The Battle of Quebec
In June 1775, the Second Continental Congress established an official Continental Army to be led by General George Washington. The army saw some early victories, including the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in New York and victory in Montreal, Canada in November 1775.
The Americans sought to build on those by attacking Quebec and rallying French-Canadian support in the fight against the British.
A joint force led by Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold planned to attack the city of Quebec under cover of a snowstorm. On December 31, 1775, separate forces led by Montgomery and Arnold attacked the Canadian city. However, the walled city was well-defended by British troops.
They repelled the incoming Continental soldiers who were forced to retreat before entering the city limits.
The battle was the first major defeat of the war for the Americans, and it came with heavy losses. General Montgomery was killed, Benedict Arnold was wounded, and more than 400 men were taken prisoner. Over the next few months, American forces were driven out of Canada.
Next: The Battle of Trenton