Richard Montgomery

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Richard Montgomery (December 2, 1738 – December 31, 1775) was an Irish soldier who first served in the British Army and later became a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is best known for leading the failed 1775 invasion of Canada.

Early Life and Career

Richard Montgomery was born in Swords, Dublin, Ireland, to an affluent family. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, before joining the British Army in 1756. Montgomery served with distinction during the French and Indian War, participating in the Siege of Louisbourg and the Battle of Ticonderoga.

American Revolutionary War

In 1772, Montgomery retired from the British Army and emigrated to New York, where he purchased a farm and married Janet Livingston, a member of the influential Livingston family. With the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, Montgomery sided with the Patriots and was commissioned as a brigadier general in the Continental Army in 1775.

Invasion of Canada

Montgomery was tasked with leading an invasion of Canada alongside Benedict Arnold. He successfully captured Fort St. Jean and Montreal in November 1775. Montgomery then joined forces with Arnold for an assault on Quebec City. The attack, launched on December 31, 1775, ended in disaster. Montgomery was killed during the battle, and the invasion ultimately failed.

Legacy

Richard Montgomery is remembered as a hero of the American Revolution. His death was widely mourned, and he became a symbol of sacrifice for the cause of American independence. Several places and institutions are named in his honor, including Montgomery County, Maryland, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and Montgomery, Alabama.

See Also

• American Revolutionary War
• Continental Army
• Benedict Arnold
• Siege of Fort St. Jean
• Battle of Quebec (1775)