.jpg?w=1)
Details
ARNOLD, Benedict, Brigadier General, Continental Army. Autograph letter signed ("B Arnold," with large paraph) to Captain Timothy Bigelow "at Chambli" (Chambly); Montreal, 8 May 1776. THE FINAL DAYS OF THE CANADA INVASION: "DONT LOSE ONE MINUTE OF A FAIR WIND"
Arnold, recuperating from a wound receieved in the disastrous attack on Quebec in January, summons Bigelow and a gunboat: "As soon as the Gundalo[w] is fixed you will Emediately [sic] proceed to Dechambo [Deschambault]. If any articles are wanting, send to me emediately & I will bring them Down myself. Dont loose [lose] one minute of a Fair wind." A letter written just as the prolonged American attempt to seize Quebec was about to be abandoned. Bigelow was one of the intrepid officers who had accompanied Arnold on his epic trek up the Kennebec River to invade Canada. While Montreal had been easily taken in November, Quebec had staunchly resisted a long seige. In a disastrous night attack in December (a plan Bigelow alone had opposed), General Montgomery had been killed and Arnold severely wounded. The American force outside Quebec had been augmented in April and more Continental troops were on their way, but Arnold had already concluded that they could not take the citadel before the thaw of the St. Lawrence allowed British ships to reinforce the garrison. On May 6, two days before this letter, the first ship of the British relief fleet reached Quebec and the American beseigers retreated in disorder upriver to Deschambault. Arnold, recuperating in Montreal, was still unaware of the disastrous rout, and asks Bigelow to bring up a repaired gunboat from Chambly.
Arnold, recuperating from a wound receieved in the disastrous attack on Quebec in January, summons Bigelow and a gunboat: "As soon as the Gundalo[w] is fixed you will Emediately [sic] proceed to Dechambo [Deschambault]. If any articles are wanting, send to me emediately & I will bring them Down myself. Dont loose [lose] one minute of a Fair wind." A letter written just as the prolonged American attempt to seize Quebec was about to be abandoned. Bigelow was one of the intrepid officers who had accompanied Arnold on his epic trek up the Kennebec River to invade Canada. While Montreal had been easily taken in November, Quebec had staunchly resisted a long seige. In a disastrous night attack in December (a plan Bigelow alone had opposed), General Montgomery had been killed and Arnold severely wounded. The American force outside Quebec had been augmented in April and more Continental troops were on their way, but Arnold had already concluded that they could not take the citadel before the thaw of the St. Lawrence allowed British ships to reinforce the garrison. On May 6, two days before this letter, the first ship of the British relief fleet reached Quebec and the American beseigers retreated in disorder upriver to Deschambault. Arnold, recuperating in Montreal, was still unaware of the disastrous rout, and asks Bigelow to bring up a repaired gunboat from Chambly.