His army outnumbered the American defenders of Plattsburgh, but he was worried about his flanks, so he decided he needed naval control of Lake Champlain.
Armata lui depășea numeric pe apărătorii americani ai Plattsburgh-ului⁠(d), dar își făcea griji pentru flancuri, astfel că a hotărât că are nevoie de controlul naval asupra Lacului Champlain.