268 THE FEENCH BLOOD IN AMEEICA 



obeyed." From that hour lie was devoted to his adopted 

 country. He was sent to capture Montreal, which he did 

 after a most brilliant camj)aign. When the news of his 

 signal success reached Congress, that body passed a vote 

 of thanks and promoted him to be a major-general ; but his 

 untimely death prevented his receiving this reward of 

 merit. • Quebec was his next objective, for as he wrote to 

 A Daring As- Cougrcss : "Till Qucbcc is taken, Canada is uncon- 

 Qu"ebe°c" qucrcd." It is a romantic but tragic story, how he led his 



band of three hundred patriots over frozen ground and 

 drifting snows ; made juncture with Arnold, who had com- 

 pleted a wonderful march with a half-starved and frozen 

 army thi'ough the wilderness of northern Maine ; only to 

 fall into a trap at last, and perish while at the head of his 

 hapless command, leading an assault on the strongly 

 fortified city. His last words were: "Men of New 

 York, you will not fear to follow where your general 

 leads ! March on, brave boys ! Quebec is ours ! '• But 

 they marched into the jaws of swift death. Through the 

 courtesy of General Carleton, British commander, Mont- 

 gomery's body was privately interred, January 4, 1776, 

 near where he fell. By friend and foe alike his bravery 

 and ability were recognized and admired. His death 

 made a profound impression, both in Europe and 

 America, for the excellency of his character had won him 

 affection, as his great abilities had gained public esteem. 

 The Continental Congress caused to be executed a monu- 

 ment of white marble, with a classical inscription written 

 by Franklin, which lisis since 1789 adorned the front of 

 The St. Paul's Church in New York. It was fitting that this 



soi'd^r'^""^ monument should be executed by a Frenchman, Cafiieres, 

 sculptor to Louis XVI. He was eulogized even in the 

 British Parliament by Chatham and Burke. Forty-three 

 years after his death his remains were removed from 

 Quebec, by an "act of Honour " of the legislature of New 

 York, and buried with brilliant military ceremonies near 

 the cenotaph erected by Congress to his memory. Of 



