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The successful capture of Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775, by Col. Ethan Allen and Col. Benedict Arnold steeled the officers’ resolve to press north and invade Canada. The Continental Congress reluctantly agreed to allow an invasion of Canada if it would benefit the American cause. They made overtures to the Canadians to have them join the growing rebellion and, before the war, had been outspoken opponents of the 1774 Quebec Act, claiming it was undemocratic. The overture fell on deaf ears.

By late summer, American forces were pressing north toward Canada—one group headed by Gens. Philip Schuyler and Richard Montgomery advanced on Montreal. A second effort, led by Arnold, took a route through modern-day Maine toward the bastion city of Quebec. Both campaigns were fraught with setbacks. Schuyler became ill and turned command over to Montgomery, who was plagued by foul weather and supply shortages. Eventually, Montreal fell to the Americans, which was a hollow victory for the overstretched force.

Meanwhile, Arnold’s force took a path through an unrelenting wilderness, fighting the elements and the currents of numerous rivers, while at times having to carry their boats rather than ride in them. The supply situation was dire, and enlistments were set to expire at the year’s end. Still, the Americans persevered, and Arnold and Montgomery met on December 2 outside Quebec.

British General and Governor of Quebec, Gen. Guy Carleton, organized the city’s defense. Although Carleton had powerful enemies in the British government, he was an experienced officer. He gathered some 2,000 men and further fortified the city. With fewer than 1,000 men, no heavy artillery, enlistments about to expire, dwindling supplies, and having turned the local Canadians against rather than for the American cause, Arnold and Montgomery were running out of time. They could not besiege the city, nor could they wait for spring.

Near 2 a.m. on the morning of December 31, 1775, Montgomery led a coup de main assault on the city, using the cover of a snowstorm. The plan was for the Americans to assault two sections of the lower city simultaneously, combine forces once they breached the walls, and force the defenders to capitulate. Montgomery led his column around the walls and attacked via the less secure coastal approaches along the Saint Lawrence River.

During the assault, a blizzard reduced visibility and created disorganization among the Continentals. Additionally, a small group of Canadians spotted the lanterns used to guide the attackers and opened fire at close range. With the bells of the city ringing in the early morning air to summon defenders, the American assault quickly unraveled. Montgomery’s column was blasted by grapeshot and small arms fire, and the general was killed; his men, including Aaron Burr, withdrew in disorder.

Arnold’s force met with a similar fate, although his men penetrated deeper into the lower city. Arnold was wounded early in the fighting, and command devolved to Captain Daniel Morgan, a tough and capable leader of Virginia and Pennsylvania riflemen. Brutal street fighting raged, and constant fire, combined with the harsh weather, fouled the Americans’ weapons. Near 9 a.m., Morgan and upwards of 400 Americans surrendered.

Arnold managed to hold what remained of his force together outside the city until May 6, 1776, when he finally retreated from Canada. The failure to capture Quebec ended the American campaign in Canada and did little to win Canadian support for the Patriot cause.