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101.
(UlRISrOPHKlt
(IIIEKNK
JOURNAL
EXPEDITION AGAINST QUEBEC,
UNDER COMMAND OF
IN THE
MAJ.
COL.
BENEDICT ARNOLD.
YEAR 1775,
RETURN
J.
MEIGS.
AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES,
CHARLES
I.
BUSHNELL.
FR,IV-A.TEJL.Y
PRINTKID,
1864.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S63,
CHARLES
I.
by
BUSHNELL,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the
Southern District of
New
Torlc.
INTRODUCTION.
/^^ ISTORY,
nowhere, upon
its
checkered
page, records an enterprise of greater
perseverance, daring and intrepidity
than that of Arnold's Expedition to
Quebec.
ties
When
Ave consider the
extreme
difficul-
and dangers encountered by that hardy band,
unused
to arms, the privations
and sufferings they
endured, and the firmness evinced by them under
every
trial,
how amazing does
ing in the service for the
it
appear
common
1
Engag-
cause of liberty,
they marched through a dense wilderness,
inter-
rupted by swamps, cataracts, precipices and mountains, in the
midst of a Canadian winter, remarka-
INTRODUCTION.
IV
ble for
its
unusual severity
was a most wonderful
:
surely, the expedition
one, and the fame of those
men who were engaged
in
it,
must and ever
will
shine upon history's brightest page.
In the following Journal, which appears now, for
the
first
time, in an independent form, will be found
a daily record of events occurring during that
memorable campaign.
is in
no degree
lost
The
interest of the subject
by the lapse of time.
By
the
be appreciated, and
historical student it will ever
the patriotic American will always recur to that
brilliant exploit,
with feelings of pride and admi-
ration.
Return
born
in
J.
Meigs, the author of the Journal, was
Middletown, State of Connecticut, on the
28th day of December, 1740.
immediately
after
In the year 1775,
the battle of
marched with a company of
neighborhood of Boston.
Lexington, he
light infantry to the
With the rank
of Major,
he accompanied Arnold through the wilderness of
Maine, and in the assault on Quebec by Montgomery
and Arnold, at the
close of the year,
he was made
prisoner with Captains Morgan and Dearborn.
In
V
INTRODUCTION.
the year 1776, he was exchanged and returned
home, and
to the
in the
year following, he was promoted
rank of Colonel.
His expedition from Guilford
the
month of May,
1777,
to
Long
Island, in
was one of the most
liant enterprises of the war, for
bril-
which he received
At
the thanks of Congress and an elegant sword.
the head of a few companies, he attacked the British troops at
Sag Harbor, with fixed bayonets, and
in spite of the resistance of the soldiers,
and of the
crews of the enemy's vessels, he destroyed twelve
brigs and sloops, and
brought
off
much
stores and forage,
ninety prisoners,
and
among whom were
the officer in command, with most of the masters
and crews of the vessels destroyed, returning
to
Guilford, a distanceof ninety miles, within twentyfive
hours after he had
left
it,
without the loss of a
man.
In the year 1779, he
Wayne
commanded a regiment under
at the storming of Stony Point,
honorably mentioned by Washington.
and was
In the year
1788 or 1789, he moved to the AVest, and was one
of the first settlers of Ohio, then
a wilderness.
INTRODUCTION.
VI
The
latter part of his life
was devoted
to the
ame-
lioration of the condition of the aborigines of the
country as agent of the Cherochee station, and his
official
course obtained for him the highest confi-
dence of that nation, by
denominated
"
whom
he was emphatically
The White Path."
Col.
Meigs was
a pattern of excellence as a patriot, a philanthropist
and a Christian.
In
all
the vicissitudes of for-
tune, the duties of religion were strictly observed,
and
its
at the
He
died
28, 1823,
aged
precepts strikingly exemplified.
Cherochee Agency on January
82 years.
honors of
His remains were interred with the
w^ar,
amidst a concourse of sincere friends
and in the anguish of undissembled sorrow.
JOURNAL,
JOURNAL
of occurrences, which happened
within the circle of
my
observation, in the de-
tachment commanded by Col. Benedict Ar-
nold ,*(1) consisting of two battalions, which were
detached from the army at Cambridge, in the year 1775.
Field Officers' names.
Col. Christopher Green.
CoL. Roger Enos.
(3)
(2)
Maj. Return J. Meigs.
Maj. Timothy Bigelow.
(4)
(&)
1775.
Sept. 9th.
I
marched from Roxbury, (where
I
had been station-
ed the summer,) to Cambridge.
10th, 11th, 12th.
13th.
At Cambridge, preparing
In the evening marched to Mystick.
See Appendix, Note
I.
for
our march.
JOURNAL.
march through the towns of Maiden,
14th. Continued our
Lynn and Salem, and encamped
Danvers.
in
15th. In the morning continued our
march through the towns
of Beverly and Wendham, and encamped
at Rowley.
16th. In the morning, continued our march, and at 10 o'clock,
A. M.,
arrived at Newburyport, and encamped.
17. Sunday, attended divine service at the Rev.
Weather
19th.
(6)
(7)
fine.
18th. Preparing to
Weather
Mr. Parson's
Dined at Mr. Nathaniel Tracy's.
meeting at Newburyport.
embark.
Dined at Mr.
Dalton's.* (8)
fine.
Embarked our whole detachment,
consisting of
10 com-
panies of musketmen and 3 companies of rifle-men, amounting to
1,100
men on board 10
the sloop Britannia.
and
sailed out of the
when we
transports.
The
fleet
I embarked myself on board
came
to sail at 10 o'clock,
harbour and lay to
till
A.M.,
one o'clock, P. M.,
received orders to sail for the river Kennebeck,
leagues from
Newburyport
—received
fifty
with our sailing orders the
following for signals, viz.
1st signal.
For speaking with the whole
fleet.
Ensign at
maintopmast head.
2d
signal.
For chasing a
sail.
Ensign at foretopmast head.
* Tristram Dalton.
9
JOURNAL.
f
3d
signal.
and two guns
4th signal.
For hearing
if
For making
head, and 4 guns
5th signal.
est harbour.
6th signal.
For
dispersing,
Lan thorn at mast-
jack at foretopmast head.
and every
making the near-
vessel
Ensign at mainpeak.
For boarding any
The wind being
drawn
fleet
fair
and very
20th. In the morning
ahead, which
if off shore.
the night.
sail in
in the day,
;
head, and the whole
we soon
We were hailed
row.
Lanthoru at maintopraast head,
to.
head on shore, and three
vessel.
tip in
a
fresh I
Jack at maintopraast
as near as possible.
line,
was very
we made
the
entered.
The mouth
mouth of Kennebeck
of the river
is
nar-
They were answered, that we
were Continental troops, and that we wanted a
The wind and
mediately sent one on board.
the river
called Rousack.
right
from the shore by a number of men under
arms, which were stationed there.
we proceeded up
sea-sick.
Upon
;
5 miles from the
mouth
an island
lies
is
a handsome meeting-house,
The
river to this island of very
this island
and very good dwelling houses.
They im-
pilot.
tide favouring us,
unequal width, from one mile to a quarter of a mile wide, the
water deep, great
tides, the shores generally
rocky
from the mouth some elegant buildings, at a place
town
;
twenty miles from the mouth
Merry-meeting Bay
Swan
Island.
A
;
is
above
this island
posite to Pownalborongh, where
tion here, that this day
is
ten miles
George-
a very large bay, called
25 miles from the mouth an
little
;
called
we came
a block-house.
makes fourteen
island, called
to anchor, opI
would men-
only, since the orders
JOURNAL.
10
were
first
given for building 200 battoes, collecting provisions for
and levying 1,100 men, and marching them to
Gardiner "s Town, which
great dispatch.
day at Gardiner's
21st. All
22d.
is
Embarked on board
Town
battoes
;
weather
fine.
—proceeded up the river to-
I lodged at the house of
ward evening.
this place, viz.,
Mr. North, and was
very agreeably entertained.
23d. In the morning proceeded up the river, about 6 miles, to
Fort Western, where an unhappy accident happened
ing.
in the even-
A number of soldiers, being in a private house, some words
produced a quarrel, and one McCormick, being turned out of the
house, immediately discharged his
man through
was
tried
his body, of
when he
reprieved
known.
into the house,
and shot a
McCormick
by a Court Martial, and received sentence of death
but denied the crime
tion,
gun
which he soon expired.
till
till
;
he was brought to the place of execu-
confessed the crime.
But
for
some reasons he was
the pleasure of General
Washington could be
At Fort Western,
(10) preparing for our
(9)
24, 25, and 2Gth.
tour to Quebec.
Fort Western stands on the east
side of the
river Kennebeck, and consists of 2 block-houses, and a large
house, 100 feet long, which were enclosed
This house
is
the property of
were exceedingly well entertained.
only with pickets.
Howard,
Esq.,
where we
Captain Morgan, (11) with 3
11
JOURNAL,
companies of riflemen embarked,
ceed with
in
battoes, with orders to pro-
expedition to the great carrying-place, and clear
all
the road, while the other divisions
came up.
battoes three com26th. Colonel Green embarked on board
panies of musketmen, with
Bigelow, on their
whom went Major
tour to Canada.
At
27th.
three o'clock, F. M., I
embarked on board
ray battoe
of 4 companies of
with the third division of the army, consisting
up the river,
musketmen, with 45 days' provision, aad proceeded
Providence. We encamped
hoping for the protection of a kind
part of
4 miles from Fort Western the water some
at evening
the
way
;
rapid.
for vessels is
navigation
I had forgot to mention, that the
good to Fort Western, which
50 miles from the
is
mouth.
28th. Proceeded up the
river—the stream very
rapid,
and the
bottom and shores rocky.
route
29th. In the morning continued our
up the
river.
At
Halifax,* which stands on a
11 o'clock, A. M., arrived at Fort
and the river Sebasteland between the river Kennebeck
point of
cook.
block-houses, and a large
This fort consists of two large
barrack, which
is
enclosed with a picket
*rort HalL-ax was
cover the frontiers of
built
New
by Mr. Shirley
England.
fort.
in 1754, to
I tarried half
an
awe the Indians and
f^
JOURNAL.
—then
hour at the
which
falls
is
crossed the river to a carrying-place,
fort
97 rods carriage
— then
proceeded up the river, which
very rapidly over a rocky bottom 5 miles, and encamped
The above
are Toconock.
falls
30th. Proceeded
up
the river 7 miles, and encamped, where
Colonel Arnold joined us at night, and encamped with us.
October
Proceeded up the river 9
1st.
The land we passed
this
miles,
and encamped.
day generally very good
the timber,
;
butternut, beech, hemlock, white pine, red cedar, &c.
2d. In the
morning proceeded up the
arrived at Scohegin Falls, where
which
my
lies
across a small island in the river.
division to
mouth of
Here
I waited for
with Captain Goodrich.
on
I turned out, and put
again, and slept well
the
and at 10 o'clock
come up, and encamped on the west
river, opposite the island,
the night.
river,
a carrying-place of 250 paces,
is
till
morning.
my
and lay down
clothes,
Our course
the
side
It rained in
in general,
from
the river to this place, has been from north to
northeast.
3d.
Proceeded up the river to Norridgewalk.
called at a house,
the
first
where I saw a child 14 months
white child born in Norridgewalk. (12)
the evening, a
On my way
little
water, going up the
below Norridgewalk,
falls.
Here
I lost
sugar, a loss not to be re()laced here.
my
my
old.
At
This
I
is
7 o'clock in
battoe
filled
kettle, butter
with
and
At Norridgewalk are
to
JOFRNAL.
13
'
be seen the vestiges of an Indian fort and chapel, and a priest's
grave.* (13) There appears to have been some intrenchment, and
a covered way through the bank of the river
of getting water.
for the
conveuieace
This must have been a considerable seat of the
natives, as there are large Indian fields cleared.
wrote to Mrs. Meigs, to
my
This day I
brother, and Ensign Warner.
Op-
posite to Norridgewalk, which lies on the east side the river, a
river comes in from the westward, called
4th. I proceeded
river,
where
is
up the
river about one mile,
At
;
here
Col. Green.
evening moved one
the river one mile, where they encamped, waiting
for the other companies of
6th. Still at the
visions.
commanded by
day at the carrying-place.
company up
and crossed the
a carrying-place of one mile and a quarter
I came up with the second division,
5th. All
Sandy River.
At 4
my division.
carrying-place, getting over boats and pro-
o'clock,
P. M., I proceeded up the river 5 miles
and encamped.
7th. Continued our
march up the
rived at Carratuncas carrying-place.
river,
and at 12 o'clock
Here the
river
is
between two rocks, not more than 40 rods wide, which
piles
40 rods
in length
polished curiously in
water.
on each side the river.
some
places,
The carrying-place here
is
by the
ar-
confined
lie
in
These rocks are
swift running of the
433 paces
in length.
* The grave of Sebastian Ralle, the French Jesuit missionary.
JOURNAL.
14
8th. All
day at the carrying- place at Carratuncas
Captain Dearborn's (14) company passed the carry-
very rainy.
place this day, at 3 o'clock, P.
9th.
this
day at 12
o'clock.
At
one o'clock, P. M., I
and proceeded up the
The stream
From
this
river,
about 4
the carry-
left
miles,
and encamp-
these 4 miles very rapid, and in some places very
by a number of
shoal, being divided
land.
M.
Captain Ward's (15) company passed the carrying-place
ing-place,
ed.
— weather
islands,
which appear
encampment some high mountains
rise to
fine
our
view to the northward.
10th. Proceeded
up the
river,
which continues
its
course north-
west between two high mountains, and encamped at the great
carrying-place, which
is
12^^ miles across, including three ponds,
which we are obliged to pass.
11th. I crossed the great carrying-place, as far as the third
pond.
party,
There had the pleasure to discover Lieut. Steel (16) and
who had been
sent forward on a reconnoitering
as far as Chaudiere Pond.
to the enemy.
I returned
command,
They discovered nothing with regard
back to the second pond, and lodged
with Col. Green.
12th. In the
went to the
morning I repassed the second and
river
first
pond, and
and gave orders, which I received from Col.
Arnold, for building a block-house, and then returned and crossed the
first
pond and encamped.
In these ponds
we found
great
15
jornNAL
day at the great carry-
Col. P^nos arrived this
plenty of trout.
ing-place, with the 4th division of the army, consisting of three
companies of musketmeu.
13th.
the
first
Employed
in carrying
our boats and provision across
I went myself once across
pond and the second portage.
the third portage, and returned back to the cast side of the
second portage, and encamped with Col. Arnold
—the
wind so
To
this time
high, that the boats could not cross the third pond.
our men have killed four moose, which
14th.
At
is
excellent meat.
eleven o'clock, I repassed the
first
pond to
Dearborn's and Capt. Ward's companies over.
tree,
blown down by the wind,
fell
see Capt.
Last night, a
upon one of our men and
bruised him in such a manner, that his
life
is
despaired
of.
In
the evening I returned back to the 2d portage, and encamped
with Capt. Ward.
15th. This morning orders were given, that the allowance should
be
%
lb.
pork and
I crossed the 3d
pond
is
%
lb. flour
16th. In the
man
pond and encamped
about nine miles
cedar timber.
per
in
At
2 o'clock
a cedar swamp.
This 3d
per diem.
in circumference,
This pond
is
much
and
is
surr6unded with
larger than the other two.
morning I went forward to the Dead River, and
took part of Capt. Goodrich's company, and returned to the third
pond, where I met Capt. Ward's company.
At
evening, I re-
turned to the Dead River, marched one mile up the river, and en-
camped with Capt. Hanchet.
16
JOURNAL.
17th. In the morning I set out with Capt.
noitre a very high mountain that
But we were too
encampment.
Hanchet
and returned to-
to ascend the mountain.
morning ordered eight men to
which we had drove with great
to recon-
about 10 miles from our
late in the day,
wards evening without being able
18th. In the
lies
two oxen,
kill
difficulty to this place,
and to
bring forward five-quarters to the detachment that was gone
ward, and to leave three-quarters under a guard
division.
20
Then
miles, the
I proceeded
up the
side the river.
nold and Col. Green's division.
—
^thinly
my
division
about
water running with a very gentle current, and en-
camped on the south
fine
river with
for-
for Col. Enos's
Here
I joined Col.
The land we passed
this
Ar-
day very
timbered, and mostly covered with grass as high as a
man's waist.
19th. In the morning
2 o'clock, P. M.
rained.
it
and encamped on the north
passed three small
"We tarried
Then continued our route up
falls
;
side the river.
in our
camp
This afternoon
the current, except the
fall,
when
we
very gentle.
This day I received orders from Col. Arnold to proceed with
division,
till
the river 5 miles,
my
with the greatest expedition, to Chaudiere Eiver, and
arrived there, to
make
rear division, and furnish a
uj)
our cartridges, and wait for the
number of
pioneers, under
command
of Mr. Ayres, to clear the carrying-place.
20th. Proceeded up the river, passed several small
falls
and one
JOURNAL
It
Weather
portage, only 13 rods across, and encamped at evening.
rainy
all
day.
21st, In the
morning proceeded up the river about 3
a carrying-place 35 perches across.
miles, to
Then coptinued our route
the river about 2 miles to a portage 30 perches across, where
tip
we encamped.
22d. Continued our route up the river about three miles.
our
way we passed 2
Our whole
course this day
is
only 3 miles, owing to the extraor.
In some parts of the river
dinary rise of the river the last night.
the water rose 8 feet periTCndicular, and in
ed
its
Tery
banks, and
difficult for
In
portages, or carrying-places, each 74 perches.
filled
many
places overflow-
made
the country with water, which
it
our men that were on shore to march.
23d. la the morning continued the march, though very slow, on
account of the rapidity of the stream.
A number of
that marched on the shore, marched up a
river that
the westward, mistaking
we
discovered,
now
falls fast.
perches across.
it for
the
main
we despatched some boats
Encampsd
river,
The
15
was
re-
all
des-
held, in
which
it
march with
patch by land to Chaudiere pond, and that the sick of
ion and Captain Morgan's, should return
stream
river
this evening at a carrying-place,
Here a council was
this place the
from
in
which, as soon as
after them.
solved that a captain, with 50 men, should
At
men
our
came
is
my
divis-
back to Cambridge*
very rapid, in passing which,
five
ov
JOURNAL.
18
six batlocs filled
provisions, a
24:th.
and overset,
number
of guns,
Proceeded up the
officer
we
lost several barrels of
some clothes and
river,
cash.
though with great
Our whole course
water being very rapid.
when we encamped.
V)y wliicli
this
fatigue, the
day only 4
miles,
This day I wrote to Mrs. Meigs by the
that returned with the sick.
25th. Continued our route up the river, about sis miles
encamped
;
the stream very rapid.
carrying-places,
two
of
In our
way we
them 4 rods each, the other 90
and
passed 3
rods.
26th. Continued our route, and soon entered a pond, about
two miles
across,
and passed through a narrow
perches wide, about 4 rods long
pond about a mile
over,
;
strait,
only 2}^
then entered another small
and then through a narrow
strait,
k mile and a half long, to a third pond, three miles wide
about
;
then
passed through a narrow strait, and entered a fourth pond, about
a quarter of a mile wide
;
then entered a narrow, crooked river
about three miles in length, to a carrying-place, 15 perches across,
to a pond about 100 perches across, and
west
side,
upon a high
hill,
which
is
encamped on the north-
a carrying-place.
These
ponds are surrounded with mountains.
27th. In the
morning continued our route across the carryingone mile, to a pond 50 rods wide, to a carrying-
place,
which
place,
44 perches long, to a pond about two miles wide, to a car-
is
JOURNAL.
19
rying-place of 4 miles and 60 perches.
This carrjnag-phice
lies
across the height of land.
(This high land runs through the
colonies to Georgia.)
about two miles from the last-men-
It is
tioned pond to the height, where the streams
of the rivers
we came up
We
in.
encamped
all
run the reverse
this
evening on the
height of land.
28th. In the morning crossed the heights to Chaudiere River.
Made division
of our provisions and ammunition, and marched
back upon the height and encamped.
Here
I delivered the fol-
lowing sums of money to the following persons
500
44
dollars, to
dollars
,*
Major Bigelow 501
paid to Mr. Berry
29th. Continued our
o'clock
we came
£4
do.,
5s.
till
At
march by land towards Quebec.
to Nepress Lake, which
night,
Green
to Col.
lawful money.
we then supposed
Ammeguntick Lake, but were mistaken.
march
;
and paid Mr. Gatchel *
We
one
to be
continued our
and encamped on the bank of Lake Nepress,
where there had been an Indian camp.
30th.
Marched through the woods about 15
camped near
November
the north end of
marching
of soldiers
not
in
my
this
1st.
and en-
Continued our march through the woods
day exceedingly bad.
who had ro
power
miles,
Ammeguntic Lake.
provisions, and
to help or
—the
This day I passed a number
some that were
relieve them, except to
* Nehemiah Gatchel, employed as a guide.
sick,
and
encourage
20
JUUKNAL.
One
them.
or two dogs were killed, wliich the distressed soldiers
eat with good appetite, even the feet and skins.
(17)
This day,
on our march upon the banks of the Chaudierc, we saw several
boats, which were split upon the rocks, and one of Captain
men was drowned.*
gan's
The
travelling this
Mor-
day and yesterday
very bad, over mountains and morasses.
2d. In the
The
river
this
day better than we have had.
grows wider and runs very quick, and some places very
We passed this
shallow.
this
morning continued our march on the banks of the
The marching
Chaudiere.
day exceeding
this season in
day several small islands
fine, clear,
—the weather
and as warm as ever I saw at
New England.
3d. Continued our
At
march on the banks of the Chaudiere.
12 o'clock we met provisions, to the inexpressible joy of our
diers,
who were
sol-
After refreshing ourselves,
near starving.
marched a few miles and encamped.
4th. In the
morning continued our march.
At
11 o'clock
arrived at a French house, and were hospitably used.
the
first
rough, barren, uninhabited wilderness, where
man
This
house I saw for 31 days, having been that time
being, except our
we were
own men.
in
we never saw
is
a
hu-
Immediately after our arrival,
supplied with fresh beef, fowls, butter, pheasants, and
vegetables.
This settlement
is
called
Sertigan.
Innis,
Capt.
It
lies
25
leagues from Quebec.
*
The name
of this
man was George
lowly escapetl the same fate
Morgan himself uar-
jo[-nvAi.
down
INfarehed
."itli.
21
to the parisli of St. Mary's
thinly settled— the people kind.
—the country
They supply us with plenty of
provisions.
7th, 8th
(Jth,
and 9th.
I
was on business up and down the
country on each side the river
— the
Canadians very hospita-
This day our men, that were gone forward to Point Levi,
ble.
made
prisoner of Mr. M'Kenzie, a midshipman of the Hunter
This night I lodged at St. Henry's.
sloop-of-war.
10th. I marched
down
to point Levi,
and joined the detach-
ment.
11th, 12th and 13th.
I
was at Point Levi.
Nothing extra-
ordinary happened, except that a deserter came in to us from
Quebec, by
whom we
are informed that Col.
arrived from Sorel with his regiment.
I
M'Lean
(18)
had
had forgot to mention
that the Lizard frigate arrived a few days before our arrival at
Point Levi.
gan
to
On
the evening of this day, at nine o'clock,
embark our men on board 35
the morning
we got over and landed about 500 men,
discovered, although
us.
We lauded
is
now
We hailed
her,
we
fired
refusing,
entirely un-
two men-of-war were stationed to prevent
called
Soon
Wolfe's Cove.
landing, a barge from the Lizard frigate
They
be-
at the same place that General Wolfe did, in a
small cove, which
river.
we
canoes, and at 4 o'clock in
and ordered her to come
upon them.
after
our
came rowing up the
in to the shore.
They pushed
off shore,
and
22
JOURXAT,,
After parading our
cried out.
men on
a reconnoitering party towards the
the heights,
city,
and
and placing
sending'
sentries,
we
marched across the plains of Abram, and took possession of a
large house, which was formerly owned by General Murray, (19)
and other houses adjacent, which were
fine
accommodations
for
our troops.
14th. This morning employed in placing proper guards on the
different roads to cut off the
At
country.
sentries
communication betAveen the
city
and
12 o'clock the enemy surprised one of our advanced
and made him prisoner. (20) The guard soon discovered
the enemy, and pursued, but were not able to overtake them.
We
rallied the
main budy, and marched upon the heights near
the city, and gave
in their
view
them three huzzas, and marched our men
gave us a few shot from the ramparts.
camp.
This afternoon they
several houses.
fairly
us.
They
We then returned
to our
but they did not choose to come out to
;
set fire to the suburbs,
and burned
This evening Col. Arnold sent a flag to the
town, with a demand of the garrison, in the name and behalf of
the United Colonies.
fired
upon, contrary to
constantly
lie
As
all
the flag approached the walls, he
rule or
custom on such occasions.
on our arms to prevent surprise.
We
was
We
are informed
by a gentleman from Quebec, that we might expect an attack
very soon, from Quebec.
15th.
The commanding
officer this
day sent into the town a flag,
concluding that the firing on our flag yesterday was through
23
JOT-RN'AI,.
mistake
;
but he was treated
this
morning.
ia the
same manner as yesterday, on
An express went off to
which he returned.
About 12
o'clock
General Montgomery
we were alarmed with
that troops in town were coming out to attack us.
out to meet them
;
but
16th. This morning
it
proved a
it is
to General
Montgomery the
were taken.
One
(21)
a report,
We turned
false report.
reported, that Montreal surrendered
last
Sabbath, and that the shipping
of our men, a sergeant in one of the
rifle
companies, received a shot from a cannon in one of his legs,
which was shattered
This day
necessary.
in such a
we
sent a
sion of the general hospital.
manner, that amputation was
company
of
men and took
posses-
The Canadians are constantly com-
ing in to express their satisfaction at our coming into the country.
ITth.
The sergeant that was wounded
yesterday, died this
morning, with great composure and resignation.
We
have
this
morning a confirmation of the surrender of Montreal to General
Montgomery.
A soldier
just
gence extraordinary from him
came
in
from Quebec
—no
intelli-
— a party of our men gone over to
Point Levi with boats, to bring over a part of our detachment
that were
18th.
left
We
there with provisions.
Weather
pleasant.
have orders to parade to-morrow morning at 3
o'clock.
19th. Early in the morning decamped, and marched up to
JOURNAL.
24
Point aux Trembles, about
7 leagues
from Quebec.
through which we marched thick settled
handsome
little
We
chapel.
The country
every few miles a
;
have with us 7 prisoners and 2 de-
serters.
20th.
gomery
An
express came in this morning from General Mont-
at Montreal.
The contents
had abandoned the town
to attack
them with row
ed in them
;
are, that the king's troops
in the shipping,
gallies
and that he was about
and boats, with
artillery
with men and
We
artillery.
have now an express ready to
turn to Montreal, by which conveyance I wrote to
The curate of the
21st.
this
day at head quarters.
ther and to Mrs, Meigs,
22d.
An
mount-
and that he should immediately join our detachment
parish at Point
my
re-
family.
aux Trembles dines
I wrote this day to
my
honored
fa-
by Mr. William Grubb.
express arrived from Montreal,
who
informs, that all
the shipping there were taken last Sabbath evening, and that
General Montgomery was about to march
23d.
An
express arrived from Montreal,
for
intelligence, that General
Quebec.
by whom we have
Montgomery was on
his
march
in-
yester-
day, and that he had sent clothing (23) the 20th instant for
our troops.
been
left
One
behind,
of our
who
men came
in
from the woods, who had
says, that himself, with
horse, and lived on his flesh several days.
one more, killed a
JOURNAL.
,
24th. This
morning the Huuter sloop of war and 3 other arm-
ed vessels ai^peared
in sight.
troops that are coming
25th.
The Hunter
men were
sent
An
express
now going
to
meet the
down from Montreal.
sloop, a large scow,
came to anchor apposite our
of
25
up the
river, in a
and an armed schooner,
This morning a number
quarters.
canoe to meet the troops that
are coming down.
26th.
Quebec.
27th,
A
number of gentlemen came
I wrote to
We
my
father,
and two
in this
letters to
are informed that the house of
which our troops were quartered
in St.
morning from
Mrs. Meigs.
Major Caldwell,
Foys,
is
in
burned.
28th. Colonel Arnold gone up to Jackarty to hasten
down
the ammunition.
29th. Captain Morgan,
who had been
sent
down
to the neigh-
borhood of Quebec, sent up to our quarters two 2>risoners, which
he took in the suburbs.
30th. This
gomery.
day an express
Captain Duggin
is
is
gone to meet General Mont-
arrived with ammunition and pro-
visions.
1st December.
General Montgomery arrived this day at one
o'clock, with three
armed
schooners, with men, artillery,
ammu-
nition and provision, to the great joy of our detachment.
To-
26
JOURNAL.
wards evening our detachment turned out, and marched down to
the General's quarters in
two
battalions, and
The General complimented us on our
2d. In the
by
lery
morning
was there reviewed
ajipearance.
I assisted in sending
down our
The large cannon are ordered down
land.
field
artil-
in battoes,
which, when landed, the battoes are to go to Point Levi for
the scalina: ladders.
Major Brown
3d.
i
ng
4th.
At
(24) arrived from Sorel.
The soldiers draw-
their clothing.
We marched
at 12 o'clock for our
camp
before Quebec.
evening quartered at the house of the curate of the parish of
St. Augustine.
The
gance.
curate's
5th. In the
camp
"We were entertained with hospitality and
ele-
name, Michael Beriau.
morning proceeded on our march
before Quebec, where
we
for St.
arrived about noon.
Foy, our
This day I
wrote to Mrs. Meigs.
6th. I wrote to Titus
cold,
Hosmer, Esq.,
(25) at Middleton.
Weather
with squalls of snow.
7th. Yesterday, I
am
informed, that our
men took a
sloop,
with provisions and some cash.
8tli.
J
sent
my
watch to
repair.
the city, but no person hurt.
We received
some shot from
2T
jorRNAi,.
A party of
9th.
iOO men are ordered to cover the train
evening, while they
-—twenty seven
began
bombard
the town.
went with
I
this
party
This day
were thrown into the town.
shells
this
we
to erect a battof/y before St. John's Gate.
10th.
The enemy began
morning, and continued
Roch
ordered into St.
it
to
cannonade our camp early
this evening, to
ordered there this evening, with
This evening 45
shells
returned a few
A
night.
till
party of our
cover the train
mortars and two
five
shells,
the
are
who are
field pieces.
The enemy
were thrown into the town.
—none of our men were
in
men
and
some 24 round and grape shot
hurt,
but a Canadian
woman was
shot
through the body by a cannon shot from the enemy.
11th.
day.
The enemy kept up a
One of our
naen this
faint
cannonade upon our men
morning
way
lost his
in a
and found himself under the walls of the town, and was
upon from the walls of the
came
the
off.
in
few shot and
shells,
I froze
my
feet.
I had
The enemy gave
The
us a
but none of them struck the battery.
The platforms nearly ready
cold.
fired
the thigh, but
of the working party at the battery this night.
weather extreme cold.
Weather
and wounded
This evening we sent 45 shells into the town.
command
12th.
city,
this
snow storm,
One
for
the
gun
battery.
of our guns was rendered unfit for use
by a
shot from the enemy.
13th.
We
opened our battery.
We
had twu men wounded
28
JOTTRNAL,
this
day
battery by a cannon shot from the town.
in the
Five
men, of Col. Livingston's (2G) regiment of Canadians, were
wounded by a cannon
shot,
which went through a house
in St.
John's suburbs, where they were quartered.
14th. I have just
was
We
killed
in
now
received an account that one of our
men
our battery, and several wounded this evening.
threw into the town 24 bombs.
At
the same time
we were
briskly cannonaded from the town.
loth. This morning, before sunrise, our battery began to play
on the town, and continued one hour, and then ceased by order
of the General
;
and a
refused admittance.
was sent to the
flag
After some discourse with the
the ramparts, the flag returned.
began to play on the town.
to play from
50 bombs.
city,
At
but was
officer
Our mortars
at the
same time began
the suburbs of St. Roch, and sent into the
This day we had two
men
killed at
storm the town, which,
if
town
our buttery, and
one of our guns damaged by a shot from the enemy.
in agitation to
from
2 o'clock, P.M., our battery
resolved, I
It
hope
is
now
will
be
undertaken with proper sense of the nature and importance of
such an attack, and vigorously executed.
16th.
ters.
The enemy
this
morning began to cannonade our quar-
Several shot struck the house.
remove
to other
quarters.
the body with a grape shot.
One
of our
His
life is
It
was thought best to
men was
despaired
shot through
of.
I wrote
JOUKNAT,.
this
ilay to
2*.)
Mrs. Meigs, by way of Montreal.
council was held by
all
'J'his
evening- a
the commission officers of Col. Arnold's
detachment, a large majority of which were for storming the
garrison at Quebec, as soon as the
nets, spears, hatchets,
men
are provided with bayo-
and hand granadoes.
17th. All day at Capt. Hanchet's quarters.
ordinary happened.
Weather
18th. This morning I
cold and snowy.
came to Mr. Devine's house to quarter.
This day I wrote to Mrs. Meigs.
19th.
No
Nothing extra-
Weather snowy.
occurrences extraordinary.
Weather moderate and
snowy.
20th.
Weather
Several of our
cold.
men have
the small-pox
at this time.
21st.
We have
orders that
the'r hats, to distinguish
have wrote
this
our
men wear hemlock
in the
sprigs in
attack upon the works.
I
day to Mrs. Meigs.
22d. Preparation
for
all
them
is
making, and things seem ripening
the assault upon the works of Quebec.
heaven attend the enterprise.
This evening
is
The
celebrated as the
anniversary of a happy event or circumstance in
my
23d. This day the officers of our detachment met.
attended to compose some
fast
blessing of
life.
The General
matters, which were happily settled.
JOURNAL.
30
Our chaplain *
24 tb. I was on a general court-martial.
(27)
preached a sermon in the chapel of the General Hospital, which
is
exceedingly elegant inside, and richly decorated with carvings
and
work.
gilt
25th. Col. Arnold's detachment paraded this evening at Capt.
Morgan's quarters, at 4
His Honor, General Mont-
o'clock.
gomery, attended, and addressed us on the subject of an assault
upon the town of Quebec,
Memo.
The sun
sets
in
a sensible, spirited manner.
on the 21st day of December, at 4 hours,
13 minutes, 21 seconds, and
seconds.
2Gth.
The
shortest day
is
at 7 hours, 46 minutes, 41
rises
8 hours, 27 minutes, 38 seconds.
Nothing material happened.
Weather
27th. This evening the troops assembled
eral,
cold.
by order of the Gen-
with design to make an attack on the works of Quebec
;
and were about to march, when an order from the General came
for their returning to quarters, the
weather not being thought
proper for the attack.
28th.
"
The following came out
The General had
good
disposition with
attack.
called
It
in
general orders, viz
which the troops
last
night moved to the
was with the greatest reluctance he found himself
upon by
his duty, to repress their ardour
;
but he should
hold himself answerable for the loss of those brave
lives
:
the most sensible pleasure in seeing the
men
Avhose
might be saved by waiting for a favorable opportunity.
*Rev. Samuel Spring.
31
.lOTRNAI..
This day
is tlie
35tli
my
anniversary of
A
birth.
scenes have presented themselves in this short term
and adversity have alternately chequered
escaped, and favors innumerable,
—
variety of
prosperity
my path. Some dangers
demand a
warmest
tribute of the
gratitude.
29th. This day dined with General Montgomery, and spent the
afternoon and evening with him in an agreeable manner.
This
men were executing a command,
in the
evening as a party of our
suburbs of St. Roch, were
one
man wounded
fired
upon from the
walls,
and had
in the leg.
30th. This morning, between the hours of 1 and three o'clock
in the morning, our train
threw into the city about 30
shells,
which produced a number of shells and a brisk cannonade, which
continued
all
the day.
attack upon the
As
it
had been determined to make an
city, the laddei'S
being ready, and the weather
stormy, which was thought best for our purpose, the troops are
ordered to parade at two o'clock to-morrow morning.
31st.
The troops assembled
that were to
make
at 2 o'clock this morning.
the attack by the
way
of
Those
Cape Diamond
(28)
assembled at the General's quarters, upon the Heights of Abra-
ham, and were headed by General Montgomery. *
were to make the attack through the suburbs of
* The division of the
of the
1st,
2d, 3d,
Easton's regiment.
Those that
St.
Roch assem-
army commanded by Gen. Montgomery,
and 4th battalions of
New
Yorli troops,
consisted
and part of Col.
32
JOURNAL.
bled at our guard house in St. Eoch, and were beaded by Col.
Arnold which were two battalions that were detached from the
;
array at Cambridge and Roxbury.
Colonel Livingston, with a regiment of Canadians, and Major
Brown
with part of a regiment of Boston troops were to make
a
attack upon the walls to the southward of St. John's
false
Gate, and in the meantime set
fire
to the gate with combustibles
prepared for that purpose.
These
difTerent bodies
were to move to the attack from their
respective places of assembly, exactly at 5 o'clock, but the differ-
ent routes these bodies had to make, the depth of the snow, and
other obstacles, prevented the execution of Colonel Livingston's
command.
The General moved with
his
command, with a number of
penters with him, to the pickets at Cape Diamond.
ters soon cut the pickets with saws, the General pulled
with his
own hand, and
car-
The carpenthem down
entered with his aid de-camp, Mr.
M'Pherson, Mr. Antill, the engineer, Capt. Cheeseman, and the
carpenters and some others.
The troops
guard house.
who
attacked the
The enemy gave them a discharge
of grape shot
did not follow, except a few
from their cannon, and of small arms at the same time
—at which
time the General, his aid-de-camp, Capt. Cheeseman, and some
few others bravely
in the
fell.
The
firing then entirely ceased, the lights
guard house were out, at which time,
might have entered.
which they
did,
it is said,
the trooj^s
Col. Campbell (29) thought best to retreat,
and carried
off the
wounded
to the camp.
33
JOURNAf,.
I
now come
to Col. Arnold's division,
were to march
in front,
company, with a
field
which Was to proceed to
A lieutenant
the attack in the following manner.
as an advanced guard
piece
mounted on a
;
sled
and 30 men
then the artillery
;
body, of which Capt. Morgan's company was
then the main
first.
The ad-
vanced party were to open when arrived near the battery,
which was raised ujwu a wharf, which we were obliged to
attack in our
way
;
and when our
piece had given
field
them a
shot or two, the advanced party were to rush forward, with the
ladders,
and force the battery above mentioned, while Capt.
Morgan's company was to march round the wharf,
on the
ice.
But
brought on very slow, and we were
hind
;
if possible,
the snow being deep, the piece of artillery
wag
finally obliged to leave it be-
and, to add to the delay, the main body were led wrong,
there being no road, the
way dark and
intricate,
houses, boats, and wharves, and harrassed at the
a constant
fire
of the
enemy from the
walls,
among
stores,
same time with
which
killed
and
wounded numbers of our men, without our being able to annoy
them
in the least
from our situation.
The
field
piece not
coming
up, the advanced party, with Captain Morgan's company, attacked
the battery, some firing into the port holes or kind of embrasures, while others scaled the
ately took possession of
it,
battery with ladders, and immedi-
with the guard, consisting of 30 men.
This attack was executed with so much despatch, that the enemy
only discharged one of their cannon.
one or two men, the
enemy
lost
In this attack we lost but
about the same number.
In the
34
JOUUNAL.
attack of this buttery, Col. Arnold received a wound in one of
his legs, with a
pital.
As
men came
musket
ball,
and was carried to the General Hos-
soon as the prisoners Avere taken care
up,
of,
and a few
which was perhaps half an hour, our men attempt-
ed the next barrier, but could not force
main body
as the
it,
were some time in coming up, occasioned by obstacles before
mentioned.
To add
to this, that part of the army,
by General Montgomery,
enemy an opportunity
upon
the
us, so that
having retreated, gave the
after his fall
to turn
and attention
their whole force
men attempted
before our
commanded
the second barrier,
enemy had got such a number of men behind the barrier and
in the houses, that
we were surrounded with such a
treble our numbers, that
enemy being under
we found
Here we found some brave
embarrassment, we
lost the
impossible to force
it
we were exposed
cover, while
officers
To add
and men.
in season,
from
it,
to their
the
fire.
to our
advantage of one of our companies,
which was quartered on the north side of the river
not having notice
fire
who
in
St. Charles,
endeavouring to join the main
body, was surprised by a body of men,
who made a
sortie
Palace Gate, and the most of them made prisoners.
through
Our men
near the second barrier took possession of some houses, and kept
up a
fire
from them
for
some time
;
but as the body which
sallied
out of the Palace Gate, came upon the rear, and our numbers
greatly lessened
by our
to retreat to the
first
did, with the greatest
killed
and wounded,
jmrt of nur men
it
was thought best
we had
battery which
;
taken, which
where upon
m
we
eonsultu-
30UUNAL.
lion of officers i«-csent,
was impracticable
of the
way under
it
was
35
unanimous opinion that
tlie
we must
to retreat, as
tiave j)asseda great
for a quarter of a mile,
and our rear exposed to the
We maintained
in front.
ten o'clock, and no hopes of
party were gone, and were at
of war, which
from half-past
By
we did with
five till
to
relief,
fire
our ground
as General
till
The
about
Montgomery's
last obliged to surrender
great reluctance.
of the
through Palace
sallied
prisoners
continued
firing
about ten o'clock, A.M.
the best account
wounded amounts
part
the walls of the town, exposed to a line of fire
enemy at the same time, and the party that
Gate to oppose
it
we can
obtain, our loss in killed
about one hundred.
town sustained we cannot
obtain.
It
The
loss
must be small
and
which the
in
compari-
son of ours, owing to their advantage of situation.
We had
one captain and two lieutenants
Wounded
Lamb,
Ogden
The
officers.
— Colonel
killed.
Arnold, Capt.
Hubbard, Capt.
(30) Lieutenant Steel, Lieutenant Tisdale,
Brigade-Major
(31).
loss in that part of the
army commanded by
the Genera',
besides the General, his aid-de-camp, Mr. M'Pherson, and Capt.
Cheeseman.
Privates, the
number unknown
— about four or
five,
I
am
fince
informed.
His honor, Brigadier-General Montgomery was shot through
both his thighs and through his head.
next day.
An
His body was taken up the
elegant coffin was prepared, and he was decently
interred the next
Thursday
after.
JOURKAL,
3i)
I
informed that when
am
body was taken up,
liis
bis features
were not in the least distorted, but his countenance appeared
regular, serene,
it
and
had animated
placid, like the soul that late
(32).
The General was
graceful,
and
tall
slender, well limbed, of genteel, easy,
He
manly address.
had the voluntary
love, esteem,
and
confidence of the whole army.
His death, though honourable,
is
lamented, not only as the
death of an amiable, worthy friend, but as an experienced, brave
general;
The
whose country
sutlers greatly
by such a
loss at this time.
native goodness and rectitude of his heart might easily be
seen in his actions.
His sentiments, which appeared on every
occasion, were fraught with that unaffected goodness, which
whence they
plainly discovered the goodness of the heart from
flowed (33).
In the afternoon the
were confined
officers
and well accommodated with bedding.
fined in the Recollets,
oner.
Capt.
nuity.
In
my
has treated
day
January
i
my
morning I
in the
made
turn,
pris-
with great politeness and inge-
Munroe, who
his house, if I could
ITTG.
were con-
return from Capt. Law's (juarters, I called at the
house of Mr.
first
me
the Seminary,
I dined this day
whom
prisoner, but in a few hours I was, in
Law
in
soldiers
or Jesuits' College.
with Capt. Law, the principal engineer,
made
The
knew
politely invited
me
to live at
have permission.
1st.
This whole day in the Seminary.
confinouieut.
1
lu'pL'
1
shall bear
it
The
with becom-
JOURNAL.
ing fortitude.
..t
Major M'Keiizic brought Ccuoral
Moiito-onicry's
knee-buckles and Mr. M'Pherson's gold broach and
made a
present of them to me, which I highly value for the sake of their
late
worthy owners.
RETUKN
w
J.
MEIGS.
WJ^^^W^'^^^M
T K S
H
(1)
Benkdict Arnoi.d was born
in
.
Norwich, Conn., on the
3cl
day of January, 1741, and was brought up as an apothecary.
He
was
quitted his occupation for the sea, and
employed as master and supercargo of a trading
for
some years
vessel.
He
em-
braced with enthusiasm the republican cause against the mother
country, and took
command
of a
company
of volunteers at
His good conduct raised him to higher
Haven.
offices,
New
and he
was, on account of the boldness of his character, pointed out to
make an
attack, through pathless wilds,
upon Canada.
attempt to take Quebec by surprise, he received a wound
leg,
and upon the
failure of his
plans,
In his
in
the
and the death of Mont-
gomery, he withdrew the remainder of his forces to Crown Point
He was
afterwards employed in the
where he distinguished himself
flotilla
on Lake Champlain,
for his gallantry
and intrepidity.
In the battle of Saratoga, he took a most brilliant part, and he
and Gen. Morgan were the master
spirits to
whom
the country
The
names of Arnold and INforgan can never be forgotten while
Saratoga is remembered. When we think of the great and
was indebted
for the
defeat and surrender of Burgoyne.
glorious services which Arnold
rendered to the American cause
39
NOTES.
it
must ever be a source of regret that
of that cause, tarnished forever a
have shown with undying
He was
England.
histre.
afterwards
in
his
subsequent desertion
name which otherwise would
After the war, he went to
Nova
Scotia, and in the
West
and was at one time taken prisoner by the French, but
Indies,
escaped in a
way
that none but one of his bold and daring char-
acter would have attempted.
He
died in
London on the 14th
in the
town of Warwick, R.
day of June, 1801, aged GO years.
(2)
I.,
Christopher Green was born
in the
of the
year 1737, and was the son of Philip Green, a gentleman
first
Court of
who was
at one time
Judge of the
Pleas in the county of Kent.
Christopher
respectability,
Common
received a good education, and was particularly attached to the
study of Mathematics, in which he
was
made
great proficiency.
elected at an early age to the Colonial Legislature,
He
and was
chosen Lieutenant of the Kentish Guards, and in 1775 was appointed Major.
made
He was
prisoner.
Colonel.
at the attack on Quebec, where he
He was
afterwards promoted to
was
Lieutenant-
His gallant repulse of the enemy at Red Bank, was
one of the most brilliant events of the war, and he was, by the
was presented to his
Job Green, in 178G, by Gen. Knox, then Secretary of
Col. Green was barbarously murdered by a party of
resolve of Congress, voted a sword, which
eldest son,
War.
refugees, on the Croton River, near
Pine Bridge, Westchester
County, New-York, on the 13th day of May, 1781, in the 44th
year of his age.
He
left
a widow, with three sons and four
daughters.
(3)
Roger Enos accompanied Arnold
Quebec, as far as
fifty
miles up
in
Dead River,
his
in
expedition to
Maine, when he
returned with his division, in consequence of the want of pro-
40
NOTES.
visions,
and thus perhaps, the whole army was saved from de-
He was
struction.
and
put under arrest by order of Wa^ington,
tried for quitting the
detachment without orders from Arnold,
but was acquitted ou the
Major Eetubn
(4)
J.
scoi'e
of provisions.
Meigs obtained his name from the folHis father, whose Christian name
lowing interesting incident.
was Jonathan, and who was a resident of Middletown, when a
young man, was seeking a companion for life, and paid his addresses to a fair Quakeress
was
who
unsuccessful in his suit,
charmer.
resided in his neighborhood.
and was repeatedly
Jonathan, however, had some
plainly and decidedly that
it
was
by
He
his
and wisdom, as
spirit
At
well as love, and persevered in his efforts.
Ruth
rejected
length he told
his last visit.
He
mount-
ed his horse, and was about leaving her forever, when the relenting lady beckoned to him to stop, saying, in a sweet tone of
voice, "Return, Jonathan
;
return, Jonathan."
These, the happi-
words he had ever heard, made a lasting impression upon his
mind, and induced him to call his first born son, " Return
Jonathan."
est
The
late
Hon. Return J. Meigs, who held at different times
Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, a Senator in
the offices of
Congress,
Governor of Ohio, and Postmaster-General of the
United States, and who died at Marietta,
in
March, 1826, was
the son of Major Meigs, the author of this journal.
(5)
Timothy Bigelow was the son of Daniel Bigelow.
On
hearing of the battle of Lexington, he marched at the head of a
body of minute-men.
He
was engaged
Quebec, and was taken prisoner.
in the expedition against
After his release he again
entered the array, and was at Saratoga,
Forge, and West Point.
He was
Rhode
Island, Valley
an orioinal grantor of the
NOTKS.
town of Montpelier, Vt.
my, he
is
honored by
its
As
41
a benefactoi' of Leicester Acade-
friends.
He
died in Worcester, Mass.,
on the 31st day of March, 1790, aged 50 years.
in West Springfield,
November, 1705, and graduated at
Yale College in 1729. lie was ordained, in 1730, minister at
Lyme, Conn., where he continued several years. The last thirty
years of his life were spent at Newburyport, Mass, in one of the
His labors were incessant,
largest congregations in America.
and he sometimes sunk under his exertions. He was eminent as
(6)
Rev. Jonathan Parsons was born
Mass., on the 30th day of
a scholar, and was accounted a dexterous and masterly reasoner.
His invention was fruitful, his imagination rich, his voice clear
and commanding, varying with every varying passion, now forcible, majestic, terrifying, and now soft, persuasive, and me'ting.
His church
He
is
now
called the
Old South Church of Newburv port.
died ou the 19th day of July, 177G, aged 70 years.
Newbury, afterwards
(7) Nathaniel Tracy was born at
Newburyport, Mass., about the year 1749, and was the son of
Patrick Tracy, an opulent merchant in that place. Nathaniel
graduated at Harvard College, in 1769. Upon leaving college
he commenced business in his native town, in company with
Jonathan Jackson, an accomplished gentleman and thorough
The house was prosperous, and extended its concerns
During the war of the
Eevolution, their privateers were for several years numerous and
Mr. Tracy was generous and patriotic, and assisted
successful.
the Government with money and articles of clothing, and other
He lived in a most magninecessaries for carrying on the war.
summer
ficent style, having several country seats, with elegant
merchant.
to a wonderful magnitude for that day.
houses and
fine fish
ponds.
His horses were of the choicest kind.
42
NOTES.
most splendid make.
and
his coaches of the
the
war he met with immense
losses.
In the last years of
Many
of his vessels were
captured, the Government failed to pay him, and his debtors,
were numerous,
left
him the
similar difBculties encountered
sums by reason of
by themselves.
Mr. Tracy was a
gentleman of polished manners and
years ago, the exact date
who
looser of large
He
fine taste.
we have been unable
died some
to ascertain.
Tristram Dalton was born
(8)
in Newbury, Mass., in June
Harvard College in 1755. After pur-
1738, and graduated at
suing the study of the law for a while in Salem, he married a
daughter of Eobert Hooper, of Marblehead, and entered into
business with his father, Michael Dalton, as a merchant, in
For many
buryport.
j'cars
mercantile pursuits, after which he was called to
most responsible
offices.
New-
he continued actively engaged in
He was
fill
some
of the
a representative in Congress
from Newburyport, Spealcer of the House of Representatives,
and a member of the Senate of Massachusetts, and
lastly
When
his
estate,
and
member
of
term of
office
moved
Washington, where he entered into speculations, which
to
Senate of the
the
in
United
States.
Congress expired, he sold his
proving unfortunate, reduced him from affluence to poverty.
He
was appointed surveyor of the ports of Boston and Charlestowa
in 1815,
and continued
his death.
the
first
fidence
He
in the discharge of his official duties
four Presidents of the United States, and
and regard.
He was
at one time a large retinue.
his
had
their con-
a generous and warm-hearted man,
and was kind and considerate to
aged 77, and
till
had lived on terms of intimate friendship with
his servants, of
He
whom
he had
died in Boston, June 1817,
remains were brought to his native town, and
interred in the burying ground attached to St. Paul's Church.
(*J)
Jamks McCoiaJK.'K, who shot
Sei'gcant
ilculion Bisliup,
43
NOTE§.
was a
belonged the character
Une
Esq.
is still
which ho
property of James Howard,
feet long, the
standing, near the covered bridge which stretches
Judge Howard,
at
whose house the
officers
May, 1787, aged 86 years. He was
commandant at this fort, and although he reached a
were entertained, died
in
his soldiers at this fort lived to
remarkably old age, yet one of
be much
to
man.
of the block houses, a venerable memorial of Indian
across the river.
first
of a peaceful
was an igno-
company
was formed by two block houses and a large
(10) This fort
house one hundred
the
He
company, Col. Scamman's Regiment.
rant and simple person, and bore in the
wars,
drafted from Capt.
North Yarmouth, and was
resident of
Hill's
This person was John Gilley, a native of Ire-
older.
land, a singularly active
and vigorous man, who
enlisted
about
the year 1756, and died at Augusta, Me., on the 9th day of July,
1813, aged about 124 years.
(11)
moved
Daniel JMorgan was born
to Virginia in 175.5.
He
in
New
Jersey, in 1737. and
Braddock's expedi-
enlisted in
tion as a private soldier, and on the defeat of that general he
returned to his occupation as a farmer.
At
of the Revolution, he was appointed to the
of horse, and joined the
army under Washington, then
neighborhood of Boston.
dition against tjucbec,
On
the commencement
command of a troop
He
where he
fell
tached to
to the
fssist'
tlie
hands of the enemy.
into the
the exchange of prisoners he rejoined the
was appointed
in
distinguished himself in the expe-
command
of a select
American army,
rifle
Gen. Gates on the Northern
corps, and de-
frontier.
To
his
exertions, in connection with those of Gen. Arnold, the country
was indebted
armv.
for the defeat
After
;i
^^lioi-t
and capture of Gen. Burgoyne and his
retiremtnt from service, on ancouiit of
ill
44
NOTES.
was appointed Brigadier-General
health, he
manded
l>y
brevet, and com-
at the battle of Cowpens, where he signally defeated Col.
who commanded a
Tarleton,
superior force.
A gold medal was
presented to him by Congress for the brilliant part he took on
this
memorable occasion.
Upon
the obverse of this medal is an Indian queen with a
quiver on her back, in the act of crowning an officer Avith a
A
laurel wreath.
cannon
upon the ground.
lies
In the back
ground are military weapons and implements.
Legend. " Danieli Morgan duci exercitus."
Exergue. " Comitia Americana."
Reverse.
An
officer
ing a retreating
foe.
mounted, at the head of
A battle in the
his troops, charg-
back ground.
In front a
personal combat between a dragoon unhorsaT, and a foot soldier-
Legend.
''
Exergue.
Jan.
Victoria libertatis vindcx."
''Fugatis, captisaut cwsis
ad Cou'penshoslibus, XVII.
MDCCLXXXL"
Morgan commanded
In the year 171)4, Gen.
the militia of Vir-
ginia, called out to suppress the insurrection in
and continued
in the service
ed to a seat in Congress,
liant officer,
(12)
till
lie
1795.
Pennsylvania,
He was afterwards
was a brave, competent and
lie died in the year
electbril-
17!)!).
The name of this child was Abel Earriugton. lie was
Thomas Farrington, formerly of Groton, Mass.
the
sou of Capt.
(13)
Sebastian Ralle was a French Jesuit, and arrived at
Quebec
dians of
in
Oct., 1GS9,
and acted as a missionary among the In.
After traveling in the interior several
North America.
years, he
went to Norridgewock, on the Kennebec River, where
he tarried twenty-six years, and
as Ihe iuveteiatc
eneuiv
ul'
Hv
till
his death.
English, and
Being considered
ae stinudatiuu-
tin.-
Indians to Mioir frcqnont depredations, ('npts. Ilarmrvn and Moul-
ton wore sent in 1724 against
surprised
Indians,
it
all
Aug,
23, 1724,
village in
killed
which he
They
lived.
Ralle, and about thirty
away by Harmon. The
wigwam, and he defended himself with in-
of whose scalps were brought
Jesuit was found in a
At
trepid courage.
By his
year.
tlic
and
the time of his death, he was in his 67th
condescending deportment and address, he acquired,
an astonishing- influence over the Indians.
Such was
his faithful"
ness to the political interests of France, that he ever
made the
devotion serve as an incentive to savage ferocity, for he
offices of
kept a flag on which was depicted a cross surrounded with bows
when
commencement of any warHe was a man of good sense and learning, and
and arrows, and he raised
it
at the door of his little church
he gave absolution, previous to
like enterprise.
was
particularly skilled in Latin, which he wrote with great pu-
and he was acquainted
rity,
In
the
his
nineteen years of his
been broken by a
him
seize
also with several Indian languages.
preaching he was vehement and pathetic.
in
life
his health
An
fall.
was
feeble, as
For the
last
his limbs
had
attempt was made to
ineffectual
1722, but some of his papers were secured, and
among them a dictionary of the Abnaki's language, which is
now in the library of Harvard College. It is a quarto volume
of 500 pages.
Two
of his letters, of considerable length, are
preserved in the " Lettres Edifiantes."
Henry Dearborn was born
(14)
1st
day of March, 1751,
He
Hampton, N.
in
H., on the
studied medicine with Dr. Hall
Jackson, of Portsmouth, and had been settled three years when
the battle of Lexington occurred.
behalf of his country.
Hill,
and
Arnold
in the
in the
He was
He
at once took
engaged
month of September
expedition to Quebec.
in
up arms
the battle of
in
Bunker
following, accompanied
He was
here taken pris-
46
NOTES.
oner, and put in close confinement until
permitted to return
exchanged
May
177G, when he was
home with Major Meigs, on
He was
parole.
March, 1777, and was subsequently engaged
in
He was
battle of Saratoga.
Monmouth, and
in
1779 was
in
the expedition under Gen. Suli-
Yorktowu
van, and in 1781 was at
in the
afterwards engaged in the battle of
at the surrender of Oorn-
In 1789 he was appointed Marshal of Maine, and was sub-
wallis.
sequently twice elected a
member
office for
On the
War, and
of Congress.
of Jefferson he was appointed Secretary of
eight j^ears with entire satisfaction.
accession
held the
In Feb., 1812, he
received a commission as senior Major-General in the
He
the United States.
army
of
captured York, in Upper Canada, the
year following, and soon after Fort George, at the mouth of
the Niagara.
After the peace he retired to private
1822 he was appointed minister to Portugal, which
for about
two
years,
He
and then returned home.
residence of his son, Gen. II.
A.
S. Dearborn, in
life.
office
In
he held
died at the
Roxbury, Mass.,
on the 6th June, 1829, aged 78 years.
Samuel
(15)
Island,
Ward
was the son of Governor Ward, of Rhode
and graduated at Brown University
year 1774, he was enrolled
Guards.
tish
in
As
in
a captain, he was in
1775, and accompanied
]\Iaiue to
Quebec.
in
1771.
In the
company of the Kenthe camp at Cambridge
the patriot
Arnold through the wilderness of
He was made
prisoner but exchanged.
As
a Major in Green's Regiment, he fought at Red Bank, and served
bravely during the whole war.
exchanged
for those of the
His military operations were then
merchant.
Providence to Canton
in 1783,
business in the city of
New York.
Europe.
R.
I
.
On
his return
where he
lived
He made
a voyage from
and then established himself
His
affairs
carried
ia
him to
he settled on a farm at East Greenwich,
to see his children educated to usefHlness.
NOTKS.
At
last,
47
who were in business ip New
Long Island. Here he lived until
to be near his cliildren,
York, he removed
to Jamaica,
New
pleased God to remove him from earth.
He died at
York, on the 16th day of August, 1832, aged 75 years.
it
wife
His
was a daughter of Governor William Greene, of Rhode
Island.
(16)
Archibald Steele was a man of
sprightly,
He
and hardy disposition.
active, courageous,
belonged
Captain
to
Matthew Smith's company, from the county of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
(17)
One of
these dogs belonged to
William Allen, Dearborn says
:
—
" I
Dearborn.
GJen.
It
gave him up to several men
of Capt. Goodrich's company on their earnest solicitation.
carried
those
him
to their comjiany,
who were
suffering
and
killed
most severely with hunger.
privately killed and eaten.
It
was
fatigue
They
eat
after finishing
There was but one
small,
and had been
A barber's powder bag
the course of the last three or four days, before
first
settlements in Canada.
and hunger, frequently four or
their last effort
and
Old moose-hide breeches were boiled
and then broiled on the coals and eaten.
made a soup in
we reached the
;
and carried them to be pound-
ed up, and to make broth for another meal.
other dog with the detachment.
They
and divided him among
every part of him, not excepting the entrails
their meal they collected the bones,
was
In a letter to the Rev.
a very large dog, and a great favorite.
and
sitting
five
Many men
died with
minutes after making
down."
(18) CoL. Allan Maclean commanded the 84th Regiment,
or Royal Emigrants, composed principally of those of the gallant
Eraser's Highlanders, who had settled in Canada— a regiment
48
NTOTRS.
which was of great service to the
Bi-itish
during the invasion
l)y
the Americans, in 1775.
Jamks Murray was of an ancient Scottish
fifth son of the fourth Lord Elibank.
After
the capture of Montreal, he was for some years Governor of the
Province. His publislied documents show him to have been a
man of keen eiKjuiry and observation, just and impartial in his
(19) Brig.-Gen.
He
Jiimily.
was the
government, though rather hasty
army,
He
in June, 1794, leaving a son. Col.
and handsome Virginian, a
tall
give him
fair play,
He was
also at
died a General of the
James Patrick Murray.
was George Merchant, of Morgan's company,
(20) This person
a
temper.
in his
another period Governor of Minorca.
have sold
his
man who would
dearly.
life
He
any time,
at
was stationed
as a sentinel in a thicket, within view of the enemy, but out of
sight of the garrison, and in such a situation that though he
could not be seen, he could see no one approach.
A
absolutely unaware of danger.
He was
who, from the manner of the thing, must have been
companied by a few privates,
taken
sergeant of the " seventh,"
slily creei^ing
clever, ac-
through the streets
of the suburbs of St. John, and then under cover of the bushes
sprung upon him, even before he had time to cock
a few days, he, hunting-shirt and
ably as a finished
all,
his
rifle.
In
were sent to England, prob-
specimen of the riflemen of the colonies.
The Government there very liberally sent him home in the following year. Merchant was the first prisoner taken at Quebec by
the British.
Henry's Journal,
(21)
b\it
Montreal, which was
very few British troops
p. 86.
entirely defenceless, there being
in
the colony, capitulated on the
40
NOTES.
12tli tlay of Noveral)er, 1775,
ernor, conceiving
it
and Sir Guy Oarlcton, the Gov-
of the utmost importance to reach Quebec,
the only place capable of defence, passed through the American
forces at Sorel, during the night, in a canoe, with muffled paddles
and arrived
Quebec on the IDth, to the great joy of the gar-
in
rison and loyal inhabitants,
well
known courage and
who
placed every confidence in his
ability.
Ilawkin
Sir
Down,
life,
Guy Carleton was born
in Ireland, in 1722.
Picture of Quebec, p. 423.
Newry,
at
Having
he rose to be Lieut.-Colonel
s'
in the
County of
entered upon the military
He
the guards in 1748.
in
served afterwards with General Amherst, in America, and in
17G2 distinguished himself at the taking of Havannah, where he
was wounded. In 1772 he obtained the rank of Major-General,
and was aijpointed Governor of Quebec, which he successfully de-
By
fended against the Americans under Gen. Montgonjery.
exertions, afterwards, he saved the whole of Canada, for
act he was
made Knight
of the
Bath
his
which
The next year
in 1776.
he became a Lieut.-General, and in 1781 he was appointed commauder-in-chief in America, where he remained
tion of the war.
till
the termina-
In 1786 he was again nominated Governor of
Quebec, and was at the same time created Lord Dorchester.
He
married in the year 1772, Maria, daughter of the Earl of Effing-
ham, and died
his titles
by
in the
year 1808, aged 86, and was succeeded in
his grandson.
Gen. Carleton was an able
sound judgment, and distinguished for
(22)
Sergeant Dixon was a man
his
of
officer,
good education.
He was
a farmer by occupation, and was possessed of a good estate
Hanover, Lancaster Co., (now Dauphin
was the
|iuiaul
first
bull
man who
fell
which took
oil
at (Quebec.
hi;~
\v'/
of
humanity.
iu
Co.,) Pennsylvania.
He was
W.
He
struck by a 36
below the knee, and
currie^l
50
NOTES.
away
He was
the bones of tliat part entirely.
litter, to
conveyed upon a
the house of au English gentleman, about a mile
amputation took place
—a
An
off.
tetanus followed, which, about nine
o'clock of the ensuing day, ended in the dissolution of this honora-
An
ble citizen and soldier.
record, showing, as
it
anecdote of him
worthy of
well
is
The lady of
does, his patriotic character.
the house where he was taken, though not approving of the principles or actions of the
tive to Dixon,
declined, saying, "
my
Americans, was nevertheless very atten-
and presented him with a cup of
No, madam,
I
cannot take
it
—
tea,
which he
the ruin of
it is
Uttering this noble sentiment, he died, sincerely
country."
lamented by every one who had the opportunity of knowing his
virtues.
Henry's Journal,
(23)
When
p.
92-93.
Gen. Montgomery took possession of the city of
Montreal, on the 13th day of November, the naval force in the
river
was surrendered into
volunteers and soldiers
his hand,
who had
and Gen. Prcscott, with the
taken refuge on board, became
Montgomery found
prisoners of war.
plenty of woollen manufac-
tures in Montreal, and took the opportunity of new-clothing his
troops,
who had
suffered excessively
from the severity of the
cli-
mate, the badness of the roads, and the want of suitable wearing
apparel.
Bosworth's History of Montreal, page 75.
(24)
Majok John Brown was born
Co., Mass., on the 19th
at
Yale College
Providence.
in 1771,
He was
in Sandisfield, Berkshire
day of October, 1744.
After graduating
he studied law with Oliver Arnold in
a delegate to the Provincial Congress
in
1775, and afterwards was at the attack on Quebec, wheie he ren-
dered iniportnnt services.
Congress,
in 177(i.
Jn
He was
llir Ihll
dl
iip]-)ointed
I7S(I. In
Lieut.-Colonel
ninrchi'd
n]i tlic
by
Mo-
51
NOTEf?.
hawk
for the relief of
Gen. Schuyler, but was led by a traitor into
an ambuscade of Canadians, Tories and Indians, at Stone Arabia
in Palestine, and was slain, on his birth-day, October 19, 1780,
aged 36.
(25) Titus
Hosmkr, of Middletown, was born in the year 1136,
He was for many years a reprein 1757.
and graduated at Yale
member of
sentative of the Connecticut Legislature, was chosen a
succession
a
in
times
three
elected
was
the Council in 1778, and
member
In 1777, he was speaker
of the Continental Congress.
In January, 1777, he was appointed by Congress
the revision of maritime and
a Judge of the Court of Appeals for
he was regarded as one of
years,
mature
his
In
admiralty cases.
men in the State. He died on the 4th day of Auof the house.
the greatest
gust, 1780, aged
44 years.
native of New York.
Col. James Livingston was a
appointed to the comwas
and
He had long resided in Canada,
had been formed by
which
Canadians
of
mand of a regiment
(26)
General Montgomery,
born in Northbridge,
Eev. Samuel Spring, D.D., was
and graduated at
1746,
February,
of
day
27th
Mass on the
chaplain in Aronly
the
was
Princeton College, in 1771. He
(27)
penetrated the wilderness of Mame to
nold's detachment that
and
return, in 1776, he left the army,
his
On
Quebec in 1775.
was ordained
as a minister on the 6th
day of August, 1777.
He
Massachusetts Missionary Sociwas one of the founders of the
He asof that institution.
President
of
ety and held the office
Seminary at Andover,
Theological
the
founding
sisted also in
Missions.
Board of Commissioners for Foreign
•uid the
11,.
American
was distinguished
for metaphysir.,!
..•ntmu^ss.
IW was
tht'
NOTES.
5-2'
author of several works.
many
for
was a minister
lie
4th day of March,
181!),
Newburyport
in
and was an attractive preacher.
years,
He
He was
aged 73 years.
died on the
the father of
the Rev. Gardiner Spring. Pastor of the Brick Church in this
city.
(28)
The
city of
Quebec
situated on a
is
promontory on the
north-west side of the St. Lawrence, formed by that river and
The extremity of the head-land is called Cape
Diamond, whose highest point rises 345 feet above the level of
the St. Charles.
the water.
—a
On
the cape
is
erected the famous Citadel of Quebec
formidable combination of powerful military works
—
fre-
quently called the " Gibraltar of America.'^
(29) Col.
Campbell, being next
in lineal
rank to Montgomery,
assumed the command of the army after the death of that General
— a position
for
which he was totally unqualified,
for instead of
inspiring the troops and pressing on the victory half won, he
was
by the sudden loss of the commander, and
leaving behind him the bodies of the General,
entirely disconcerted
ordered a retreat,
his
two
aids,
uucared
and twelve others of the detachment, unburied and
for.
Life and 'limes of Gen.
(30)
John Lamb was born
1st January, in the year 1735.
Lamb,
p. 128.
the city of New- York on the
His father was Anthony Lamb,
in
a celebrated optician and mathematical instrument maker.
In
John followed the occupation of his father. He
afterwards became a merchant. In the war of the Revolution,
he took an active part, and was one of the most zealous leaders
his early youth,
'
of the sons of liberty.
As
a captain of
artillery,
he joined the
expedition against Quebec in the year 1775, where he was
verely
wuunded and
lak'.ii
iiricruuer.
IJi'
se-
wan afterward- pro-
mnted
to the rank
Major, and
ol"
that of Lieut.-Colonel.
He
in the
year 1777 advanced to
was at the attack on Danbury, where
he was again wounded, and narrowly escaped death.
1780 he had command of the
aitiliery at
West
In the year
Point.
afterwards promoted to the rank of Brig.-General.
Lamb was a valiant soldier, a pure patriot, and an
getic officer.
He died on the 31st day of May, in
and
his remains
New
of
were buried
He
was
General
able and enerthe year 1800,
in Trinity Church-yard, in the city
York.
He
(31) Matthias Ogden joined the army at Cambridge.
was engaged in the attack upon Quebec under Arnold, and was
carried wounded from the place of engagement. On his return
from
this expedition,
ment,
in
On
war.
he was appointed to the
which station he continued
He
died at Eiizabethtown,
the year 1791.
J., in
The following
(32)
of a regi-
the occurrence of peace, he was honored by Congress
with a commission of Brig.-General.
N.
command
until the conclu'^ion of the
facts,
taken from Hawkins' Picture of
(Quebec, (pages 43.9-40,) relating to the disinterment o( the re-
mains of Gen. Montgomery, are unquestionably authentic.
In the year 1818 a request was made of the Governor-inChief, Sir
widow
John Sherbrooke, on behalf of Mrs. Montgomery, the
of the General, for leave to disinter the remains of Gen.
Montgomery,
New
of
in order that they
York, and there
might be conveyed to the city
re-interred, to
which His Excellency
acceded.
Mr. James Thompson, a gentleman of
his
respectability, then in
84th year, who bore arms during the siege of the winter of
1775-6,
in
defence of the city of Quebec, and was present
the body was found, and saw
it
afterwards interred, was
when
now
54
NOTES.
ordered to explore the place of interment and dig np the remains.
This he accordingly did,
in the
aidsde-canip, Capt. Freer
;
presence of one of his Excellency's
and although the spot where the body
had been deposited was entirely altered
near
it,
iu
appearance, from
powder magazine which was
the demolition of an old building or
and the subsequent construction of a range of barracks,
he hit upon the foot of the
coffin,
which was much decayed, but
of the identity whereof, there could not be a doubt, no other
body having been
interred in its immediate neighborhood, except
those of the General's two aids,
which were placed on each
McPherson and Cheeseman,
commander's body,
side of their
in
their clothes, and without coffins.
Mr. Thompson gave the following
certificate of the
facts, in
order to satisfy the surviving relatives and friends of Gen. Mont-
gomery, that the remains which had been disinterred after the
of forty-two years, by the same hand that had interred
lapse
them, were really those of the late General
"
I,
:
James Thompson, of the City of Quebec,
of Lower Canada, do testify and declare
in the
Province
—that I served
in the
capacity of Assistant-Engineer during the siege of this city, invested during the years 1775 and 177G
by the American
forces,
under command of the late Major-Gen. Richard Montgomery.
That
in
mediate
an attack made by the American troops, under the im-
command
of General
Montgomery,
in
the night of the
31st December, 1775, on a British jjost at the sou therm ost extremity of the city, near Pres-Jc-ViUe, the
wound, and with him were
killed
and Cheeseman, who were found
in
his
General received a mortal
aids-de-camp,
McPherson
the morning of the 1st Janu-
ary, 1776, almost covered with snow.
That Mrs. Prentice, who tept an Irtel at Quebec, and with
wliom General Monlgoniery had previously boarded, was brought
NOTRS.
'o'o
to view the body, after it was placed iu the Guard-Room, and
which she recognized by a particuhxr marls: which he had on the
side of his head, to be the General's.
That the body was then conveyed
order of Mr. Craraahe,
to a house (Gobert's *),
who provided a
by
genteel coffin for the
General's body, which was lined inside with flannel, and outside
of
it
it with black cloth.
That in the night of the 4th of January,
was conveyed by me from Gobert's house, and was interred six
the gate, within a wall that surrounded a powder
feet in front of
magazine, near the ramparts bounding on St. Lewis-Gate.
That the funeral service was performed at the grave, by the
Reverend Mr. de Moutmolin, then chaplain of the garrison.
That his two aids-de-camp were buried in their clothes, without any cofBns, and that no person was buried within twenty-five
yards of the General.
That
I
am
positive,
and can
testily
and
declare, that the coffin
Montgomery, taken up on the morning of the
16th of the present month of June, 1818, is the identical coffin
of the late General
deposited by
me on
the day of his burial, and that the present
remains of the late General.
coffin contains the
I do further testify and declare, that subsequently to the find-
Montgomery's body, I wore
ing of General
lighter than
American
affected
my
officers
them
being
were lodged, they recognized the sword, which
much
so
quence of which,
Given under
his sword,
own, and on going to the Seminary, where the
I
my
that numbers of
them wept,
have never Avorn the sword
in
conse-
since.
hand, at the City of Qaebec, I'rovince of
Lower Canada, 19th June, 1818.
JAMES THOMPSON.
* Gobert's house wns at the corner of St. Lewis nnJ ?t. Ursule Streets, oa
the site of the house
now numbered
42, St.
Lewis Street.
NOTKS
56
(33)
Gen. Eichard Montgomery was born
Ireland, in the year 1737.
He
in the north of
fought under General Wolfe at
the battle of Quebec in the year 1759, as Captain in the 17th
Eegiment of
and
foot,
after his return to
England, he quitted his
regiment in the year 1772, though in a fair
He came
way
to preferment.
to America, and, on his arrival in this country, pur-
chased an estate
in
New- York, and married a daughter
of
Judge
On the breaking out of the
command of the Continental forces
Livingston, of Livingston's manor.
Revolution, he was placed in
in the
Northern Department,
in connection
with General Schuy-
By the indisposition of Schuyler, the chief command devolved
upon him. He reduced Fort Chamblee, and on the 3d day of
ler,
November, 1775, he captured St. Johns, and on the 12th took
In the month of December following, he marched to
the city of Quebec. The city was besieged, and on the last day
of the year it was determined to make an assault upon it. The
Montreal.
several divisions
of a heavy
fall
were accordingly put in motion
of snow, which concealed
Montgomery advanced
in the
midst
them from the enemy.
at the head of the
New- York troops
along the St. Lawrence, and approaching one of the barriers, he
was pushing forward, when one of the guns of the battery was
discharged, and he, with his two aids, ]\[cPherson and Cheeseman,
was
killed,
on the 31st day of Dec, 1775, at the age of 38.
event, probably, prevented the capture of Quebec.
was a man of fine military
talents,
and
his
This
Montgomery
measures were taken with
judgment and executed with vigor. He inspired his troops with
his own enthusiasm, and shared with them in all their hardships.
His well known character was equally esteemed by the friends
and foes of the side which he had espoused. In America he was
in Great
celebrated as a martyr to the liberties of mankind
;
what he supHis name was men-
Britain as a misguided good man, sacrificing to
posed to be the rights of
his
country.
57
NOTES,
tioned iu Parliament with singular respect.
Some
of the most
powerful speakers in that assembly displayed their eloquence in
sounding his praise and lamenting his
By
direction
of Congress, a
fate.
monument
with emblematic devices, was executed by
and
it
was erected
in the City of
to his
memory
New-Yoi-k.
islature of the State of
of white marble,
!Mr. Cassiers, at Paris,
in front of St. Paul's
Church,
His remains were, by act of the Leg-
New-York, taken up by
L. Livingston, in the month of June, 1818
his
—the
nephew, Col.
place of burial
being pointed out by an old soldier, who attended the interment
—
42 years before and were conveyed to the city of New-York,
Avhere they were again committed to the dust in St. Paul's Churchyard, with the highest civil and military honors.
his
widow was
still alive.
At
that time,
n^:.
i
^^<.-
a^^^ar
•Sk.
A
m
IL
.
>» ^^.
'•f..