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Battle of Quebec 1775 Facts

Battle of Quebec 1775 Facts
The Battle of Quebec was a major early battle in the American Revolutionary War fought on December 31, 1775. The battle was fought near the French speaking city of Quebec City and was part of an American offensive into Canada led by General Richard Montgomery with the intent of the getting the Canadian colonies, especially French Quebec, to join the American Revolution. Although the Americans only suffered fifty killed in the battle, they had more than 400 captured. Also, General Montgomery was among those killed and American Colonel Benedict Arnold, who had captured Fort Ticonderoga months earlier, was wounded. The loss at Quebec stopped the American offensive in the north and they would never again attempt to invade Canada.
Interesting Battle of Quebec 1775 Facts:
Supporting the Continental Army was the 1st Canadian Regiment. The 1st Canadian Regiment was later incorporated into the 2nd Canadian Regiment, which fought on the side of the Americans until the end of the war. They were unable to return to their homes in Canada.
Only three British Army regiments guarded Quebec with the rest of the defense of the region being done by local militia and pro-British Indian tribes.
The British viewed their Canadian militias as unreliable, just as the Continental Army viewed the Patriot militias.
Although most of the Indian tribes of the region opposed the Americans, only the Iroquois could be considered true British allies.
The campaign was to be a two pronged attack, with Arnold leading about 1,500 men into Canada from Maine.
The Americans misunderstood French-Canadian culture and were somewhat arrogant in their regards to the population. Most of the officers in the Continental Army and the members of the Continental Congress were very anti-French during the French and Indian War and even opposed the restoration of French colonists rights under the Quebec Act of 1774. Still, for some reason, they believed that the French-Canadians would rise up in popular rebellion against the British and join the American cause.
British General Guy Carleton was responsible for the defense of Quebec.
On November 13, the Americans took Montreal, which was undefended.
Early on, Carleton decided not to engage the Americans on the battlefield, but instead to build the defense in and around Quebec City, which proved to a good decision.
Located on the St. Lawrence River, Quebec City had a good natural defense. There was also a stone wall around part of the city. Carleton beefed it up by erecting palisades around it.
Beginning on December 6, the Americans put Quebec under siege.
Montgomery was killed by grapeshot when he led a direct assault on the city in the middle of a blizzard.
Arnold then led an assault on the city but was also repulsed and had his leg shattered. Arnold's injury would continue to plague him for the rest of his life, but was also gave him a certain amount of respect and admiration before he turned traitor.


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