Portal:American Revolutionary War/Selected event/5

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Illustration of a British charge at the Battle of Quebec by Allan Daniel. Arnold's men are correctly depicted in summer uniforms, while the British are shown in heavy overcoats.

The Battle of Quebec was an attempt on December 31, 1775, by American colonial revolutionaries to capture the Canadian city of Quebec and enlist French Canadian support for the American Revolutionary War. The British commander, General Guy Carleton, could not get extensive help because the St. Lawrence River was frozen, and had to rely on the French-speaking militia of the city, who turned out in high numbers. Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery were the two primary colonial commanders in the assault, which failed. The battle was the climax of the revolutionaries' invasion of Canada and put an end to any hopes of French Canada rising in rebellion with the colonists. The battle didn't actually repulse the invasion; this occurred six months later with the arrival of 4,000 troops, who forced the Continentals to leave Quebec.