Skip to main contentLetter - Letter from revolutionary war hero James Clinton to his wife | McCord Museum
Once the army was garrisoned, the colonel of the 3rd New York Regiment, James Clinton (1736-1812), sent this letter dated November 22, in which he relates the main events of the campaign, from Montreal to his wife,. He recounts the British army’s retreat to Quebec City, where they did not engage in combat but which they left carrying a huge amount of provisions. He also notes that a number of French nobles left with the army, including Luc de La Corne Saint-Luc de Chaptes (1711-1784). In addition, the letter addresses the military situation faced by several specific officers, family matters and its author’s eagerness to return home.
Online Collections | McCord Museum - Montreal Social History Museum 
Letter
Letter from revolutionary war hero James Clinton to his wife
Date
November 22, 1775
Dimensions1 textual record ; 30.6 x 18.8 cm
Origin
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, North America
Object NumberS001/C2.3,2.4
DivisionArchives - Textual Archives
CollectionStewart
Scope and ContentAt the start of the American War of Independence (1775-1783), the revolutionaries sought to open up a new battlefront by invading the province of Quebec. A first expedition composed of 1,700 militiamen led by General Richard Montgomery (1738-1775) set off from Fort Ticonderoga for Montreal on September 16, 1775, reaching the city on November 13.Once the army was garrisoned, the colonel of the 3rd New York Regiment, James Clinton (1736-1812), sent this letter dated November 22, in which he relates the main events of the campaign, from Montreal to his wife,. He recounts the British army’s retreat to Quebec City, where they did not engage in combat but which they left carrying a huge amount of provisions. He also notes that a number of French nobles left with the army, including Luc de La Corne Saint-Luc de Chaptes (1711-1784). In addition, the letter addresses the military situation faced by several specific officers, family matters and its author’s eagerness to return home.
NotesSource of title: based on the nature of the document.
Signatures and inscriptions: signed by James Clinton, American commander.
Immediate source of acquisition: document acquired in 1970 under the reference code 970.2082.1 (main register).
Physical description: 2 pages.
Language of the document: the document is in English.
General notes: exhibited on the ground floor of the St Helen's Island Museum in May 1985. Transcription and photocopy available.
Signatures and inscriptions: signed by James Clinton, American commander.
Immediate source of acquisition: document acquired in 1970 under the reference code 970.2082.1 (main register).
Physical description: 2 pages.
Language of the document: the document is in English.
General notes: exhibited on the ground floor of the St Helen's Island Museum in May 1985. Transcription and photocopy available.
Status
Not on viewInformation about the objects in our collection is updated to reflect new research findings. If you have any information to share regarding this object, please email reference.mccord@mccord-stewart.ca.Information about rights and reproductions is available here.
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This project is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Azrieli Foundation and Canadian Heritage.