Fort Chambly

	Fort Chambly - Quick Facts
HSP Category	Landmark and Fort
Period	The marker was placed in 1925 by the Saranac Chapter, NSDAR.
Architect	French Colonial Government
HSP Style	French Fort
Builder	French Colonial Forces
Construction	Stone
No. Stories	2
Original Use	Military Fort
Present Use	Museum and Cemetery

Historical Significance:

"The impressive stone structure standing today was finally finished in 1711. New France's chief engineer, Josué Dubois Berthelot de Beaucours, himself personally supervised the project designed in the classic style of Vauban. The completed fortress assumed a new name- Fort Pontchartrain, for the French naval minister.

The fort served the French king until the end of the French and Indian, or Seven Year's War when it was evacuated by the retreating French under Bougainville. On September 1, 1760, the fortress at Chambly became a British bastion. By September 8th, all of New France was in the hands of the British.

Relative quiet was the norm at the falls along the Richelieu as French Canada adjusted to British rule. The British went out of their way to accommodate the religion and customs of their new French Canadian subjects. Governor Carleton had ensured the acquiescence of the clergy with the passage of the Quebec Act, which effectively guaranteed religious tolerance in Lower Canada. A period of peace and prosperity settled upon the inhabitants of the Richelieu valley.

The King's subjects to the south, however, were becoming discontented with British rule. The rumblings of an independence movement turned into open rebellion. By September 1775, the Americans had formed an army and invaded Canada. At first the invasion went remarkably well, the Americans hoped to use what they believed was French Canadian frustration with British rule to their advantage. Several attempts to win the French in Lower Canada over to the rebel position were made. Some Canadians did come over, when the fortress at Chambly fell to the Americans under Maj. John Brown and James Livingston on October 18th, the attacking force was overwhelmingly Canadian allied with the rebels.4 On November 1, St. Jean capitulated. The Americans transported vessels, including at least two gondolas, over the rapids and into the St. Lawrence. On November 13, the American rebels occupied Montreal. This large city and the entire Richelieu valley were under American control.

The American hold on Lower Canada was to prove short-lived, however. At Quebec City, the rebel fortunes would change. Other enemies, equally formidable, were to take a toll. The Canadian winter and Smallpox would play a key role in the campaign. During a furious battle at Quebec City, the rebel advance was finally stemmed. American General Richard Montgomery, who led the force advancing down the St. Lawrence, was killed. Quebec remained under siege until the first part of May, 1776. On May 6, a massive British fleet arrived at the City. The heady days of victory and advances were over. A frantic and miserable retreat ensued. By the time the rebel forces reached the rapids at Chambly, smallpox had devastated the bedraggled force. Reportedly, over half the army had contracted the disease. American General John Thomas took ill and died within two weeks. He is buried at Chambly. There is a monument to his service on the grounds of the fort. General Thomas is but one of many soldiers, French, Canadian, British and American, buried (mostly in unmarked graves) here." By James P. Millard on the website: http://www.historiclakes.org/canada/chambly.htm

Acknowledgements: The Saranac Chapter, NSDAR owns and maintains the Historic Fort Chambly monument at Ft. Chambly, Quebec. The Chapter holds an annual Memorial Service in conjunction with the Local Quebec Government for the American and Canadian forces buried there in particular the 200 men that died of smallpox there in 1776 from Dutchess County, New York. Denise Doring VanBuren, New York State Regent (2010-2013), was the first State Regent to visit the Ft. Chambly site to participate in the Memorial since the marker was placed there in 1925 by then New York State Regent, Mrs. Charles Nash.

Form Submitted By: Saranac Chapter, NSDAR (Plattsburgh, NY) 6/11/2013

Designations:

City Landmark

Historic Marker:

Marker Organization: Saranac Chapter, NSDAR
Marker Date: 1925
Marker Text: IN MEMORY OF GENERAL JOHN THOMAS AN AMERICAN OFFICER BORN IN MARSHFIELD MASS, 1724 DIED OF SMALLPOX JUNE 2, 1786 AND OTHER AMERICAN SOLDIERS BURIED IN THIS GROUND. ERECTED BY SARANAC CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION PLATTSBURH, N.Y. U.S.A. 1925

Funded By:

The Saranac Chapter, NSDAR raised the funds to purchase and place this Historic Marker in memory of the 200 Dutchess County, New York men who died in service here.

Information for the Visitors:

What you need to know if interested in visiting this destination:

Condition of Property: Preserve
Open to the Public? Yes
Public Fee: See Fees in the Park at http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/fortchambly/visit/tarifs_fees_e.asp?park…
Public Hours: May 18 to June 23 Wednesday to Sunday and holidays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 24 to September 2 Every day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. September 3 to October 14 Wednesday to Sunday and holidays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Is it Family Friendly? Yes
Lodging? None
Brochure available? Yes
Catalog available? Yes
DVD available? Yes

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Units Overseas

Directions and application forms can be found on this page or in the Forms section of the DAR members' website.

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