War Before Independence by Derek W. Beck

Author:Derek W. Beck
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc
Published: 2016-04-07T04:00:00+00:00

On December 1, snow began to fall at Pointe-aux-Trembles, where Arnold’s forces were waiting. Their clothes were tattered, but no wool or cloth was locally available by which to make new ones. All they could do was fabricate moccasins out of sealskin leather, stuffing them with hay or leaves for warmth, as was the local custom.117

Then, on December 2, Montgomery’s two ships arrived at Pointe-aux-Trembles amid cheers and huzzahs from Arnold’s exhausted men. It was on this day that Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold met for the first time, and each was quite impressed with the other. Montgomery then gave a short but “energetic and elegant” speech that encouraged Arnold’s men, who continued to huzzah throughout.118 All were immediately taken with Montgomery, one noting, “He is a genteel appearing man, tall and slender of make, bald on the Top of his head, resolute [word unintelligible] and mild, of an agreeable temper, and a virtuous General”.119 Another added, “His easy and affable condescension to both officers and men, while it forbids an improper familiarity, creates love and esteem; and exhibits him the gentleman and soldier.”120 Montgomery was equally impressed with Arnold’s soldiers, writing Schuyler, “There is a style of discipline among them, much superior to what I have been used to see this campaign.”121

The two forces spent a day there for reorganization and dispersing of provisions, for which Arnold’s men were especially thankful, particularly for the red coats to cover their naked backs and the food to fill their empty bellies. Finally, the combined army set off. Most marched, while provisions and cannon proceeded by boat, all moving toward Quebec. By December 4, they had arrived. And within days, the new siege of the fortress city was well underway, but unlike the previous attempt, which had been Colonel Arnold versus Colonel Maclean, it was now General Montgomery versus General Carleton.

The total American force was only about 1,100 men, many conspicuously dressed in red coats.122 In contrast, when Carleton had reached Quebec days earlier, he had but 1,300.123 Carleton acted decisively. The city had plenty of supplies to survive through the spring, but Carleton refused to feed those able-bodied Canadians who refused to serve as militia. Moreover, as British Maj. Henry Caldwell put it, “We could guard against open and avowed enemies, but not against those lurking about town”.124 So back on November 22, almost immediately upon his return to the city, Carleton had issued an ultimatum: all such miscreants unwilling to take up arms for the defense of the city or who were otherwise unsure of their loyalties were to quit the town within four days, leaving behind their arms, “Under pain of being treated as Rebels or Spies”.125 Certainly, a few who departed joined with the Americans, but most dispersed to the countryside. Of those who remained, even if their motive was only to protect their property, they were now compelled to take up arms. As Major Caldwell noted, with the miscreants purged, “everybody seemed zealous for the public service”.126 So with the newly augmented militia, the British Canadian force was now near 1,800 men.

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