To the Editor:

The New Scotland Historical Association’s November program is on the American invasion of Canada in 1775-1776 and Philip Schuyler’s role in it.

This program will be presented at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Wyman Osterhout Community Center in New Salem at 7 The Old New Salem Road. Admission is always free.   

It was the early days of the war, and the American invasion of Canada was our first major offensive operation in the War for Independence. America needed allies and hoped the Canadians and Native Americans, recently defeated by the British in the French and Indian War, might like to join us.

Also, we were looking to preclude an attack from the north by British forces in their attempt to invade New York and occupy the Hudson Valley.

Based in Albany, Philip Schuyler was the commander of the Northern Department of the Continental Army. The Continental Congress authorized Major General Schuyler to take possession of parts of Canada.

However, Schuyler fell ill so Schuyler’s second-in-command, Brigadier General Richard Montgomery, was left in charge.

Montgomery received a letter from General George Washington that he was sending Colonel Benedict Arnold up the Kennebec River in Maine to attack Quebec in coordination with an attack from Albany — basically telling Montgomery to get a move on. So, Montgomery decided it was time to go. Thus, the Canadian Expedition of 1775 was begun.

Nothing went as planned.

Come to the New Scotland Historical Association’s November program to learn more about this harrowing time in our history and to gain an even greater appreciation for the sacrifices made for our freedom and independence. 

Dr. Kevin Bronner, government scholar and Albany historian, will be the presenter for this enlightening program. 

The New Scotland Historical Association Museum will be open for a half hour before the program.

Judy Kimes

Publicist

New Scotland Historical Association