January 20, 1776

Major General Richard Montgomery was “unfortunately killed” on December 31, 1775, during the Continental Army’s unsuccessful attack on Quebec. Only these basic details reached Philadelphia by January 20, when James Humphreys copied this report, initially printed in the Pennsylvania Evening Post on January 18. But conflicting descriptions of Montgomery’s death from various letters confused the situation and prevented Towne and other Philadelphia printers from offering specific information. Ultimately, it became public knowledge that Montgomery had been shot in the head along with Captain John Macpherson, as initially reported.

On Saturday, when the Pennsylvania Ledger was published, Thomas Lynch, one of South Carolina’s delegates to the Continental Congress, wrote about the sadness spreading through Philadelphia: “Never was any City so universally Struck with grief, as this was on hearing of the Loss of Montgomery. Every lady’s Eye was filled with Tears.” Congress quickly approved a monument to Montgomery and scheduled an official memorial service for February. John Trumbull also depicted the scene of Montgomery’s death in his 1786 painting.

The Pennsylvania Ledger: Or the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey Weekly Advertiser
Printed by James Humphreys, Jr.

By an express from Canada we learn that in storming the city of Quebec, Gen. Montgomery was unfortunately killed, upon which the Provincial Troops were immediately drawn off. The particulars of this affair the printer has not been able to collect from any other authority than extracts of letters, but as they differ much, it is tho’t proper to wait for more certain information. Our loss is not so great as has been reported. Capt. John McPherson, junr. is amongst the slain.