Invasion of Quebec (1775–1776)
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The initial American efforts to invade Canada began in September 1775, when Ethan Allen and his “Green Mountain Boys“ attempted to capture Montreal. With a force of only 100 militia, Allen’s men were defeated, and Allen was imprisoned. In addition to this failed attempt, Gen. Schuyler, who was also meant to lead his army into Montreal, fell ill and was forced to delegate the invasion to Gen. Richard Montgomery. Although the preceding circumstances were demoralizing, Montgomery successfully captured Montreal on November 13, 1775. Following this success, the Patriot forces turned their attention towards invading Quebec. The Invasion of Quebec in 1775 was an early attempt by the American Continental Army during the Revolutionary War to capture the British-controlled city of Quebec, aiming to gain support from French Canadians by seizing the territory and potentially turning them against the British; however, the attack, led by Generals Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold, resulted in a major American defeat at the Battle of Quebec on December 31, 1775, with Montgomery killed and Arnold wounded, effectively halting the American campaign in Canada. In May 1775, there were several British posts in the Lake Champlain corridor leading to Canada that were undermanned and considered vulnerable by American military leaders.
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen seized this opportunity and led a force of American militiamen to attack and capture Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point, both on Lake Champlain, and even raided the Canadian settlement of St. John on the Richelieu River, just south of Montreal. As Montgomery pushed on toward Quebec City, a second American expedition was headed for the same destination. Benedict Arnold yearned for more of the glory that he had tasted when he had captured Fort Ticonderoga and asked General Washington for permission to lead a secondary expedition into Canada in support of Montgomery. Washington consented and gave Arnold 1,100 men for the expedition, including Daniel Morgan and his company of riflemen. Setting sail from Newburyport, Massachusetts, Arnold's expedition arrived at the mouth of the Kennebec River in what is today the state of Maine on 19 September 1775. The plan was to reach Quebec City by following the rivers of Maine. Within a few days, Montgomery had moved his army across the St. Lawrence River and positioned it in front of Montreal. Carleton, the British commander, having most of his militia desert after the fall of Fort St. John, deemed the city indefensible and abandoned it to the Americans on November 13, 1775.
Montgomery had successfully captured Montreal, but the delay in reducing Fort St. John would prove fatal to the American effort in capturing Quebec. The British defenders were ready, however, and when Montgomery’s forces approached the fortified city, the British opened fire with a barrage of artillery and musket fire. Montgomery's force pressed into the Lower Town where they encountered the first barricade. Forming to attack the barricade's 30 defenders, the Americans were stunned when the first British volley killed Montgomery. Montgomery's force pressed into the Lower Town where they encountered the first barricade. Forming to attack the barricade's 30 defenders, the Americans were stunned when the first British volley killed Montgomery. In addition to killing Montgomery, the volley struck down his two chief subordinates. With their general down, the American attack faltered and the remaining officers ordered a withdrawal. Unaware of Montgomery's death and the attack's failure, Arnold's column pressed on from the north. Reaching the Sault au Matelot, Arnold was hit and wounded in the left ankle. The Battle of Quebec cost the Americans 60 dead and wounded as well as 426 captured. Though the assault failed, American troops remained in the field around Quebec. Congress, even before it learned of the defeat at Quebec, had authorized as many as 6,500 additional troops for service there. Throughout the winter, troops trickled into Montreal and the camp outside Quebec City. o
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen seized this opportunity and led a force of American militiamen to attack and capture Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point, both on Lake Champlain, and even raided the Canadian settlement of St. John on the Richelieu River, just south of Montreal. As Montgomery pushed on toward Quebec City, a second American expedition was headed for the same destination. Benedict Arnold yearned for more of the glory that he had tasted when he had captured Fort Ticonderoga and asked General Washington for permission to lead a secondary expedition into Canada in support of Montgomery. Washington consented and gave Arnold 1,100 men for the expedition, including Daniel Morgan and his company of riflemen. Setting sail from Newburyport, Massachusetts, Arnold's expedition arrived at the mouth of the Kennebec River in what is today the state of Maine on 19 September 1775. The plan was to reach Quebec City by following the rivers of Maine. Within a few days, Montgomery had moved his army across the St. Lawrence River and positioned it in front of Montreal. Carleton, the British commander, having most of his militia desert after the fall of Fort St. John, deemed the city indefensible and abandoned it to the Americans on November 13, 1775.
Montgomery had successfully captured Montreal, but the delay in reducing Fort St. John would prove fatal to the American effort in capturing Quebec. The British defenders were ready, however, and when Montgomery’s forces approached the fortified city, the British opened fire with a barrage of artillery and musket fire. Montgomery's force pressed into the Lower Town where they encountered the first barricade. Forming to attack the barricade's 30 defenders, the Americans were stunned when the first British volley killed Montgomery. Montgomery's force pressed into the Lower Town where they encountered the first barricade. Forming to attack the barricade's 30 defenders, the Americans were stunned when the first British volley killed Montgomery. In addition to killing Montgomery, the volley struck down his two chief subordinates. With their general down, the American attack faltered and the remaining officers ordered a withdrawal. Unaware of Montgomery's death and the attack's failure, Arnold's column pressed on from the north. Reaching the Sault au Matelot, Arnold was hit and wounded in the left ankle. The Battle of Quebec cost the Americans 60 dead and wounded as well as 426 captured. Though the assault failed, American troops remained in the field around Quebec. Congress, even before it learned of the defeat at Quebec, had authorized as many as 6,500 additional troops for service there. Throughout the winter, troops trickled into Montreal and the camp outside Quebec City. o
