| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
(Note: This expedition was a significant event widely regarded and reported, yet historians have no consensus on a term used to describe it. The Arnold Expedition term has no general use.)
In 1775 the Continental Congress generally adopted Arnold's plan for the Invasion of Canada, but he wasn't included in the command structure for the effort. Thus rebuffed, Arnold returned to Cambridge, Massachusetts and approached Washington with the idea of a supporting eastern invasion force, aimed at Quebec. There had been little direct action at Boston after the Battle of Bunker Hill in June. Many units were bored with the garrison life and hungered for action. Washington agreed with the general proposal and that the action was worthwhile. He promoted Arnold to Colonel, and together they visited each line unit to ask for volunteers.
Arnold eventually selected a force of 750 men. Washington was only too happy to add Daniel Morgan's company and some other riflemen. These unruly frontiersmen, from the Virginia and Pennsylvania wilderness, were particularly unsuited to a siege.
The plan called for the men to cover the 180 miles from the Kennebec River to Quebec in 20 days. They expected to find relatively light defenses since the British General, Sir Guy CarletonSir Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester ( 1724- 1808) was a British soldier who served as Governor of Canada. Colonel Carleton was a part of James Wolfe's attack on Quebec City during the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. General Carleton repelled the Ameri, would be busy handling Schuyler'sPhilip John Schuyler ( 1733- 1804) was a general in the American Revolution and a United States Senator from New York. He is usually known as Philip Schuyler while his son is usually known as Philip J. Early life Philip was born at Albany, New York on Nov forces at MontrealMontreal (/mVn. tri"Al/ in English, /mO~. re"al/ in French) is the largest city in the province of Quebec, Canada, where it also constitutes an administrative region. It is Canada's second most populous city after Toronto ( Statistics Canada), and the sec. Arnold sent ahead to Fort WesternFort Western was a colonial outpost at the head of navigation on the Kennebec River at modern Augusta, Maine. It was built in 1754 by a Boston land company the Kennebec Proprietors to promote settlement in the area. The fort was a log palisade with blockh to have supplies and bateaux readied for his force. The expedition moved by sea, and spent five days at Fort Western organizing supplies and boats.
The men expected to go up the Kennebec River and then descend the Chaudiere to Quebec. They set out from Fort Western on September 25September 25 is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years). There are 97 days remaining. Events 275 M. Claudius Tacitus appointed Roman emperor by the senate. 303 On a voyage preaching the gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona was beheaded in Amiens, Fran and their troubles began almost immediately. The bateaux were build from green, split pine planks, and were basically flat bottom rafts that couldn't be rowed. Hauling them upstream and lowering them down the Chaudiere, many supplies and some men were lost. Rain and violent storms ruined more. Lt. Colonel Roger Enos turned back with his division, taking 300 men and more of the supplies with him.
The maps they started with had lied. The British frequently allowed publication of faulty maps to deceive future enemies. The journey was 350 miles, not 180. After the expedition ran out of supplies, they ate their dogs, their shoes, cartridge boxes, and anything leather. They ate moss and tree bark. No group less hardy, or without Arnold's leadership, could ever have survived the journey. On November 6November 6 is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 55 days remaining. From September 23, there are 88 days in a fall ( autumn) season. We are considered halfway through fall (autumn) on November 6. Events 1528 Sh, they finally reached the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. They might be hungry and sick, ragged and shod with raw skins, but they were ready to attack Quebec.