Battle of Quebec during the American Revolution

Ticonderoga, NY - 6 August 1775

Immediately on my arrival here, I issued such orders respecting the provisions and stores, (which I found had been most scandalously embezzled or misapplied,) as I hoped would effectually have brought matters into a right train

Ticonderoga, NY - 31 July 1775

Since my last I have been most assiduously employed in preparing materials for building boats to convey me across the Lake.

Albany, NY - 27 August 1775

on my arrival at Saratoga, I received information, that a large body of Indians of the Six Nations were to be here on Tuesday last, and that my presence was indispensably necessary.

Oyster Ponds, NY - 29 August 1775

The inhabitants here think that, had General Schuyler known their very exposed situation, he would not have ordered the companies away. The New York Congress suppose they have no right to counteract his orders.

Ticonderoga, NY - 31 August 1775

General Montgomery leaves Crown Point to-day, with twelve hundred men and four twelve-pounders. I follow him this evening

Isle Aux Noix, CAN - 5 September 1775

We have made an excursion to St. Johns with the small corps with which I left Ticonderoga.

Watertown, NY - 11 September 1775

I cannot retire to rest till I have written you a few lines, to excuse my casting so many discouragements in the way of your journey to Quebec.

Isle Aux Noix, CAN - 12 September 1775

I am, my dear Janet, so exceedingly out of spirits and so chagrined with the behavior of the troops, that I most heartily repent having undertaken to lead them.

St Johns, QC, CAN - 19 September 1775

Yesterday, I marched, with five hundred men, to the north side of St. John's, where we found a party of the King's troops, with field-pieces.

Ticonderoga, NY - 20 September 1775

We approached half a mile nearer and then landed without opposition, in a close, deep swamp, which extended to very near the fort. Here we formed, and marched in the best order we could towards the fort, to reconnoitre.

Ticonderoga, NY - 26 September 1775

If Job had been a General in my situation, his memory had not been so famous for patience. But the glorious end we have in view, and which I have confident hope will be attained, will atone for all.

St Johns, QC, CAN - 28 September 1775

Since my last of the 24th, we have opened a battery of two twelve-pounders, upon the ship-yards and schooner. She was obliged immediately to haul near the wharf, or rather as near the north end of the fort as she could get

St Johns, CAN - 6 October 1775

Little change has happened since my last. I still wait for reinforcement ; the troops have hitherto gone home sick, almost as fast as they came.

St Johns, QC, CAN - 6 October 1775

Your vigilance and foresight have saved us from the difficulties that threatened us. We are no longer afraid of starving.

St Johns, CAN - 9 October 1775

This evening I received my dear Janet's three letters to the 23rd September, which bring me the agreeable news of your recovery.

Ticonderoga, NY - 12 October 1775

I am extremely apprehensive that a want of powder will be fatal to our operations. I have sent Express to Albany and New York, but have not yet learnt whether I shall be supplied or not.

St Johns, QC, CAN - 13 October 1775

Some time ago I informed you of my intentions to make my approaches on the west side, as soon as the expected reenforcement enabled me to undertake it.

Kennebec River, ME - 13 October 1775

The men in general not understanding bateaux, have been obliged to wade, and haul them more than half way up the river.

St Johns, QC, CAN - 22 October 1775

I have received information, from different quarters, that the prisoners you have made are treated with cruel and unnecessary severity, being loaded with irons

Ticonderoga, NY - 26 October 1775

The reduction of Chamblee will, in all probability, be followed by that of St. John's, especially as General Montgomery has now a supply of powder

St Johns, QC, CAN - 1 November 1775

Having now acquitted my conscience, I must, to save time and prevent trouble, acquaint you, if you do not surrender this day, it will be unnecessary to make any future proposals.

St Johns, QC, CAN - 3 November 1775

I have the pleasure to acquaint you the garrison surrendered last night. This morning, we take possession ; to-morrow, I hope the prisoners will set off.

Ticonderoga, NY - 6 November 1775

Should success crown our endeavours at St. John's, of which there seems to be little doubt, the entire reduction of Canada will, in all probability, be the consequence

St Marie, QC, CAN - 8 November 1775

I can only say we have hauled our bateaux up over falls, up rapid streams, over carrying-places, and marched through morasses, thick woods, and over mountains, about three hundred and twenty miles

Montreal, QC, CAN - 12 November 1775

The city of Montreal, having neither ammunition, artillery, troops, nor provisions, and having it not in their power to fulfil one article of the treaty, can claim no title to a capitulation.

Montreal, QC, CAN - 12 November 1775

My anxiety for the fate of Montreal induces me to request, that you will exert yourselves among the inhabitants to prevail on them to enter into such measures as will prevent the necessity of opening my batteries on the town.

Montreal, CAN - 13 November 1775

This morning the Bostonians have marched into town ; the Governor, with his small garrison, having abandoned it two nights since, and retired towards Quebec

Montreal, QC, CAN - 13 November 1775

This morning we have taken possession of the town ; I send you their articles of capitulation, with my answer, and hope it may meet with approbation.

Point Levy, QC, CAN - 13 November 1775

The winds have been so high, these three nights, that I have not been able to cross the river. I have near forty canoes ready

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 14 November 1775

The unjust, cruel, and tyrannical acts of a venal British Parliament, tending to enslave the American Colonies, have obliged them to appeal to God and the sword for redress.

Colvil Place, QC, CAN - 14 November 1775

I wrote you yesterday from Point Levy, by an express sent from Sorel, by Colonel Easton, of my intention of crossing the St. Lawrence, which I happily effected between nine and four in the morning

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 16 November 1775

I am very anxious to hear from you, and much more to see you here.

Montreal, QC, CAN - 19 November 1775

I have this morning had another express from Colonel Arnold, acquainting me he has crossed the river to the Quebec side ; that he had been near surprising the town ; that it was closely invested

Point-aux-trembles, QC, CAN - 20 November 1775

It was judged prudent, in our situation, not to hazard a battle, but retire to this place, eight leagues from Quebec, which we did yesterday, and are waiting here with impatience the arrival of General Montgomery

Point-aux-trembles, QC, CAN - 20 November 1775

upon examination, great part of our cartridges proved unfit for service, and, to my great surprise, we had no more than five rounds for each man, and near one hundred muskets unfit for service.

Montreal, QC, CAN - 24 November 1775

It is with great indignation I hear Lieutenant Halsey, whom I left as Assistant Engineer at St. John's, to put the barracks in a proper state for the reception of a garrison, has run away without leave

Montreal, CAN - 24 November 1775

The other day General Prescott was so obliging as to surrender himself and fourteen or fifteen land officers, with above one hundred men, besides sea officers and sailors, prisoners of war.

Ticonderoga, NY - 28 November 1775

The evening before General Montgomery landed on the Island of Montreal, Mr. Carleton embarked his garrison on board of some vessels and small craft, and made two attempts to pass our batteries

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 5 December 1775

I continued at Point-aux-Trembles until the 3d instant, when, to my great joy, General Montgomery joined us, with artillery, and about three hundred men.

Quebec, CAN - 5 December 1775

I suppose long ere this we have furnished the folks of the United Colonies with subject-matter of conversation. I should like to see the long faces of my Tory friends.

Abraham, QC, CAN - 5 December 1775

The season has proved so favorable as to enable me to join Colonel Arnold at Point-aux-Trembles, where I arrived with the vessels Mr. Prescott made us a present of.

Abraham, QC, CAN - 6 December 1775

notwithstanding the cruelty you have shown to the unhappy prisoners you have taken, the feelings of humanity induce me to have recourse to this expedient to save you from the destruction which hangs over your wretched garrison.

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 16 December 1775

Yesterday we opened a battery of five guns and a howitzer, and, with very little effect, I attempted to summon the Governor by a flag of truce. He would not receive any letter.

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 18 December 1775

I have been near a fortnight before Quebec, at the head of upwards of eight hundred men ; a force, you will say, not very adequate to the business in hand.

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 26 December 1775

I then had reason to believe the troops well inclined for a coup-de-main. I have since discovered, to my great mortification, that three companies of Colonel Arnold's detachment are very averse from the measure.

, QC, CAN - 31 December 1775

I make no doubt but General Montgomery acquainted you with his intentions of storming Quebec as soon as a good opportunity offered.

, QC, CAN - 2 January 1776

I wrote you, three days since, of our defeat, and the death of General Montgomery and others, with all the information I then had of the matter.

Albany, NY - 5 January 1776

now or never is the time for every virtuous American to exert himself in the cause of liberty and his country ; and that it is become a duty cheer fully to sacrifice the sweets of domestic felicity, to attain the honest, and glorious end America has

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 11 January 1776

The disposition of the Canadians is very favorable to your wishes ; the only bar of consequence is Quebec. As this is the key, so, in a great measure, it governs the whole country, who having been so long habituated to slavery

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 12 January 1776

General Wooster has acquainted me he cannot leave Montreal, but has sent down Colonel Clinton, to whom I shall resign the command, until my wound will permit my doing duty

Albany, NY - 13 January 1776

My amiable friend, the gallant Montgomery, is no more ; the brave Arnold is wounded; and we have met with a severe check in an unsuccessful attempt on Quebec.

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 14 January 1776

Our loss and repulse struck an amazing panic into both officers and men, and, had the enemy improved their advantage, our affairs here must have been entirely ruined.

Montreal, QC, CAN - 21 January 1776

I herewith inclose a letter just received from Colonel Arnold, and take this opportunity most heartily to condole with you for the loss of the brave and most amiable General Montgomery

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 24 January 1776

It is very probable the city would surrender before half, or perhaps one quarter, of the shot, shells, &c.; in my memorandum were expended; but, if they should make an obstinate resistance, perhaps the whole will be necessary.

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 1 February 1776

I have the pleasure of acquainting you, that we still hold our ground before Quebec, and keep the enemy closely blockaded, though we have received but a small reenforcement of one hundred and fifty men from Montreal.

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 27 February 1776

The enemy, to the number of about five hundred, have twice sallied out at Palace Gate, with design of seizing our field-pieces

Fort George, NY - 12 April 1776

All is in readiness to move, as soon as the Lakes open, which, I hope, will be in a day or two.