Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-16
Monlgomery at quebec.


Montgomery at Quebec.
Memoirs in Manhattan Monthly for Decem-
ber.l
1t was between four and five Of the
clock, of a weird, wol6sh December,
opening the last day OF the year. A
thick and binding snow-storm enveloped
them, as the troops, moving through it
like apparitions, took. their appointed
places. Two detachments proceeded
against the upper town, feigned attacks
to distract attention and create confusion
amid the defenders, while Montgomery
aud Arnold, with their divisions, took the
brunt Of the adventure, and were to at
tack the lower town simultaneously, aud
at opposite sides.
Carleton testified to the ability Of the
plan, and admitted that from the side OF
the river St. Lawrence along the fortified
front round to the basin,, every part
seemed equally threatened.
The snow noiselessly continued to en-.
velop all around, and its effect added
TO the mystery of silence; aud the dim,
uncertain light was but too suggestive OF
the shadowy land to which many Of the
heroic band were breathlessly cropping
their way.
Montgomery, leading the first division
down FROM the Plains of Abraham,
reached the road to the lower town next
the river, and running under the ragged
pyramid Of rock called Cape Diamond.
The first obstacle was formidable
stockade across this road. 1t was ap-
preaching this barrier that among the
foremost soldiers, who were slipping and
stumbling along the overlapping lodges
Of ice that had been forced upon the
road from the river, the General recog-
nized some Of the First New York regi-
ment Qaickly seizing the opportunity
for encouragement to those who doubt
less witnessed the mutinous attempt
among Arnold's men. be cried, For.
ward, men Of New York; You will not
finch where your General leads you on !
Forward
Exciting confidence by his example,
it is told that here Montgomery himself
sawed across four posts Of the stockade
to admit some four men abreast, in order
to attack q block-house fortifcation,
which stood further up on this road, and
between the river and the wall Of rock
The Canadians stationed at the stock
'ade, having fred few random shots, fed
to the block-house. Having helped to
make highway for freedom through it,
Montgomery, sword in hand, passed the
stockade, followed by his staff and some
of those to whom he had spoken in the
advance.
The bIock-house beyond was scarcely
distinct in the falling snow; stiffness
reigned around it Had the fleeing sen
tiUels of the stockade suggested flight
from the block house2 Was that work
vacated2 These were suspicious, which
naturally suggested themselves Within
fifty yards Of the block-house, Mont
gomery halted to reconuoitre. The
guards were still The artillery men
match in hand, stood silent In the dim
ness and the drifting snow, the move
ments or disposition of either party
could be but indislinctly discerned
Filled with fervor at the progress made
and the tremor Of those already encoun
tered, Montgomery evidently deceived
himself with the idea that probably the
block.house would be as quickly deserted
as the stockade.
For moment, it would seem, he sur.
prised himself with the hope. il not the
belief, that he had completely surprised
the enemy.
Springing to the breach, to reassura
those who were not speedy enough fol-
his yearning desires, which already be
held victory. and its attendant glory
he cried, Push on my brave boysI Que
Dec is ours
Again dsshing forward with his staff
they had reached within forty PAGES Of
the block-house when a single discharge
II. grapeshot sweeps the vision Of glory
from those who, without pain or delay
roll over into their destbshests of snow
and ice.
Foremost among the rank-keeping
his rank in death as in life-was Richard
Montgomery.
The soldiers shrunk back at his fall,
as though he was their very breath o.
life. AS his example and personal bear
ing had inspired faith where courage
was not wanting, so his having been
proved mere mortal in death, only left
them their mortality while living. The
news Of his death, as it spread to the
other portion Of the expedition, brought
hopelessuess with it. AS Lamb had an
tieipsted in the ice fort his chiefs loss
was irrepRrable. Desperate encounters
took place. Arnold, Morgan, Lamb, 0s
valid, Dearborn and others, did noble
work; but, at the end, the remnant o.
the invading army we're prisoners o.