Читать книгу Revolution An Uncommon Chronicle of the American War for Independence - Kenneth JD Samcoe - Страница 23

Montgomery Killed, Arnold Wounded in Unsuccessful Attack

Montgomery

Arnold

Morgan

We had now arrived, as we thought, to almost the zenith of distress. Several had been entirely destitute of either meat or bread for many days ... In the company was a poor dog, (who had) hitherto lived through all the tribulation, became a prey for the sustenance of the assassinators. This poor animal was instantly devoured, without leaving a vestige of the sacrifice. Nor did shaving soap, pomatum and even lip salve, leather of their shoes, cartridge boxes, etc., share any better fare...

Dr. Issac Senter, Rhode Island Militia

On Arnold’s March to Quebec

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Jan. 5, 1775. Rebel hopes of conquering Canada were shattered this week when British General Sir Guy Carlton’s marines, with support from 500 British and French Canadian militia, turned back a rebel attack on the city of Quebec, December 30. Eight hundred rebel troops under command of General Montgomery were thrown back and forced to retreat after an abortive attack on the fortress city, under cover of a violent snowstorm.

General Montgomery and 300 rebel troops marched from Montreal to Quebec in late November, and joined Colonel Benedict Arnold and the 500 survivors of Arnold’s ill-fated expedition through the Maine wilderness.

Colonel Arnold, who lost half his original 1,000 volunteers to sickness, starvation and exposure, was about to withdraw from the outskirts of Quebec after a failed attempt to lay siege on the city’s population.

The rebels staged a two-pronged attack against Carlton’s 1,800 defenders. Arnold, with Captain Daniel Morgan and his Virginia riflemen, managed to breach the first round of barricades at the northern perimeter of lower Quebec. Arnold received a bullet in his leg and was forced to withdraw, giving Captain Morgan command of his troops. The rebel advance slowed when it was discovered that melting snow had soaked most of their flint and gunpowder.

Montgomery’s New York militia struck the western side of lower Quebec, which borders on the Charles River. The rebel general was killed while leading the first assault on a blockhouse erected outside the city’s walls. For some inexplicable reason, Montgomery’s second in command, Colonel Donald Campbell, ordered a retreat, which allowed Carlton to move the majority of his troops against Captain Morgan’s men who were advancing up the streets of lower Quebec.

Carlton’s men surrounded the rebels and Morgan, outgunned and outnumbered, was forced to surrender. The Virginian handed his sword to a local priest, rather than yield it to a British officer.

Rebel losses are estimated at 60 killed and over 400 captured. British casualties were five killed and 13 wounded.