The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-11-30
Volume XII.
MISCELLANEOUS.
GENERAL MONTGOMERY.


One summer evening when aprImeval for
est covered almost the entire surface of this
glorious Union, a young British officer, in
rich uniform, stood on the shore of Lake
Champlain and looked of on that beautiful
sheet of water. He was only twenty-five
years of age, and but for his manly, and al
most perfect form, he would have seemed
even younger. His skin was fair and bis
counteuance beautiful as Grecian warriors.
As he stood and gazed on the forests irdled
lake, studded with islands. his dark eye kin
died with the poetry of the scene, and he
little thought of the destiny before him. In
the full strength of rpened manhood, be was
vet to lead over those waters a band of free
men against the country under whose ban
ners he now fought, and fall foremost in
freedoms battle. That handsome young
officer was Richard Montgomery, lieuten-
ant in the British army. A native oil Ire
land. he was born in 1876, on his fathers es
tate near the town Of Rapboe. Educated as
became the son OF a gentleman, he at the
early a &c of eig hreen received commission
in the English Army. Joined to The British
expedition sent against Louisburg, he, IN The
attack and capture OF that place, showed
such beroism, and performed such good ser
vice. that he was promoted 10 alieurenancy.
In the mean time, Abercromble having mel
with a severe repulse before Ticonderoga'
Amhert was sent TO his relief. Among Inc
officers in his corpse was young Montgome.
nv, who thus became acquainted with all
The localities of Lake Champlain. After the
reduction of Montreal and Quebec, he ac-
COMMANDED the expedition agsinst the French
r, 4 IL har RnnnnR-
ted himself SO CALAMITY that he obtained The
command ola compaby. The treaty oil YER
sailles, 1862, closed the war, and he returned
to England on a visit, where he renamed
nine years.
tits a matter of meie conjecture what
finally induced him 10 sell his commits ron In
he English army and emigrate TO this coun-
try. He arrived in 1772, and purchased
farm near New York. Soon after he mar
ried a daughter Of Robert R. Livingston, then
one of the Supreme Court Justices oil the
Province. From New York he removed to
Rhinebeck, in Duchess county, where he de-
voted his whole time TO agriculture. In the
meanwhile the controversy grew warmer
between tie parent country and her colonies.
Taciturn. and little inclined TO public lite,
Young Montgomery evidently did not at first
feelings, however, and his judgment we're both
on The side of his country, and in l173. he
was elected a member of the first provincial
convention of New York from Duchess
county. He took active part in the conven-
lion. but slillhis views were so well known
respecting the controversy between the two
countries, that, at the appointment of com
mander in chief of The American armies, and
the creation Of officers by Congress, he was
male one Of the eight brigadier generals.
His views of the contest may be gathered
from A letter he wrote TO friend after re-
ceiviuc his appointment Said he: The
Convention having done me the honor Of
electins me brisadier general in their service
is an event which must put all end forever 10
the quiet scheme of life had prescribed for
myself; for though unexpected and unde-
sired by me, the will of an oppressed people,
compelled to choose between liberty and
slavery, must be obeyed.'
STORMING OF QUEBEC.
Two attacks, led by Majors Livingston and
Brown, against the Upper town, were to be
only feints TO distract the attention OF the
garrison. while Arnold and Montso emery
should conductive real ones against the low
er town. 1t was on the lastday OF December,
before daylight, that this gallant band pun
self in battle array. The wintry morning was
dark and gloomy, and drifting snow storm
| filed the air, weaving beforehand winding
sheet for the noble commander and his brave
follow ers. The tall and graceful form Of
Montgomery was seen gliding through the
gloom, pressed close by his resolute column,
and at length approached Cape Diamond,
where he came upon the frstbarrier defended
.ra1 n end
den panic, turned and fled. Could the Amer
leans have Immediately pushed forward, the
assault would doubtless have been success
full. Butt large banks Of snow filled up the
path, and thew stumbled upon large masses
of ice thrown upby the river. which so OBJ
structed their progress that the British sol
diers had time TO recover and rally again be-
hind the barrier.-Montgomery, with his wn
hands, lifted at the blocks OF ice, and dug a
way the snow, cheering on his men as they
one by one struggled through, until at las
thew cleared themselves, and approachedthe
battery, over which the gunners stood with
lighted matches. The men seemed mo-
ment to hesitate, when Montgomery shouted
fortb-.Men of New York! you will not fear
10 follow where your General leads-For
wardr With his sword waving over his
head. he rushed forward up TO the mouths
cfthe cannon. followed with a shout BY his
De, oted soldlers.-Tbe guns, charged with
srape-shot. opened in their very faces; and
when the smoke lifted, there lay the lileless
form of Montg almost under the wheels
of the artillery, whittier his headlong cour-
age had carried him. The column no longer
having gallant leader at its head broke
and fed; and this part of the garrison being
relieved, Immediately fastened TO the sup
port of those pressed by other corps.
This was the forlorn hope. and Arnold
sternly marched at its head, His course lay
by ST.. Rogue, toward place called Santau-
Matelot. and was followed by Captain Nor
gan with his deadly rifemen- All at once
thew found themselves in narrow way filled
L 4 h hnft thar