10. The Americans besieged Quebec in December
Montgomery left David Wooster in command at Montreal and arrived with his force two weeks later, to find Arnold in position at Pointe-aux-Trembles, to the west of Quebec City. Montgomery was approached by a Frenchman, Christophe Pelissier, an iron monger, who agreed to use his forges to support the Americans. The ironworks supported the Americans for the duration of the siege. Pelissier was one of the many French Canadians who individually supported the American invasion, but the large numbers of militia Montgomery had hoped to recruit in Canada failed to materialize. Livingston’s 1st Canadian Regiment was an exception, though it did not exceed 200 men. The Americans also received little support for Canadian representation in the Continental Congress.
The citadel at Quebec could not be reduced without heavy artillery, which the Americans did not have. They did have a company of artillery, which arrived with Montgomery’s force. Montgomery also faced more expiring enlistments at the end of the year (as did Arnold). In early December both pleaded with their men to extend their time of service, but it quickly became clear most of the force would simply dissolve with the coming of the New Year. On December 6 Montgomery moved his artillery into position to begin a siege of the city, while the British fortified the Lower Town, beneath the citadel. By that time, the ground was frozen, and American forces were unable to dig fortifications for their guns.