Morgan’s point for his commander was how his Rifle Company was bearing most of the load of intimidating those inside the walls and manning the pickets and patrols. When Arnold aggressively rebuffed Capt. Morgan’s complaint, I thought I would see my captain strike a superior officer for the first time. A thought of his beloved Abigail must have flashed through his mind because he turned on his heel and rushed out. The next day Col. Arnold sent word that the Riflemen’s rations were increased. With that order came his instructions for Morgan, Febiger, a small group of our Riflemen, Natanis, and Halsted to head west to reconnoiter the best and quickest route to Pointe-aux-Trembles.

West Wall of Quebec City, Canada

Saturday, November 18th, 1775

Col. Arnold received word Gen. Montgomery captured Montreal, garrisoned troops there, and was headed to Quebec with about 200 men. Perhaps more importantly, he instructed three armed schooners laden with more troops, artillery, clothing, supplies, and arms to follow him downriver.

With this news came a less encouraging report of Governor Carleton and his detachment escaping Montgomery’s attack and heading to Quebec to fortify the British stand there.

We retreated up the St. Lawrence toward Montreal, to Pointe-aux-Trembles, out of reach from Quebec to await word about the advance of the Second Army. It was a sorrowful march by beleaguered, exhausted, and freezing men now only consisting of 550 functioning soldiers out of a total of the 597 who’d survived the trek from Boston.

When we arrived in the small village of Pointe-aux-Trembles, we noticed a ship on the St. Lawrence heading downstream toward Quebec. We discovered later the ship to be the brig Fell carrying Governor Carleton to Quebec. One of General Montgomery’s men told me the tale of how the governor slipped out of Montreal with a flotilla thinking he’d cleanly escaped. The wily General Montgomery previously posted artillery at Sorel, not far east of Montreal to form a blockade. Carleton donned peasant clothes and took a small boat he paddled with his hands to remain silent. He left the flotilla behind to take their chances and he was later picked up by the boat we saw moving down the river.

Pointe-aux-Trembles, Canada

Saturday, December 2nd, 1775

The morning after Gen. Montgomery arrives, being in the fittest condition, the Rifle Companies lead the return to Quebec to be followed by the main body the day after. A foot of snow lay on the ground as we approach Quebec, the frosting on the landscape and walls of the city give the vista an almost romantic appeal. That spell was broken before it could fully form.

We came upon the Redcoat pickets, who, not expecting our return so soon, are taken by surprise and captured.

General Montgomery, now in charge of the entire force of nearly a thousand men arrive in Quebec three days later. The supply ships having yet to arrive, we make several attempts to get Carleton to surrender.