Beschreibung:

MONTGOMERY, Richard, Brigadier General, Continental Army . Autograph letter signed ("Richd: Montgomery") possibly to General Philip John Schuyler, "Camp before St. Johns," 2 November [1775]. 1 page, 4to, paper worn, holes along several folds, affecting a few letters text . MONTGOMERY TAKES ST. JOHNS, ON THE MARCH TO CANADA Montgomery announces the imminent successful conclusion of the American seige of the barracks at St. Johns, and requests help in transporting the captured troops: "I have the pleasure to acquaint you that the Garrison has Capitulated. Tomorrow morning at 8 O'clock they will march out & ground their arms on the plain to the South of the Fort [some 500 British troops surrendered]. You will have a sufficient number of boats there at that time to receive them & carry them to Capt. Mead's Post. Capt. Mead will furnish 3 men per Batteau to row - at 8 O'clock in the morning [you] will fall down with your Vesssels & come to an Anchor near the Fort - not suffering any of your crews to go ashore 'till further orders." The capture of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold in May 1775 had opened a corridor to the North. Although Schuyler was placed in command of the Canadian invasion, he was a virtual invalid. He and his second in command, Montgomery, proceeded North via Lake Champlain with some 1,200 men after capturing a schooner at Skenesboro (Whitehall). Initial American moves on St. Johns, under Schuyler's command, had been repulsed; on 16 September tha ailing Schuyler was invalided to the rear and Montgomery took command. After a brief seige, the British garrison surrendered on 2 November, having successfully delayed the American's Canadian invasion for two months. Letters of Richard Montgomery, who was killed in the ill-fated attack on Quebec (31 December 1775) are quite rare. See notes to following lot.