The Revolt of Pontiac and the American Invasion

The Invasion of Canada

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The Defenders

At the time, there were only two regiments in garrison, the 7th and the 26th. The appeal to the militia, the main force to defend the province, was only moderately successful, because many Canadians were afraid the English authorities would involve them in a conflict that did not concern them. Nonetheless, the Canadian bourgeoisie formed a company of volunteers to guard the Montreal residence of the governor. At the beginning of July the English merchants formed their own company, but it was infiltrated by American sympathizers - as shown by the sabotage of muskets one night in the guardhouse. When the approach of Montgomery's army was announced, 120 Montrealers, "all Canadians under the command of Monsieur de Longueuil," volunteered and went to reinforce the fort's British garrison. 34

Montgomery's 2,000 men soon surrounded Fort Saint Jean, and the siege began on September 18. On the 25th an American advance party of 200 men, under the command of Ethan Allen, was repulsed at Longue-Pointe near Montreal by 200 Canadian volunteers supported by approximately 30 British soldiers and as many English volunteers. Allen was taken prisoner and sent to England.