Orange County
Historical Society

General Richard Montgomery; Hero of Two Nations

By Marc Newman

[Editor's Note: This article appeared in the 26th Issue of the Journal of the Orange County Historical Society. It is being republished on the website as part of the ongoing activities surrounding the 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War. The footnoted version is contained in the 1997 Journal which is available for purchase. JAC]

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His name and deeds in serving the cause of American Independence have long been forgotten. Two books have been written that detail portions of his life, while high school textbooks give a footnote to a man who was our first national hero and a hero to two nations, General Richard Montgomery. A village and town in northern Orange County have become his namesake, as well as hundreds of cities and towns throughout the United States, and more than a dozen counties through the eastern seaboard and Old Northwest.



Portrait of General Richard Montgomery in Harpers Magazine. Click on image to enlarge.

After researching material about this immigrant officer from Ireland, one realizes that his death at the citadel in Quebec on December 31, 1775, was glorified throughout the Revolutionary War Years, both in the United States and Great Britain. Rather than reiterating the life story of Montgomery, it would be fitting to cite some of the accolades and praise that he was given at the time of his death by both friend and foe.

Many of the members of Britain's House of Commons knew Richard Montgomery and his family. Father Thomas and brother Alexander were members of the House of Commons. Some of the Whig leaders in the minority from Northern Ireland, such as Charles Fox and Edmund Burke, were familiar with young Richard's military career, dating back to the French and Indian War. As an Ensign in the 17th Foot, Richard Montgomery served throughout the French and Indian War, 1757-1763, in which he was promoted twice, to the rank of Captain. His gallantry was well documented by the British during the Siege of Ticonderoga and in numerous other engagements.

Montgomery's death was eulogized on March 11th, 1776, by Edmund Burke and Charles Fox in the House of Commons. In his eulogy Edmund Burke referred to Montgomery as the hero who conquered two thirds of Canada. Prime Minister Lord North, rebuked Burke by reiterating Richard Montgomery's bravery but emphasizing at the same time that he was a "Rebel", a traitor to Britain. Immediately Charles James Fox rose and reminded members of the Commons that the term "Rebel" is a mark of distinction since those who speak out for mankind and the rights of man would also be considered "Rebels". The London Evening Post on March 12, 1776, had the edition draped in "mourning black". One of the more interesting British eulogies appeared in the May 1776 issue of Scots Magazine:

In Abram's plains they lie interr'd
the virt'ous and the brave:
Among the rest no more preferr'd
than bold Montgomery's grave.

In the London General Evening Post on April 2, 1776, a poem was published that ridiculed Montgomery because of the ballads and poems that revered him as a national hero.

Montgomery dies; -from his ill-boding fall,
Ah! wisdom learn, ye mad Provincials all.
Alike, alas! Montgomery to thee,
The fatal bullet, or the fatal tree.

Another criticism appeared in the London Morning Post, September 3rd, 1776:

Montgomery fell among the dead.
Arnold and Campbell-wiser-fled!
Gen'rals surpass their troops in cunning
And there fore should excel in running.

Other Englishmen wanted to honor Montgomery with eulogies and comments of praise similar to those of Burke and Fox. Reverend James Murray's, The Impartial History of the Present War in America, 1778, stated:

Thus fell Richard Montgomery in the cause of liberty, fighting as he believed, and as unbiased reason will in after ages determine, for the rights of human nature and of his country, against the illegal encroachments of a British ministry ... He fell in the prime of life, much lamented by his enemies ... whose loss would have been more regretted both in Britain and America ... In America he was revered and extolled as a martyr to the cause of human nature and the liberties of mankind.

This gives a British loyalist view of Montgomery and the impact of his death regarding the British and Americans. In one passage he depicts members of Commons who eulogized General Richard Montgomery with an "abundance of tears whilst he expatiated on their past friendship". Ballads and songs were written on the other side of the Atlantic regarding Richard Montgomery. On this side of the Atlantic Ocean the news of Montgomery's death brought a great deal of despair from members of the Continental Congress, the New York Provincial Congress, and the Continental Army.

When word was received by members of Congress, there was a genuine fear that public morale regarding support for the war would wane. A motion was passed for delegates to wear black crepe for mourning the loss of General Montgomery, for a period of a month. An additional motion was made for a special public sermon to be delivered that would honor his bravery and his dedication to the cause of liberty and freedom, while a subsequent resolution was made for. the allocation of three hundred pounds, American, for the creation of a monument.

Resolved, To express the veneration of the United Colonies for their late general, Richard Montgomery, and the deep sense they entertain of the many signal and important services of that gallant officer, who after a series of successes amidst the most discouraging difficulties fell at length in a gallant attack upon Quebec, the capital of Canada; and to transmit to future ages, as examples truly worthy of imitation, his patriotism, conduct, boldness of enterprise, insuperable perseverance, and contempt of danger and death; a monument be procured from Parish, with an inscription, sacred to his memory and expressive of his amiable character and heroic achievements. And that the continental treasurers be directed to advance a sum, not exceeding £.300 sterling, to Dr. Benjamin Franklin (who is desired to see this resolution properly executed) for defraying the expense thereof.



This famous 1789 engraving depicts a romanticized image of Montgomery's death at the Battle of Quebec in 1775. Click on image to enlarge.

At the same time, a resolution was passed from Dr. William Smith to give a funeral oration in honor of General Montgomery. On February 19, 1776, the oration was delivered at the Reformed Calvinist Church in Philadelphia. The procession was followed by members of the Continental Congress, ministers from all the city denominations, and hundreds of militiamen, spectators and participants. The oration gave this summation of Montgomery's life and bravery:

Ohl thou swift winged messenger of destruction, how didst thou triumph in that moment! The stroke that severed Montgomery from his army, deprived them of more than a member. It reached the vitals, and struck the whole body with a temporary death.

During 1776, several plays and literary works were published lauding Montgomery and his heroism as a vehicle for propaganda, for political support of the Declaration of Independence, and of the Continental Congress. Thomas Paine, author of numerous works, i.e.: Common Sense and The Crisis, had penned a short essay: A Dialogue between the Ghost of General Montgomery Just Arrived from the Elysian Fields; And an American Delegate in a Wood Near Philadelphia. The work had been written after Paine concluded his work on Common Sense. Both works, ironically, were created for public appeal in support of the passage of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

DEL. - Will not a declaration of independence lessen the number of our friends, and increase the rage of our enemies in Britain?
GEN. MONT. - Your friends (as you call them are too few - too divided - and too interested to help you . . . I would rather die in attempting to obtain permanent freedom for a handful of people, than survive a conquest which would serve only to extend the empire of despotism.

A year later, Hugh Henry Brackenridge wrote the play, The Death of General Mont· gomery. The glorification of Richard Montgomery became legendary as the ill-fated General led his men toward the citadel of Quebec, in the knowledge that death would overtake him. The play becomes a traditional heroic tragedy in the personification of Montgomery. Through dialogue from Act I to Act V, a host of characters, Benedict Arnold, Aaron Burr, and a small group of officers and friends, are introduced. It is through these characters and dialogue that General Montgomery, the man with a mission and cause for freedom and independence, is extolled.

And at the Last Day, when the pit receives Her gloomy brood . .. Pointing to him, the foul and ugly Ghosts Of Hell, shall say, That was an Englishman.

Boston officials and supporters of the Revolution asked Jonathan Williams Austin to give an oration on the anniversary of the Boston Massacre, commemorating March 5, 1770. The oration was presented March 9, 1778, but Montgomery became the focal point of the oratory:

Let not the ashes of Warren, Montgomery, and the illustrious Roll of Heroes, who died for Freedom, reproach our inactivity, want of spirit, in not completing this grand Superstructure [Revolution]; the Pillars of which have been cemented with the richest blood of America.

The reports of Montgomery's death appeared in newspapers and magazines from January to March 1776 with little rhetoric.

At five o'clock the hour appointed for the attack, the General, at the head of the New York troops, advanced against the lower town at Aunce de Mere. Being obliged to take a circuit, the signal for the attack was given, and the garrison alarmed before he reached the place; however, pressing on, he passed the first barrier, and was just opening to attempt the second, when by the first fire from the enemy he was unfortunately killed.

The same report on the death of Montgomery was published in the American newspapers, such as The Pennsylvania Magazine, and in British newspapers and magazines as The Gentleman's Magazine and The London Gazette. The original account was published in Philadelphia, January 25, 1776, by order of the Continental Congress and signed by the Secretary, Charles Thompson. In the years that followed the American Revolution, the name and deeds of General Richard Montgomery passed into obscurity, until 1818.

Several years after the conclusion of the War of 1812, an arrangement was made between the United States and Great Britain, regarding the remains of General Richard Montgomery. At the time of his death, Montgomery was buried in an obscure garden in Quebec. Janet Livingston had received permission from Canada's Governor General, Sir John Sherbrooke, to have the remains of Richard Montgomery removed to the empty tomb and monument that was purchased by Franklin in 1776. On February 27, 1818, a law was passed through the State Legislature authorizing the removal.

On July 4, 1818, the body of General Richard Montgomery lay in state for several days at which time it was transported to St. Paul's Trinity Church in New York City. When the body arrived escorted by Lewis Livingston, nephew of Richard and Janet Montgomery, there were crowds of spectators as large as five thousand. Commemorations, ballads, songs, parade, and pageantry accompanied the General to his final resting place. Civilian dignitaries, military officers, ambassadors and foreign ministers followed as the ceremonies were led by Vice President John C. Calhoun.

As the years passed, the name of Richard Montgomery became a footnote in history, but recently, the parades and interest have slowly flourished. Four years ago, Montgomery, Ohio, celebrated their bicentennial with renewed interest in a namesake who never ventured into the Northwest. Some of the "Founding Families" were relatives of the men who served with General Montgomery in 1775. In December 1996, Montgomery County, Kentucky, held a major celebration for its bicentennial and began a renewed interest to gather historical information regarding its namesake. In Orange County, New York, General Montgomery Day has been held at the beginning of September every year for the past eight years. The pageantry and pride in the event has taken on a county-wide appearance rather than a village parade. Over the past few years, the size of the spectator crowd has grown from 5,000 to 25,000. The parade which had 1,000 participants has grown to 2,500. Many of the spectators are from neighboring states. In the Village of Montgomery Hall there is a small museum with paintings and various artifacts relating to General Richard Montgomery.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has Montgomery's drinking cups and tankard with his initials surrounded by a laurel wreath with flowers. Peale's portrait of General Richard Montgomery is on display at Independence Hall, Philadelphia. The Yale Art Gallery, in New Haven, Connecticut, exhibits The Death of Montgomery by Trumbull. On display at the Armed Forces Division of the Smithsonian is General Montgomery's Battle Sword. In Dutchess County, New York, at Livingston Place are the chest, telescope, pocket watch, seal, and chain of General Richard Montgomery. At the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada, the carved powder horn and dress sword of General Richard Montgomery may be viewed.

It is ironic that few people know of this military leader who, for a very short time, captured the embodiment and ideals of our American Revolution. Richard Montgomery, an immigrant from Northern Ireland, arrived to build a life in our colony, New York. When the storm clouds of Revolution came, he was chosen to serve this new nation as a military leader. He detested war and the politics of command but gave service to his adopted home for the welfare of this nation and its citizens.

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