Battle of Longue-Pointe (1775) – Ethan Allen’s Capture Near Montreal

Battle at a Glance

Historical Background: The American Invasion of Canada

The Strategic Importance of Canada

In the summer of 1775, the American colonies were fighting British forces in Massachusetts while considering the danger posed by British military positions in Canada. The St. Lawrence and Richelieu river systems connected Quebec and Montreal with Lake Champlain, offering a potential route for British attacks against the northern colonies.

American leaders believed that an expedition into Canada might remove this threat, capture important military stores, and persuade French-speaking Canadians to support the rebellion.

The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

On May 10, 1775, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold participated in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. The victory brought Allen considerable attention and demonstrated the strategic value of controlling the Lake Champlain corridor.

However, Allen’s prominence did not guarantee that he would command the larger expedition into Canada. The invasion developed under officers appointed through the emerging Continental military organization.

Schuyler and Montgomery Advance North

Major General Philip Schuyler was assigned command of the northern campaign. Illness increasingly limited his ability to direct operations in the field, and Brigadier General Richard Montgomery assumed responsibility for the principal advance.

The Americans moved north through Lake Champlain and the Richelieu River toward Fort Saint-Jean, an important British defensive position south of Montreal.

The Siege of Fort Saint-Jean

In September 1775, Montgomery’s troops began besieging Fort Saint-Jean. The garrison resisted, and the siege required time, artillery, supplies, and sustained American pressure.

Montreal was strategically connected to the defense of the fort. British forces stationed in the city might attempt to send reinforcements or supplies southward.

Recruiting Canadian Support

American commanders hoped that French-speaking Canadians would assist the expedition. Some residents supported the invasion or joined American forces, while others remained neutral or favored British authority.

The population’s response was influenced by local political loyalties, religious concerns, economic interests, and uncertainty about the outcome of the war.

Ethan Allen’s Assignment

Allen operated in the countryside around the Richelieu and St. Lawrence rivers, recruiting volunteers and seeking information about British positions.

His original mission was not an independent assault on Montreal. The larger American strategy required securing the approaches to Fort Saint-Jean and preventing British intervention against Montgomery.

Major John Brown

Major John Brown was also operating with American forces in the region. Allen later maintained that the two officers discussed a coordinated attack on Montreal from different directions.

Under the proposed arrangement, Allen would cross below the city while Brown approached from another crossing upstream.

Brown did not join Allen’s attack. Whether the failure resulted from an agreed plan breaking down, practical obstacles, or Allen’s own unauthorized initiative remains disputed.

The Decision to Attack Montreal

Allen believed that Montreal was vulnerable because its regular garrison was small and some inhabitants were sympathetic to the Americans.

He decided to cross the St. Lawrence River with his mixed force of Americans and Canadian volunteers. The operation exposed his men to a much larger British response than they could reliably withstand.

Commanders & Participating Forces

American and Allied Commanders

British and Loyalist Commanders

Allen’s American Soldiers

Allen’s command included a relatively small number of soldiers from the American colonies. Some had prior experience in the northern campaign, while others were serving in temporary detachments.

These men did not constitute a full Continental regiment operating in normal brigade formation. Allen’s command was a mixed expeditionary force assembled for reconnaissance, recruitment, and local military operations.

Canadian Volunteers

A substantial portion of Allen’s force consisted of Canadian supporters of the American cause. Some were associated with the recruiting efforts of James Livingston and other local leaders.

The volunteers were not a uniform body. Their military experience, equipment, and willingness to continue fighting differed considerably.

The British Regular Garrison

Montreal’s regular garrison was small. The defending force included approximately 34 soldiers of the 26th Regiment of Foot according to detailed historical accounts.

Although numerically limited, these regulars provided a trained military element around which local militia could assemble.

English and Canadian Militia

Carleton’s response relied heavily upon local militia, including English-speaking residents and French-speaking Canadiens.

The battle demonstrated that the Americans could not assume the population around Montreal would uniformly welcome an invading force.

Indigenous Participation

Some accounts describe Indigenous participants and British Indian Department personnel accompanying the defenders.

Their precise numbers and affiliations require careful treatment. Indigenous participation should not be generalized as representing all Indigenous nations or communities in the region.

Why the Force Estimates Differ

Contemporary and later accounts provide different totals for Allen’s men, particularly because volunteers joined or departed and some escaped during the engagement.

British strength estimates likewise depend upon whether regular soldiers, militia, Indian Department personnel, and Indigenous allies are all included.

Battlefield Geography & Terrain

Montreal Island

Montreal occupied an island in the St. Lawrence River. The city’s position made it an important center of commerce, transportation, and military administration.

The river offered valuable communications but also created an obstacle for any attacking army approaching from the southern shore.

Longue-Pointe

Longue-Pointe lay east of Montreal’s urban center. In 1775, the district consisted largely of rural properties, agricultural fields, roads, scattered buildings, and wooded ground.

The modern neighborhood bears little resemblance to the eighteenth-century battlefield.

The Problem of Crossing the River

Allen lacked sufficient boats to transport his entire force in one movement. The crossing required repeated trips, consuming time and making the operation more difficult to conceal.

Once the men were on Montreal Island, the same shortage of boats prevented a rapid return to the southern shore.

The Route Toward Montreal

The Americans established themselves along the eastern approaches to the city. Roads through the surrounding countryside offered a route toward Montreal but also allowed British defenders to advance against them.

Defensive Terrain

Allen attempted to use wooded and broken ground to resist the British approach. Such terrain could provide cover for small detachments, but the defenders possessed greater numbers and could threaten his flanks.

The River as an Escape Barrier

The St. Lawrence became a major disadvantage once the attack failed. Allen’s force could not withdraw across the water as quickly as an army retreating along an open road.

Men who escaped the battle had to find boats, conceal themselves, or seek assistance from sympathetic inhabitants.

Reconstructing the Battlefield

Modern streets, industrial development, and shoreline changes complicate identification of exact eighteenth-century positions.

Researchers should consult contemporary maps of Montreal Island and the St. Lawrence crossings rather than project modern street alignments directly onto the 1775 battlefield.

Weapons, Equipment & Logistics

American Small Arms

Allen’s men carried a mixture of muskets and other firearms typical of provincial and volunteer service in 1775.

The force lacked the artillery, engineering equipment, and sustained logistical support normally required for a deliberate attack against a defended town.

British Infantry Weapons

The British regulars carried military flintlock muskets and bayonets. Their training provided an advantage in maintaining organized formations during an engagement.

Local militia also used firearms, although their equipment and training varied.

Ammunition

Allen’s men depended upon the ammunition carried with them across the river. They had no established supply line or reserve ammunition depot on Montreal Island.

Even if they could have resisted the first British attack, prolonged fighting would have presented serious logistical difficulties.

Boats and Transportation

Boat availability was one of the operation’s most important limitations. The Americans needed several trips to cross the river and lacked the capacity for a rapid mass evacuation.

This weakness became critical when British forces advanced before Allen could withdraw.

Food and Provisions

The expedition was not organized for a lengthy independent campaign. Allen depended upon local support and supplies carried by his men.

A force operating close to an enemy city without secure communications faced the possibility of being cut off from provisions and reinforcements.

British Local Resources

Carleton could draw upon the city’s small regular garrison and recruit militia from nearby communities.

The defenders also benefited from established roads, local information, and the ability to assemble forces without crossing the St. Lawrence.

The Limits of Improvisation

Allen’s operation relied upon speed, surprise, and the expectation that additional troops would participate.

Once these advantages failed to materialize, the Americans possessed neither the strength to capture Montreal nor the logistical means to maintain a prolonged position outside the city.

Intelligence & Operational Planning

Montgomery’s Original Strategy

Montgomery’s principal concern was Fort Saint-Jean. Capturing the fort would open the route toward Montreal and weaken British defenses along the Richelieu River.

Allen’s assignment to recruit Canadian supporters and observe British movements was intended to assist that campaign.

Allen’s Assessment of Montreal

Allen knew that Montreal contained relatively few British regular soldiers. He believed that a sudden attack, supported by Canadian volunteers, might capture the city before its defenders could organize.

His assessment underestimated the ability of Carleton to mobilize local militia.

The Proposed Two-Column Attack

According to Allen’s later account, he and Major John Brown discussed an attack from two directions.

Allen would cross the St. Lawrence below Montreal, while Brown’s force would approach from another crossing above the city.

The operation depended upon coordination between separated forces without reliable real-time communication.

Brown Does Not Appear

Brown’s force did not join the attack. Allen was left alone on Montreal Island with a small and vulnerable command.

The reasons remain disputed. Allen’s account places responsibility upon the failure of the planned support, while some historians question whether Brown had firmly agreed to the operation as Allen later described it.

The British Learn of Allen’s Presence

The Americans attempted to prevent news of their crossing from reaching Montreal. Nevertheless, the British received information that an armed force had landed near Longue-Pointe.

Carleton responded by assembling regular soldiers and local militia to confront the Americans before they could attack the city.

Carleton’s Rapid Response

Carleton recognized that Allen’s force was isolated and comparatively small.

Rather than waiting for the Americans to approach the city, the defenders advanced to eliminate the threat in the countryside.

Allen’s Decision to Stand

Allen could not immediately transport his entire force back across the river. He therefore attempted to establish a defensive position and resist the approaching troops.

The decision was understandable given the transportation problem, but it left the Americans exposed to a larger force with greater freedom of maneuver.

The Battle Unfolds: Interactive Timeline

Follow the American advance into Canada, Allen’s crossing of the St. Lawrence, the fighting at Longue-Pointe, and the capture of Montreal later in the campaign. Times during the September 25 engagement are approximate.

Tactical Analysis & Command Decisions

Phase One: An Unsupported River Crossing

Allen’s operation began with a fundamental weakness. He crossed the St. Lawrence without ensuring that a supporting force would attack from another direction.

The river crossing also deprived him of an easy withdrawal route. His limited boats could not immediately carry the entire command back to safety.

Phase Two: The Loss of Surprise

Allen’s plan depended upon reaching Montreal before the British could mobilize substantial opposition.

Once the defenders learned of his presence, the operation lost much of its advantage. Carleton could assemble local militia and attack the isolated force outside the city.

Phase Three: A Defensive Position Near Longue-Pointe

Allen attempted to organize his troops on wooded ground east of Montreal. The position offered some cover but lacked the depth and support necessary to resist a larger enemy.

The Americans had no substantial fortifications, artillery support, or secure supply line.

Phase Four: The British Advance

The defending force combined trained British regulars with English-speaking and French-speaking militia and other supporting personnel.

The British-aligned force substantially outnumbered Allen’s men and could extend pressure across the American front and flanks.

Phase Five: The Collapse of the Flanks

During the fighting, portions of Allen’s Canadian contingent withdrew or dispersed. The American position became increasingly difficult to maintain.

Allen’s remaining troops could not establish a stable defensive line against the advancing force.

Phase Six: Retreat and Capture

Allen attempted to withdraw, but the force fragmented. Some men escaped, while others were captured.

Allen himself surrendered after his remaining resistance became untenable.

Why Allen Lost

The defeat resulted from an overambitious operation unsupported by reliable intelligence, adequate transportation, or confirmed reinforcement.

Carleton’s defenders exploited their numerical advantage and attacked before Allen could either seize Montreal or escape.

Why the British Won

Carleton responded quickly to the American incursion, assembled a larger force, and prevented Allen from converting surprise into control of the city.

The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of local militia when organized alongside a small contingent of trained regular troops.

The Soldier’s Experience

A Night Crossing

Allen’s men crossed the St. Lawrence in small boats during the night. Repeated trips delayed the operation and created uncertainty about whether the entire force could reach the island before daylight.

The men carried their weapons and limited supplies into unfamiliar territory, knowing that British troops occupied the city nearby.

Waiting for Reinforcements

After landing, the Americans expected further developments involving Brown’s force. As time passed without support, the danger of isolation increased.

Some volunteers had joined the expedition expecting a rapid attack against a lightly defended city rather than a prolonged fight against a larger force.

Fighting Near the Farms

The battle developed in the rural countryside outside Montreal. Soldiers used available cover while exchanging musket fire with the advancing defenders.

Fields, fences, wooded areas, and buildings shaped their movements.

Confusion in the Ranks

As British-aligned troops advanced, portions of Allen’s force withdrew. The departure of some Canadian volunteers weakened the flanks and increased confusion among the remaining men.

Maintaining a coherent defense became increasingly difficult.

The Retreat

Men attempted to escape through the countryside or toward the river. Those who reached the water still needed boats to cross back to safety.

Others hid or sought assistance from inhabitants sympathetic to the American cause.

Capture and Imprisonment

Allen and several of his men were captured. For the prisoners, the battle marked the beginning of an uncertain period of British custody.

Allen was subsequently transported away from Canada and remained a prisoner until his exchange in 1778.

Canadian Participants

The engagement placed local Canadians on opposing sides of the war. Some fought with Allen, while others served in the militia defending Montreal.

Their participation reflected the complicated political choices facing the population of Quebec in 1775.

Where Was Your Ancestor’s Unit?

The Battle of Longue-Pointe involved a small American expeditionary force, Canadian volunteers, British regulars, and local militia. Identifying an ancestor’s participation requires particular attention to temporary assignments and the distinction between service in the Canadian campaign and actual presence at the battle.

American and Canadian Research Leads

British and Loyalist Research Leads

Prisoner Records

Because Allen and several members of his command were captured, prisoner lists and correspondence are especially valuable.

Researchers should compare spelling variations and distinguish men captured at Longue-Pointe from prisoners taken during later Canadian operations.

Pension Applications

Revolutionary War pension declarations may mention service under Ethan Allen, the Canadian expedition, or the failed attempt against Montreal.

Later recollections should be checked against enlistment dates, known unit movements, and documented captivity.

Canadian Genealogical Records

French-language parish registers, notarial documents, and provincial records may help identify Canadian volunteers or militia participants.

Names may appear in different spellings across French and English records.

The Green Mountain Boys Question

Ethan Allen is closely associated with the Green Mountain Boys, but that association should not lead researchers to label every participant at Longue-Pointe a Green Mountain Boy.

His force included men from several backgrounds and a substantial number of Canadian volunteers.

Battle Outcome & Casualties

A British Victory

The defenders of Montreal defeated Allen’s expedition and captured its commander. The American attempt to seize the city failed before reaching its principal objective.

British forces retained control of Montreal and temporarily strengthened local confidence in the city’s defense.

American Losses

The U.S. Army Center of Military History reports approximately five Americans killed and thirty-three captured. Other accounts provide different numbers for those killed, wounded, or taken prisoner.

Many men escaped or dispersed during the fighting, making precise accounting difficult.

British Losses

The same U.S. Army account reports one defender killed and three wounded. Other historical narratives provide different totals, including some that report few or no British casualties.

The Capture of Ethan Allen

The most important immediate result was Allen’s capture. His earlier success at Fort Ticonderoga had made him a prominent figure in the American rebellion.

His imprisonment removed him from active operations during the remainder of the 1775 Canadian campaign.

Limits of the Victory

Although the British defeated Allen, the engagement did not end Montgomery’s invasion.

The principal American army continued its siege of Fort Saint-Jean, and British control of Montreal remained vulnerable to developments farther south.

Strategic Aftermath

The Immediate Effect on Canadian Support

Allen’s defeat discouraged some Canadians who had considered supporting the American invasion.

The British victory demonstrated that Carleton could still organize effective resistance despite the limited number of regular soldiers in Montreal.

Carleton’s Recruiting Efforts

The victory briefly improved the prospects for recruiting local militia. However, Carleton continued to face difficulties maintaining a large and dependable force.

Many inhabitants remained reluctant to commit themselves to sustained military service.

Montgomery Continues the Siege

Montgomery did not abandon the campaign because of Allen’s defeat. American troops maintained pressure against Fort Saint-Jean.

The fort eventually surrendered on November 3, 1775, opening the route toward Montreal.

The Fall of Montreal

Carleton withdrew from Montreal as Montgomery approached. American troops occupied the city on November 13 without a major battle for its possession.

The contrast was striking: Allen’s small force had failed in September, but Montgomery’s larger and more organized campaign succeeded in November.

The Advance Toward Quebec

After capturing Montreal, Montgomery continued toward Quebec City, where Benedict Arnold had arrived following his difficult expedition through the Maine wilderness.

The two American forces attempted to capture Quebec on December 31, 1775.

The Failed Assault on Quebec

The American assault ended in defeat. Montgomery was killed, Arnold was wounded, and many American soldiers were captured.

The failure to capture Quebec City prevented the Americans from consolidating their invasion of Canada.

Ethan Allen’s Captivity

Allen was sent into British custody and eventually transported to England and then New York. He remained a prisoner until exchanged in 1778.

His captivity became part of his public reputation and later writings about the Revolution.

Lessons from Longue-Pointe

The battle demonstrated the dangers of launching an independent operation without secure coordination, reliable intelligence, or sufficient transportation.

It also showed that a small British regular garrison, reinforced by local militia, could defeat an isolated American force even when the broader campaign favored the invaders.

Longue-Pointe’s Place in the Revolution

Although overshadowed by the capture of Montreal and the later Battle of Quebec, Longue-Pointe remains an important episode in the 1775 Canadian campaign.

It reveals the uncertain nature of Canadian support for the American rebellion and the operational risks faced by commanders attempting to extend the Revolution beyond the thirteen colonies.

Primary Sources & Historical Research

The Battle of Longue-Pointe is documented through Ethan Allen’s published account, British military correspondence, American campaign records, prisoner documentation, and later historical research. Allen’s description of the proposed attack with John Brown is particularly important but should not be treated as an impartial account of disputed decisions.

Primary Sources and Documentary Leads

1. Ethan Allen, A Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen’s Captivity (1779). Allen’s firsthand account of his capture and imprisonment, written after the events.
2. Guy Carleton’s correspondence, September–October 1775. British reports concerning Montreal’s defense and the American invasion.
3. Richard Montgomery’s correspondence. Documents relating to the campaign against Fort Saint-Jean and operations around Montreal.
4. John Brown’s correspondence and military papers. Important evidence for evaluating the disputed plan to attack Montreal.
5. British 26th Regiment of Foot records. Regimental documentation relevant to the Montreal garrison.
6. British prisoner and captivity records. Sources for identifying Americans captured with Allen.
7. Canadian militia and provincial records. Evidence concerning local participation in the defense of Montreal.
8. Contemporary maps of Montreal Island. Sources for reconstructing the St. Lawrence crossing and Longue-Pointe battlefield.

Historical Research Resources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History. The Canadian Campaign, 1775–1776.
2. Vermont Historical Society. Ethan Allen and the historical interpretation of his capture.
3. Library and Archives Canada. Canadian colonial military and administrative records.
4. National Archives. American Revolutionary War service and pension records.
5. Founders Online. Founding-era military correspondence.
6. Library of Congress. Historical maps and cartographic collections.
7. Vermont Historical Society. Ethan Allen manuscripts and regional historical collections.

Research Limitations

Published accounts disagree on Allen’s exact strength, the number of Canadian volunteers, the circumstances of John Brown’s absence, and the number of casualties and prisoners.

Allen’s own narrative is indispensable but was written after his captivity and reflects his personal interpretation of events. It should be compared with British correspondence and independent historical research.

Exact battlefield positions are also difficult to reconstruct because of changes to Montreal’s landscape and the limited precision of surviving descriptions.