MONTGOMERY. 439 marched immediately upon St. John's; but Schuyler being taken ill, the sole command devolved upon Mont gomery, who, having contrived to detach the Indians from the British service, and also received some reinforcements of artillery, prepared to besiege that important fortress. The popularity of the cause, and the fame of the general, procured from the Canadians supplies of every thing which they possessed which could conduce to the advancement of the siege; but as they were unable to supply him with ammunition, of which he began to feel the want, he turned his attention to Fort Champlain, where he expected to find considerable stores. In this he was not mistaken; and, by the capitulation of that fort, he was enabled to carry on his advances against Fort St. John's with so much vigour, that, in spite of Carleton's attempts to relieve i t , i t soon fell into his hands. Taking advantage o f these successes, h e marched upon Montreal, which was evacu ated immediately o n his approach, by General Carleton, who was obliged t o fall back upon Quebec. The mild and conciliatory measures pursued b y Montgomery o n taking possession o f Montreal, contributed greatly t o increase his popularity, which, added t o the defenceless state o f Quebec, and the disaffection o f its inhabitants, who looked upon their new constitution with disgust, induced him t o undertake the siege o f that capital. Ac cordingly, o n the 5th December, h e took post a t St. Croix, within less than two miles o f Quebec, and made several ineffectual attempts t o induce General Carleton, whe refused even t o receive a communication from him, t o surrender. I n this situation Montgomery, being totally unprepared for a regular siege a t that season o f the year i n those cold and tempestuous regions, and fearing t o damp the ardour o f his troops b y whom h e was constantly urged t o make the attempt, b y a retreat, resolved upon storming the town. The plan o f his attack has been allowed b y the best military judges t o have been the most skilful that could b e concerted; i t took place o n the 31st o f December, between four and five i n the morning, dur
