“Issue the orders Sir, and I will storm Hell:” Benedict Arnold and the Invasion of Canada

In the winter of 1775-76, the colonial rebels attempted to add Canada to the areas breaking free of English rule. While one army marched on Montreal, Benedict Arnold led some 500 men on one of the most audacious marches in modern military history to attack the stronghold of Quebec. This talk discusses Arnold, the war in late 1775, and the campaign to take Canada. Though it ended in failure for Arnold, it cemented his reputation as one of the most skilled, tenacious, and aggressive American commanders of the war.

In 2026, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the country. It is an opportunity for reflection on the ideals of the founders of the nation, but also a time to consider the path forward in expanding our realization of those ideals today.