Frustrated by the stalemate at Fort St. John, Ethan Allen went north with a force of Green Mountain Boys to reconoiter Montreal. Back in May, the militia officer and some of those troops from what is now Vermont captured Fort Ticonderoga in a surprise assault, making them early heroes of the Patriot cause. Believing that Montreal was virtually undefended and unaware of his approach, Allen attempted to replicate his earlier triumph. It was not to be. Delays in crossing the St. Lawrence River and entering the town allowed the British garrison and local volunteers to capture Allen and all of his soldiers.
"Colonel Allen’s Misfortune will I hope teach a Lesson of Prudence & Subordination to others, who may be to ambitious to outshine their General officers and regardless of Orders or Duty rush into Enterprizes, which have unfavourable Effects to the public and are destructive to themselves."
General Washington to General Schuyler, 26 October 1775www.founders.archives.gov