Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXVI, No. 1, January 1850Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXVI, No. 1, January 1850
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
to Aunce au Mere; and Arnold at the head of the second, through the
suburbs of St. Roque, to the Saut de Matelots. Both roads were so
obstructed by snow and thick masses of ice, as to render their progress
very difficult. These obstacles being at last surmounted, the first
barrier was approached, vigorously attacked, and rapidly carried, and
the troops after a moment’s pause pushed on to the second.
A moment, and but a moment, was now employed to re-excite the ardor of
the troops, which the fatigue of the march and the severity of the
weather had somewhat abated. “Men of New York,” exclaimed Montgomery,
“you will not fear to follow where your general leads—march on!” then
placing himself again in the front, he pressed eagerly forward to the
second; he assisted with his own hands in pulling up some pickets which
hindered the march. Near this place a barrier had been made across the
road, and from the windows of a low house, which formed part of it, were
planted two cannon. At his appearing upon a little rising ground, at the
distance of about twenty or thirty yards, the guns were discharged, and
the general with his aide-de-camps fell dead. Thus terminated the life
and labors of Major-general Richard Montgomery, in the thirty-ninth year
of his age.
Upon hearing of the death of their commander, both divisions made a
disorderly and hasty retreat to the Heights of Abraham.
The fortune of the day being now decided, the corpse of the fallen
general was eagerly sought for and soon found. When the corpse of
Montgomery was shown to Carleton, the heart of that noble officer
melted. They had served in the same regiment under Wolfe, and the most
friendly relation existed between them throughout the whole of the
French war. The lieutenant-governor of Quebec, M. Cramahé, ordered a
coffin to be prepared for him, and decently interred within the walls of
the city, where friends and enemies united in expressions of sorrow, as
his remains were conveyed to their final resting-place. Ramsey, in his
History of the Revolution, has the following appropriate remarks:
“Few men have ever fallen in battle so much regretted on both sides as
General Richard Montgomery. His many amiable qualities had procured him
an uncommon share of private affection; and his great abilities an equal
proportion of public esteem. Being a sincere lover of liberty, he had
engaged in the American cause from principle, and quitted the enjoyment
of an easy fortune, and the highest domestic felicity, to take an active
share in the fatigues and dangers of a war instituted for the defense of
the community of which he was an adopted member. His well-known
character was almost equally esteemed by the friends and foes of the
side of which he espoused. In America he was celebrated as a martyr to
the liberties of mankind; in Great Britain, as a misguided good man,
sacrificing to what he supposed to be the rights of his country.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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