STORIES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS

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Richard Montgomery

" Richard Montgomery commenced his journey in this world of fickle spirits in the north of Ireland in 1737. He fought for Great Britain under Wolfe and fell on the very ground where he had joined in shouts of victory in 1759. He came to America to remain permanently in 1772. He purchased an estate near 100 miles above New York City and married a daughter of Judge Livingston and became a prominent citizen and a warm friend to the cause of Liberty. In 1775 he was appointed Major General and in conjunction with General Schuyler placed over the northern forces. In October the illness of his colleague left him in sole command. He captured Fort Chamblee, St. Johns and Montreal by the 12th of November. He then proceeded to Quebec and formed a junction with Arnold at Point Aux Trembles. On the 1st of December a siege was commenced on Quebec and continued until the 31st of that mouth. On the memorable last day of 1775 the gallant little band under these two ardent soldiers was led to the storming attack of the town in four divisions with strong fortifications to overcome and double their force within the walls. The first gun that was fired upon the division led by the gallant Montgomery killed him and his two aids. His death spread a general gloom over our land and was deeply lamented in the mother country. Congress caused a monument to be erected to his memory in front of St. Paul's church in the city of New York with a suitable inscription. By direction of the legislature of the empire state his remains were brought from Quebec and deposited near this monument on the 8th of July 1818. His widow lived to see the last vestiges of the husband of her youth; our nation rejoiced to have this noble hero repose in the bosom of our own soil. The fame of General Montgomery is above eulogy. It will grow richer with age. Time cannot corrode it."

Source: The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by L. Carroll Judson