Evening star., 1943-04-04
BY John Clagett Proctor


Just whether there is any family con-
.nectlon between Gen. Bernard L. Mont
gomery OF the British 9th Army who has
been doing such fine work in and around
Iunlsla, and our own Gen. Richard
Montgomery of Revolutionary War fame
Is question the writer is unable to an
sWer at this time. Though it does seem
that there is some ground for assuming
that there is some relationship between
the two men. however small it may be,
since both are descended from Irish
stock, with an Anglo-Saxon name.
The American Montgomery was born
December 2, l736, in Dublin. Ireland, and
was educated in the College of Dublin.
His father, Thomas Montgomery, is re-
corded as having been of Convoy House,
Donegal, and to have had three sons,
Alexander, John and Richard, and one
daughter who married Viscount Rane-
lagh.
According to series of notes, said to
have been written by Mrs Montgomery
widow of Gen. Richard Montgomery,
Alexander. the brother of her husband
was an officer under Wolfe in the con-
quest of Canada, and for 40 years a
member OF Parliament for the County
OF Donegal. John, according to the notes
died at Lisbon, noted merchant, and
the generals mother is said to have been
an English lady of fortune, whose estate
was settled on her younger sons, the eld-
est son having inherited the estate OF his
uncle.
Historic Career.
AS to the outcome of the war now rag
Ing in North Africa, where Gen. Bernard
Montgomery is leading his British forces,
time will only tell. But as to the services
OF Richard Montgomery, the pages of
American history are replete
After serving in the British Army-a
commission having been obtained for him
IN 1854. when he was but 18 years of age
he decided to abandon the Kings serv-
Ice, and, accordingly, in 1772 sold his
commission and in January, 1773, arrived
IN New York, where he purchased farm.
1t was here that he either became ac-
quainted with, Or renewed the acquaint-
ance of. the Clermont branch of the Liv-
ington family. However, whichever way
1t may have been, We know that it was
during the following July that he mar
ried the eldest daughter of Robert R.
Livingston, then one of the judges of the
Superior Court of the province.
From the very day that Montgomery
first landed in New York, it is apparent
that he became actively interested in the
political affairs of the Colonies, for We
find that in April, ITS, he was elected
member OF the delegation from the
County of Dutchess to the first provincial
convention held in New York, and it was
while thus serving that the Continental
Congress commissioned him one of the
eight brigadier generals provided for by
that body.
Montgomery was only one of many
capable Irishmen who threw in their lot
with the cause of the colonists and who
rendered conspicuous service in estab-
fishing American liberty. He had not
sought this distinction and only accepted
it as duty he felt he owed to his adopt
ed country
In letter he wrote to friend soon
afterWard We find him saying: The
Congress having done me the honor of
electing ME brlgadier general in their
service, is an event which must put an
end for awhile, perhaps forever, to the
quiet scheme of life l had prescribed for
myself; for, though entirely unexpected
and undeslred by me- the will of an op-
pressed people, compelled to choose be-
tween liberty and slavery, must be
obeyed."
Attack on Quebec.
The attack upon Quebec in which
Montgomery was killed took place early
on the morning of December 81, ITS.
John Armstrong. his brother-in in law who
served as Secretary of War during the
second administration Of President
Madison and who has written an excel
lent biogra ply of Richard Montgomery
has this to say of that soldiers death
and the incidents Immediately leading up
to that most unfortunate occurrence:
"A council of war was accordingly con-
vened, and to this the general submitted
two questions: Shall we attempt the
reduction of Quebec by night attack?