 In the spring and summer of 1779 , Hazen 's regiment and that of Timothy Bedel worked on construction of the Bayley Hazen Military Road , once again with the eventual goal of launching an invasion . Part of the road , between Newbury and Peacham had been constructed in 1776 by Jacob Bayley . Hazen supervised the development of the road up to what is now called <unk> Notch in northern Vermont . Work was discontinued on the road in August after word was received that the British were preparing a military force at Saint @-@ Jean to attempt capture of the construction crew . General Washington had never intended to send an invasion along this route ; the entire works was a ruse to divert British attention , and deter them from launching an invasion . Washington wrote to Congress that the work " was for the purpose of exciting jealousies at Quebec and at the Enemy 's posts on the St. <unk> , and of making a diversion in favor of the late expedition under general Sullivan ... this very happily succeeded " . 
