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Encyclopedia > Invasion of Canada (1775)

Invasion of Canada, 1775
Part of the American Revolutionary War

Death of General Montgomery in the Attack on Quebec

(John Trumbull, 1786) Combatants American Revolutionaries, France, The Netherlands, Spain, American Indians Great Britain, German mercenaries, Loyalists, American Indians Canadian Indians Commanders George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau, Nathanael Greene, Bernardo de Gálvez Sir William Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, Lord Cornwallis (more commanders) The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the... Image File history File linksMetadata Death_of_Montgomery. ... John Trumbull, 1756–1843 John Trumbull (June 6, 1756 – November 10, 1843) was a famous American artist from the time of the American Revolutionary War. ...

Date 1775–1776
Location Primarily the Lake Champlain and St. Lawrence River valleys
Result Defeat of American invasion;
British counter-offensive
Combatants
American Revolutionaries British Empire
Commanders
Richard Montgomery
Benedict Arnold
Guy Carleton
Canadian theater, 1775–1776
TiconderogaCrown PointLongue-PointeFort St. JeanQuebecLes Cèdres – Vaudreuil – Trois-RivièresValcour BayFort Cumberland

The Invasion of Canada in 1775 was the first major military initiative by the United States during the American Revolutionary War. Two separate expeditions were launched, which joined forces but were defeated at the Battle of Quebec in December 1775. The British then launched a counter-offensive in 1776, driving the Americans back to Fort Ticonderoga. The end of the campaign set the stage for the Saratoga campaign of 1777. Landsat photo Lake Champlain (French: lac Champlain) is a large lake in North America, mostly within the borders of the United States (states of Vermont and New York) but partially situated across the US-Canada border in the province of Quebec. ... The Saint Lawrence River (French: fleuve Saint-Laurent) is a large west-to-east flowing river in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. ... Patriots (also known as Partisans, or Rebels) were British North American colonists who rebelled against the British monarchy during the American Revolution and established the independent states that became the United States of America. ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ... An engraving depicting the death of General Montgomery at the Battle of Quebec. ... Benedict Arnold (January 14, 1741 – June 14, 1801) was a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. ... Sir Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester (1724-1808) was a British soldier who served as Governor of the Province of Quebec. ... Combatants Great Britain Vermont Connecticut Commanders Jocelyn Feltham Ethan Allen Benedict Arnold Strength 48 83 Casualties 48 captured None The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga was an event early in the American Revolutionary War. ... Combatants Great Britain Vermont Connecticut Commanders Jocelyn Feltham Ethan Allen Benedict Arnold Strength 48 83 Casualties 48 captured None The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga was an event early in the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Longue-Pointe was fought on September 24, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Fort St. ... Combatants United States Britain Commanders Richard Montgomery † Benedict Arnold Guy Carleton Strength 900 regulars and militia 300 regulars 1,500 sailors, marines, and militia Casualties 60 dead or wounded 426 captured 6 dead 19 wounded The Battle of Quebec was an attempt on December 31, 1775 by American revolutionaries to... Combatants Britain United States Commanders George Forster Unknown Strength 36 regulars 11 militia 160 natives 390 regulars and militia Casualties Unknown 390 dead, wounded, or captured The Battle of the Cedars (French: Les Cèdres) occurred during the American War of Independence, on May 15 - May 16, 1776 at Fort... The Battle of Trois-Rivières (meaning Three Rivers) was fought on June 8, 1776 in the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Valcour Island, 11 October 1776, also known as Battle of Valcour Bay, was a naval engagement fought on Lake Champlain in a narrow strait between the New York mainland and Valcour Island. ... The Battle of Fort Cumberland resulted in the defeat of an American army trying to invade and inspire rebellion in the British colony of Nova Scotia during the American Revolutionary War. ... Combatants American Revolutionaries, France, The Netherlands, Spain, American Indians Great Britain, German mercenaries, Loyalists, American Indians Canadian Indians Commanders George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau, Nathanael Greene, Bernardo de Gálvez Sir William Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, Lord Cornwallis (more commanders) The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the... Combatants United States Britain Commanders Richard Montgomery † Benedict Arnold Guy Carleton Strength 900 regulars and militia 300 regulars 1,500 sailors, marines, and militia Casualties 60 dead or wounded 426 captured 6 dead 19 wounded The Battle of Quebec was an attempt on December 31, 1775 by American revolutionaries to... Fort Ticonderoga Fort Ticonderoga is a large 18th century fort built at a strategically important narrows in Lake Champlain where a short traverse gives access to the north end of Lake George in the state of New York, USA. The fort controlled both commonly used trade routes between the English... The Saratoga campaign was a major British initiative in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War. ...

Contents

Background

In the spring of 1775, the American Revolutionary War began with the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Soon after, the conflict was at a standstill, with the British Army held up in a siege of Boston. During this long standoff, the American Continental Congress sought a way to seize the initiative elsewhere. The Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775 was the first battle of the American Revolutionary War and was described as the shot heard round the world in Emersons Concord Hymn. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Siege of Boston (April 19, 1775 - March 17, 1776) was the opening phase of the active American Revolutionary War. ... The Continental Congress is the label given to three successive bodies of representatives: The First Continental Congress met from September 5, 1774 to October 26, 1774. ...


Congress had previously invited French-Canadians to join the American Revolution as the fourteenth colony, but this failed to happen. Therefore, a plan was devised to drive the British Empire from the primarily francophone colony of Quebec (comprising present-day Quebec and Ontario). Two expeditions were undertaken. French Canadian or Canadiens historically refers to inhabitants of Canada who can trace their ancestry to the original French settlers of what is now the Province of Quebec. ... Francophone means French-speaking. ... Motto: Je me souviens (French: I remember) Official languages French Flower Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor Linné) Tree Yellow Birch Bird Snowy Owl Capital Quebec City Largest city Montreal Lieutenant-Governor Lise Thibault Premier Jean Charest (PLQ) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 75 24 Area Total  - Land  - Water  (% of... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Official languages English (French has some legal status but is not fully co-official) Flower White Trillium Tree Eastern White Pine Bird Common Loon Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty...


Congress authorized General Philip Schuyler, commander of the Northern Department, to mount an invasion to drive British forces from Canada. He sent General Richard Montgomery north with an invasion force. General George Washington also sent Benedict Arnold towards Quebec City with a supporting force. Philip Schuyler Philip John Schuyler (November 10, 1733 – November 18, 1804) was a general in the American Revolution and a United States Senator from New York. ... The overall Continental Army of the American Revolutionary War was organized into six departments for command and administrative purposes. ... An engraving depicting the death of General Montgomery at the Battle of Quebec. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732–December 14, 1799) led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and was the first President of the United States, from 1789 to 1797. ... Benedict Arnold (January 14, 1741 – June 14, 1801) was a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...


Montgomery's expedition

On September 16, 1775, Brigadier General Richard Montgomery marched north from Fort Ticonderoga with about 1,700 militiamen, defeating the British at the Battle of Fort St. Jean on November 3, and then entering Montreal unopposed on November 13. General Guy Carleton, the governor of Canada, escaped to Quebec City. Montgomery then moved towards Quebec City. September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ... 1775 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... An engraving depicting the death of General Montgomery at the Battle of Quebec. ... The Battle of Fort St. ... November 3 is the 307th day of the year (308th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 58 days remaining. ... Motto: Concordia Salus Coordinates: Country Canada Province Quebec Founded 1642 Established 1832 City Mayor Gérald Tremblay Area    - City 366. ... November 13 is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 48 days remaining. ... Sir Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester (1724-1808) was a British soldier who served as Governor of the Province of Quebec. ...

American attack on Quebec: routes of the Arnold and Montgomery expeditions.
American attack on Quebec: routes of the Arnold and Montgomery expeditions.

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (904x1104, 312 KB) American Attack on Quebec (1775). ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (904x1104, 312 KB) American Attack on Quebec (1775). ...

Arnold's expedition

The second expedition was led by Benedict Arnold. In 1775, the Continental Congress generally adopted Arnold's plan for the invasion of Canada, but Arnold was not included in the command structure for the effort. Thus rebuffed, Arnold returned to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and approached George Washington with the idea of a supporting eastern invasion force aimed at Quebec City. Because there had been little direct action at Boston after the Battle of Bunker Hill in June, many units were bored with garrison life and eager for action. Washington agreed with Arnold's proposal. He appointed Arnold a colonel, and together they visited each line unit to ask for volunteers. Cambridge City Hall Settled: 1630 â€“ Incorporated: 1636 Zip Code(s): 02139 â€“ Area Code(s): 617 / 857 Official website: http://www. ... Nickname: City on a Hill, Beantown, The Hub of the Universe (The State House, according to Oliver Wendell Holmes, is the hub of the Solar System), Athens of America Location in Massachusetts Counties Suffolk County Mayor Thomas Menino (D) Area    - City 232. ... Combatants Kingdom of Great Britain Province of Massachusetts Bay Commanders William Howe Robert Pigot Henry Clinton Israel Putnam William Prescott Joseph Warren† (Declined command) Strength 2,600 1,500 Casualties 226 dead 828 wounded 140 dead 271 wounded 30 captured (20 POWs Died) The Battle of Bunker Hill took place...


Arnold eventually selected a force of 750 men. Washington added Daniel Morgan's company and some other riflemen. The frontiersmen, from the Virginia and Pennsylvania wilderness, were better suited to wilderness combat than to a siege. Daniel Morgan (July 6, 1736 – July 6, 1802) was an American pioneer, soldier, and United States Representative from Virginia. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Official language(s) None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 160 miles (255 km)  - Length 280 miles (455 km)  - % water 2. ...


The plan called for the men to cover the 180 miles (290 km) from the Kennebec River to Quebec in 20 days. They expected to find relatively light defenses since British Commander Carleton would be busy handling Schuyler's forces at Montreal. Arnold sent ahead to Fort Western (in present day Maine) to have supplies and bateaux readied for his force. The expedition moved by sea and spent five days at Fort Western organizing supplies and preparing the boats. The course of the Kennebec River The Kennebec River is a river, 150 mi (240 km) long, in the state of Maine in the northeastern United States. ... Fort Western was a colonial outpost at the head of navigation on the Kennebec River at modern Augusta, Maine. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Bateau men poling the James River The James River Bateau was a shallow draft river craft used during the period from 1775 to 1840 to transport tobacco and other cargo on the James river and its tributaries in the state of Virginia. ...


The men expected to go up the Kennebec River and then descend the Chaudiere to Quebec. After staying for three days at Colburn's Shipyard in Gardinerston, where Reuben Colburn built the bateaux at Washington's request in just 15 days, they set out from Fort Western on September 25. Their troubles began almost immediately. Reuben Colburn, was a patriot and shipbuilder of Pittston, Maine. ... September 25 is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...


The bateaux were built from green, split pine planks because of a lack of dried lumber at that time of year and were basically flat bottom rafts that could not be rowed but had to be poled against the stream. Colburn traveled with the army, repairing the bateaux as they went, but in hauling them upstream and lowering them down the Chaudiere, many supplies and some men were lost. Rain and violent storms ruined more. Lieutenant Colonel Roger Enos turned back with his division, taking 300 men and some of the supplies with him.


The maps the expedition had started with were faulty, since the British frequently allowed publication of incorrect maps to deceive future enemies. The journey turned out to be 350 miles (560 km), not 180. After the expedition ran out of supplies, the men began to eat anything, including their dogs, their shoes, cartridge boxes, leather, moss, and tree bark. On November 6, the expedition reached the south shore of the St. Lawrence River; Arnold had 600 of his original 1,100 men. November 6 is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 55 days remaining. ... The Saint Lawrence River (French fleuve Saint-Laurent) is a large west-to-east flowing river in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. ...


However, Arnold thought they could still take the city. The defenders were only about 100 British regulars under Lieutenant Colonel Allen Maclean, supported by several hundred poorly organized local militia. If the Americans could scatter the militia with accurate fire, they could overwhelm the outnumbered regulars. When they finally reached the Plains of Abraham on November 14, Arnold sent a negotiator with a white flag to demand their surrender, but to no avail. The Americans, with no cannons, faced a fortified city. When the frigate Lizard moved into the river to cut off their rear, they were forced to withdraw to Pointe aux Trembles. The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... The Battle of the Plains of Abraham, fought September 13, 1759, was a decisive battle during the French and Indian War, the U.S. name for the North American phase of the Seven Years War. ... November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining until the end of the year. ...


Finally, on December 2, Montgomery came down river from Montreal with 300 troops and bringing captured British supplies and winter clothing. The two forces united, and plans were made for an attack on the city. December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...


Battle of Quebec

Montgomery joined Arnold in an assault on Quebec City on December 31, 1775, but they were soundly defeated by Carleton. Montgomery was killed, Arnold was wounded, and many men were taken prisoner, including Daniel Morgan and Ethan Allen. When General John Thomas arrived to take command, he found the army severely weakened by the march north, smallpox, and the harsh Canadian winter. He immediately began a withdrawal. Combatants United States Britain Commanders Richard Montgomery † Benedict Arnold Guy Carleton Strength 900 regulars and militia 300 regulars 1,500 sailors, marines, and militia Casualties 60 dead or wounded 426 captured 6 dead 19 wounded The Battle of Quebec was an attempt on December 31, 1775 by American revolutionaries to... Daniel Morgan (July 6, 1736 – July 6, 1802) was an American pioneer, soldier, and United States Representative from Virginia. ... An engraving depicting Ethan Allen demanding the surrender of Fort Ticonderoga Ethan Allen (January 21, 1738 – February 12, 1789) was an early American revolutionary and guerrilla leader during the era of the Vermont Republic and the New Hampshire Grants. ... There have been several people with this name, see John Thomas for others. ... Smallpox (also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera) was a highly contagious viral disease unique to humans. ...


Carleton's counteroffensive

In 1776, British forces in Canada were strengthened by troops under General John Burgoyne and Hessian mercenaries. Another attempt was made by the Revolutionaries to push back towards Quebec, but it failed at Trois-Rivières on June 8, 1776. The new American commander, General Thomas, died of smallpox. John Burgoyne General John Burgoyne (1722 – 1792) was a British general and playwright. ... In mathematics, the Hessian matrix of a function of several real variables is the (symmetric) matrix of all second partial derivatives. ... A mercenary is a soldier who fights or engages in warfare primarily for private gain, usually with little regard for ideological, national, or political considerations, however, when the term mercenary is used to refer to a soldier of a national, regular army, it usually is an insult, epithet or pejorative. ... The Battle of Trois-Rivières (meaning Three Rivers) was fought on June 8, 1776 in the American Revolutionary War. ... June 8 is the 159th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (160th in leap years), with 206 days remaining. ... This article is about the year 1776. ...


Carleton then launched his own invasion and defeated Arnold in the Battle of Valcour Island in October. Arnold fell back to Fort Ticonderoga, where the invasion of Canada had begun. The invasion of Canada ended as a disaster for the Americans, but Arnold's improvised navy on Lake Champlain had the effect of delaying a full-scale British counter thrust until the Saratoga campaign of 1777. Carleton was heavily criticized in London for not pursuing the American retreat from Canada more aggressively, and so command of the 1777 offensive was given to General Burgoyne instead. The Battle of Valcour Island, 11 October 1776, also known as Battle of Valcour Bay, was a naval engagement fought on Lake Champlain in a narrow strait between the New York mainland and Valcour Island. ... The Saratoga campaign was a major British initiative in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War. ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. ...


Casualties

Returns of the Continental Army troops from Canada in May 1776, which show how hard the campaign was on the soldiers: Illustration depicting uniforms and weapons used during the 1779 to 1783 period of the American Revolution by showing four soldiers standing in an informal group General George Washington, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. ...

  • Total: 5,040 soldiers fit for duty and 1,253 sick

The 3rd New Hampshire Regiment was formed on June 1, 1775 as the third of three Continental Army regiments raised by the state of New Hampshire during the American Revolution. ... The 1st New Hampshire Regiment was formed on April 26, 1775 seven days after the Battles of Lexington and Concord as the first of three Continental Army regiments raised by the state of New Hampshire during the American Revolution. ... The 2nd New Hampshire Regiment also known as 2nd Continental Regiment was formed in early May, 1775 as the second of three Continental Army regiment raised by the state of New Hampshire during the American Revolutionary War. ... The 1st Massachusetts Regiment also known as 15th Continental Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel Patterson outside of Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 3rd Massachusetts Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel Heath outside of Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 25th Continental Regiment was raised April 23, 1775 as a Massachusetts militia Regiment at Cambridge, Massachusetts under Col. ... The 4th Pennsylvania Regiment was raised December 9, 1775 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for service with the Continental Army. ... The 3rd New Jersey Regiment was raised on January 1, 1776 at Elizabethtown, New Jersey for service with the Continental Army. ... The 1st New Jersey Regiment also known as The Jersey Blues was raised on October 9, 1775 for service with the Continental Army under the command of Colonel Newcomb. ... The 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment also know as The Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion was raised October 12, 1775 under the command of Col. ... Bedels Regiment was first raised as a single company of rangers in Coos, New Hampshire on May 26, 1775 under the command of Timothy Bedel for the protection of northern New Hampshire during the early days of the American Revolutionary War. ... The 2nd New Jersey Regiment was raised on October 9, 1775 at Trenton, New Jersey for service with the Continental Army under the command of Colonel William Maxwell. ... The Porters Regiment was raised on January 19, 1776 under Colonel Porter at Northampton, Massachusetts and Pittsfield, Massachusetts for one year of service. ... The 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment was raised December 9, 1775 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for service with the Continental Army. ...

Further reading

  • Bird, Harrison. Attack on Quebec. New York: Oxford University Press, 1968.
  • Codman, John. Arnold's Expedition to Quebec. New York, 1902.
  • Desjardin, Thomas A. Through a Howling Wilderness: Benedict Arnold's March to Quebec, 1775. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2006. ISBN 0-312-33904-6.
  • Hatch, Robert McConnell. Thrust for Canada: The American Attempt on Quebec in 1775–1776. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1979. ISBN 0-395-27612-8.
  • Roberts, Kenneth. March to Quebec. New York, 1938; revised 1940.
  • Shelton, Hal T. General Richard Montgomery and the American Revolution: From Redcoat to Rebel. New York: New York University Press, 1994. ISBN 0-8147-7975-1.
  • Smith, Justin H. Arnold's March to Quebec. New York, 1903.
  • Smith, Justin H. Our Struggle for the Fourteenth Colony. 2 volumes. New York, 1907.

External links

New York in the American Revolutionary War
Pre-war - Sons of Liberty - 1775 Invasion of Canada (1775) - Capture of Fort Ticonderoga - 1776 New York and New Jersey campaign - Battle of Long Island - New York Prison Ships Begin - Landing at Kip's Bay - Battle of Harlem Heights - Great Fire of New York (1776) - Execution of Nathan Hale - Battle of Valcour Island -Battle of Pell's Point - Battle of White Plains - Battle of Fort Washington - 1777 - Saratoga campaign - Battle of Ticonderoga (1777) - Battle of Hubbardton - Battle of Fort Ann - Battle of Oriskany - Battle of Saratoga - Battle of Freeman's Farm - Battle of Bemis Heights - 1778 - Setauket Spy Ring Launched - Battle of Cobleskill - West Point established - Cherry Valley massacre - 1779 - Battle of Stony Point - Sullivan Expedition - Battle of Newtown - 1780 - First Purple Heart - André Capture Reveals Traitor Benedict Arnold - 1781 - HMS Culloden Runs Aground at Montauk - Washington Calls Off Invasion of New York to Support Yorktown - 1782 - Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh - 1783 - Newburgh conspiracy - Newburgh letter - British Evacuate New York - Washington's Farewell to His Officers

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