The Patriot Surgeon: 14th Colony

Washington smiled. "Tell me what you know about the plans for a secret invasion into Canada through the Maine wilderness?” Tammany was slightly embarrassed and moderately startled that he, a lowly lieutenant, was sitting before two generals and should be asked such a highly sensitive question. He was unsure what His Excellency wanted to hear so he paused and gathered his thoughts... The silence hung in the air until Tammany cleared his throat. “There are rumors, sir. Speculating rumors and mutterings.” “Go on,” Washington ordered. “Sir, with the taking of Fort Ticonderoga and with Colonel Arnold giving the regulars a bloody nose, it was no great leap to suspect that another march up the valley through Lake Champlain would occur sooner rather than later,” Tammany replied. “Such is common knowledge.” Tammany paused. Washington lowered his head and intensified his gaze at Tammany. “Go on,” Washington ordered again. “Some of the men from the region east of New Hampshire in the Maine countryside spoke of a route the trappers and Indians use to travel to Quebec. Many have been to Quebec City and report there is a fortress there; a city within a fort. By all accounts it is lightly guarded by British forces. They seem to think a quick march through the woods could deliver the fortress of Quebec.” Washington nodded... “Earlier in the spring the Continental Congress discussed the possibility of an incursion into Canada, even as it espoused a wholly defensive posture toward His Majesty’s army. The attack on Fort Ticonderoga was unprovoked. Initially embarrassed at the capture of the fort, Congress soon enough recovered to give consideration on how best to exploit this windfall. By using messengers I have been in regular communication with General Schuyler throughout the summer. During these past weeks he has been making preparations for an invasion. His target will be Montreal and his forces will be made up of militia units.” Tammany’s face showed no change in expression, for the General said nothing which Tammany did not already know; he and a good many other soldiers in camp. “I am now giving thought to a plan to complement the Montreal invasion with a simultaneous attack upon the fortress city of Quebec. The French in the city and in the surrounding countryside would welcome liberation from the tyrannical rule of the Crown and freedom from the ruling French landholders who treat the common people like serfs. There are also many English speaking Canadians who have no love for the Crown." *** *** *** Christian was ushered into a room, the same room as he remembered from his previous audience with the governor. General Gage pointed to the empty chair, cleared his voice of throaty thickness and said, “Thank you Dr. Maier for coming today... The worst kept secret on the continent is not rumor but fact; the colonials are marching north up the Hudson River... Their ultimate target will be Montreal. Sometime this autumn they will attack our troops standing guard in Canada.” “Are the rebels now at war with Canada?” Christian asked, slightly confused with the suggested strategy. “On the contrary, politically they wish to align with the malcontents in our northern province... The strategic importance of Canada should not be ignored. What remained unclear until now was how aggressive Congress in Philadelphia would be, relative to the recruitment of their northern neighbor to their cause... Governor Carleton of the Canadian province has assured me he will respond to the incursion and transfer troops to provide for the defense of Fort St. John and Montreal... Any prolonged engagement at Montreal will consume Governor Carleton and his troops. Such an encounter will leave open the other door to our Canadian province.” General Gage looked gravely at Christian as he said, “I speak of a second invasion... I believe their final destination is Quebec... Dr. Maier, Governor Carleton cannot be in two places at the same time. Occupation and control of Quebec is paramount. "The most significant piece to this plan is the St. Lawrence waterway. It must, I repeat, must remain open for British troop ships. The lynchpin,” Gage emphasized as he stared hard into the face of Christian Maier, “is Quebec. If North America is to remain British, Quebec must remain British. The loss of Quebec very likely will result in the loss of America... Great Britain cannot afford to lose America." “Sir,” Christian said as he folded and unfolded his hands, “I appreciate the situation to be problematic, but …” “Great Britain needs your help and I need your help," Gage said in a beseeching manner. "We need you to travel to Quebec to notify their leaders that a second army will be marching north to invade them... The information you will deliver will save Canada.” “Sir, why me? Why not someone from your army?” Gage narrowed his eyes and paused before he offered, “You are the best choice for several reasons.... I can spare no one from my troops. You have lived with the colonial army so you have a passing knowledge of how they think and how they may act. More importantly the messenger must be a civilian. You are an American who remains loyal to his king. You are the symbol of fidelity and devotion to the empire. You, as a citizen, will travel to Canada and serve as an example to recruit the citizens of Quebec province to stand tall for their country. This conflict is as much about loyal Americans helping to suppress this uprising as it is about loyal Canadians helping to suppress the uprising... Most importantly, I know you to be a loyal English gentleman, loyal to your king and loyal to your country. No other man walked across the Bunker's Hill battlefield, risking and wagering all that he was or ever would be, to demonstrate his loyalty to his country. You have my respect and admiration, and on behalf of your nation and your king, I solicit your assistance."