It was the beginning of the American Revolution. Where America escaped the hands of British rule. The Americans wanted to completely rid this land from the British, so there would be no support from its colonies.
So the war began. The plan was to gain all military power from the British Province of Quebec. The first act was a letter of persuasion and threat for the Canadians to join the Americans in there attack against England. On June 27, 1775, General George Washington ordered for the Continental army to attack Quebec from 2 points. Richard Montgomery was to detour his troop of 1000 men up through Lake Champlain, siege Montreal, then take Quebec City. They were to intercept Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Crown because of its light defenses and its seizable weapons. The second group was led by Benedict Arnold, the famous American trader, who was to take his group of 1100 men up through Maine and directly to Quebec City.
September 16, Montgomery reached the first fort just outside Montreal. Fort St-Jean greeted the force and withstanded the siege for 8 straight weeks. All the fort had to defend itself were 200 British soldiers a hand full of Canadian Militia, all protecting the 80 women and children inside. Supplies had been cut, wounds were daily and famine was eminent. American reinforcements led by Ethan Allen, marched there way to Fort St Jean. They were interrupted by a Canadian fleet of 200 Canadian soldiers and 30 British soldiers. Allan was taken prisoner and sent to England. The Canadians were faced with a very indecisive governor. "complained" as did the citizens of the city of Montreal - when they said that General Guy Carleton was determined not to cross to the South shore to repulse the enemy." Many of the English believed that Canadians had not been suited for battle, and that they needed help before acting on a decision. This had wounded their pride and optimism to defend the fort. Most Canadian citizens opted for neutrality because of this. In October a number of skirmishes had formed at Longueuil, Governor Carelton planned to stay defensive over aggressive. "unwilling to cross to the South shore to repulse approximately 40 men in Fort Longueuil." this discusted many Canadian citizens. By November 3 they surrendered after 45 days of siege.
After a small victory the Americans proceeded forward to Montreal. With most of the British soldiers in captivity, Montreal was easy for the taking. They quickly cut off all communication with the western forts. Governor Guy Carleton had few resources at his disposal to fight. Before the American militia could catch him, Carelton disguised himself as a normal peasant and fled for Quebec, and did what he could before the Americans arrived to the fort. The Americans themselves were having difficulties. Many problems occurred as Benedict Arnold led his troop through the Canadian wilderness. There were numerous difficult portages, the canoes themselves, frequently leaked spoiling the food and gunpowder. The trip to Quebec was filled of swampy land and lakes and rivers intertwining themselves, all along accompanied by bad weather. A quarter of the group turned back, while many others lost even more food and supplies along Chaudiere River from their lack of experience in heavy, fast moving waters. By November 8 Arnold arrived at Montreal with a little more then half his fleet (700 men), the rest turned back over the 180 mile trek.
Great Britain had sent in extra aid to help with the Canadians, as they had other problems to attend, down in the United States. Lord Dartmouth asked for Carelton to establish an infantry of 6,000 men and England would send over a weapons, ammunition, canons fabricated of brass and uniforms. When the message and supplies had reached Quebec, it was of little concern to the governor. He wanted to save all that he could before the battle. All that mattered was to keep the fort under his control until the British came later on in the spring.
They were all citizens of Montreal, James Livingston, Moses Hazen and Jeremiah Dugan decided to fight against there own country, next to the Americans. These three men were to persuade Canadians to join their cause and fight for the rebellion. Few Canadians did. After promising American laws and values to the captured city of Montreal the Americans had taken any loyalists to prison. Those who would refuse to give up commission of the British rule were detainees as well. On top of it all the Americans were paying for supplies in American paper money instead of coin. Canadians were starting to reconsider the American “way” .
When America concurred Montreal, they failed to recall of the few British garrisons outside the city. Those garrisons were gathering a force to take back what was rightfully there’s. Soon Montreal’s trade had stopped flowing upriver, the Americans put a stop in fear that the first nations would circulate the supplies to England, against them. An American league of 400 men including Colonel Tim Bedel and Moses Hazen traveled to Les Cedres to prevent any further trade from circulating and to report any sightings of a gathering force of first nations people. The Americans walked straight into the trap, and surrendered at first glance. Colonel Foster, the leader of the Canadian group assembled a raw mix of 250 First Nations, militia and regulars to combat the rebels.
Carleton had salvaged 60 British soldiers and 37 naval infantry soldiers and 6 artillerymen. Carleton also possessed the aid of 200 Newfoundland recruits, sailors from the port and 80 artificers and workmen. To top it all off another 900 militiamen had volunteered there arms in battle. They were equipped with green uniforms, fur hats, capotes, mittens and other appropriate clothing, in preparation of the winter. The Americans on the other hand had British uniforms, stolen from the many British forts they have conquered. To identify themselves apart from England they stuck twigs in their hats. Carleton served his army well, sufficiently fed, sheltered and armed, these men were ready for battle. The Americans on the other hand were far from prepared to survive a Canadian winter. There source of shelter were tents and huts, not nearly strong enough to withstand a furious wind. They also failed to find firewood for cooking and warmth and there uniforms did little to protect them from the icy winter.
On November 14 1775, the Americans got there first glance of Quebec City. "I am ordered by his excellency General Washington to take possession of the town of Quebec, I do therefore, in the name of the United Colonies, demand immediate surrender of the town, fortifications and city of Quebec to the forces of the United Colonies under my command” taunted Arnold to the fort. The Canadians held there ground and refused their request. A month later Montgomery’s troop united outside of Montreal with his 300 soldiers. Winter was amid, along with it’s frigid temperatures and powerful snow storms. By New Year's Day most of the American army’s enlistment was due to be released, so Benedict Arnold and Montgomery planned a direct attack on garrison on the last day of the year. A blizzard rolled in the morning, muting their footsteps and preventing any sight of the ambush.
Montgomery led his force to the southerly wall while Arnold took the North. Montgomery was shot in the head during the battle as many others were shot, injured, killed and taken prisoner. Canada had won the fight but the battle wasn’t over yet. Arnold relied on two men to give a report on the loss to Boston. The Americans were still fighting for the fort and against the disease dwindling past city walls. When the reporters came back, they brought reinforcements. As the months went by soldiers would trickle through to Montreal to encourage the rebellion. The enemies number increased to 3000 men by March of 1776.
It was 4 am in the morning, as drums and church bells echoed in the fort to alarm the people of the coming attack. It began with canon fire on St Jean Gate as smoke and snow filled the air. Montgomery raced through the fort bringing with him 4 New York regiments. The air was still thickly full of snow from the mornings blizzard but as they raced, a house was spotted in the clearing. “Forward, men. Quebec is ours!” shouted the general. A moment later there was a terrible explosion as the defense tower took aim at the Continental army. The snow beneath them was covered in American blood, as bodies fell one by one. Arnold's team of approximately 700 men were spotted on the North exit. They reached the second barricade when they met an eruption of gunfire on the army. Those who survived retreated, leaving there comrades to fend for themselves. Carleton intercepted their avenue of retreat with armed scouts and sailors. The American army dropped all weapons and surrendered. When the day dawned there were 100 dead and 300 held prisoners of the continental army, whereas Quebec suffered the loss of 5 lives with one wounded.
3,000 British troops arrived in Quebec in May 6, 1776. Scaring off any other threat of another invasion. The Americans had finally retreated in sights of the newly fortified army. The battle was now won by Canadian citizens.
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