Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-01-29

Montgomery az quebec
It was between four and five of the
clock, of a weird, wolfish December
opening the last day of the year. A
thick aud binding snOw-storm enveiop-
ed them, as the troops. moving through
itlike apparitions, took their appointed
places. Two detachments proceeded
against the upper town, feigned attacks
to distract attention and create confus-
ion amid the defenders, while Mont
gomery and Arnold, with their divis-
ions. took the brunt of the adventure,
and were to attack the lower town ST.
multaneously, aud as opposite sides.
Carleton testified to the ability of
the plan, and admitted that from the
side of the riYer ST. Lawrence along
the fortified front round to the basin,
every part seemed equally threatened.
The snow noisely continued to en-
velop all around, and its effect added
to the mystery of silence; and the dim,
uncertain light was but too suggestive
of the shadowy land to which many of
the heroic band were breathlessly CROP
ing their way.
Montgomery, leading the first divis-
ion 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 a
formidable stockade across this road.
1t was approaching this barrier that
among the foremost soldiers, who were
slipping and stumbling along the over
tapping ledges of ice that had been
forced upon the road from, the river,
the General recognized some of the
First New York regiment Quickly
seizing the opportunity for encourage
ment to those who doubtless Witnessed
the mutinous attempt among Arnold's
men, he cried, Forward, 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 him
self sawed across four posts Of the
stockade to admit some four men
abreast, in order to attack block
house fortifcation, which stood furth-
er on this road, and between the river
and the wall of rock.
The Canadians stationed at the stock
ade, having fred few random shots,
fled to the block house. Having help
ed to make highway from 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 block house beyond was scarce
ly distinct in the falling snow; stiffness
reigned around it. Had the fleeing
sentinels of the stockade suggested
fight from the block -house2 Was
that work vacated? These were sus-
picions, which naturally suggested
themselves. Within fifty yards OF the
block house, Montgomery halted to
reconoitre. The guards were still.
The artillery men, match in hand,
stood silent. In the dimness and the
drifting snow, the movements or dis
position of either party could be but
indistinctly discerned. Filled with
fervor at the progress made and the
tremor Of those already encountered,
Montgomery evidently deceived him
self with the idea that probably the
block house would be as quickly de-
serted as the stockade.
For moment, it would seem, he
surprised himself with the hope, if not
the belief, that he had completely sur
prised the enemy. fn
SpringiDg to the breach, to reassure
those who were not speedy enough for
his yearning desires, which already be-
held victory, and.its attendant glory,
he cried, Push on, my brave boys
Quebec is ours.
Again dashing forward with his
staff, they had reached within forty
PAGES of the block -house when a single
discharge of grapeshot sweeps the vis-
ion Of glory from those who, without
pain or delay, roll over into their
death sheets of snow and ice.
Foremost among the housekeeping
his rank in death as in life-was Rich
ard Montgomery.
The soldiers shrunk back at his fall,
as though he was their very breath of
life. AS his example and personal
bearing had inspired faith where cour-
age 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 hopelessness with it. AS
Lamb had anticipated in the ice fort,
his chiefs loss was irreparable. Des-
perate encounters took place. Arnold,
Morgan, Lamb, Oswald, Dearborn and
others, did noble work; but, at the
end, the remnant of the invading army
we're prisoners Of war.