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Richard Montgomery

Richard Montgomery (2 December 1738 – 31 December 1775) was a Brigadier-General in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Born in Ireland, Montgomery served in the British Army during the French and Indian War before he was commissioned into the Continentals during the Revolution. He was killed in action at the battle of Quebec on 31 December 1775, derailing the whole Canadian campaign of the Patriots.

Biography[]

Montgomery was born in Swords, County Dublin, IrelandGreat Britain to a wealthy family of Ulster Scots. Montgomery joined the British Army in 1756, and was transferred to the Thirteen Colonies, fighting in the French and Indian War. Afterwards, he returned to Britain for health reasons in 1761, and he joined the Templar Order secret society. In 1773, Montgomery returned to the Americas, where he settled down. He was commissioned as a Brigadier-General after becoming a member of the Continental Congress, as he was a man with military experience. Montgomery was given command of an army that would invade British Canada in the winter of 1775-1776, and his army captured Fort St. Jean (Montreal) from the British, capturing John Andre in the process. Montgomery would march on the Canadian capital of Quebec as another army also moved on the city, and on 31 December 1775 the American assault on Quebec began.

Death[]

Montgomery death

Montgomery led his troops into battle, equipped with captured British cannon and winter clothing, and assisted in the attack on the British, Iroquois, and Canadien forces at the battle of Quebec alongside Benedict Arnold and his army. Montgomery led a charge against the British artillery, and he was shot in the head while most of his men were killed by grapeshot. Montgomery's death was a blow to the patriots, who were forced to retreat from Canada.

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