As the main body of Arnold’s troops steeled themselves for the final leg of their journey, their commander wrote a letter to General Montgomery, whom he believed was somewhere on the Richelieu River far to the west, assuring him that the Maine expedition would soon reach Quebec City.
"I think you [Montgomery] had great reason to be apprehensive for me, the time I mentioned to Gen. being so long elapsed. I was not then apprised or even apprehensive of one half of the difficulties we had to encounter; of which I cannot at present give you a particular detail; —can only say we have hauled our batteaux over falls, up rapid streams, over carrying places; and marched through morasses, thick woods, and over mountains, about 320 miles; —many of which we had to pass several times to bring our baggage. These difficulties the soldiers have, with the greatest fortitude surmounted."
Col. Benedict Arnold to Brig. Gen. Richard Montgomery, 31 October 1775www.founders.archives.gov