American History Hit: “America's Invasion of Canada”
Host: Don Wildman | Guest: Major Jonathan Bratton
Release Date: October 6, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Don Wildman is joined by Major Jonathan Bratton of the Maine Army National Guard to explore the dramatic and often-overlooked American invasion of Canada during the Revolutionary War, focusing on Benedict Arnold’s harrowing 1775 campaign through the wilds of Maine toward Quebec. The discussion covers the campaign's motives, the grueling journey, the climactic assault on Quebec City, and its aftermath—illuminating why Canada was targeted and why the operation failed, as well as the legacy it left for later military history.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why Invade Canada? The Revolutionary Motive
[03:57–07:51]
- Historical Context: The plan to invade Canada was driven by longstanding colonial animosity toward “the big boogeyman” to the north. Many colonists had recently fought in the French and Indian War, which shaped their view that Quebec was “ripe for the picking.”
- Strategic Opportunity: In 1775, British forces were thin in Canada. “If you take out Canada, you remove that avenue of approach that the British have to attack from the north.” (Bratton, 07:44)
- Ideological Aspirations: The dream of a North American “union” that included Quebec as the 14th colony motivated decision-makers.
- Misjudging Local Sentiment: American assumptions that French Canadians would readily join the revolution ignored class divisions and the increasing number of British settlers, setting the stage for later miscalculations.
2. The Enigma of Benedict Arnold
[07:51–10:07]
- Early Promise: Arnold was “the ideal military leader”—a bold, enterprising merchant-soldier with logistical know-how and early Revolutionary success.
- Downside: His “impulsive nature… soon turns into a bit of hubris” (Wildman, 08:39), which would contribute to future infamy.
- Ticonderoga and the Route to Canada: Seizing Fort Ticonderoga preserved options for attacking Canada and enabled the transport of captured artillery to Dorchester Heights, ultimately instrumental in chasing the British out of Boston.
3. Into the Wilds: The Expedition Begins
[10:07–18:10]
- Arnold’s Ambition: As others moved north via traditional routes, Arnold pitched an ambitious flanking march through the Maine wilderness, believing he had found a secret backdoor to Quebec.
- Logistical Nightmares: Arnold’s “handmade boat flotilla”—the bateau—was ill-conceived due to green timber and a shortage of nails, leading to fragile and leaky transports. Maps were incomplete, underestimating the trek by as much as 90 miles.
- The ‘Who’s Who’ of Early America: The march included future notables like Aaron Burr, James Wilkinson, Daniel Morgan, and Henry Dearborn—seeding future American military and political folklore.
4. The Ordeal: Hardship and Near-Mutiny
[18:16–24:18]
- Nature’s Onslaught: Crossing Maine’s “height of land,” the men contended with green, waterlogged boats, ruined supplies, and relentless storms (“…a small hurricane, as some historians look at the weather patterns, which is very, really, really weird for October.” – Bratton, 20:50)
- Desperate Provisions: Men resorted to eating leather, candles, and even a dog, while exposure claimed many.
- Mass Desertion: Lt. Col. William Enos led half the force (about 700 men) in retreat, a move Arnold saw as mutiny: “He’s livid. Yeah, he’s absolutely livid. He’s seeking court martial…” (Bratton, 23:20) No punishment followed.
5. The Approach to Quebec
[24:18–26:52]
- Ragged Arrival: Approximately 675 survivors stumbled into a French-Canadian village, half-starved, requiring immediate aid from locals.
- Leadership Amid Calamity: Arnold’s charisma and “force of personality” kept the remaining men together. “He manages to within less than a month of coming out of the swamps, feed, almost clothe his soldiers, get them up to the St. Lawrence, get them within sight of Quebec City.” (Bratton, 26:12)
6. Besieging Quebec: The Pincer Fails
[26:52–36:16]
- Siege Setup: Richard Montgomery’s and Arnold’s forces intended a two-pronged assault; delays and lack of artillery forced them into a risky winter frontal attack.
- Quebec’s Fortifications: “It still is the only walled city left in North America... formidable.” (Bratton, 30:06)
- The Assault: On New Year’s Eve 1775, amidst a snowstorm, both columns attacked. A lucky blast of grapeshot killed Montgomery and his staff, collapsing one prong of the attack while Arnold was wounded and his force overrun. “So there’s no—now—it’s literally… all the focus is now, the attention is on Arnold and his force.” (Wildman, 36:16)
Memorable Moment
- On Montgomery’s Death:
“Probably one of the worst timed blasts of grapeshot in American history kills Montgomery and the sort of leading attack party… And Montgomery’s dead and his second in command is dead. And the third in command goes, ‘I’m scared...’ and pulls the entire assaulting column back.” (Bratton, 33:24–34:10)
7. Aftermath and Legacy
[36:16–42:32]
- Collapse and Retreat: The failed assault resulted in 400 American prisoners, 50 dead, 40 wounded, and the shattered remains retreating to retrench before the arriving British reinforcements.
- Recurring Lessons: Despite future attempts—in 1812, and even diplomatic maneuvers later—America would never come so close to controlling Canada.
- Impact on the War: The failed campaign was “extraordinarily important to set up for what comes later… the whole war shifting down to sort of the mid Atlantic region.” (Wildman, 42:32)
Notable Quotes
- “Canada has just always been the boogeyman… ever since the beginning.”
— Jonathan Bratton [06:18] - On Arnold’s march:
“There are soldiers dying of exposure right and left. There’s frosts in the swamps. There’s a Pennsylvania rifleman who dies—his wife… picks up his kit and walks off to go invade Quebec with Arnold. We’re talking about some incredibly horrific privations.”
— Bratton [24:18] - On Quebec’s walls:
“If you ever go up there, you look at the walls, you go, ‘Oh my God. What on earth were they thinking?’”
— Bratton [30:06] - On smallpox and final withdrawal:
“Smallpox is the chief killer of the northern army… And then just when smallpox is destroying the combat power, the British show up in the spring of 1776.”
— Bratton [40:07]
Timeline of Key Events (with Timestamps)
- [03:57] The rationale for invading Canada and the colonial mindset
- [07:51] Benedict Arnold’s military qualities and Ticonderoga
- [10:07] Arnold proposes the Maine wilderness route
- [12:00] Map and logistical failures, the challenges of the bateau
- [18:16] The “cursed expedition” begins, leading into starvation and storms
- [23:05] Enos’s retreat: 700 men abandon the expedition
- [23:48] Ragged survivors reach Canada, nursed by locals
- [26:52] Join Montgomery, prepare for pincer assault, besiege Quebec
- [33:17] The New Year’s Eve assault and the abrupt defeat
- [38:33] The closest America came to conquering Canada, and its echo in later wars
- [40:07] Smallpox ravages the Army and the campaign collapses
- [42:32] Broader significance: how defeat shaped the later course of the Revolution
Conclusion & Resources
The episode casts new light on the “forgotten” campaign to conquer Canada, highlighting Benedict Arnold’s complex leadership, the terrible ordeal suffered by his men, and the far-reaching consequences of the failed invasion. The story is not just one of military mishap, but of enduring human spirit and the unpredictability that shaped early American history.
To learn more:
Jonathan Bratton recommends the US Army Center of Military History website (history.army.mil) for accessible resources, especially the concise new publication on the Canadian Campaign.
Guest sign-off:
“This is like the who’s who of American military history—and also so rapscallion agree on this expedition.”
— Jonathan Bratton [19:52]
Host sign-off:
“All of this is extraordinarily important to set up for what comes later…”
— Don Wildman [42:32]