Beschreibung:

AMERICAN REVOLUTION] ARNOLD, Benedict. Autograph letter signed ("B Arnold," with flourish) to Robert Livingston, "Camp before Quebec," 10 February 1776. 1¼ pages, folio, integral address leaf detached, repairs to folds on verso, repaired center fold affects some letters of text, minor browning. ARNOLD ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERSONAL EFFECTS OF THE LATE RICHARD MONTGOMERY, KILLED AT QUEBEC A touching letter in which Benedict Arnold, now ranking Continental officer in Canada, takes responsibility for the personal effects of General Richard Montgomery, killed in action on December 31st, 1775 just outside the walled city of Quebec. In the fall of 1775, Montgomery took command of 1200 American troops that moved north on Lake Champlain intent on defeating British forces and encouraging Canadians to join the colonial cause. He successfully captured St. Johns and Montreal before moving towards the fortified city of Quebec. Joined at Quebec by a force under Arnold, Montgomery's only option was to attack the well- protected city. By the time the attack was initiated on December 31st, Montgomery had only 1000 effectives on hand. He divided his small army into four segments, each with a separate objective, and personally led 300 New Yorkers against the southern side of the lower town, an area protected by two barricades and a fortified log house. Montgomery's men cut through both barricades. As they approached the house, the general, while raising his sword to order an assault, was instantly killed by a well-aimed musket ball. The British identified the body of the fallen American commander and arranged for burial in a separate marked grave. Now Arnold writes to Robert Livingston (1746-1813), delegate to the Continental Congress and father-in-law of the fallen officer, concerning Montgomery's effects: "you may rest assured from my Friendship for Genl. Montgomery, it will give me a most sensable [ sic ] pleasure, to render every service In my power to all who were Dear to him. Sensable of the impropriety of having his private Papers Inspected, I have anticipated your wishes by sending you three Letters by Mr. Price, the only ones of a Private nature found among his Papers. Col o Campbell informs me it was usual for him, after Answering his private Letters to destroy them. Several other Papers of a Publick Nature, I have transmited [ sic ] to Genl. Schuyler. His Will, Accounts, and Publick Papers, were some time since forwarded Genl. Wooster in Complyance [ sic ] to his Orders, at Same time Requested him to forward you the Will." Special care was taken to obtain the personal items of the General from the enemy, as Arnold notes: "Col o Campbell joined with me in applying to Gov r Carleton, & Col o McClean for his Watch which the former very generously gave up. I sent it some time since to Genl. Wooster and make no Doubt Mrs. Montgomery has received it. An inventory has been taken of his other effects, which are Packed up and shall be sent you the first Oport y ."