The Bastonnais: Tale of the American Invasion of Canada in 1775-76

In Short

Set during the American invasion of Canada, this nineteenth-century historical novel follows two couples whose loves and loyalties are tested by the campaign of 1775–1776. American officer Cary Singleton and British-aligned officer Roderick Hardinge navigate their duties amid the siege of Quebec, while the fiery, independent Zulma Sarpy and the gentler Pauline Belmont find their lives reshaped by the conflict. Guided by the hermit Batoche, the characters endure siege, capture, and battle. The novel survives as a romantic Canadian perspective on a pivotal Revolutionary War campaign, blending political tension with personal devotion.

The Story

The narrative opens in the autumn of 1775 as British authorities in Quebec learn that American Continental forces under Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery are marching north. Lieutenant Roderick Hardinge carries critical military dispatches through the region, while the eccentric hermit Batoche moves between the lines, harboring deep anti-British resentment and hiding secret treasures near Montmorenci Falls.

As the American troops arrive at Point Levis and cross the Saint Lawrence River, Quebec prepares for a siege. Inside the city, opinions are divided. Zulma Sarpy, a spirited young woman devoted to the ideal of freedom, openly sympathizes with the American cause, while her friend Pauline Belmont remains reserved and tied to her father's royalist household. Cary Singleton, a chivalrous young American officer participating in Arnold's arduous march, encounters Zulma and is captivated by her beauty and strong-willed spirit, though war quickly separates them.

On New Year's Eve, 1775, the Americans launch a desperate assault on Quebec during a blinding snowstorm. Montgomery falls at Près-de-Ville, Arnold is wounded at Sault-au-Matelot, and Cary is captured during the fighting. Wounded and imprisoned, Cary is cared for through his recovery, an ordeal during which Pauline's quiet devotion and nursing sustain him, building an unexpressed bond between them.

Meanwhile, Roderick Hardinge continues his service to the British crown while pursuing Zulma, whom he vows to win despite her rebel sympathies. Batoche acts as a guardian to his young granddaughter, Blanche, placing her in Zulma's care while he aids the Continental cause. As the long winter blockade drags on into the spring of 1776, the besieging American forces suffer from smallpox, lack of supplies, and mounting casualties.

When British reinforcements finally arrive by sea, the siege breaks, forcing the Continental army into a difficult retreat. Batoche dies near his home at Montmorenci Falls, leaving little Blanche to enter an Ursuline convent. Cary Singleton returns to his homeland after the conflict ends, while Roderick Hardinge marries Zulma, whose initial fierce opposition gives way to deep affection. Years later, Cary and Pauline are united as well, and their children eventually marry, joining the two families into a single lineage that looks back on the historic winter of 1775.

How It Unfolds

• The Gathering Storm: Dispatches pass between British commanders as Arnold’s column approaches Quebec, sending officers riding across the frozen countryside to alert regional garrisons.
• Arrival on the Heights: American forces appear across the river at Point Levis, sparking excitement and fear among the citizens of Quebec as residents gather on the ramparts to watch the troops movement.
• A Mysterious Hermit: Batoche retreats to his cabin near Montmorenci Falls, playing his violin and hiding a heavy silver casket where he believes no human eye will discover it.
• The New Year's Assault: Under cover of a heavy snowstorm on December 31, American forces attack the Lower Town from two directions, ending in General Montgomery's death and Cary Singleton's capture.
• Convalescence and Care: Recovering from his injuries under the watchful eyes of his hosts, Cary forms a deep, quiet bond with Pauline, while Zulma maintains her fierce independent spirit.
• The Siege Lifts: As spring arrives, British ships reinforce the city, breaking the Continental blockade and driving the retreating American army back toward the border.
• Reconciliation at Montmorenci: Years after the war, the surviving friends gather around Batoche's grave near the waterfall, where little Blanche, now a nun, joins them to pay her final respects.

The People

• Cary Singleton: An idealist American officer participating in the northern invasion. He seeks liberty for the colonies and victory for his army, but his heart becomes caught between his attraction to Zulma's fiery spirit and his growing affection for Pauline's quiet devotion during his captivity.
• Roderick Hardinge: A loyal British lieutenant dedicated to defending the province for the King. He wants both military success and the hand of Zulma Sarpy, persisting in his courtship despite her political hostility until he finally wins her heart.
• Zulma Sarpy: A proud, sharp-minded French-Canadian woman who passionately supports the American cause. She resists British rule and conventional expectations, but her fiery nature softens as she protects the vulnerable and learns to love Hardinge.
• Pauline Belmont: A timid, domestic girl who leans on Zulma for strength. She desires peace for her family and quietly sacrifices her own comfort to nurse the wounded Cary back to health.
• Batoche: An eccentric wilderness hermit and former soldier filled with hatred for the British "Wolves." He works to aid the Americans while striving to protect his young granddaughter, Blanche, from the harsh realities of war.

In Its Own Voice

When news of the invasion reaches the local homes, the distinction between foreign invaders and champions of liberty becomes an instant point of friction:

"The Americans are not rebels. They are freemen, battling for their rights."

As the hermit Batoche plays his instrument in his secluded cabin, he envisions the tragic climax of the coming siege long before the first shot is fired:

"I heard the soft voice of the night, the fall of the snow, the muffled tread of advancing regiments, the low word of command,--then all at once a thunderous explosion of cannon,--and, finally, silence, defeat and death."

Reflecting on his recovery under Pauline's care, Cary feels the subtle, unacknowledged bond that grew between them in the sickroom:

"In those intuitive glimpses of her real character made doubly attractive by its constant element of sadness, and the suspicion of self-sacrifice, Cary had woven about his heart an unconscious chain..."

What It's Really About

The novel examines the tragedy of divided allegiances during a period of imperial transition. Set against the backdrop of French Canada just fifteen years after the British Conquest, it asks where a person's true loyalty belongs—to a distant king, a newly declared republic, or the traditional home of one's ancestors. Through the contrast between Zulma's revolutionary enthusiasm and Pauline's quiet loyalty to family, the narrative explores how grand political ideals impact private lives and personal affection. Ultimately, the book argues that personal relationships, forgiveness, and shared human decency survive the passions of war, binding former enemies together long after the political tempests have spent their force.

Why Read It Today

This narrative offers a fresh perspective on the American Revolution, viewing the conflict through the snow-covered streets and countryside of eighteenth-century French Canada. Rather than focusing solely on the major battles, it captures the everyday realities of a population caught between competing powers. Readers who enjoy classical historical romance will appreciate the grand sentimental style, the vivid outdoor settings, and the dramatic flair of its characters.

The reading experience requires some patience with nineteenth-century literary conventions. The prose contains formal dialogue, sudden dramatic turns, and melodramatic declarations. However, these stylistic choices fit the story's theatrical atmosphere. What lingers after reading is not the tactical detail of the siege, but the vivid atmosphere of wintertime Quebec—the crunch of snowshoes, the spray of Montmorenci Falls, and the enduring connection of two families forged during a harsh winter campaign.

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