On 7 October 1776, a British ground and naval force under Governer Carleton descended on Lake Champlain to challenge Arnold’s flotilla of gunboats and small warships. The two sides met near Valcour Island on 11 October, leading to a punishing battle in which Arnold had to give way but not before wearing down Carleton’s strength.
"Dear General: Yesterday morning at eight o'clock, the enemy's fleet, consisting of one ship mounting sixteen guns, one snow mounting the same number, one schooner of fourteen guns, two of twelve, two sloops, a bomb-ketch and a large vessel (that did not come up), with fifteen or twenty flat-bottomed boats or gondolas, carrying one twelve or eighteen-pounder in their bows, appeared off Cumberland Head. We immediately prepared to receive them . . . At half-past twelve the engagement became general and very warm. Some of the enemy's ships and all her gondolas beat and rowed up within musket-shot of us. We suffered much for want of seamen and gunners. I was obliged myself to point most of the guns on board the Congress, which believe did good execution"
General Arnold to General Schuyler, 12 October 1776Henry Steele Commager and Richard B. Morris, The Spirit of ‘Seventy-Six: The Story of the American Revolution As Told By Participants (Boston: Da Cap Press, 1968), p. 222.