After the rigors of the previous year's campaign in Nova Scotia the Canadian detachment was extraordinarily weakened by maladies including De Ramezay and it was for this reason he delegated command of the attack to Captain Coulon de Villiers., On January 21, 1747 the French then commenced a twenty-one day winter march to the Minas. The troops, on snowshoes and utilizing sleds, crossed to Bay Verte, followed the Northumberland shore to Tatamagouche, crossed the Cobequid Mountains to Cobequid Bay near present-day Truro, and by February 2 had reached the Shubenacadie River where they found the river blocked by ice and too dangerous for the main force to cross. De Villiers ordered Boishébert to cross the river with ten men and to block the roads of the inhabitants in this district to make sure we are not discovered.. Throughout the trek the Canadian force was joined by both Acadian militia and Mi'kmaq warriors. Further assistance came when they were sheltered and fed by local Acadian families who also provided information on the New England positions. There were Acadians, however, that were not allies. At Cobequid (Truro), de Villiers took precaution to block all the paths because the ill-intentioned inhabitants could undertake to pass and alert the English to our march.