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.
In general Carleton's dispatches to government, particular
mention is made of lieutenant colonel M‘Clean, and his newly raised regiment of
Scotch emigrants, for their indefatigable zeal in the king's service, during
the siege. Also captain Hamilton of his Majesty's ship, the Lizard, with the
officers and seamen, who were formed into a battalion on shore, discharged
their duty with alacrity and spirit. Major Caldwell who commanded the militia
likewise, proved himself an active and diligent officer.
_______________
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
