at first conceived they might. But as the enemy seemed in some con-
fusion, and we were prepared for action, I thought it a proper time
to make an attempt upon their intrenchment. Orders were sent to
the brigadiers-general to be ready with the corps under their com-
mand, brigadier-general Moncton to land, and the brigadiers Towns-
hend and Murray to pass the ford.
At a proper time of the tide the signal was made, but in rowing
towards the shore many of the boats grounded upon a ledge that runs
off a considerable distance. This accident put us into some disor-
der, lost a great deal of time, and obliged me to send an officer to
stop brigadier Townshend's march, whom I then observed to be in
motion. Whilst the seamen w^ere getting the boats off", the enemy
fired a number of shells and shot, but these did no considerable da-
mage. As soon as this disorder could be set a little to rights, and
the boats were ranged in a proper manner, some of the officers of
the army went in with me to find a better place to land : we took
one flat-bottomed boat with us to make the experiment, and as soon
as we had found a fit part of the shore, the troops were ordered to
disembark, thinking it not yet too late for the attempt.
The 13 companies of grenadiers, and 200 of the 2d royal Ameri-
can battalion, got first on shore. The grenadiers were ordered to
form themselves into four distinct bodies, and to begin the attack,
supported by brigadier Moncton's corps, as soon as the troops had
passed the ford, and were at hand to assist. But, whether from the
noise and hurry at landing, or from some other cause, the grenadiers,
instead of forming chemselves as they had been directed, ran on im-
petuously towards the enemy's intrenchments in the utmost disorder
and confusion, without waiting for the corps which were to sustain
them and join in the attack. Brigadier Moncton was not landed, and
brigadier Townshend was still at a considerable distance, though
upon his march to join us, in very great order. The grenadiers
were checked by the enemy's first fire, and obliged to shelter them-
selves in or about the redoubt which the French abandoned upon
their approach. In this situation they continued for some time, un-
able to form under so hot a fire, and having many gallant officers
wounded, who (careless of their persons) had been solely intent upon
their duty. I saw the absolute necessity of calling them off", that
they might form themselves behind brigadier Moncton's corps,
8
which was now landed, and drawn up on the beach in extreme good
order.
By this new accident, and this second delay, it was near night ; —
a sudden stonn came on, and the tide began to make ; so that I
thought it most adviseable not to persevere in so difficult an attack,
lest (in case of a repulse) the retreat of brigadier Townshend's corps
might be hazardous and uncertain.
Our artillery had great effect upon the enemy's left, where briga-
diers Townshend and Murray were to have attacked ; and it is pro-
bable, if those accidents which I have spoken of had not happened,
we should have penetrated there, whilst our left and centre (more
remote from our artillery) must have borne all the violence of their
musquetry.
The French did not attemi>t to interrupt our march. Some of the
eavages came down to murder such wounded as could not be brought
off, and to scalp the dead, agreeably to their usual custom.
The place where the attack was intended, has these advantages
over all others hereabout. Our artillery could be brought into use.
The greatest part, or even the whole of the troops might act at once ;
and the retreat (if necessary) was secure, at least for a certain time
of the tide. Neither one or other of these advantages can any where
else be found. The enemy were indeed posted upon a commanding
eminence. The beach upon which the troops were drawn up was
of a deep mud, with holes, and cut by several gullies. The hill to
be ascended, very steep, and not every where practicable. The
enemy numerous in their intrenchments, and their lire hot. If the
attack had succeeded, our loss must certainly have been great, and
theirs inconsiderable, from the shelter which the neighbouring
woods afforded them. The river St. Charles still remained to be
passed, before the town was invested. All these circumstances I
considered ; but the desire to act in conformity to the king's inten-
tions, induced me to make this trial, persuaded that a victorious
army finds no difficulties.
The enemy have been fortifying ever since with care, so as to
make a second attempt still more dangerous.
Immediately after this check, I sent brigadier Murray above the
town with 1200 men, directing him to assist rear-admiral Holmes
in the destruction of tlie French ships (if they could be got at), in or-
der to open a communication with general Amherst. The brigadier
was to seek every favourable opportunity of fighting some of the
enemy's detachments, provided he could do it upon favourable
terms, and to use all means in his power to provoke them to attack
him. He made two different attempts to land upon the north shore
witltout success ; but in a third was more fortunate. He landed un-
expectedly at De Chambaud, and there burnt a magazine, in which
were some provisions, some ammunition, and all the spare stores,
clothing, arms, and baggage of their army.
Finding that their ships were not to be got at, and little prospect
of bringing the enemy to a battle, he reported his situation to me,
and I ordered him to join the army.
â– â– The prisoners he took informed him of the surrender of the fort
of Niagara; and we discovered by intercepted letters, that the enemy
had abandoned Carillon and Crown-point, and were retired to the Isle
Aux Noix ; and that general Amherst was making preparations to
pass lake Champlain, to fall upon INI. Bourlemaque's corps, which
consists of three battalions of foot, and as many Canadians as make
the whole amount to three thousand men.
The admiral's despatches and mine would have gone eight or ten
days 'Sooner, if I had not been prevented from writing by a fever.
I found myself so ill, and am still so weak, that I begged the general
officers to consult together for the public utility. They are all of
opinion, that (as more ships and provisions have now got above the
town) they should try, by conveying up a corps of 4 or 5000 men
(which is nearly the whole strength of the army, after the points of
Levy and Orleans are left in a proper state of defence), to draw the
enemy from their present situation, and bring them to action. I have
acquiesced in their proposal, and we are preparing to put it into
execution.
The admiral and I have examined the town, with a view to a ge-
neral assault; but, after consulting with the chief engineer, Avho is
well acquainted with the interior parts of it, and after viewing it with
the utmost attention, we found that, tJiough the batteries of the
lower town might be easily silenced by the men of war, yet the bu-
siness of an assault would be little advanced by tliat, since the few
10
passages that lead from the lower to the upper town, are ctrefullj
intrenched ; and the upper batteries cannot be affected by the ships,
which, however, must receive considerable damage from them, and
from the mortars. The admiral would readily join in this, or in any
other measure for the public service ; but I could not propose to him
an undertaking of so dangerous a nature, and promising so little
success. « *
To the uncommon strength of the country, the enemy have added
(for the defence of the river) a great number of floating batteries,
and boats. By the vigilance of these, and the Indians round our dif-
ferent posts, it has been impossible to execute any thing by surprise-
We have had almost daily skirmishes with these savages, in which
they are generally defeated, but not without loss on our side.
By the list of disabled officers (many of whom are of rank) you
may perceive, sir, that the army is much weakened. By the nature
of the river, the most formidable part of this armament is deprived
of the power of acting ; yet, we have almost the whole force of Ca-
nada to oppose. In this situation, there is such a choice of difficul-
ties, that I own myself at a loss how to determine. The affairs of
Great Britain, I know, require the most vigorous measures j but
then, the courage of a handful of men should be exerted only where
there is some hope of a favourable event. However, you may be
assured, sir, that the small part of the campaign which remains,
shall be employed (as far as I am able) for the honour of his ma-
jesty, and the interest of the nation, in which I am sure of being
well seconded by the admiral, and by the generals. Happy if our
efforts here can contribute to the success of his majesty's arms in
any other parts of America. I have the honour to be, with the
greatest respect, sir, your most obedient, and most humble servant.
JAMES WOLFE.
Right honourable Mr. secretary Pitt, &c. &c. &c.
11
Return of killed-^ nvounded^ and
missing.
Killed.
Wounded.
Missing.
Officers, - - - 11
46
00
Sergeants, - - - 9
26
00
Drummers, - - -
7
00
Rank and file, - - - 162
572
17
Total, - - 182 651 17
Memorandum. — This refers to the aiFair near Montmorenci, 31st
July, 1759.
Extract from orders given out by general ^Volfe, on the 1st of Au-
gust, 1759, the day after he attacked the enemy's intrenchments
below the falls of Montmorenci.
« The check which the grenadiers experienced yesterday will, it
is hoped, be a lesson to them for the future. Such impetuous, irre-
gular, and unsoldier-like proceedings, destroy all order, make it im-
possible for their commanders to form any disposition for an attack,
and put it out of the general's power to execute his plan. The gre-
nadiers could not suppose, that they alone could beat the French
army, and therefore it was necessary that the corps under brigadier-
general Moncton and brigadier Townshend should have had time
to join, in order that the attack might be general. The very first
fire of the enemy was sufficient to repulse men who had lost all sense
of order and military discipline. Amherst's and the Highland regi-
ments alone, by the soldier-like and cool manner in which they were
formed, would undoubtedly have beat back the whole Canadian army
if they had ventured to attack them. The loss, however, is inconsi-
derable, and may be easily repaired, when a favourable opportunity
pffers, provided the men will shew a proper attention to theio
officers."
B
12
Letter from Admiral Saunders to Secretary JPitt^ dated
Stirling Castle, off Point Levi, in the river St. Laurence,
5th September, 1759.
Sir,
In my letter of the 6th of June, I acquainted you I was then ofF
Scatari, standing for the river St. Laurence. On the 26th, I had
got up, with the first division of the fleet and transports, as far as
the middle of the isle of Orleans, Avhere I immediately prepared to
land the troops, which I did the next morning. The same day the
second and third divisions came up, and the troops from them were
landed likewise.
I got thus far without any loss or accident whatever ; but direct-
ly after landing the troops, a very hard gale of wind came on, by
•which many anchors and small boats were lost, and much damage
received among the transports by their driving on board each other.
The ships that lost most anchors I supplied from the men of war,
as far as I was able, and, in all other respects, gave them the best
assistance in my power.
On the 28th at midnight, the enemy sent down from Quebec
seven fireships ; and though our ships and transports were so numer-
ous and necessarily spread so great a part of the channel; we towed
them all clear and aground, without receiving the least damage
from them. The next night general Monckton crossed the river
and landed with his brigade on the south shore, and took post at
Point Levi ; and general Wolfe took his on .the westernmost
point of the isle of Orleans.
On the 1st of July I moved iip between the points of Orleans and
lycvi; and, it being resolved to land on the north shore, below the
the falls of Montmorenci, I placed, on the 8th instant, his majesty's
sloop the Porcupine and the Boscawen armed vessel, in the channel
between Orleans and the north shore, to cover that landing, which
took place that night.
On the 17th, I ordered capt. Rous of the Sutherland to proceed,
with the first fair wind and night tide, above the town of Quebec,
and to take with him his majesty's ships Diana and Squirrel, with
13
two armed sloops, and two catts armed and loaded with provisions.
On the 1 8th at night they all got up, except the Diana, and gave
general Wolfe an opportunity of reconnoitring above the town;
those ships having carried some troops with them for that purpose.
The Diana ran ashore on the rocks off point Levi, and received so
much damage, that I have sent her to Boston with 27 sail of Ameri-
can transports (those which received most damage in the gale of
the 27th of June), where they are to be discharged; and the Diana,
liaving repaired her damage, to proceed to England, taking with her
the mast-ships, and what trade may be ready to accompany her.
On the 28th at midnight, the enemy sent down a raft of fire-
stages, of near 100 radeaux, which succeeded no better than the
fire-ships.
On the 31st, general Wolfe determined to land a number of
troops above the falls of Montmorenci, in order to attack the enemy's
lines; to cover which I placed the Centurion in the channel,
between the isle of Orleans and the falls, and ran on shore, at high
water, two catts which I had armed for that purpose, against tw©
small batteries and two redoubts, where our troops were to land.
About six in the evening they landed, but the general not thinking
it proper to persevere in the attack, soon after part of them reim-
barked, and the rest crossed the falls with general Wolfe ; upon
which, to prevent the two catts from falling into the enemy's hands
(they being then dry on shore), I gave orders to take the men out,
and set them on fire, which was accordingly done.
On the 5th of August in the night, I sent twenty flat-bottomed
boats up the river, to the Sutherland, to embark 1260 of the troops
with brigadier-general Murray, from a post we had taken on the
south shore. I sent admiral Holmes up to the Sutherland, to act
in concert with him, and gave him all tlie assistance the ships and
boats could afford. At the same time I directed admiral Holmee
to use his best endeavours to get at and destroy the enemy's ships
above the town ; and to that purpose I ordered the Lowestoffe, and
Hunter sloop, with two armed sloops and two catts, with provisions,
to pass Quebec, and to join the Sutherland ; but the wind holding
westerly, it was the 27th of August before they got up, which was
the fourth attempt they had made to gain their passage.
14
On the 25th at night, admiral Holmes and general Murray, with
part of the troops, returned ; they had met with and destroyed a
magazine of the enemy's clothing, some gunpowder, and other
things ; and admiral Holmes had been ten or twelve leagues above
the town, but found it impracticable at that time to get further up.
General Wolfe having resolved to quit the camp at Montmorenci,
and go above the town, in hopes of getting between the enemy and
their provisions (supposed to be in the ships there-), and by that means
force them to an action, I sent up, on the 29th at night, the Sea-horse
and two armed sloops, with two catts laden with provisions, to join
the rest above Quebec ; and, having taken off all the artillery from
the camp at Montmorenci, on the 3d instant, in the forenoon, the
troops embarked from thence, and landed at Point Levi. The 4th
at night I sent all the flat-bottomed boats up, and this night a part
of the troops will march up the south shore, above the town, to be
embarked in the ships and vessels there, and to-morrow night the
rest will follow. Admiral Holmes is also gone up again to assist in
then- future operations, and to try if, with the assistance of the troops,
it is practicable to get at the enemy's ships.
As general Wolfe writes by this opportunity, he will give you an
account of his part of the opei'ations, and his thoughts what further
may be done for his majesty's service.. The enemy appear nume-
rous, and seem to be strongly posted ; but let the event be what it
will, we shall remain here as long as the season of the year will
permit, in order to prevent their detaching troops from hence
against general Amherst; and I shall leave cruisers at the mouth
of the river, to cut off any supplies that may be sent them, with strict
orders to keep that station as long as possible. The town of Quebec
is not habitable, being almost entirely burnt and destroyed.
I inclose yon the present disposition of the ships under my com-
mand : twenty of the victuallers that sailed from England with the
Echo, are arrived here, one unloaded at Louisburg, having receiv-
ed damage in her passage out, and another I have heard nothing of.
No ships of the enemy have come tliis way, that I have had any in-
telligence of, since my arrival in the river, except one laden with
flour and brandy, which was taken by capt. Drake of the Lizard.
Before admiral Durell got into the river, three frigates and seven-
15
teen sail, with provisions, stores, and a few recruits, got up, and are
those we are so anxious, if possible, to destroy.
Yesterday I received a letter from general Amherst (to whom I
have had no opportunity of writing since I have been in the river)
dated, camp at Crown point, August the 7th, wherein he only de-
sires I would send transports and a convoy to New York, to carry
to England six hundred and seven prisoners taken at the surrender
of Niagara. t
I should have wrote to you sooner from hence, but while my des-
patches were preparing, general Wolfe was taken very ill ; he
has been better since, but is greatly out of order.
I shall very soon send home the great ships, and have the honour
to be, with the greatest respect.
Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
CHARLES SAUNDERS.
Letter from General Monckton to secretary Pittj dated
Camp at Point Levi, Sept 15, 1759.
Sir,
I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that on the 1 3th instant, his
majesty's troops gained a very signal victory over the French, a little
above the town of Quebec. General Wolfe, exerting himself on the
right of our line, received a wound pretty early, of which he soon af-
ter died, and I had myself the great misfortune of receiving one in
my right breast by a ball, that went through part of my lungs (and
which has been cut out under the blade bone of my shoulder), just
as the French were giving way, which obliged me to quit the field.
I have therefore, sir, desired general Townshend, who now com-
mands the troops before the town (and of which I am in hopes he
will be soon in possession), to acquaint you with the particulars of
that day, and of the operations carrying on.
I have the honour to be, &c.
ROBERT MONCKTON.
P. S. His majesty's troops behaved with the greatest steadiness
and bravely.
16
As the surgeons tell me there is no danger in my wound, I am in
hopes of being soon enabled to join the zixmy before the town.
I^tier from Brigadier 'General Townshend to secretary Pitt^ dated
Camp before Quebec, Sept. 20, 1759.
Sir,
I have the honour to acquaint you with the success of his ma-
jesty's arms, on the 13th instant, in an action with the French, on the
heights to the westward of this town.
It being determined to carry the operations above the town, the
posts at point Levi and isle d'Orleans being secured, the general
inarched with the remainder of the force from point Levi the 5th
and 6th, and embarked them in transports, which had passed the
town for that purpose. On the 7th, 8th, and 9th, a movement of the
ships was made up, by admiral Holmes, in order to amuse the enemy,
now posted along the north shore ; but the transports being exceed-
ingly crowded, and the weather very bad, the general thought pro-
per to cantoon half his troops on the south shore, where they were
refreshed, and reimbarked upon the 12th, at one in the morning.
The light infantry, commanded by colonel Howe, the regiments of
Bragg, Kennedy, Lascelles, and Anstruther, with a detachment of
Highlanders^ and American grenadiers, the whole being under th^
command of bfigadiers Monckton and Murray, were put into the
flat-bottomed boats, and, after some movement of the ships made by
admiral Holmes, to draw off the attention of the enemy above, the boats
fell down with the tide, and landed on the north shore, within a
league of Cape Diamond, an hour before day-break : the rapidity of
the ebb tide carried them a little below the intended place of attack,
which obliged the light infantry to scramble up a woody precipice in
order to secure the landing of the troops, by dislodging a captain's
post, which defended a small intrenched path the troops were to as-
cend. After a little firing, the light infantry gained the top of the
precipice, and dispersed the captain's post; by which means the
troops, with a trifling loss from a few Canadians and Indians in the
wood, got up, and were immediately formed. The boats, after dis-
17
embarking their troops, were sent back for the second embarkation^
which I immediately made. Brigadier Murray, who had been de-
tached with Anstruther's battalion to attack the four-gun battery on
the left, was recalled by the general, who now saw the French army
crossing the river St. Charles. General Wolfe thereupon began
forming his line, having his right covered by the Louisbourg grena-
diers ; on the right of these again he brought Otway's ; to the left
of the grenadiers were Bragg's, Kennedy's, Lascelles's, Highlanders,
and Anstruther's; the right of this body was commanded by brigadier
Monckton, and the left by brigadier Murray ; his rear and left were
protected by colonel Howe's light infantry, who was returned from
the four-gun battery before-mentioned, which Was soon abandoned to
him. General Montcalm having collected the whole of his force
from the Beauport side, and advancing, shewed his intention to flank
our left, where I was immediately ordered with general Amherst's
battalion, which I formed en fiotence. My numbers were soon after
encreased by the arrival of two battalions of royal Americans ; and
Webb's was drawn up by the general, as a reserve, in eight subdivi-
^ons, with large intervals. The enemy lined the bushes in their
front, with 1500 Indians and Canadians, and it is probable they had
also placed there their best marksmen, who kept up a very galling,
though irregular fire upon our whole line, who bore it with the
greatest patience and good order, reserving their fire for the main
body, now advancing. This fire of the enemy was, however, checked
by our posts in front, which protected the forming our own line.
The right of the enemy was composed of half the troops of the co-
lony, viz. the battalions of La Sarre, Languedoc, and the remainder
of their Canadians and Indians. Their centre was a column, and
formed of the battalions of Bearne and Guienne. Their left was
composed of the remaining troops of the colony, and the battalion of
royal Rousillon. This was, as near as I can ascertain, their line of
battle. They brought up two pieces of small artillery against us, and
we had been able to bring up but one gun; which, being admirably
well served, galled exceedingly their column. My attention to the
left will not permit me to be very exact with regard to every circum-
stance which passed in the centre, much less to the right ; but it is
most certain that the enemy formed in good order, and that their at-
18
tack was very brisk and animated on that side. Our troops reserved
their fire till within forty yards, which was then so well continued,
that the enemy every where gave way. It was then that our illus-
trious general fell, at the head of Bragg's and the Louisbourg gre-
nadiers advancing with their bayonets; and, about the same time,
brigadier-general Moncklon received his wound at the head of Las-
celles's. In the front of the opposite battalions fell also Monsieur
JNIontcalm ; and his second in command is since dead of his wounds
on board our fleet. Part of the enemy made a second faint attack.
Pait took to some thick copse wood, and seemed to make a stand.