The Quebec Garrison remains on high alert and seemingly perpetual vigilance. The west wall cannot be penetrated by our small artillery nor scaled with enough troops to overwhelm the enemy. The final challenges to an assault are the narrow approaches around the western fortifications and high vantage points manned by the Redcoats and Canadian militia. There is no choice but to await another major snowstorm to cover our movement around the city. Since our return from Pointe-aux-Trembles, the weather has been clear though bone chillingly cold.

The Estate of Major Henry Caldwell/
General Montgomery’s Headquarters

Monday, December 25th, 1775

General Montgomery has called a Council of War for his commanders to lay out his plan of attack to capture Quebec and fulfill Congressional directives to go on the offense. As is our habit, Col. Morgan, Lt. Humphrey, and I arrive before the other commanders and their staffs. Major Febiger met us at the door and ushered us into the parlor to join General Montgomery, Col. Arnold, Aaron Burr, and others from the general’s staff.

General Montgomery presented the plan he and Colonel Arnold composed using the latest intelligence and advice from Mr. Halsted. Mr. Halsted has been most influential in the decision to circle the city from north and south and attack through Lower Town where much of the populations’ stores are warehoused. Colonel Arnold’s so-called “Kennebec Corps,” now down to fewer than 500 battle-ready men including sixty Canadian and Indian volunteers, and forty men from Captain Lamb’s artillery company will move to the north and east through the St. Roche suburb and along the St. Charles River. One small cannon lashed to a sled is to be brought with Lamb’s men.

Col. Arnold and twenty-five volunteers will form our Forlorn Hope, those taking the highest risk of initial engagement with the enemy. Our Riflemen and Capt. Lamb’s artillery detachment with a sled-mounted cannon are to follow closely behind them with scaling ladders. We will be armed with spontoons in addition to our rifles. Captain Lamb’s artillery company and their sled-mounted cannon will follow us. Bringing up the rear of this assault force will be Col. Greene and Major Meigs leading the second New England battalion.

In an effort to create a diversion, two faux attacks against Upper Town are to be conducted. Captain Jacob Brown, leading a detachment of Massachusetts troops using scaling ladders and much noise, will strike at the wall near Cape Diamond. The other, a company of about 200 recently recruited Canadians led by Colonel Livingston will make a similar attack at St. John’s Gate. To further distract and confuse our enemy, Lieutenant Wool’s battery of five mortars in St. Roche, detached from Captain Lamb’s Independent New York Artillery Company, will start lobbing bombs into the city as the two assault forces advance toward their objectives.