But this censure was unjust.

He took command of the army when it was too weak to maintain its ground, and when the time for saving the sick and the military stores had passed away.
The siege of Quebec, instead of being continued longer, ought to have been abandoned at an earlier period.

This was the real fault of those who commanded in Canada.

It is to be ascribed to the reluctance always felt by inexperienced officers to disappoint the public expectation, by relinquishing an enterprise concerning which sanguine hopes have been entertained; and to encounter the obloquy of giving up a post, although it can no longer with prudence be defended.

In the perseverance with which the siege of Quebec was maintained, these motives operated with all their force, and they received an addition, from the unwillingness felt by the Americans, to abandon those of their friends who had taken so decisive a part in their favour, as to be incapable of remaining in safety behind them.
{June 4.} [Sidenote: General Sullivan takes the command.] After the death of General Thomas, reinforcements assembled at the mouth of the Sorel, which increased the army to four or five thousand men, who were commanded by General Sullivan.