The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-09-02
BIOGRAPHY.
From the Boston Atlas.
GEN. RICHARD MONTGOMERY

of most respectable family in the north
part of that country. They are not Of the
titled nobility, but are of such standing
as respects property and character, that
they associate with the highest in the land.
This was the standing Of the family when
Richard was born, and such it continues to
be to the present day.
In 1775, when troops were raised for
the Continental service in these Chem Col
onies, Mr.. Montgomery was found residing
on the banks of the North River, in the
State of New York.-He had previously
been in the British service, and been on
duty with his regiment in this country, and
had, in soldiers phrase, 'seen great deal
of service His career from the first land
ne held commission at the age of eighteen)
was marked with intrepidity and remarka-
BILE courage, SO much so, that he was uni
yersal favorite with his fellow soldiers,
from the highest to the lowest. Notwith-
standing which, he resigned his commission
when he returned with his regiment to Eng
land.
Soon after this event, which was proba-
bly, only preparatory to the next step, he
returned to this country, and, being SOL
dier by profession, determined, if he fol-
lowed his profession, that his talents should
be used in the cause of liberty rather than
that Of tyranny.
In l775, it has been stated, found him
residing in the State OF New York, and the
same year found him in possession of a
commission of Brigadier General in the
Colonial army. The post assigned him
was under General Schuyler, who then
had chief command of the northern army,
SO called, and whose position was on or
near the Canadian lines. He was not long
idle after joining the army, and his numer-
Gus engagements with the enemy were only
series of victories, until he finally captu-
red and took possession of the important
Fort Of st. John and city of Montreal.
Hiot llSoO oPCldlotS WtIe BOlHS OIij
Washington was encamped with the main
army in this vicinity, in Cambridge, and
then and there projected the expedition
which set out under the command of Colo
mel Arnold, and crossed the wilderness from
the Kennebec river to the Canada lines.
The intention of General Washington was,
that this detachment should join and CO.
operate with the northern army under
Schuyler, and that when united they would
attack and capture the fortress of Quebec.
After Arnold had been some weeks on his
march, and when he was in the depths OF
the wilderness, news came to Washington
that Schuyler was sick, and was utterly
unable to lead the army to the intended at
tack on Quebec. This was sad news to
Washington, for two reasons; first, he was
losing the services of an officer in whom he
, had great confidence; and next, the gentle
man whom he believed to be second in com.
mand, and who would of course take
I SchuyleT's place, was one in whom he had
little confidence for the execution of such
an enterprise as was then in hand. He be-
lieved the command devolved on General
, Wooster, and under this impression wrote
to Schuyler (who was then sick as follows:
\ "General Wooster, am informed, is not
h of such activity as to press through diff
cuIties with which that service is environ
\ df!ldI am therefore much alarmed for Ar
mold, whose expedition was built upon
p yours, and who will inevitably perish if
the invasion and entry into Canada are a.
5bandoned by your successor"
These fears, however, were not needed,
the fact being, though then unknown to
a Washington, that Montgomery stood one
0 degree higher than Wooster, consequently,
he took the command, and Wooster, under
him, took portion of the army.
After this, when Washington was in
Eormed that Montgomery was entitled to
md had assumed the command, his Joy was