Dear Sir,

It is with the greatest Distress of Mind that I have the Task of communicating to you the Event of an unfortunate Attempt that was made to storm the Town of Quebec beween the Hours of two & seven this Morning by four different Attacks, unfortunate indeed when with Bitterness of Soul I inform you that the gallant and amiable General Montgomery was killed the first Fire, as also, his valiant Aid de Camp Capt. John McPherson and Capt. [Jacob] Cheeseman of the first New Yorkers with two or three more. All this happened in the Attack on the lower Town at aunce de mere where were the three Battalions of Yorkers ー commanded by the General whom I attended, and found myself under the disagreeable Necessity of drawing off the Troops (too ready to depart) at about seven O'Clock after having passed the first Barrier, and just opening to attempt the second.

In the other principal Attack made by Col. Arnold with the Detachment under his Command Captn [John] Lamb's Company of Artillery and two Field Pieces on Slays was at the Sole de Motteleau, where he succeeded so far as to force one Gate or Barrier and Battery with the Misfortune of having his Leg splintered, yet I hope not very dangerous, tho from his gallant Conduct he sustained a considerable Loss of Blood and is now in the General Hospital, as also Brigadier Major [Matthias] Ogden who was shot a flesh wound through the upper Part of his Shoulder after a spirited & Officer-like Conduct, which was distinguishable in the whole of the officers, particularly Lieut Col [Christopher] Green, Major [Timothy] Bigelow & Major [Return Jonathan] Meggs as also Cap E Aswald [Eleazer Oswald] Secy to Col. Arnold and a Volunteer in the Campaign, yet after carrying that Barrier and a second one they now remain in Possession of the Houses from Limeburner's Wharf in the lower Town to the second Barrier where they now maintain themselves with between three & four Hundred Men & extremely difficult to support them till dark when I shall hope to draw them off, for which Purpose I send Col. James Livingston with some of his Regiment and Major [Lewis] Dubois of the 3rd Yorkers with upwards of two Hundred Men down to the general Hospital to endeavour to throw themselves in between this & Night, or get Lieut Col. Green and his Party out.

The other Attack was with Col. Livingston and his Canadians to endeavour burning St Johns Gate with prepared Faggots of comburstible Matter which was not effected owing to an early Alarm in Town; and the last was by another Storm Attack from Major [John] Brown's Detachment on Cape Demond commanded by Capt. Brown.

Thus you have the four Attacks that were concerted between the dear deceased General Montgomery and Col. Arnold, which was in many Respects hurried from the Circumstance of the Inlistment of the Troops under Col. Arnold whose Time expires this Day. Our whole Loss,, as far as I can collect without Returns does not exceed 15 or 20 Men, killed & wounded. Yet I think a Reinforcement of 200 Men immediately from Montreal would be very proper, at the same Time I leave it to you to judge of the Propriety of disarming the Tories of Montreal, and at the same Time to assure you it is no Pleasure to me to enjoy the Command which falls on me from the Death of Genl Montgomery and Col. Arnold's keeping his Bed, therefore I request you will set out for this Place as instantly as you can as your Presence is essential on many Accounts. I shall order every Care of the Troops and Disposition that may occur to me necessary. must remind you of Cash, as there is not above three or four Hundred Pounds here from my Recollection of what the General said a few Days ago, but I have not yet examined any Thing, and it is unfortunate in a particular Manner that both are gone who had the Charge of it. The great Consumption of Powder from the Garrison is an Object which the General had much at Heart, and may be worthy of Remark to the Congress, as well as full Force for this Country, as you must be convinced the Canadians will never be so firmly on our Side as when they are convinced we hold the Scales. I hope this last affair will not strike there in the Light it does me. I shall not make any Alterations in Commissions or Officers, till I have the Pleasure of seeing you here, though Application has been made. The remaining Aid de Camp [Aaron Burr] I would gladly recommend to you for the Memory of the deceased General, as well as his own personal Bravery and good conduct.

I thought to have sent Mr Melchor Express with this, but the Bearer Mr Edward Antil appointed by the General as Engineer whom I recommend to your Favour and Attention being well acquainted on the Road I prefer him for the Sake of Dispatch as I consider every Moment important, and to whom I refer you to correct this hurried Scroll, and give you Particulars that he was Eye Witness to. My Love to all Friends & Acquaintance that enquire for me, and believe me to be [&c.]