Battle of Quebec

31 December 1775

British Victory

On 31 December 1775, in an evening snowstorm, 1,200 American Soldiers attempted to storm the defenses of Quebec City. Lacking enough men for a siege, facing expiring enlistments, and with limited supplies, the Americans were running out of time. Brig. Gen. Richard Montgomery and Col. Benedict Arnold determined this was their best chance to take Quebec City before spring brought British reinforcements. With a small force acting as a demonstration in front of the walls, Montgomery led a column against the southern edge of the city while Arnold led a column through the lower city. Arnold’s force made a lodgment but Montgomery’s force met with disaster when he was killed in the first volley. Discouraged, his column faltered and fell back. After its initial success, Arnold’s column was driven from the town and he was wounded. The survivors settled in for a siege through the winter as reinforcements from the Continental Army arrived. However, the new troops brought smallpox that ravaged the Northern Army through the winter and spring of 1776. This defeat ended American attempts to carry their revolution into Canada.

Benedict Arnold was one of the most talented American generals of the Revolutionary War, a man whose energy was matched only by his ego. He was instrumental in defeating the British at Saratoga, a victory that gained the fledgling United States the open support of France. In 1780 Arnold commanded West Point, a fort situated on a bluff overlooking a tricky double bend in the Hudson River. All vessels had to pass the guns of West Point, and its possession would have assured the British easy communication between their forces in Canada and those occupying New York City. Smarting at Congress’ lack of appreciation for his role at Saratoga three years earlier, Arnold plotted with Maj. John André of the British Army to deliver West Point to the enemy. André, wearing civilian clothes, was captured after one of their meetings and subsequently hanged as a spy; Arnold escaped to command British coastal expeditions during the closing years of the war.

He died in London in 1801.

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