty guns or upwards, and a schooner taken from us, have sailed up the river as far as this place, and remained here two days. They landed eight boat loads of men about four miles off, who were obliged to embark by a party of the rear, before a party of one hundred and fifty men, that we marched from hence, could get up with them.