Invasion of Canada (1775)

The Invasion of Canada in 1775 was the first major military initiative of the the United States at the time of the Guerre of independence of the United States of America. Two distinct forwardings were organized and united their forces but were defeats at the time of the Bataille of Quebec in December 1775. The British launched then a counter-offensive in 1776, pushing back the Americans towards the Fort Ticonderoga. The end of this campaign marks the beginning of that Saratoga in 1777.

Context

The war of American independence begins in April 1775 with the Bataille from Lexington and Concord, close to Boston. She opposes the British army and the continental Armée ordered by George Washington. The Americans besiege the town of Boston where concentrate the English forces. During this time, the continental Congrès seeks to open another face elsewhere. The assembly sends letters to the French Canadians so that they join the Americans to form a fourteenth colony. But this attempt fails and a plan is set up to detach the old French colony of the Quebec of the British Empire. For that, two forwardings are organized by the American general Philip Schuyler, in order to invade Canada: one, carried out by the general Richard Montgomery passes by Montreal; the other, directed by Benedict Arnold moves towards the town of Quebec.

The forwarding of Montgomery

The forwarding directed by Montgomery leaves on December 16th, 1775 the Fort Ticonderoga with approximately 1700 militiamans. It overcomes the British army with the Bataille of Strong Midsummer's Day on November 3rd and enters Montreal on November 13rd. The general Guy Carleton, then Governor of Canada, succeeds in fleeing in time towards Quebec. Montgomery decides to launch out to its continuation.

The forwarding of Arnold

The second forwarding, carried out by Benedict Arnold includes/understands 1100 men; it leaves Boston and follows the valley of Kennebec River in direction of north. November 6th, the Americans reach southern bank of the the St. Lawrence. Quebec is defended by a garrison of approximately hundred men ordered by Lieutenant Colonel Allen Maclean. They can also count on several hundreds of militiamans. November 14th, Arnold crosses the the St. Lawrence and camps in the Plaines of Abraham, where he summons the garrison of the town of leave and to fight (during the Guerre Seven Year old, Montcalm had acted thus and be overcome) not obtaining an answer, Arnold decides to prepare the attack. December 2nd, Montgomery descends the St. Lawrence for de Quebec with 300 men and the material taken to the English.

The battle of Quebec

See also: Battle of Quebec (1775)

The Americans launch the attack on December 31st, 1775, but are demolished by Carleton. Montgomery is killed and Arnold is wounded. The British make many prisoners, among whom Daniel Morgan and Ethan Allen. When the general John Thomas is able to ensure the American command, it finds men weakened by the winter and the Variole. It decides to give up the operations.

The British counter-offensive

In 1776, the British troops stationed in Canada receive reinforcements with the arrival of the general John Burgoyne and mercenaries hessiens. The Americans try a new offensive on Quebec, but this one fails the Three-Rivers on June 8th, 1776. Carleton demolishes Arnold with the Bataille of Valcour Island in October 1776. The invasion of Canada ends in the American rout.

See too

Sources

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Related articles

External bond

  • Canada and the War of independence of the USA, 1774-1791

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