British and Canadian forces attacking Arnold’s column in the Sault-au-Matelot. [Wikimedia]

Sept. 13, 1759, was a renowned day for Quebec City, as its future was was shaped by a British military victory at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.

However, on Dec. 31, 1775, another Battle of Quebec occurred when Continental forces, embroiled in the American Revolutionary War, invaded Canada.

The patriot movement was motivated by the prospect of rallying French-Canadian support to their cause, but it would ultimately prove to be a grave miscalculation.

Previous cross-border assaults had produced mixed results, notwithstanding achievements such as capturing Montreal on Nov. 13, 1775. Buoyed by that success, American General Richard Montgomery sought further incursions.

Meanwhile, Quebec’s governor, British General Guy Carleton, shored up defences within Quebec City. With a sizeable militia at his disposal he prepared for a siege.

Brigadier-General Richard Montgomery’s troops prepare to embark for the invasion of Canada from Crown Point, New York. [Wikimedia]

A sizeable proportion soon intended to return home, leaving the general with little choice but to strike before the new year.

The American attackers were bolstered by a force under General Benedict Arnold, fighting for the Thirteen Colonies at the time but eventually destined to become a U.S. traitor. Despite this, Montgomery and Arnold’s combined numbers totalled just 1,200 troops against the numerically superior Anglo-Canadian defenders.

The anticipated siege commenced in early December after Carlton refused to surrender. As the Canadian winter took grip, the Americans began to freeze and starve outside the city, their ranks further depleted by a smallpox outbreak.

Worse, French-Canadian support never truly materialized.

Nor did Montgomery’s woes end there as many of his own troops were about to fulfil their year-long enlistments. A sizeable proportion soon intended to return home, leaving the general with little choice but to strike before the new year.

It appeared to be now or never for the Americans. And so, on Dec. 31, 1775, amid a ferocious blizzard, Montgomery manoeuvred around the city walls to attack from near the St. Lawrence River. Chaos promptly reigned under a blanket of white, all within range of the Canadian militia as they opened fire on disorientated patriots.

Montgomery was killed in the ensuing fight. Largely leaderless, some who had followed their fallen general into battle began to flee while others remained.

British General Carlton took advantage of the confusion and counterattacked.

Elsewhere, General Arnold’s contingent was likewise foundering under a deluge of snow, cannon balls and musket shot. Having chosen to assault the north side of the city, his success in breaching the defences was short-lived when he sustained a leg wound and was subsequently forced to retire. General Daniel Morgon took over command in Arnold’s absence, but he soon realized that he was without the late Montgomery’s support in unfamiliar streets that favoured Quebec’s defenders.

British General Carlton took advantage of the confusion and counterattacked. With short range rounds pouring into the American ranks, around 400 surrendered.

The Continentals lost an estimated 515 casualties (killed, wounded and captured). It came at the cost of just 19 British-aligned soldiers out of a force of some 1,800.

Arnold nevertheless persevered with the siege, a doomed venture accounting for ample British supplies and ever-worsening winter conditions. Only in May 1776, two months before the founding of the United States, did the patriots cede defeat.

The Americans would again fail to invade Canada during the War of 1812.