Tuesday, October 27, 2015

The American Occupation of Montreal

American General Richard Montgomery took Montreal on November 13, 1775.  One of the remaining landmarks of that time is Chateau Ramezay, finished in 1705, shown here:


The American forces used the Chateau as their headquarters in 1775.  The taking of Montreal was prelude to the assault on Quebec City. Two months earlier, on September 25, 1775, at the Battle of Longue-Pointe, Ethan Allen failed in his attempt to take the city.

It was all for naught.  Montgomery met up with Benedict Arnold outside Quebec City; Montgomery was killed in the assault and Arnold seriously wounded.  Although capturing Canada remained in the mind of Washington and others, it was an ill-assumed premise that proved costly and, if anything, further united the Canadians against the Americans.