Richard Montgomery, born in Ireland, on the 2d of December, 1736,
educated at Trinity College, Dublin, entered the British army at
eighteen as ensign. He performed good service during the French and
Indian War, taking an active part in the siege of Louisburg and at
the storming of Quebec under Wolfe. At the close of the war, he
obtained permission to return to Europe; but in 1772, he resigned his
commission in the British army and came to New York, being fully in
sympathy with the colonies in their conflict with the mother country.
He identified himself with the American colonists by purchasing a farm,
and shortly after marrying the daughter of Robert R. Livingston. In
1775, he represented Duchess County in the first New York Provincial
Convention. On the 22d of June of the same year, Congress appointed
him brigadier-general in the Continental army. Preparations were
immediately begun for investing Canada, as Congress appreciated the
importance of securing commanding positions, to prevent invasions from
that quarter and the alliance of the frontier Indians with our enemies.
It being thought best to divide the forces, part were sent by way of
the Kennebec, under Arnold, the others, by way of the Sorel River, were
intrusted to Montgomery. Both armies had to contend with insufficient
provisions and untold hardships of all kinds. Montgomery succeeded,
however, in taking the fortresses of St. Johns, Chambly, and Montreal.
At St. Johns the colors of the Seventh Fusileers were captured, being
the first taken in the Revolution. In sending his report to Congress,
Montgomery added, “Until Quebec is taken, Canada is unconquered.” On
the 9th of December, 1775, he was advanced by Congress to the rank
of major-general. About this time Arnold crossed the St. Lawrence,
and at last the two armies were united and ready to act in concert.
But cold, privation, and toilsome marches had done their work, and
reduced the number of men available for active service to less than
one thousand, while Quebec was not only strongly fortified, but amply
garrisoned. A summons to surrender was answered by firing upon the
bearer of the flag. A siege of three weeks served only to dishearten
still further the frost-bitten and half-starved Americans. But the
stout hearts of Montgomery and Arnold never quailed. At a council of
war, it was decided that their best chance of success lay in attempting
to carry the place by assault. Accordingly, on the 31st of December,
1775, in the midst of a blinding snow-storm, the two leaders began the
attack before daylight. The city was to be stormed simultaneously at
two different points; and Montgomery, leading his division along the
river-bank, and often helping with his own hands to push aside the
huge blocks of ice that impeded their progress, succeeded in carrying
the first barrier. Waving his sword and shouting, “Men of New York,
follow where your general leads!” he pressed eagerly forward, when a
discharge of grape-shot ended his life, and also killed several of his
staff. Dismayed by the death of their leader, and discouraged by the
tremendous odds against them, the Americans were at length driven back,
and compelled to leave the gallant Montgomery on the field of battle.
The victors, appreciating the courage and nobility of the fallen hero,
generously offered a resting-place for his remains within the walls of
the beleaguered city.
In 1818, by an “Act of honor” passed by the New York Legislature in
behalf of Mrs. Montgomery, Sir John Sherbrooke, Governor-General of
Canada, was requested to allow her husband’s remains to be disinterred
and brought to New York. This was granted, and “her soldier,” as
she always called him, now sleeps in St. Paul’s churchyard near the
monument that was ordered in France by Benjamin Franklin, in pursuance
of a resolution of the Continental Congress.