North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-02-19

well that If, unfortunately, this expedition
against Quebec was 10 fail, !, would cool
the military enthusiasm and ardor which
had been evnced by the Americans for the
invasion of Canada. The people Of the
United Colonies had high hopes Of the re-
sui, Of this expedition, and i; would have
been severe, If not mortal blow, 10 the
American cause, IL its arms were to prove
unsuccessful a. first. General Montgome-
ry knew also that it would be very diff
cult aud perhaps impossible, for him to keep
possession of that part Of Canada which
had already yielded, If Quebec was not
subdued. The enemy could at all times
receive powerful reniorcements from Eng
land, as long as they held that fortress 10
their hands. All these reflections gave
new impulse to the military ardor Of Gen.
Montgomery; he knew too that the welfare
of his adopted country was at stake.
The British Governor having refused TO
surrender, no other alternative was left
General Montgomery but TO 5esiege
the place, and thereby force those inside
of the walls to demand capituIaton. But
the means at The disposal of the American
General were insufficient for the siege of
fortress which is justly called the G,bral-
tar of North America. An army small in
number, without discipline and poorly
provisioned, the military stores of which
were in the most pitable and scanty con-
diton, was the only resource he had to de-
pend upon in undertaking the siege Of a
powerful fortress. His army was far too
small TO invest the city in an efficient and
proper manner; yet under all these dis
couraging and perplexing difficulties, il was
the only method left to him; SO he adopted
it without hesitation. With FIVE small
mortars he threw many shells into the
city, but unfortunately without effect.
A few days afterwards Gen. Montgom-
cry placed battery olsix pieces ofcannon
and a howitzer at the distance Of about
700 yards from the walls, and opened
brisk fire. This artillery was elevated on
banks Of snow and kept up well DIRECTED
fire. but without any material effect, gums
of heavier calibre were wanting.
In the meanwhile snow had fallen in
great depth, and the cold was so intense
that il had become impossible to continue
the siege in an active and effective man
ner. The incessant and cruel suferings to
which this heroic army OF besiegers were
subjected, in cold and rigorous climate
and their consequent fatigue, are beyond
all human descriptions. Nothing short Of
supernatural attachment 10 a just cause,
could have kept them together before the
walls Of Quebec, under such disparaging
circumstances. But such was their love
of liberty, that :he object Of reducing
Quebec by siege, which, TO many cold
and an,i-patrotic souls would have appear
ed entirely chimerical, was pursued with
unexampled devotedness by these brave
men. The greatest obstacles appeared to
their exalted minds as ordinary circum-
stances, and were by them overcome, al
though at the expense Of the greatest sac
rifces. They well knew that constancy
in most cases brings happy final result,
and as the latin poet said
"Labor improbus omnis vincii."
In addition TO all other misfortpnes and
hardships which befe the Continental
army in Canada, smallpox, with all its
concomitant horrors, made its appearance
among them, and swept away many from
the world Of The living. No greater calam-
ny could befal an army, in foreign coun-
try, and in the midst of winter. For the
safety OF those who had not yet been at
tackled by this dreadful disease. it was or
dered that those who had been attacked,
or who were lsbo,ing under il, should
wear q sprig of hemlock on their hats, 90
as TO give notice TO all concerned not TO
come near them, hoping thereby 10 diInin-
ish the dreadful seouree.