Canadian Campaign > Battle of the Cedars

Battle of the Cedars

Background

The Battle of the Cedars was a series of engagements during the American Revolutionary War that took place from May 18 to May 27, 1776, near the Cedars, a small settlement located about 45 kilometers west of Montreal along the St. Lawrence River. The battle resulted in a significant defeat for the American forces and a temporary setback in their campaign to control Quebec.

Background:

1. Strategic Context:

   • In late 1775, the Continental Congress had authorized an invasion of Quebec, hoping to bring the province into the American revolutionary fold and prevent British forces from using it as a base for attacks on the colonies.
   • By the spring of 1776, the American forces had captured Montreal but had failed to take Quebec City. The situation in Quebec was precarious, with the American forces stretched thin and struggling with supply issues.

2. American Objectives:

   • The American forces aimed to secure their positions around Montreal and protect their supply lines along the St. Lawrence River.
   • The Cedars, a strategic point west of Montreal, was seen as a key location to control movements along the river and prevent British and Indigenous forces from launching attacks on American positions.

The Battle:

1. Initial American Position:

   • Captain George Forster, a British officer, led a force of about 40 British regulars, 100 Loyalists, and around 500 Indigenous warriors.
   • The American garrison at the Cedars consisted of approximately 400 troops under the command of Colonel Timothy Bedel. Bedel left Captain John Foster in charge of the defenses when he went to Montreal to seek reinforcements and supplies.

2. First Engagement (May 18-19):

   • On May 18, 1776, Forster's force surrounded the American position at the Cedars. The American defenders, poorly equipped and outnumbered, were quickly overwhelmed.
   • After a brief skirmish, Captain Foster surrendered to Forster on May 19, resulting in the capture of about 400 American soldiers. The captured Americans were taken as prisoners and their supplies seized.

3. Second Engagement (May 20-26):

   • Following the initial engagement, an American relief force led by Colonel Benedict Arnold and Major Isaac Butterfield was dispatched from Montreal to recapture the Cedars and rescue the prisoners.
   • On May 20, Arnold's force engaged Forster's troops but faced fierce resistance from the British and their Indigenous allies. The relief force was unable to break through the British lines.
   • On May 26, facing increasing pressure and realizing the futility of continued assaults, Arnold agreed to negotiate with Forster.

4. Surrender and Aftermath (May 27):

   • Arnold and Forster negotiated a prisoner exchange, resulting in the release of the captured American soldiers on May 27. However, the terms of the agreement were not honored, and the conditions of the released prisoners were harsh.
   • The Americans suffered significant losses, with many of the returned prisoners in poor health and demoralized.

Aftermath and Impact:

1. Casualties:

   • American casualties included around 40 killed or wounded during the engagements. Approximately 400 American soldiers were captured, though they were later released as part of the prisoner exchange.
   • British and Indigenous casualties were relatively light, with estimates of around 10-20 killed or wounded.

2. Strategic Consequences:

   • The defeat at the Cedars was a significant setback for the American forces in their campaign to control Quebec. It exposed the vulnerability of their positions and the challenges of maintaining supply lines and securing territory in hostile environments.
   • The loss also had a demoralizing effect on the American troops and highlighted the need for better coordination and support in future operations.

3. Impact on the Campaign:

   • The defeat contributed to the overall failure of the American invasion of Quebec. Following the engagements at the Cedars, the American forces faced continued difficulties, including disease, supply shortages, and increasing British pressure.
   • By the end of 1776, the American forces had withdrawn from Quebec entirely, abandoning their hopes of bringing the province into the revolutionary cause.

Significance:

• Early Setback: The Battle of the Cedars was an early and significant setback for the American campaign in Quebec, illustrating the difficulties of conducting military operations in unfamiliar and hostile territory.
• Role of Indigenous Allies: The battle highlighted the important role of Indigenous allies in the conflict, as their support was crucial to the British victory at the Cedars.
• Lessons Learned: The defeat underscored the importance of supply lines, local support, and effective leadership in military campaigns, lessons that would be crucial for the Continental Army in subsequent engagements.

The Battle of the Cedars remains a notable event in the American Revolutionary War, reflecting both the challenges and complexities of the early American military efforts to expand their influence and secure strategic objectives in Canada.

Canadian Campaign

• Invasion of Canada (1775)
• Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
• Siege of Fort Saint Jean
• Battle of Longue-Pointe
• Arnold's Expedition
• Battle of Quebec
• Battle of Saint-Pierre
• Battle of the Cedars
• Battle of Trois-Rivieres
• Battle of Valcour Island

Sources

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources