On the 1st of December, general Montgomery joined Arnold upon the heights of Abraham before Quebec, and notwithstanding the extreme severity of the season in this inclement climate, he immediately began erecting his batteries, which by a perfect novelty in military science, being composed of snow and water, soon became solid ice. But finding his artillery make little impression, he determined on a general assault.3 Early in the morning, on the 31st of December, 1775, during a snow storm the attack was made by two divisions, in two different quarters of the town. These divisions were commanded by colonel Arnold, and the general in person. Montgomery's division proceeded to make the attack, by the way of Cape Diamond, while Arnold's division attacked the suburbs of St. Rue. On the first onset, Montgomery led on his men with undaunted resolution; he was attended with a number of carpenters with saws, in order to cut down the pickets, he even pulled some of them down with his own hands, and entered with his aid-de-camp, Mr. M‘Pherson, and two more American officers at the head of his division; here they were received with a heavy fire of musketry. Montgomery, with his officers and a number of men were killed, and the remainder of the divison falling into immediate disorder, were repulsed with much slaughter. On the other side colonel Arnold forced the first barrier, which consisted of thirty men, but before he could attempt the second, a reinforcement of the garrison, in consequence of the defeat of Montgomery in the opposite quarter, was collected against him; here Arnold received a dangerous wound in the leg, by a musquet ball, and was compelled to retire to the camp. To add to their embarrassment, they lost the help of one of their companies, which was quartered on the north side of the river St. Charles, by their not having notice of the attack in due time, which in endeavouring to join the main body, were surprized by a party of our men, under the command of captain Laws, who made a sortie through Palace Gate, and most of them were made prisoners.
The Americans near the second barrier took possession of some houses, but as our troops which sallied out of Palace Gate, came upon their rear, and their numbers being greatly lessened by being killed and wounded, they were obliged to retreat to the barrier which they had but a little before taken, here they maintained their ground until ten o'clock in the morning, when, after a brave resistance, they were obliged to lay down their arms.
The loss which the garrison sustained was but small in comparison. One lieutenant of the navy, and six rank and file killed, and thirteen rank and file wounded; but the loss of the Americans was very considerable; seven officers were killed and six wounded, upwards of six hundred officers and men were taken prisoners. Montgomery was shot through both his thighs and his head. When his body was taken up, his features were not in the least distorted, but his countenance appeared regular, placid, and serene; an elegant coffin was prepared, and he was interred with all military and funeral honors.4 He was tall and slender, well limbed, of a genteel, easy, graceful and manly address; to the courage of the soldier he added the military skill of the general, and had the voluntary love, esteem, and confidence of the American troops, who greatly lamented him. In the afternoon, the American officers were confined in the seminary, and well accommodated with bedding, &c. they were treated with the greatest politeness and generosity by the British officers; the privates were confined in the Recollets, or Jesuits college, and well used.5 Montgomery's knee buckles, and his aid-de-camp's gold broach, with several other valuable articles found with the dead officers, were all restored to the Americans, which were highly gratifying to them," British soldiers in the moment of victory, will have mercy on a prostrate foe, as the brave and generous cannot be cruel."
General Montgomery received a liberal education in Ireland, his native country. In the year 1758 he had obtained the rank of captain in the 17th regiment of foot, and stood full in the way of higher preferment; having borne a share in all our American wars, and the reduction of Canada, in the year 1759; as soon as peace was restored, he took leave of the army, and having soon connected himself by marriage with an ancient and honorable family in the province of New York, he chose a delightful retirement upon the banks of Hudson's river, where he continued until appointed by the American congress a brigadier general. Colonel Arnold with the shattered remains of his troops, retreated three miles from the city where he had the temerity to encamp. Early in the spring, the Isis, of fifty-four guns, accompanied by the Surprise frigate, and the Martin sloop, on board of which was part of the 29th foot, forced their passage through the ice, before the navigation of the river St. Lawrence was deemed practicable.
Governor Carleton was too great a proficient in the art of war, to delay seizing the advantages which the consternation of the besiegers and the arrival of this reinforcement afforded. He marched out at their head to attack the Americans. On his approach he found every thing in confusion: the late besiegers abandoning their artillery and military stores, had in great precipitation retreated. In this manner, at the expiration of five months, the mixed siege and blockade of Quebec was raised. The fortitude and perseverance of the garrison reflected honor on both officers and privates.
The reputation acquired by general Carleton in his military character, for bravely and judiciously defending the province committed to his care, was exceeded by the superior applause, merited from his exercise of the virtues of humanity and generosity. Among the numerous sick in the American hospitals, several incapable of being moved were left behind. The victorious general proved himself worthy of success by his treatment of these unfortunate men: he not only fed and cloathed them, but permitted them when recovered to return home. Apprehending that fear might make some conceal themselves in the woods, rather than by applying for a relief, make themselves known, he removed their doubts by the following proclamation : " Whereas I am informed, that many of his majesty's deluded subjects, of the neighbouring provinces, laboring under wounds and divers disorders, are dispersed in the adjacent woods and parishes, and in great danger of perishing for want of proper assistance, all captains and other officers of militia are hereby commanded to make diligent search for all such distressed persons, and afford them all necessary relief, and convey them to the general hospital, where proper care shall be taken of them all reasonable expenses which may be incurred in complying with this order, shall be paid by the receiver-general.
"And lest a consciousness of past offences should deter such miserable wretches from receiving that assistance which their distressed situation may require; I hereby make known to them, that as soon as their health is restored they shall have free liberty to return to their respective provinces."
A rich Frenchman, who commanded a regiment of Canadians under Montgomery, and who joined him in Montreal, was likewise taken prisoner. A few weeks after general Carleton ordered the Frenchman to make his appearance upon the parade of the castle. He was brought there under a file of soldiers; general Carleton was walking at the top of the parade. As soon as the man was brought in, he waved his hat for the soldiers to retire and shut the gates. An interview must now take place; let the reader imagine what the Frenchman felt: he expected to be hanged like a dog, or sent over to England to be tried by the English judges. Up to the general he must come, for he could not expect that the general would run towards him. He summoned his courage, and walked with a slow dignified step up to the parade towards the general. As soon as he came up he expected nothing but frowns and the most stinging reproaches, as he was one of the king's subjects in the governor's jurisdiction. The general stopped and looked at him with a mixture of dignity and condescension, and said, "Sir, when did you hear from your family?" " General," replied the other, " I have not heard from them these three months." (The general knew that very well, for he had intercepted all his letters.) "Sir, said he, which way do you chuse to go home, by land or water? If you chuse to go by water, you shall chuse to go by land you The man was struck with his feet, and clasping the
have my barge: if you shall ride in my coach." amazement, fell down at governor's knees, burst into a violent exclamation; "O general, you are too good! you are too good!" The general raised him from the ground, sent him home with honor and joy to his family, with such gratitude in his heart as never forsook him. He continued a faithful subject as long as he lived.
After this gentleman was gone home to Montreal, general Carleton sent for the American prisoners, in small companies, and addressed them with such sweetness and good humour, as was sufficient to melt every heart. "My lads," said he, "why did you come to disturb an honest man in his government, that never did any harm to you in his life? I never invaded your property, nor sent a single soldier to distress you. Come, my boys, you are in a very distressing situation, and not able to go home with any comfort; I must provide you with shoes, stockings, and good warm waistcoats. I must give you some good victuals to carry you home. Take care, my lads, that you do not come here again, lest I should not treat you so kindly."
This humane line of conduct was more injurious to the views of the leaders in the American councils, than any severity that could be used against them.
3 During the siege, a woman from the American camp stole into Quebec, with letters addressed to the principal merchants, advising them to an immediate submission, and promising great indulgence in case of their compliance. Inclosed was a letter to general Carleton, with a summons to deliver up the town. The messenger was sent to prison for a few days, and then drummed out.
4 In general Montgomery's memoirs written some time after his death, by Dr. Smith, of Philadelphia, a celebrated American partısan, speaking on this subject, he says, "O thou swift winged messenger of destruction, how didst thou triumph in that moment! the stroke that severed Montgomery from his army, deprived them of more than a member. It reached the vitals, and struck the whole body with a temporary death. As when the forked lightening, darting through the forest, amidst the black tempests of night, rends some towering oak, and lays its honors in the dust, the inferior trees which it had long sheltered from the storm, stand mournful around. So stood the astonished bands, over their fallen chieftain! nor over him alone, but over others, in their prime of glory, prostrate by his side.
Such examples of magnanimity filled even adversaries with veneration and esteem. Forgetting the foes in the heroes, they gathered up their breathless remains, and committed them to kindred dust; with pious hands," and funeral honors meet; "-so may your own remains, and particularly thine, O Carleton, be honored, should it ever be your fate to fall in hostile fields ! or if, amid the various chances of war, your lot should be among the prisoners and the wounded, may you be distinguished with an ample return of that benevolence which you have shewn to others! such offices of humanity, softening the savage scenes of war, will entitle you to an honor which all the pride of conquest cannot bestow."
5 Major Meig, who succeeded Arnold in the command after he was wounded, in writing upon this subject, says, " I dined this day with captain Law, whom in the morning I made prisoner; but in a few hours after I was in my turn wade prisoner also. Captain Law treated me with the greatest politeness and generosity."
SOURCE: Roger Lamb, An Original and Authentic Journal of Occurrences During the Late American War, from its Commencement to the Year 1783, pp. 83-89
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