Across the country, as well as here in the North Country, historians are commemorating the 250th anniversary of our nation, including a talk recently by historian Art Cohn on the Invasion of Quebec in 1775. It was led by one of the unsung heroes of the Revolutionary War, Richard Montgomery.
Cohn says George Washington chose Montgomery & Benedict Arnold to lead the Continental Army’s invasion into British-occupied Quebec, defeating the British at Saint Jean, Chambly, and Montreal. But then, it all ended, when Cohn says Montgomery tried to invade a fortified Quebec City and was struck and killed by cannon fire. With his death, the Colonial Army retreated back across the border.
Cohn says he learned of Montgomery’s heroism while studying one of the ships that returned his remains found buried under the walls of Quebec City. Over the past two and a half centuries, counties & towns throughout the United States were named in his honor, as was the fort at Rouses Point.
Now, 250 years later, the Clinton County Historical Association will share Montgomery’s story on interpretative panels in Rouses Point that they hope to have installed by later this year.
Watch Art Cohn’s full talk on Richard Montgomery’s life & Revolutionary War heroics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW-fldus5uA