Major General Richard Montgomery: The Making of an American HeroThis comprehensive study draws upon previously unused sources from Canada, Europe, and the United States to examine one of the forgotten heroes of the Revolutionary War: General Richard Montgomery. The first and highestranking American general killed in the war, Montgomery was also an important hero symbol in the early republic. By examining Montgomery's early life, ideology, and connections with the powerful New York Livingston family, this book explains his support of the American cause. |
Contents
| 17 | |
| 37 | |
A Gentleman Farmer | 54 |
The Delegate from Dutchess County | 67 |
Brigadier General Montgomery | 83 |
The Reluctant Warrior Part 1 The Siege of St Johns | 105 |
The Reluctant Warrior Part 2 Montreal and Quebec | 130 |
Assault on Quebec | 154 |
The Making of an American Hero | 173 |
Conclusion | 203 |
List of Abbreviations | 209 |
Notes | 211 |
Bibliography | 251 |
Index | 269 |
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Common terms and phrases
Albany Alexander American Revolution Arnold arrived artillery assault attack Ban.-Living battery Bedel Benedict Arnold Britain British army British officer Brown campaign Campbell Canada Canadian cannons Captain captured Carleton Chambly Charles Colonel colonies command Continental Army Continental Congress death December Despite Dutchess County Edward Livingston Empire force Fort Ticonderoga French Gage garrison George gomery gomery's Henry hero History Ile-aux-Noix informed Schuyler ingston inhabitants Irish Janet Montgomery John Journal Judge Livingston July June Lake Champlain later letter lieutenant Living Lord Ranelagh Louisbourg lower town March to Quebec military Mont Montgomery informed Montreal NYHS NYPL Patriots Perkins Magra Philadelphia Philip Schuyler political provincial congress Ranelagh regiment remained Revolutionary Richard Montgomery Ritzema RM Coll RM to JM RM to Robert RM to Schuyler Schuyler Papers Sept served siege soldiers Sorel surrender Thomas Thomas Gage Ticonderoga tion troops Trumbull UMCL University Press Washington William Wooster York City
Popular passages
Page 203 - here, Pray for his gallant spirit's bright repose; For he was Freedom's champion, one of those, The few in number, who had not o'erstept The charter to chastise which she bestows On such as wield her weapons; he had kept The whiteness of his soul, and thus men o'er him wept.
Page 173 - Vivas to those who have failed! And to those whose war-vessels sank in the sea! And to those themselves who sank in the sea! And to all generals who lost engagements, and all overcome heroes!
Page 79 - The Congress having done me the honor of electing me a brigadiergeneral in their service, is an event which must put an end for a while, perhaps for ever, to the quiet scheme of life I had prescribed for myself; for, though entirely unexpected and undesired by me, the will of an oppressed people, compelled to choose between liberty and slavery, must be obeyed.
Page 41 - I endeavoured to confirm them, with the expectation that our growing weight might in time be thrown into their scales, and, by joining our interests with others, a more equitable treatment from this nation
Page 192 - The gentleman from Virginia introduced the name of Montgomery with much feeling and interest. Sir, there is danger in that name to the gentleman's argument. It is sacred to heroism! It is indignant of submission!
Page 134 - I must go home, if I walk by the side of the lake, this winter. I am weary of power and totally want that patience and temper so requisite for such a command.
Page 203 - Brief, brave, and glorious was his young career,— His mourners were two hosts—his friends and foes; And fitly may the stranger,
Page 146 - but mean to insult the works, I believe, towards the lower town, which is the weakest part.... I shall be very sorry to be reduced to this mode of attack, because I know the melancholy consequences, but the approaching severe season, and the weakness of the garrison, together with the nature of the works, point it out too strongly] to be passed by.
Page 176 - Resolved, That, to express the veneration of the United Colonies for their late General, Richard Montgomery, and the deep sense they entertain of the many signal and important services of that gallant Officer ...; and