Dedication of Monument, Chambly, P. Q

Dedication of Monument Chambly, P. Q.

Bright sunshine, the crisp brilliant green of a Canadian Spring, the clear waters of the Chambly Basin, the impressive walls of old Fort St. Louis, the mingling uniforms of British and American officers made a scene never to be forgotten by those whose privilege it was to be present, June 2d, 1925.

The monument erected to General John Thomas and the unknown American soldiers who are buried there, victims of the deadly scourge of smallpox is the first erected on Canadian soil by American people. That Thomas and these men were buried there was made known to the public through the exertions of Mr. Louis Colwell of Montreal, formerly of Dutchess County.

Saranac Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Plattsburgh, N. Y., took up the matter and, having verified the report of Mr. Colwell and received the permission both of the Canadian and American Governments, erected the monument dedicated June 2.

Dutchess County undoubtedly furnished its quota of the unknown dead at Chambly as the 4th Dutchess Militia and the 4th New York Line were a part of Montgomery's brigade. To Mrs. deLaport, of Rhinebeck, was given the privilege of placing upon the monument a wreath, the gift of the Dutchess County Historical Society. On this wreath were streamers of red, white and blue, on which in gilt letters were the words, Dutchess County Historical Society. It was also her privilege in behalf of Chancellor Livingston Chapter D. A. R. of Rhinebeck, the home town of General Montgomery, to present in his honor, and in honor of all who followed him, an American flag, which is in the keeping of the custodian of the fort and will be placed on the grave on each Memorial Day, and as one of the soldiers of the 26th Infantry from Plattsburgh placed it in position and the breeze swelled it out in all its beauty the Americans present

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