Battle of the Cedars (1776): American Surrender in Canada

Battle at a Glance

Historical Background: The Collapse of the American Invasion of Canada

The American Invasion of Canada

In September 1775, the Continental Army launched an invasion of the British Province of Quebec. American leaders hoped to eliminate the threat of British attacks from Canada, secure the St. Lawrence River, and persuade French-speaking Canadians to support the revolutionary cause.

Two principal American expeditions entered the province. General Richard Montgomery advanced northward through the Lake Champlain corridor, while Benedict Arnold led a difficult expedition through the wilderness of Maine toward Quebec City.

The Capture of Montreal

Montgomery’s army captured Fort Saint-Jean in November 1775, opening the route toward Montreal. British Governor General Guy Carleton withdrew, and American forces occupied Montreal on November 13.

The occupation gave the Continental Army control of an important commercial and military center, but it did not secure the surrounding countryside or the river communications leading westward.

The Failed Assault on Quebec

On December 31, 1775, American forces attempted to capture Quebec City during a snowstorm. Montgomery was killed, Arnold was wounded, and the assault failed.

The Americans continued a siege of Quebec, but their army suffered from disease, inadequate supplies, expiring enlistments, and difficulties maintaining support among the local population.

Montreal’s Exposed Western Flank

Although the Americans occupied Montreal, British authority remained established in the upper Great Lakes and at posts along the western waterways.

The St. Lawrence River provided a route by which British soldiers, Canadian volunteers, and Indigenous allies could move toward the city.

Protecting this western approach became an important American military requirement.

The American Post at Les Cèdres

Continental commanders established an outpost at Les Cèdres, approximately 52 kilometers southwest of Montreal, near a strategically important section of the St. Lawrence River.

The post was intended to monitor traffic, prevent supplies from reaching British forces farther west, and provide early warning of hostile movements.

Colonel Timothy Bedel

Colonel Timothy Bedel commanded a New Hampshire regiment that had developed from earlier ranger service.

His men formed a significant portion of the American force assigned to the Cedars.

Other Continental detachments, including men associated with Connecticut units, also served in the area.

The Fortified Position

The Americans constructed a defensive work using a stockade, breastworks, and field artillery.

Its location was intended to command an important passage along the river and delay enemy movement toward Montreal.

British Forces at the Western Posts

British forces remained active at Fort Niagara and other western stations.

Captain George Forster of the 8th Regiment of Foot organized an expedition to challenge the American position.

Indigenous Nations and the War

Indigenous nations were not a single political or military bloc during the Revolution. Communities and leaders made different decisions based upon their interests, alliances, territorial concerns, and relationships with British and American authorities.

Forster’s expedition received support from warriors associated with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, including Cayuga and Seneca participants, and from Mississauga communities.

These warriors supplied military strength, regional knowledge, reconnaissance, and an ability to operate effectively in wooded terrain.

Guillaume de Lorimier

Guillaume de Lorimier played an important role in recruiting and coordinating Indigenous allies for the expedition.

His connections with Indigenous communities were important to the formation of the force that attacked the Cedars.

Canadian Volunteers

Forster’s expedition also included Canadians who supported the British Crown.

Jean-Baptiste Testard de Montigny commanded a contingent of Canadian volunteers who reinforced the operation.

The Decision to Attack

Forster recognized that the American garrison was isolated from the principal Continental force in Montreal.

A successful attack could remove the western outpost, capture prisoners, and create an opportunity to advance toward the city.

The Situation in May 1776

By the middle of May, the American invasion of Canada was already under severe pressure.

British reinforcements had reached Quebec City, forcing the Americans to retreat toward Montreal.

The Battle of the Cedars therefore occurred during a broader deterioration of the Continental Army’s Canadian campaign.

Commanders & Participating Forces

British and Allied Command

American Command

The 8th Regiment of Foot

The 8th Regiment, commonly known as the King’s Regiment or King’s Liverpool Regiment, supplied the British regulars who formed the professional military core of Forster’s expedition.

Only a relatively small detachment participated, rather than the entire regiment.

British Regular Strength

Some historical accounts estimate that Forster initially commanded approximately forty British regulars, with additional Canadians and Indigenous warriors.

The overall force grew and changed during the expedition, making a single strength figure misleading.

Haudenosaunee Warriors

Warriors associated with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy participated in the operation.

Canadian historical commemorations specifically identify Cayuga and Seneca participation, while broader accounts also mention Mohawk involvement.

Exact community representation and individual leaders are not consistently identified across the surviving sources.

Mississauga Warriors

Mississauga participants also joined the British-allied force.

Their participation reflected the military and diplomatic relationships linking Indigenous communities with British authorities in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence regions.

Canadian Volunteers

Canadian volunteers supplemented Forster’s regular soldiers and Indigenous allies.

These men contributed local knowledge, communications, and additional fighting strength.

Bedel’s Regiment

Bedel’s New Hampshire regiment formed the principal American organization associated with the Cedars outpost.

Its earlier service as a ranger formation reflected the importance of frontier warfare and reconnaissance along the northern border.

Connecticut Detachments

Some accounts identify men associated with Burrell’s Connecticut Regiment among the American forces serving near the Cedars.

Researchers should verify individual companies and service dates rather than assume the entire regiment participated.

The Cedars Garrison

American strength estimates vary, with several historical accounts placing approximately 300–400 men at the fortified post.

These figures may include soldiers, associated personnel, and Canadians attached to the American position.

Major Isaac Butterfield

Butterfield assumed command after Bedel departed to seek assistance.

He surrendered the garrison after the British-allied force approached and threatened the position.

His decision later became a major subject of criticism and military investigation.

Major Henry Sherburne

Sherburne led a relief detachment from Montreal toward the Cedars.

His force was delayed by difficult conditions, uncertain intelligence, and problems moving across the river.

It was subsequently ambushed and captured.

Benedict Arnold

Arnold assembled a larger force after learning that the Cedars garrison and Sherburne’s relief column had been lost.

He advanced westward from Montreal but ultimately negotiated for the prisoners rather than launch a direct attack.

Why the Forces Were Unequal

The Americans possessed a fortified post and field artillery, but their units were divided between the garrison, the relief force, and Montreal.

Forster’s force, although comparatively small in British regulars, combined mobile troops and regional intelligence with the ability to concentrate against isolated American detachments.

Battlefield Geography & Terrain

The Upper St. Lawrence River

The St. Lawrence River was the principal transportation corridor connecting Montreal with settlements and military posts farther west.

Control of this waterway was essential for moving troops, supplies, intelligence, and prisoners.

Les Cèdres

Les Cèdres stood on the river southwest of Montreal.

Its location made it a useful American outpost for monitoring the western approaches and restricting communication with British posts.

The River Rapids

The St. Lawrence contained difficult rapids and navigational obstacles in the region.

These conditions complicated military transportation and made control of suitable landing places important.

The American Stockade

The Cedars outpost was protected by wooden defensive works and breastworks.

The fortifications provided cover against small-arms fire and could have supported a prolonged defense if adequately manned and supplied.

The Field of Fire

The American defenders possessed two field pieces, according to contemporary congressional reporting.

The guns offered a potential advantage against attackers who lacked comparable artillery.

Wooded Approaches

The surrounding countryside contained woods and broken ground suitable for concealed movement.

These conditions favored reconnaissance, flanking maneuvers, and ambushes.

Quinze-Chênes

Quinze-Chênes lay east of the Cedars along the route from Montreal.

It became the location associated with the defeat of Sherburne’s relief column.

The Relief Route

Sherburne’s men traveled westward from Montreal and had to negotiate river crossings and difficult approaches.

Their progress was slowed by wind, uncertainty, and warnings about enemy strength.

Saint-Anne

The Saint-Anne area became important during the later negotiations between Arnold and Forster.

Its position along the approaches to Montreal made it a natural location for the opposing forces to communicate.

Lachine

Lachine, west of Montreal, served as a staging area for American forces responding to the crisis.

Arnold concentrated troops there before advancing toward Forster.

The Distance from Montreal

The Cedars was close enough to threaten Montreal’s western communications but sufficiently distant to make reinforcement difficult.

The Americans could not simply send support across open ground; river transportation and local conditions determined the speed of their response.

Why the Terrain Favored Forster

Forster’s allied force used the river corridor and surrounding wooded terrain to approach the American position and intercept reinforcements.

Indigenous warriors familiar with regional movement and reconnaissance were particularly valuable in this environment.

Why the Fortifications Did Not Save the Garrison

The American stockade was defensible, but its value depended upon the willingness and ability of the garrison to hold it.

Butterfield surrendered before the attackers had to conduct a costly assault.

Weapons, Equipment & Logistics

British Infantry Muskets

Forster’s regular soldiers carried standard British flintlock muskets and associated infantry equipment.

These weapons were effective in organized volleys but also usable in smaller detachments operating along the river.

American Muskets

The Continental soldiers at the Cedars carried a mixture of military muskets and other available firearms.

Weapon standardization remained a problem throughout the American army in Canada.

Indigenous Firearms

Many Indigenous warriors used trade muskets and other firearms suited to mobile woodland fighting.

Weapons, ammunition supplies, and personal equipment varied among individuals and communities.

The American Field Pieces

Contemporary congressional records identify two field guns at the Cedars.

The British-allied attackers did not possess comparable artillery during the initial siege.

This made the American surrender particularly controversial.

The Stockade

The American defensive works included wooden barriers intended to protect soldiers from musket fire.

The position could have imposed serious costs upon an attacking force if its defenders had resisted effectively.

Food and Ammunition

Congressional investigators reported that the Cedars garrison possessed enough provisions and ammunition to continue resisting for several days.

The precise quantity of available supplies remains dependent upon the reliability of the contemporary reports.

River Transportation

Boats and river crossings were essential to both sides.

Troops could not move freely between Montreal, Lachine, Quinze-Chênes, and the Cedars without accounting for water conditions.

Weather and Wind

Strong winds delayed Sherburne’s attempt to cross the river.

The delay contributed to the failure to reach the garrison before its surrender.

Smallpox

Smallpox affected American military operations throughout the Canadian campaign.

Illness weakened units, disrupted leadership, and reduced the effectiveness of reinforcements.

Prisoner Logistics

After capturing the garrison and relief force, Forster faced the problem of controlling and feeding hundreds of prisoners.

The prisoners were a major bargaining advantage but also placed considerable demands upon his force.

Captured Equipment

The surrender gave Forster access to American arms, ammunition, artillery, and supplies.

The loss of these resources further weakened the Continental Army’s position west of Montreal.

Why Logistics Limited the British Advance

Although Forster won the engagements, he lacked sufficient troops and supplies to launch a sustained attack against Montreal.

Some Indigenous and Canadian participants departed after the victories, reducing his available strength.

Intelligence & Operational Planning

Forster’s Knowledge of the Outpost

Forster learned that the Americans maintained a relatively isolated fortified position at the Cedars.

Its distance from Montreal made it vulnerable to a concentrated attack before substantial reinforcements could arrive.

Indigenous Reconnaissance

Indigenous participants supplied important intelligence about movement along the river and surrounding countryside.

These networks helped Forster identify American positions and respond to the relief expedition.

Bedel’s Warning

Colonel Bedel received information that a British-allied force was approaching.

He left the Cedars to seek reinforcements, transferring immediate command to Major Butterfield.

Butterfield’s Situation

Butterfield faced a force whose total strength was uncertain.

Reports concerning the number of Indigenous warriors and the possibility of an assault contributed to his decision-making.

The Threat of Violence Against Prisoners

Accounts of the surrender describe fears that the garrison might be killed if the fort were taken by assault.

Such warnings influenced Butterfield, although the precise language and circumstances differ among historical narratives.

The Surrender Decision

Butterfield agreed to capitulate rather than defend the position.

Later American investigations argued that the garrison possessed sufficient defenses, ammunition, and provisions to resist.

The Relief Expedition

Major Henry Sherburne was dispatched to reinforce the Cedars.

His column was relatively small and faced difficulties moving through the river corridor.

Conflicting Intelligence

Sherburne received warnings that large numbers of British-allied troops were operating near the Cedars.

Some of this intelligence was exaggerated or may have been written under coercion.

The Delayed Crossing

High winds prevented Sherburne’s men from crossing the river on May 19.

They resumed their advance on May 20, unaware that the American garrison had already surrendered.

The Ambush

British-allied forces intercepted Sherburne’s column near Quinze-Chênes.

Indigenous warriors played a central role in the attack and encirclement.

The Loss of the Relief Force

Sherburne’s men fought but were eventually compelled to surrender.

The defeat eliminated the immediate prospect of relieving the Cedars and increased the number of American prisoners.

Arnold’s Response

Benedict Arnold assembled a larger force to recover the prisoners and challenge Forster.

His advance forced the British commander to reconsider whether he could remain near Montreal.

Forster’s Negotiating Position

Forster possessed hundreds of prisoners but lacked sufficient resources for a sustained offensive.

He used the captives as leverage in negotiations with Arnold.

The May 27 Agreement

Arnold accepted an agreement providing for the release of American prisoners in exchange for British prisoners held by the Continental authorities.

The arrangement later became controversial because of allegations of prisoner mistreatment and questions about Arnold’s authority to commit Congress to the exchange.

Battle of the Cedars: Interactive Timeline

Tactical Analysis & Command Decisions

Phase One: The British-Allied Approach

Forster advanced toward the Cedars with a mixed force of regular soldiers, Canadian volunteers, and Indigenous warriors.

The operation depended upon speed, intelligence, and the ability to exploit the garrison’s isolation.

Phase Two: The American Command Change

Colonel Bedel left the outpost to seek reinforcements.

Major Butterfield assumed command of a fortified position that was about to be attacked.

Phase Three: The Siege

The British-allied force approached and threatened the American works.

Although the defenders possessed artillery and protective barriers, Butterfield chose negotiation rather than prolonged resistance.

Phase Four: The Surrender

Butterfield surrendered the garrison and its equipment.

This gave Forster control of the outpost and hundreds of American prisoners without requiring a costly assault.

Phase Five: The Relief Column’s Advance

Sherburne moved toward the Cedars with a small force.

Delays and uncertain intelligence prevented him from arriving before the surrender.

Phase Six: The Quinze-Chênes Ambush

British-allied troops attacked the relief column in wooded terrain.

Indigenous warriors played an important role in surrounding the Americans and limiting their ability to withdraw.

Phase Seven: Sherburne’s Surrender

After a short but serious engagement, the relief force surrendered.

Forster now possessed prisoners from both the original garrison and the reinforcements.

Phase Eight: Arnold’s Advance

Arnold assembled a larger American force and advanced from Montreal.

His movement threatened Forster’s position but did not immediately result in another battle.

Phase Nine: The Prisoner Agreement

Forster used his prisoners to secure negotiations.

Arnold agreed to exchange terms rather than risk an attack that might endanger the captives.

Conceptual Tactical Diagram

This diagram illustrates the general relationship between Montreal, the Cedars, the relief route, and the ambush near Quinze-Chênes. It is conceptual and not drawn to scale.

Why Butterfield’s Surrender Was Controversial

The American garrison possessed a fortified position, artillery, and supplies.

Critics argued that Butterfield surrendered without exhausting the defensive advantages available to him.

His decision became a central issue in the subsequent military investigation.

Why Sherburne Was Defeated

Sherburne’s force was small, delayed, and operating with incomplete information.

It advanced toward a post that had already fallen and encountered an enemy able to use wooded terrain and numerical superiority to surround it.

Why Forster Did Not Capture Montreal

Forster’s victories produced hundreds of prisoners but did not give him the manpower or supplies necessary to occupy Montreal.

Arnold’s advance increased the danger of remaining near the city.

The British commander therefore sought an agreement and withdrew.

The Soldier’s Experience

Life at the Cedars Outpost

American soldiers stationed at the Cedars occupied an isolated position along the St. Lawrence River.

They were responsible for maintaining the fortifications, guarding the river passage, and watching for enemy movements.

The Threat of Attack

Reports of approaching British regulars, Canadian volunteers, and Indigenous warriors created uncertainty within the garrison.

The defenders had limited information about the size and intentions of the approaching force.

The Defensive Works

The stockade and breastworks provided protection against small-arms fire.

Soldiers could have used these works to resist an assault, but the decision to surrender prevented a prolonged defense.

The Surrender

For the garrison, the capitulation meant laying down arms and entering captivity.

Men who had expected to defend the western approaches to Montreal instead became prisoners.

The Relief Column

Sherburne’s soldiers faced difficult travel conditions while attempting to reach the Cedars.

River crossings, wind, and uncertain reports delayed their movement.

The Ambush

When the relief force encountered the British-allied troops, the Americans faced fire from concealed or dispersed positions.

The wooded environment made it difficult to identify the full extent of the opposing force.

The Encirclement

As the attackers moved around the American position, Sherburne’s men lost freedom of movement.

The danger of being overwhelmed increased as the engagement continued.

Prisoners After the Fighting

The surrender did not immediately end the prisoners’ ordeal.

Contemporary American reports alleged that some captives were stripped, robbed, threatened, or killed after surrender.

Reports of Prisoner Killings

Congressional investigators described the deaths of two prisoners and alleged additional mistreatment.

Other historical narratives give different figures and accounts of responsibility.

The evidence must be examined carefully because the allegations became part of a wider political dispute over the treatment of prisoners.

Indigenous Participants

Indigenous warriors were central to the military success of the expedition.

They provided reconnaissance, participated in the ambush, and helped surround the American relief force.

Their participation should not be reduced to the hostile stereotypes commonly found in eighteenth-century American propaganda.

The Canadian Volunteers

Canadian participants served alongside British regulars and Indigenous allies.

Their familiarity with local routes and conditions contributed to the expedition’s effectiveness.

British Regulars

Forster’s small detachment of the 8th Regiment supplied a professional military element within a much larger coalition.

The regulars helped coordinate the operation and manage the captured American position.

Arnold’s Recovery Force

American troops advancing under Arnold hoped to recover the prisoners and restore the situation west of Montreal.

Instead of fighting another battle, they became involved in negotiations over the captives’ release.

The Human Consequences

The Battle of the Cedars was a military disaster for the Americans despite the relatively limited fighting at the fortified post.

Hundreds of soldiers entered captivity, and allegations of mistreatment intensified anger throughout the colonies.

The engagement illustrates how surrender, intelligence failures, and prisoner negotiations could determine the outcome of a campaign as decisively as battlefield combat.

Where Was Your Ancestor’s Unit?

The Battle of the Cedars involved several different military organizations. Researchers must distinguish between soldiers stationed at the fortified post, men assigned to Sherburne’s relief column, and troops who later advanced under Benedict Arnold.

American Units and Detachments

British and Allied Formations

Bedel’s Regiment

Bedel’s Regiment is the most important starting point for research into the American garrison.

Its service records may identify soldiers stationed at the Cedars during May 1776.

Major Butterfield’s Command

The surrender created records concerning the officers and men who became prisoners.

Researchers should examine contemporary correspondence and later military investigations.

Major Sherburne’s Detachment

Sherburne’s relief column was a separate force from the original garrison.

Its personnel should not automatically be included in the Cedars stockade roster.

Captain Samuel Young’s Testimony

Samuel Young provided a contemporary account criticizing the delays in the relief expedition.

His deposition can be compared with Sherburne’s own testimony to reconstruct the movements of the column.

Prisoner Lists

Prisoner records are especially important because the battle produced far more captives than battlefield casualties.

Researchers should look for lists associated with the surrender, the ambush, and the later exchange agreement.

The May 27 Exchange Agreement

The prisoner-exchange agreement created an additional documentary trail.

Records may identify officers by rank and provide totals for enlisted men.

Continental Army Courts-Martial

Bedel and Butterfield faced military scrutiny over the surrender.

Court-martial proceedings and related correspondence may contain information about the garrison’s strength, supplies, and command structure.

British Regimental Records

The 8th Regiment’s muster rolls and correspondence may identify regular soldiers assigned to Forster’s detachment.

Service in the regiment alone does not prove participation in the Cedars expedition.

Canadian Colonial Records

Canadian militia and administrative records may identify volunteers who supported Forster.

Names may appear in French-language documents with varying spellings.

Indigenous Genealogical Research

Research involving Indigenous participants requires particular care.

British military records may identify communities or leaders without naming every warrior.

Community histories, oral traditions, diplomatic records, and Indigenous-controlled archival resources may provide additional perspectives.

Revolutionary War Pension Applications

Some American veterans later described their service in Canada.

Pension applications may mention the Cedars, Sherburne’s relief force, or captivity.

Such recollections should be compared with contemporary evidence.

Common Research Errors

Do not assume that every soldier serving near Montreal participated at the Cedars.

Do not confuse the garrison’s surrender with Sherburne’s separate defeat.

Do not assume that all prisoners were captured on the same day.

Do not assign an Indigenous warrior to a specific nation or war party without supporting evidence.

Battle Outcome & Casualties

British-Allied Victory

Forster’s expedition captured the Cedars outpost and defeated the American relief force.

The operation eliminated an important American position west of Montreal and produced hundreds of prisoners.

The Cedars Garrison

Butterfield surrendered the fortified post after a brief siege.

The surrender occurred without the sustained fighting that might have been expected from a fortified position possessing artillery.

The Relief Column

Sherburne’s force fought near Quinze-Chênes before surrendering.

Its defeat accounted for much of the actual combat associated with the Battle of the Cedars.

American Prisoners

Modern military histories commonly describe approximately 450 American soldiers killed or captured in the combined actions, with the overwhelming majority taken prisoner.

Some contemporary reports used totals approaching 500 prisoners.

American Combat Losses

The exact number of Americans killed and wounded during the fighting remains uncertain.

Historical accounts distinguish imperfectly between men killed in combat, prisoners allegedly killed after surrender, and men who died later.

British-Allied Casualties

Forster’s force suffered losses during the engagement against Sherburne’s column.

Published estimates differ, and a complete casualty return for every participating group has not been established.

Prisoner Mistreatment

Contemporary American reports alleged that prisoners were robbed, stripped, threatened, and in some cases killed after surrender.

Congress investigated these allegations and used them in its response to the exchange agreement.

The specific numbers and circumstances remain disputed among historical accounts.

The Prisoner Agreement

Arnold agreed to exchange American prisoners for British prisoners previously captured by Continental forces.

The agreement was intended to prevent further harm to the captives and secure their release.

Congressional Objections

Congress later challenged the agreement because of the alleged mistreatment of prisoners and concerns about the authority under which the terms had been negotiated.

Why the Battle Was a Major American Defeat

The Americans lost a fortified position, artillery, supplies, and a relief column while suffering comparatively limited battlefield fighting at the original outpost.

The result demonstrated how failures of command, intelligence, and coordination could destroy a military position without a major assault.

Strategic Aftermath

The Loss of the Western Outpost

The surrender of the Cedars removed an important American position protecting Montreal’s western approaches.

British-allied forces could now operate along the upper St. Lawrence without confronting the original fortified barrier.

Arnold’s Recovery Effort

Arnold advanced from Montreal with a larger force in an attempt to recover the prisoners and reverse the defeat.

His movement prevented Forster from exploiting the victory through an immediate advance on Montreal.

Forster’s Withdrawal

Forster lacked the resources to occupy Montreal and faced the difficulty of managing hundreds of prisoners.

He therefore negotiated an agreement and withdrew westward.

The Prisoner-Exchange Controversy

The May 27 agreement became controversial because of allegations that prisoners had been mistreated.

Congress disputed aspects of the arrangement and sought accountability for alleged violations of the terms of surrender.

The Military Investigation

American authorities investigated the conduct of officers associated with the Cedars disaster.

Bedel and Butterfield were criticized for their handling of the outpost and the surrender.

The Wider Canadian Retreat

The Battle of the Cedars occurred while the American invasion of Canada was already collapsing.

British reinforcements had reached Quebec City, and the Continental Army was retreating toward Montreal.

Montreal Abandoned

In June 1776, American forces abandoned Montreal and withdrew southward.

The Cedars defeat contributed to the pressure on American communications and morale but was not the sole cause of the retreat.

The End of the Invasion

The Continental Army eventually withdrew from Canada toward the Lake Champlain corridor.

The failed invasion left British authorities in control of the Province of Quebec.

British Control of the St. Lawrence

The recovery of British authority in Canada restored the strategic importance of the St. Lawrence as a military communications route.

British commanders could use the region as a base for future operations against the northern American colonies.

Indigenous Alliances

The battle demonstrated the military importance of Indigenous participation in the northern theater.

Indigenous warriors supplied combat power, intelligence, and mobility that were essential to Forster’s success.

Their participation reflected independent political and military decisions rather than automatic loyalty to either imperial power.

The Politics of Prisoner Treatment

Reports of mistreatment at the Cedars circulated among American leaders and became part of the broader debate over the treatment of prisoners during the Revolution.

The controversy also influenced congressional attitudes toward prisoner exchanges.

The Road to the 1777 Northern Campaign

The American failure in Canada helped shape the strategic situation in the northern theater.

British commanders later planned operations southward from Canada, including the campaign that culminated in the Battles of Saratoga in 1777.

Why the Battle of the Cedars Matters

The Battle of the Cedars was a significant British-allied victory achieved through a combination of military pressure, local intelligence, Indigenous participation, and American command failures.

Its importance lies not in the scale of battlefield deaths but in the capture of hundreds of Continental soldiers, the destruction of an important outpost, and the political controversy that followed.

The engagement also illustrates the complexity of the Revolutionary War in Canada, where British regulars, American Continentals, Canadian volunteers, and Indigenous nations pursued overlapping but distinct military and political objectives.

Primary Sources & Historical Research

The Battle of the Cedars is documented through Continental Army correspondence, congressional investigations, British military records, Indigenous and Canadian historical accounts, and later scholarly studies. The most important source problems concern the surrender, the relief column’s movements, prisoner treatment, and the exact number of men captured.

Primary Sources

1. Henry Sherburne’s deposition concerning the Cedars expedition. A contemporary account of the relief force’s movements, delays, and defeat.
2. Samuel Young’s deposition concerning the relief expedition. Offers a different interpretation of the delays and command decisions preceding the ambush.
3. Journals of the Continental Congress, June 1776. Record congressional investigations into the surrender, prisoner treatment, and the agreement negotiated by Arnold.
4. Benedict Arnold’s correspondence, May–June 1776. Documents his response to the defeats and negotiations with Forster.
5. British military correspondence concerning Captain George Forster. Provides the British perspective on the operation and prisoner negotiations.
6. Continental Army courts-martial and related proceedings. Document investigations into the conduct of American officers associated with the surrender.

Historical Studies

1. John R. Cuneo, Robert Rogers of the Rangers. Provides background on ranger warfare and northern military operations.
2. Gustave Lanctot, Canada and the American Revolution, 1774–1783. Examines the Canadian campaign and the military and political circumstances surrounding the invasion.
3. Justin H. Smith, Our Struggle for the Fourteenth Colony. Detailed historical account of the American invasion of Canada.
4. Charles Henry Jones, History of the Campaign for the Conquest of Canada in 1776. Nineteenth-century narrative containing extensive discussion of the Cedars disaster.
5. U.S. Army Center of Military History, The Canadian Campaign, 1775–1776. Modern military study of the invasion and its consequences.

Online Historical Resources

1. Parks Canada — Battle of the Cedars National Historic Site. Official Canadian historical designation and summary of the battle.
2. Canadian Register of Historic Places — Battle of the Cedars. Historical significance and battlefield location.
3. Fort Ticonderoga — The Disaster at the Cedars: Two Depositions, Two Different Perspectives. Analysis of Sherburne’s and Young’s contemporary accounts.
4. Fort Ticonderoga Collections — Henry Sherburne’s Deposition. Archival record associated with Sherburne’s testimony.
5. Fort Ticonderoga Collections — Samuel Young’s Deposition. Archival record associated with Young’s testimony.
6. U.S. Army Center of Military History — The Canadian Campaign, 1775–1776. Official military history of the Canadian campaign.
7. Library of Congress — Journals of the Continental Congress, Volume V. Contemporary congressional investigation and prisoner-exchange controversy.
8. History of the Campaign for the Conquest of Canada in 1776. Digitized nineteenth-century historical narrative.
9. Veterans Affairs Canada — Battle of the Cedars Memorial. Official commemorative information.
10. U.S. National Archives — American Revolution Records. Military service, pension, and related research resources.

Research Notes and Historical Cautions

Dates: The Cedars engagement began around May 18, with the garrison surrender generally dated May 19. Sherburne’s relief column was defeated on May 20. Some official commemorative descriptions use slightly different dates. The prisoner agreement was concluded May 27.

British command: Captain George Forster commanded the expedition, supported by Canadian volunteers and Indigenous allies.

Indigenous participation: Canadian historical sources identify Cayuga, Seneca, and Mississauga participants. Other historical accounts mention additional communities. Exact participation should be verified rather than assumed.

American command: Colonel Timothy Bedel originally commanded the outpost. Major Isaac Butterfield surrendered the garrison. Major Henry Sherburne commanded the relief column.

American strength: Accounts commonly describe approximately 300–400 men at the Cedars, with a separate relief force of roughly 100–150 men.

British-allied strength: Estimates vary because Forster’s force changed during the operation and because sources count British regulars, Canadians, and Indigenous warriors differently.

Artillery: Contemporary congressional records identify two American field pieces at the Cedars and report that the attackers lacked artillery.

Casualties: The most important American losses were prisoners. Approximately 450 men were killed or captured in the combined actions according to a modern U.S. Army history. Exact battlefield casualties remain uncertain.

Prisoner treatment: American reports alleged serious mistreatment and killings after surrender. These allegations became part of a congressional investigation and should be evaluated against the surviving evidence.

Prisoner exchange: Arnold negotiated terms with Forster on May 27, but Congress later disputed the arrangement.

Historical outcome: The British-allied force captured the Cedars and defeated the relief column but lacked the resources to advance successfully against Montreal.