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N0KFQ > TODAY 08.12.16 15:09l 39 Lines 1795 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 15403_N0KFQ
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Dec 8
Path: IW8PGT<IR2UBX<F1OYP<ON0AR<VK6HGR<ZL2BAU<F1OYP<VK6ZRT<N0KFQ
Sent: 161208/1304Z 15403@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQ6.0.13
1775
Americans begin siege of Quebec
Beginning on this day in 1775, Colonel Benedict Arnold and
General Richard Montgomery lead an American force in the siege of
Quebec. The Americans hoped to capture the British-occupied city
and with it win support for the American cause in Canada.
In June, Congress decided to send two columns of 1,000 men each
towards Canada. General Richard Montgomery proceeded up Lake
Champlain and successfully captured Montreal in November before
reaching Quebec City. Colonel Benedict Arnold led his men through
the woods of Maine, approaching the city directly. On November
14, Arnold arrived on the Plains of Abraham outside the city of
Quebec; his men sustained themselves upon dog meat and leather in
the cold winter. The 100 men defending the city refused to either
surrender to Arnold or leave their defenses to fight them on open
plains, so Arnold waited for Montgomery to join him with his
troops and supplies at the beginning of December.
The royal governor general of Canada, Sir Guy Carleton, had
managed to escape Montgomery's early successful attacks. He snuck
into Quebec, organized 1,800 men for the city's defense, and
prepared to wait out the Patriots' siege. But Arnold and
Montgomery faced a deadline as their troops' enlistments expired
at the end of the year. On December 7, Montgomery fired arrows
over the city walls bearing letters demanding Carleton's
surrender. When Carleton did not acquiesce, the Americans began a
bombardment of the city with Montgomery's cannon on December 8.
They then attempted a disastrous failed assault on December 31,
in which Montgomery was killed and Arnold seriously wounded.
73 - K.O., n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
Winlink: n0kfq@winlink.org
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