Canadian History: The Loyalest (1775-1800)

The civilian invasion of Canada by Americans in the late eighteenth century was more successful than the military plan of General Washington in 1775 to seize Quebec from the British. Washington sent two armies north against Montreal and Quebec. The first was well led by a general named Montgomery and managed to capture Montreal. The second, charged with taking Quebec City, was led by General Benedict Arnold. To obtain the element of surprise, Arnold led his men through the most treacherous terrain, cutting their numbers almost in half before they emerged fully visible on the Plains of Abraham outside Quebec's walls. When Montgomery's victorious army arrived from Montreal to restore his numbers, Arnold got cocky. He taunted the Quebec garrison with an animated rendition of Humpty Dumpty, making sport of the King and inadvertently giving rise to the regal breakfast of Eggs Benedict. Montgomery ordered a suicidal, blind assault through a blizzard and was destroyed by well aimed artillery. From the other side, Arnold led his men through a gauntlet of outer defenses until they were trapped inside the fort. In captivity, Arnold cracked under interrogation and spilled important military secrets. The victory gave Americans who wanted to stay loyal to the King a place to run. Any citizen of the United Colonies who thought the King wasn't such a bad fellow was branded an enemy of American liberty, but to the King they were the loyalest. Under new laws, they suffered harsh penalties. School girl Fanny Fisk's diary details the trials of her people: Albany, New York, March 14, 1776: We used to have a good life: plenty of cows and sheep and horses. Then father joined the redcoats and we lost everything. They sent my grandfather to the galleys, thinking he was my father. I live with my mother in a tent. February 14, 1778: I am pleased to hear that father is still alive. Irving was very brave to bring me the letter. When they catch a boy with a letter from a redcoat, they tar him and feather him, hang him slowly by the neck, and set him on fire while he's still alive. But father has secured passage for us to a place called Quebec where we can be safe. February 22, 1778: Poor Irving! They must have caught him. He is barely recognizable in his new post, guarding the corn field. Maybe I can persuade his brother Philip to help me. April 12, 1781: We've all come down with the whooping cough since our tent developed a smelly mold. The pages of my diary are so soaked with phlegm that they are barely legible. We can't eat properly because our loud coughing scares off the wild turkeys before we can shoot them. I hope we don't starve before we get our boat tickets. October 6th, 1785: Today I saw an African Loyalist running through our yard. He was being chased by men who shouted 'stop in the name of liberty!' I hope he makes it to New York City. Our ship leaves for Quebec tomorrow. Montreal, Quebec, July 21, 1789: It's so nice to live under a roof for a change, even if we have no door, windows, nor floor. Our piano makes excellent firewood since playing it with frozen fingers became impossible. As I enjoy this cozy fire, I am pleased to finally be free of the terrible stress of war. Here with the French, I'm sure we will be safe from further violent revolutions.
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© 2007, 2015. Scripts by David Skerkowski. All rights reserved.