When General Thomas made the decision to withdraw from Canada on 8 May 1775, General Arnold explained to Washington how the army would move back to Fort Ticonderoga in an orderly fashion. General Shuyler, supervising the operation from his headquarters in Albany, began making plans to defend Lake Champlain from the anticipated British counterthrust.
"I have mounted three 24 Pounders on a Gundaloe & Armed several Battoes, which go down the River tomorrow. these with a schooner mounting Ten Guns & a Gundaloe Mounting One twelve Pounder are all the Force we have in the River. four other Gondaloes are building at Chambly calculated to Mount three heavy pieces of Cannon. but will not be compleated these two weeks. tomorrow I set off for the Army with no very Agreable prospects before me. should the enemy receive any considerable reinforcement soon, I make no Doubt, we shall have our hands full. at any rate we will do all that can be expected from Raw Troops, badly cloathed and fed, & worse paid, & without Dicipline. & trust the event to Providence"
General Arnold to General Washington, 8 May 1776www.founders.archives.gov