About two thousand five hundred effectives were with General Sullivan at the Sorel.

The whole were in a state of total insubordination--much harassed with fatigue--and dispirited by their late losses, by the visible superiority of the enemy, and by the apprehension that their retreat would be entirely cut off.

Under all these discouraging circumstances, General Sullivan formed the rash determination of defending the post at Sorel; and was induced only by the unanimous opinion of his officers, and a conviction that the troops would not support him, to abandon it a few hours before the British took possession of it.

The same causes drew him reluctantly from Chamblee and St.John's; but he resolved to remain at the Isle Aux Noix, until he should receive orders to retreat.

He had been joined at St.John's by General Arnold, who had crossed over at Longueisle just in time to save the garrison of Montreal.
The Isle Aux Noix is a low unhealthy place, badly supplied with water; where the troops were so universally seized with fevers, as to compel General Sullivan to retire to the Isle Lamotte.