The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-01-24
After the Lapse of More Than a Century
His Memory is Yet Green in
Grateful Hearts.
Headley, the Historian, Speaks Highly of
His Chivalric Courage as a
Military Leader

ON the last day of the year prcced-
, ing that of our Declaration of Indc-
rcndcncc there fell one of the nobles1
martyrs to libcrty-Nln jOr- General
, Richard Montgomery--wllose death
was mOurned by friends and foes. and
! whose memory, after a lapse of more
than n century, still lives in the crate
full hearts of the millions of inhabi-
F., tants of this Republic, whose founda-
lion was sprinkled with his blood.
Richard Montgomery was born on
dec. 2, 173S, at Convoy House, near
Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland. A,
the age of eighteen he received n COM
mission in the English army. He
served with much distinction and gal
ted to Il captnincy. This alien COM
mission, however, he subsequently
sold in order that he might emigrate
to this country. and till the outbreak
of the Revolution resided on a farm
near New York City.
George Washington, having been ap-
pointed commander in-chief of the
American forces, Immediately appoint
cd Montgomery one of the eight brign
dicrgcncrals. This high distinction
conferred on Montgomery by the sup.
rene authority, without his solicitation
or privity, was accepted by MOntgom-
cry with his characteristic mOdcsty, a
patriotic sense of duty and Il strong
presentiment of his swift coming fate.
Writing to a friend, he says: "Hhe
Congress having done me the honor of
electlng me Il brigadiergencral, is an
advent which must put an end for a
while, perhaps forever, to the quiet
scheme of life had prescribed for my
self; for, though entirely unexpected
and undcsircd by me, the will of an
oppressed people, compelled 10 choose
between liberty and slavery, must be
Obcyed." From that hour he devoted
himself to the service and glory Of his
adopted land, says the Irish World.
Ticonder0ga and Crown Point had
been captured by Ethan Allen in May,
1915, thus giving us command of Lake
Champlnin, when Congress resolved
upon the invasion of Canada Accord
ing to the plan of campaign devised
by Washington, Generals Schuyler and
Montgomery were to seize Montreal,
the approach to which was barred by
and Chnmbly, on the Sorel, the Quiet
OF Lake Champlain 10 the st. Law.
renee while Arnold marched through
the Wilderness of Maine.
On August 2G the movement began
down the waters Of Lake Chnmpuin
and Oh September 6 the invading army
appeared before the first of these bar
ricrs, effected landing and defeated
an Indian ambuscade but Schuyler,
deceived in regard to the strength of
the garrison Of st. Johns and the dis
position of the Canadians and Indians,
fell back to the Isle Aux Noix, which
he commenced fOrtifying and then
fastened to TicOndcr0ga for reinforce
ments. In reporting these transuc-
tions to Congress, Schuyler says: II
cannot estimate the obligations l lie
under to Gen. Montgomery for the
many important services lie has done
and daily does, and in which he has
had little assistance from me-
In consequence of sickness Schuyler
returned to Albany, the command of
the whole army devolving upon Mont
SOmcry, who hcsitated not moment
but abandoning his island intrcnch
mcnts, was, on September 1S, again
before st. Johns, of which he began
the Investment and siege. Having ac-
conplishcd the first as best he could.
he began the latter, but soon found his
mOrtars defective, his artillery too
light for preaching, his ammunition
scanty, his artillerists Impractical
his engineers incompetent and his
troops disaffected and insubordinate.
TO escape these unfavorable cicum-
stances Montgomery prepared to re-
move to the northwest side of the fort,