Montreal was quiet that morning, the streets slick with thawing snow and early frost. American flags still fluttered over the administrative quarter and the docks, but the tension in the city hadn't eased. Soldiers moved in measured patrols, civilians cautiously reopened shops, and the British garrison remained confined to their barracks, now fully under American control. Isaiah Carter stood atop the western parapet, surveying the lines of his brigade as they prepared for the day's inspection.
A courier approached at a brisk pace, boots crunching against frozen ground, carrying a folded parchment sealed with the unmistakable wax of Washington. Isaiah recognized the emblem at a glance: this was no routine communication. He broke the seal, unfolded the letter, and scanned the carefully scripted instructions.
It began with formalities, commending the capture of Montreal and the efficient preservation of infrastructure. Washington acknowledged the remarkable initiative Isaiah had taken in anticipating the British breakout attempt, securing the administrative quarter, and maintaining order among both soldiers and civilians. The tone of the letter was measured but unmistakably impressed.
Then came the orders.
"General Carter," the letter read, "the fall of Montreal has secured a vital strategic foothold for American operations in Canada. Your initiative has ensured the preservation of critical supply lines and infrastructure, providing a platform for the next phase of operations. It is imperative that you prepare for the advance upon Quebec. The city's garrison remains intact, but morale is low, and your careful management of Montreal offers a model for further operations. You are authorized to coordinate with Brigadier Generals Howard and Frasier in planning the advance, but final tactical decisions shall remain under your discretion. Ensure that supply, intelligence, and reconnaissance are adequately established before committing to any engagement. The capture of Quebec will secure the St. Lawrence and open the path for further incursions into British-held territories. Your continued success will be noted and reflected in subsequent promotions and commendations. Proceed with prudence and decisiveness."
Isaiah exhaled slowly, folding the parchment back carefully. The weight of responsibility pressed on him more heavily than any musket, any cannon, any charge through the trenches of Montreal. The city had fallen because of him—but now the campaign was expanding, and with expansion came risk.
He called Baird and Hale immediately. "We have our orders," he said, voice calm but commanding. "Washington wants us to prepare for the advance on Quebec. The responsibility falls on us to plan and execute every movement, every supply route, and every engagement. And they've left discretion in our hands. That's the authority—and the burden."
Baird nodded, already scribbling notes. "Reconnaissance, supply lines, artillery positioning… everything we planned for Montreal, but scaled up."
Hale leaned closer. "And we'll be coordinating with Howard and Frasier. They'll want to oversee everything, but they'll defer to you on tactical decisions."
Isaiah met their eyes. "They'll defer if I make the plan unassailable. We'll plan meticulously, and when the operation begins, there will be no ambiguity about execution. Quebec falls under discipline and preparation, not luck or brute force."
The first task was reconnaissance. Scouts were dispatched to the surrounding countryside north and east of Montreal, sent to map river crossings, identify British supply routes, and determine the location and disposition of enemy troops. Reports were to be returned within days, and the intelligence would guide the placement of artillery, infantry positions, and supply depots. Isaiah insisted that every route be charted, every potential ambush site noted, every river ford measured for depth and current.
Simultaneously, supply chains were reinforced. The docks of Montreal were cleared and restocked, wagons organized for transport northward, and engineers began constructing temporary storage for provisions, ammunition, and siege equipment. Isaiah supervised personally, knowing that the success of the Quebec operation would hinge not only on battlefield skill but on logistics—a lesson he had learned bitterly in previous engagements.
Meanwhile, Howard and Frasier began pressing their own agendas. Howard demanded to be assigned primary oversight of the advance columns, and Frasier proposed preliminary bombardments to intimidate Quebec's defenders. Isaiah listened politely, allowing them to speak, but made no commitment. Instead, he began drafting a revised operational plan—a blend of his previous strategies in Montreal, adapted for the terrain, defenses, and British positioning around Quebec.
He would appear to follow Howard and Frasier's guidance, giving them the illusion of influence, while secretly ensuring that the execution would follow his design. Timing, placement, and tactical leverage would all remain in his hands. The young colonel had learned long ago that perception was nearly as important as action; senior generals must believe they were contributing while he remained in control of the decisive elements.
By nightfall, Isaiah had gathered a rough outline of the Canadian advance:
Reconnaissance teams mapped all river crossings and potential choke points.
Supply depots were positioned along secure routes from Montreal northward.
Artillery units were reorganized into mobile batteries capable of supporting infantry advances in rugged terrain.
Coordination points with Howard and Frasier were set, with controlled communication lines to maintain oversight.
He reviewed the plan one last time with Baird and Hale. "Quebec will be a different challenge than Montreal. The city is larger, more fortified, and the British will not retreat. We'll need patience, precision, and discipline. Any mistake could undo months of preparation."
Baird and Hale nodded, fully aware of the stakes. The responsibility was immense, but Isaiah's confidence and meticulous planning were contagious. Even in the shadow of senior generals, his presence carried authority that no rank could undermine.
As Isaiah looked out over the city lights glimmering across the St. Lawrence, he allowed himself a brief moment of reflection. Montreal had been his first major independent command, and he had succeeded. But the campaign in Canada was just beginning. Every decision from here on would carry consequences for the soldiers under his command, for the civilians of captured cities, and for his own rapidly growing reputation.
Washington's letter had made one thing clear: authority, discretion, and results were now fully in his hands. The young colonel, barely eighteen, felt the weight of history pressing on his shoulders. And as the wind carried the chill of winter across the river, Isaiah Carter understood that Quebec would be his ultimate test—and that the eyes of the nation were watching every move.