Following their defeat in Quebec, the American forces, led by Benedict Arnold, retreated while employing a scorched-earth policy to hinder the British advance. Both sides raced to construct fleets on Lake Champlain, with the British benefiting from prefabricated ships and superior resources. Arnold strategically positioned his smaller fleet near Valcour Island to offset British advantages. The ensuing battle saw heavy exchanges of fire, with the Americans inflicting significant damage on the British flagship Carleton. However, the British ultimately prevailed due to their superior firepower, forcing the battered American fleet to retreat under the cover of darkness. Thanks to Wikipedia and Google Gemini for providing the details to help craft this story.
