1776 Baldwin Map of Benedict Arnold's Expedition to Quebec

This is a 1776 Richard Baldwin map of Colonel Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec. The map depicts from Quebec City to the Atlantic Ocean. The Kennebec (Kenebec) River, in what is today the state of Maine, and the Chaudière River, in modern-day Quebec, Canada are illustrated in detail, along with their tributaries. Colonel Arnold's route is depicted along the Chaudière River. Several important waypoints along Arnold's expedition are labeled on the map, including Fort Western (Augusta, Maine today), Fort Halifax, Norridgewock Falls (Norridgwalk), the Carrying Place between the Kennebec and Chaudière Rivers, Pointe-Levi, and the Saint Lawrence River.

Early in the American Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen captured Fort Ticonderoga. They were aware that Quebec was lightly defended, and proposed an expedition to the Continental Congress. They initially rejected the idea, but had a change of heart after considering that the British could use Quebec to stage an invasion. Arnold had designs to lead the expedition, but was passed over in favor of Major General Phillip Schuyler of New York. Undeterred, Arnold went to General George Washington and proposed that he lead a second force through the wilderness, up the Kennebec and Chaudière Rivers, which Washington approved.

Colonel Arnold's expedition set out from Cambridge, Massachusetts on September 11, 1775 and immediately began to suffer difficulties. The boats he had commissioned were poorly made and leaked, which ruined food supplies and sickened the soldiers. The rivers did not connect, and there were several waterfalls, which meant that portages were necessary. At The Great Carrying Place (labeled on the map), a twelve mile portage was required, which included a rise in elevation of 1,000 feet. By the time Arnold and his men reached Quebec, his initial force of 1,100 men had withered to 600. Even after joining forces with Richard Montgomery, the battle was a disaster. More than 350 men were captured, Arnold was wounded, and Montgomery was killed. Arnold, however, was promoted to brigadier general for his role in leading the expedition.

While General Arnold is celebrated for his command during the Quebec expedition and the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, he is remembered in the United States more for his villainy than his heroism. General Arnold is infamous for changing sides during the American Revolution. By July 1779, Arnold was sending coded messages to the British detailing troop movements and strengths of the Continental Army. On August 3, 1780, General Arnold was given command of West Point, a strategically placed fort on the Hudson River. Its position gave the commander at West Point control over the entirety of the American-controlled Hudson River, from Albany to the British lines outside New York City. Arnold immediately offered to surrender the fort to the British Army, and accepted British terms on August 30. The plot was exposed in late September, when a British officer was captured carrying the plans for the capture of West Point, which had been given to him by General Arnold. Arnold immediately fled to a conveniently waiting Royal Navy ship which took him to New York.

Arnold was given a commission as a brigadier general in the British Army and commanded several raids and actions against colonial forces. He even suggested several brazen actions meant to end the war in favor of the British. Arnold left the United States in December 1781 and lived in exile until his death in 1801.

This map was produced and published by Richard Baldwin for publication in volume 45 of his 'The London Magazine, or, Gentleman's Monthly Intelligencer.'