The 1711 Expedition to Quebec by Adam Lyons

Author:Adam Lyons [Lyons, Adam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, General, Modern, 18th Century, Europe, Great Britain
ISBN: 9781441153869
Google: JqcoYq4yBU0C
Publisher: A&C Black
Published: 2013-02-14T01:12:01+00:00

Nicholson’s expedition

Nicholson was not, of course, immediately aware of what had happened on the St Lawrence. His march to Montreal, combined with the planned simultaneous assault on Quebec, would have held New France in a pincer movement, although its prime aim was to prevent reinforcements from strengthening Quebec. The instructions were again specific. Nicholson was to march via Lake Champlain and after

reducing [Forts] Chambly and Sorel get in the River Canada [St Lawrence], about the time our squadron and forces shall arrive at Quebec, in order to intercept any assistance that place may expect from Trois-Rivieres or Montreal, which place being only [defended by a palisade] may be taken sword in hand, [or] at least blocked up until the affair of Quebec is determined.151

Even if they found Montreal to be lightly defended, this was an arduous task for the invaders given the route they would take and the logistical complexities it would involve. With Walker’s retreat, there was no support and supply lines would have been overly extended. Montreal did not boast great defensive works (it was protected by a wooden palisade and a wooden fort), however, there were approximately 30 small forts controlling the approaches to the city; some were primitive and built of wood, others of stone.152 The frustrating order to retreat saved Nicholson’s men from annihilation as they would have stumbled into a superior French force and were already succumbing to disease.153

The Mary storeship (not to be confused with the ship stranded in Ireland) detached from Walker’s fleet with the Kingston on 22 May, carried uniforms, artillery and miscellaneous stores for the land expedition. Due to fog and contrary winds and currents, it did not arrive at New York until 12 July, when the Mary ran aground in the bay delaying it further.154 The good news was that the Joseph and Neptune transports carrying the ordnance supplies and the 30 lieutenants, which Nicholson left at Boston, had finally arrived the day before.155 These were the transports St John had organized, before anything else, so that they could reach New York as early as March, yet they docked over two weeks after Walker’s arrival at Boston.

Benjamin Ashe of New York noted Nicholson’s arrival and even that of Walker’s fleet, along with its composition. If he knew of this then the Quebecois certainly did. Ashe reported that 150 cedar wood flat-bottomed boats were being built in New York, each capable of holding about 20 men. They were expected to be ready around 18 June and were probably for Hill and Walker as Hunter was building 330 batteaux at Albany, each of which could carry six men and their provisions.156 It would have been clear, combined with the sudden mobilization of provincial troops, what their purpose was and Ashe wished the expedition great success. Nicholson’s army consisted of approximately 2,300 men, including 400 British regulars of the independent companies based in New York and Albany, and around 800 Indians of the Five Nations of the Iroquois. Although quotas were introduced

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