This important Revolutionary War battle plan depicts the first significant defeat of the Continental Army. Published on September 12, 1776, just four months after the Americans retreated from Quebec, this plan shows excellent detail of the city streets and fortifications of Quebec, the roads and topography of the surrounding land, and the formidable rocky cliffs along the St. Lawrence River. After several early American victories in Massachusetts and New York, the Continental Army set its sights on capturing Quebec in the hopes of adding it as a 14th colony. Richard Montgomery led his army from Fort Ticonderoga to Quebec and met up with Benedict Arnold's army, which had made its way from Cambridge, Massachusetts through the wilderness of present-day Maine. Due to the challenging terrain and the harshness of winter, the joined forces numbered only around 1,000 men by the time they reached Quebec, and were greatly outnumbered by the British forces guarding the city. Despite the obstacles before them, the Americans decided to attack the city on December 31, 1775 during a snowstorm. The attack was a failure, as hundreds of American soldiers were killed or taken prisoner, Montgomery was killed early in the battle, and Arnold was badly wounded.

This plan shows the locations where Montgomery (labeled "L") and Arnold (labeled "M") began their attacks on December 31, as well as Arnold's position on the Plains of Abraham (Heights of Abraham) during the winter siege. The locations of British troops are marked with the letters A-F. Other locations are lettered and identified by the key in the title cartouche. The locations of the Hospital General, suburbs, Hotel Dieu, powder magazines, barracks, and other locations are all well marked.

References: Kershaw #1041; Nebenzahl & Higginbotham #6; Sellers & Van Ee #609.

Condition: B+

A crisp impression with contemporary color on a lightly toned sheet with the watermark of the initials "GB" surmounted by a Strasbourg Lily. There is mat burn well outside of the image and tiny centerfold separations at top and bottom.