ABSTRACT
C ONTROL OF THE city of Montreal was without doubt a decisive point on the road to success in any campaign in the Canadas. It dominated the St Lawrence, and controlled the access both to the Great Lakes, and to Quebec and the maritime provinces. Through the city passed large quantities of supplies for the allied army in the Canadas, supplies not just from Europe, but in large measure from New England as well. No wonder that the city had been a priority target captured in the campaigns of 1760 and 1775. Prevost clearly understood Montreal's importance, as his defensive plan showed by the placing of the military main effort in Lower Canada — if necessary at the cost of abandoning the Upper province.
