On this day 250 years ago in Canada, Samuel Chase wrote to Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler:

Our affairs here grow every Hour more gloomy. On yesterday there was a Meeting of our Generals & greater part of our field officers. They resolved to make a Stand as long as possible…. At 12 o’Clock, Genl. Thompson, Colonels Sinclair & Maxwell, & Allen went off. We have at Sorel but 1100 effective Men. General Arnold is gone about an Hour ago to attack Forster & take Care of our Troops at Montreal. To our other Distresses We have no Lead or Ball & no Medicine, though 1300 Sick of the Small pox….

It is a Million to a Shilling that General Thomas will die

Maj. Gen, John Thomas had been infected by smallpox and would indeed soon die from the disease.

Source:https://americanfounding.org/entries/second-continental-congress-may-31-1776/