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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76642 ***
+
+
+                          [Cover Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+                                   AN
+
+                         ACCURATE and AUTHENTIC
+
+                                JOURNAL
+
+                                 OF THE
+
+                            SIEGE of QUEBEC
+
+                                 1759.
+
+                  By a Gentleman in an eminent Station
+                              on the Spot.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               _LONDON:_
+
+                 Printed for J. ROBINSON, at the Golden
+                    Lion in Ludgate-Street, MDCCLIX.
+
+                         [Price One Shilling.]
+
+
+
+
+    The above is a reproduction of the title-page of a book lately
+    met with in the library of a Shropshire Rector, by whose
+    courtesy we are enabled to print the text of the work _verbatim
+    et literatim_. There is also a copy of the book in the British
+    Museum. In quaint and simple language the story is told how the
+    Dominion of Canada, three thousand miles long and now within six
+    days’ steaming of England, was won for the British Empire by a
+    handful of brave men led by daring and sagacious Commanders.
+
+                         ——_Lincoln, Rutland, and Stamford Mercury_,
+
+    December 27th, 1912.
+
+    Printed by George Henry Burton, Markby Cottage, Stamford,
+    Lincolnshire, England, at his private Press from the type as
+    composed by the _Stamford Mercury_ in re-publishing the
+    “Journal” in serial form.
+
+
+
+
+                          A SHORT DESCRIPTION
+                                   of
+                                QUEBEC.
+
+
+The city of Quebec is divided into the Upper and Lower Town; it stands
+upon the S.E. side of a very high and steep bank, which stretches out
+into the river from the north side of the river St. Lawrence. The Lower
+Town stands upon a flat between the river and hill, which is exceedingly
+steep; it is of no great breadth, but encircles the foot of the hill
+above a mile in length, from Point Diamond to the river St. Charles:
+here most of the principal merchants and tradesmen inhabit; the houses
+in the Upper Town are occupied by the clergy, officers of the army, and
+principal people of Canada.
+
+Near Cape Diamond, which is the south part of the town, is the King’s
+yard; where there is now on the stocks a ship of sixty guns. Upon four
+batteries in the Lower Town are mounted forty pieces of cannon,
+forty-two and twenty-four pounders; and cover the passage up to Point
+Levi, up to the narrows: the communication between this and the Upper
+Town, is by an almost perpendicular passage, defended above by nine
+pieces of cannon, and is cut across by trenches, strengthened by
+breast-works; so that should we get possession of the Lower Town, our
+conquest of the Upper will be but little forwarded, as there are
+difficulties which it will not be easy to surmount.
+
+Round the Upper Town are planted upwards of forty pieces of cannon,
+which flank the river: and above that, on the top of the hill, is the
+citadel, which commands both towns; the wall whereof are said to be
+twenty-five feet thick.
+
+Notwithstanding this strength towards the river, if we could get
+possession of the hills to the westward of the town, which are at least
+as high as the citadel, we imagine it would hold out but a short time,
+but before we can carry this point, we have many difficulties to
+overcome: but we have brave officers, and men ready to face the greatest
+dangers. The shore to the eastward of the town, is well defended, both
+by art and nature, and if we should drive them from this post, we are
+then to force an army greatly superior to ours in number.
+
+The palaces of the governor and bishop, cathedral, jesuits college, and
+several other churches and publick buildings, command a fine view of the
+river; most of the houses are built of stone, and stand to great
+advantage on the side of the hill; but are within reach of our batteries
+erected at Point Levi.
+
+
+
+
+                            SIEGE OF QUEBEC.
+                                 1759.
+
+
+                          JUNE the 5th, 1759,
+
+The fleet under the command of Vice-admiral Saunders, sail’d from
+Louisburg in high spirits for Quebec.
+
+8th, Pas’d Cape Ray, and enter’d the gulph of St. Lawrence, without any
+impediment.
+
+19th, Anchor’d at the Isle Bie, 70 leagues up the river, and about 60
+below Quebec. Here the fleet was divided into three divisions, in order
+to make our passage up the river the easier.
+
+20th, General Wolf with the transports, escorted by the frigates, left
+us, with orders to make all possible haste up the river; whilst we with
+the heavy ships followed as fast as we were able.
+
+25th, Anchor’d with the fleet at the isle of Coudre, 20 leagues from
+Quebec. The admiral shifted his flag into the _Stirling Castle_, and
+with the _Alcide_, _Pembroke_, _Centurion_, and _Sutherland_, sailed up
+the river, as the _Devonshire_, frigates, &c. had already done. We found
+Admiral Durell riding here, with his fleet. They arrived about the
+middle of May.
+
+28th, Anchor’d with the fleet between the isle of Orleans, and the south
+shore. In the evening the troops landed without opposition:—This island
+is about eight leagues in length, and about five miles from north to
+south, where broadest, and divided the river into two channels; that for
+large ships lying on the south-side is about two miles in breadth, the
+west-end is about three miles from Quebec, and very near two from each
+shore.
+
+30th, We anchor’d with the men of war, bombs, &c. off the west-end of
+Orleans, between it and Point Levi, on the south shore. Here the river
+alters its course to S.S.W. whereas it runs from east to west, up
+between the island and the main. About a mile and a half above Point
+Levi, and opposite to the city of Quebec, the river is not a mile
+broad.—In the evening a brigade under General Monckton landed at Point
+Levi, and took post there, with very little loss; but the next day a
+body of Canadians and Indians incommoded our troops at Point Levi, the
+ground being woody; but their commander being kill’d, they dispers’d,
+with little loss on our side. At night the enemy taking the advantage of
+a fresh westerly wind and ebb-tide, sent down seven large fire stages
+upon us; but by the bravery of the boats crews, who boarded and towed
+them off with huzza’s, the whole fleet escaped, though many ships were
+in great danger. By prisoners we are inform’d, that the greatest part of
+the Canadian force was drawn to Quebec for the defence of it, and
+encamped between that city and the falls of Montmorency, about seventeen
+thousand strong: that their regulars amounted to between three and four
+thousand; the rest were Canadians and Indians, the greatest part train’d
+to arms. The banks on the north-shore are high and steep; from the mouth
+of the river St. Charles, which runs into the country, under the works
+of the town to the falls of Montmorency, at the distance of six or seven
+miles, they have a breast-work on the bank, and are entrenching behind
+it. The west side of the river that falls at Montmorency, is defended in
+the same manner, quite up to the mountain; and they trust more to these
+defences than to their town, and are in no manner of apprehension from
+us.—_Note_, Great part of this intelligence is obvious, as we have a
+view of five distinct camps, capable of holding many more troops than
+their accounts mention; and we can observe them very busy in fortifying
+their posts quite to the falls. We find, that the banks, abreast of
+Quebec, on the south side, command the greatest part of the city, and
+that by batteries from thence we may lay it in ashes. From this place we
+have a fine view of the city and its defence towards the river.
+
+_July_ 4th, A flag of truce was sent by the general to the town, to
+acquaint the governor of our design of attacking it on the part of his
+Britannick majesty; and also to inform him, that he was order’d by his
+master to carry on the war in this country with the utmost lenity; that
+he expects the troops under his command will follow his example, and
+that the inhuman practice of scalping, either by Indians or others, may
+be put a stop to, as he shall answer the consequence of its being
+severely revenged: at the same time we set at liberty twenty-five women,
+that were taken by us in the river. Monsieur Le Marquis de Vandreuil,
+who commands in the town, return’d a very polite answer, and desir’d the
+admiral might be acquainted, that as two gentlemen had been taken off
+the isle Coudre by his people, belonging to Admiral Durell, the greatest
+care should be taken of them, and that as soon as he thought proper to
+remove our fleet and army he would return them: they made no scruple of
+informing our officer, that they were well acquainted with our force,
+and were surprised we should attempt the conquest of this country with
+such a handful of men.
+
+5th, The batteries were begun, and the ordnance landed, all the ships
+sent their boats, to row guard above us, as we are apprehensive of the
+enemy sending down fire-stages, which we learn are preparing in great
+numbers above the town. What ships they have are above the town, but how
+far up, we are not able to discover.
+
+7th, Our barge, sounding between the north-side of Orleans and the main,
+was chac’d by several cannoes ashore upon the island, and was taken with
+one of the people, being wounded, the rest escaped to our camp.
+
+8th, The _Porcupine_ sloop, and an arm’d Brig, fell down between the
+island and the north-shore, a little below the falls; two small
+batteries fir’d upon them going down, but did no damage. At midnight
+General Wolf, with two brigades from Orleans, landed below the falls,
+without opposition, the enemy keeping within their posts, to the west of
+the small river of Montmorency; of which the narrow part is deep, and
+very rapid, and falls into the river St. Lawrence from a precipice, of
+200 feet high; the banks of the river above the fall are very high and
+steep, especially on the western side, and are entrench’d and defended
+by breast-works, in the same manner as the banks of the river St.
+Lawrence, from the falls to Quebec. Admiral Holmes, with the _Captain_,
+_Dublin_, _Vanguard_, _Medway_, and _Shrewsbury_, came up, and anchor’d
+off the west-end of Orleans; and Admiral Durell, and the rest of the
+three-deck ships, &c. remainder of the fleet, lie off the east-end of
+the island.
+
+10th, Our bombs threw several shells into the French camp near Beauport,
+which they return’d with shot from their batteries, that is large boats
+with a gun each, of 12 to 24 pounders, of these they have about twenty,
+in different parts of the river, who keep so close under their own
+breast, that we can get no opportunity of cutting them off.—In the
+evening the _Captain_ dropt as close in shore as the depth of the water
+would allow, and fir’d several broad-sides at their camp, which they
+were oblig’d to move a little farther back; but as they are entrenched
+close to their breast-works on the bank, cannot drive them from thence.
+At night the enemy, having got a mortar down to their camp, threw
+several shells very near the _Captain_ and the Bombs, upon which they
+weigh’d and drop’d out of their reach.
+
+11th, The enemy made a very brisk fire from the town, on our batteries,
+erecting on Point Levi.
+
+12th, The communication between the fleet and our camp below the falls
+being interrupted by their battoes, we mounted two 24 pounders on
+Orleans to protect the passage,—our troops at Montmorency, which are
+about 3000, are encamped close to the eastermost side of the falls, as
+the enemy is to the westward, within musquet-shot of each others
+centinels.
+
+13th, At night our batteries at Point Levi, of six 32 pounders, and four
+mortars, were opened on the town; at the same time the bombs having
+dropt up play’d upon it also; but the ebb tide making very strong down,
+their anchors came home, and they were obliged to drop down again.
+
+The enemy having opened a small battery to the westward of the falls,
+fired briskly upon our camp; but upon drawing some of our cannon on the
+bank below the falls, soon silenced them. This day the mortars were
+landed from the bombs, in order to be mounted on Point Levi; we keep an
+incessant fire from thence on the town, which they return, but with
+little effect.
+
+Our carcasses from the battery on Point Levi set the Upper Town on fire,
+which burnt with great fury for several hours, before it was
+extinguished; we could observe the enemy very industrious in fortifying
+their posts, having intrenchments and redoubts cut across the country,
+and at Beauport have a pass guarded by 20 pieces of cannon. At the mouth
+of the river St. Charles they have two hulks, with a teer of guns each,
+to defend that passage up the river, besides being commanded by great
+part of the cannon from the town.
+
+Our firing continues to do great execution upon the town; in the night
+the _Sutherland_, _Squirrel_, two transports, and two sloops, having 500
+men from the camp at Point Levi, ran past the town, with a light breeze,
+favourable, and tide of flood. The enemy kept a hot fire at them, but
+did no damage: the _Diana_ going up ran a-ground upon Point Levi.
+
+20th, General Wolf and Admiral Holmes went up by land to the fleet above
+the town.
+
+21st, The detachment above Quebec landed on the north shore, at the
+village of Trembleau, ten leagues above Quebec with little opposition;
+they took 300 prisoners, mostly women, and some booty, and re-embarked
+again with the loss of a few men.
+
+22d, In the night the cathedral of Quebec, the largest and most
+magnificent building of the kind in this part of the world, was set on
+fire and consumed by our carcasses, together with a great number of the
+houses in the Upper Town.
+
+23d, In the Morning before day-break the _Lowestoff_ and _Hunter_ got
+under sail to run above the town, but the wind taking them short abreast
+of the town, were obliged to put back under a very smart fire, but
+received no damage. A flag of truce was sent to Quebec with the women
+taken at Trembleau; notwithstanding this, and a great many other
+instances of our lenity shewn to the enemy, we find little benefit
+accrue to us from them, they continue to scalp every person who is
+unhappy enough to fall into their hands.—A proclamation was issued by
+General Wolf, and affixed to the church doors throughout the country,
+acquainting the inhabitants, that as the war carried on here is not
+intended against them, but against the forces and forts of his most
+Christian Majesty, he therefore invites them and their families to
+return to their respective habitations, on or before the 10th of August,
+where they shall be protected in their religion and liberty, and have
+all the indulgence granted to the subjects of his Britannick Majesty;
+but if not, and they still persist in their resolution to carry arms, he
+will then destroy, and ruin to the utmost, all their possessions that
+shall fall in his power.
+
+24th, At night several buildings in the Lower Town set on fire and
+consumed by our shells.
+
+31st, In the morning two armed transports got under way, and at
+high-water ran ashore, close to the enemies batteries, a little above
+the falls of Montmorency, and began a very smart fire upon them, which
+they returned. At seven the troops from Point Levi and Orleans embarked
+in the boats, and at eight rendezvoused in two lines between the island
+and the north shore. The grenadiers, in the first line, supported by 200
+Royal Americans, and Amhersts, and the Highlanders in the second line,
+at the same time the _Centurion_ dropt as near as possible to their
+batteries, and kept a continual fire upon them, which they returned upon
+the boats with eight pieces of cannon and two mortars; which,
+notwithstanding our being within point-blank shot for several hours,
+suffered very little. The enemy’s troops in the mean time filled their
+breast-works and trenches, and behind them paraded with an army greatly
+superior to ours in number. Notwithstanding this, their batteries, the
+height of the bank, steep and difficult of access, and many other
+disadvantages, the greatest spirit and chearfulness was discernable
+through our whole army, and all waited with the utmost impatience for
+the moment of attack. General Wolf row’d at the head of us, and gave his
+orders with great calmness, and so did the rest of our general officers.
+Admiral Saunders was greatly exposed, and the fleet had like to have
+lost in him a gallant commander, a shell falling so near his boat as to
+damage some of the oars and half fill her with water; at noon the first
+line of boats was ordered in abreast of the batteries, but some of the
+boats grounding upon a bank some distance from the shore, were ordered
+off again; General Townsend, with all the troops from Montmorency,
+except the light infantry, were in readiness at the same time to march
+across the strand and passing between the falls and river to join us at
+our landing. Colonel How, with the light infantry, were at the same time
+to make a faint of passing Montmorency river, some distance above the
+falls, to divert the attention of the enemy. At four the first line of
+boats was landed, and the grenadiers, without waiting for form, or
+orders, rushed on with the greatest impetuosity for the bank, where they
+received from the enemy such an incessant fire of musquetry, as must be
+far easier to conceive than to describe; but firm to their purpose, and
+nothing daunted, true Englishmen, they endeavoured to surmount all
+difficulties, and attempted to gain the steep bank; and would, in all
+probability have fallen a sacrifice to their bravery, if a violent and
+sudden squall of wind and rain had not put a stop to the enemy’s fire,
+and at the same time made it impossible for those brave fellows to
+proceed further, occasioned by the excessive slipperiness of the ground.
+During this time General Townsend with his brigade passed below the
+falls, and advanced to join us, but the General finding the difficulty
+of the attempt, and unwilling to sacrifice such brave fellows with so
+little probability of success, ordered the retreat to be beat, and
+fortunately for us, the lower part of the strand was out of musquet
+shot. After getting the wounded into the boats, General Wolf, with the
+remainder of the grenadiers and highlanders, joined General Townsend,
+and marched in good order along the strand towards the falls, and
+embarked Amherst’s in the boats, saluted all the time by the infernal
+clamours of the Indians, and the Vive le Roy of the French; though the
+Poltroons, who were twice our numbers, dared not come down to us, though
+often invited by the hats waved at them from our general officers and
+troops: at five we took the people out of our armed transports and set
+fire to them; the enemy kept a continual fire from their batteries on
+our troops as they marched along the strand, but providentially did
+little execution; our grenadiers had possession of one of their small
+batteries, but in the confusion forgot to spike up the guns; the evening
+was employed in transporting the troops to their respective posts. Our
+loss this day was sixty killed, and between 3 and 400 wounded, all which
+we got off in the boats, except a Captain of the Royal Americans, who we
+hear is prisoner among the French, but mortally wounded; the Indians,
+according to their barbarous custom, stripped and scalped the dead, and
+with difficulty this officer escaped, being rescued by some French
+officers. What loss the French have sustained we can only guess at, but
+suppose it to be considerable, as a continual fire was kept from our
+train at Montmorency, and from the _Centurion_ and two armed ships: our
+whole body of troops at this attack did not amount to 5000, while the
+enemy acknowledge theirs to be 16000; but the advantage of the ground,
+not their number, fought against us; and it is the general opinion, that
+half our troops in their situation would have been a sufficient match
+for their whole number.
+
+_August_ 1st, General Wolf, in public order, thanked the Highlanders and
+Amherst’s for their soldier-like behaviour, in landing and forming
+themselves on the strand, and there fixing themselves in order of
+battle, till they receiv’d his orders; at the same time he greatly
+blamed the rashness, and temerity of the grenadiers, in advancing in
+that irregular manner, without waiting for his orders, or till it was
+possible for the rest of the troops to sustain them; and that such
+immlitary [unmilitary] proceedings intirely break his plan of operation,
+and was the apparent cause of the repulse they had received yesterday.
+
+7th, General Murray, with Amherst’s, and part of the light infantry,
+marched up to the ships above the town; and in the night twenty-two
+flat-bottom boats past it undiscovered.
+
+8th, General Murray embarked with his troops on board the ships that lay
+about five leagues above Quebec, and Admiral Holmes took the command of
+the ships, without hoisting his flag: this body of troops consisted of
+Amherst’s, three battalions of Royal Americans, and a detachment of
+light infantry and marines, amounting in the whole to 1300 effective
+men.
+
+9th, The fleet above the town anchored at Point Tremble ten leagues
+above the town, and with all the troops (except 200 marines) attempted
+to land at the village of Tremble, on the north shore, but were repulsed
+with the loss of forty killed, and about 100 wounded: the enemy
+consisted of 4000, of which were two battalions of regulars, and a party
+of horse.
+
+14th, General Murray with his troops landed on the south shore, opposite
+Point Tremble, with the loss of 12 killed and 23 wounded: our troops
+encamped and took a considerable number of cattle, killed 8 of the
+enemy, and took a few prisoners: by one of them we were informed, that a
+general officer commanded at Point Tremble when we made the attack; that
+it was his express orders to his troops not to fire till ours were half
+on shore, but fear got the better of their discretion, and saved the
+best part of our troops.
+
+15th, Six marines were surpriz’d and carried off from our camp at St.
+Anthony’s. General Murray sent out parties from thence to destroy all
+the houses in that district; parties were detach’d likewise from our
+camps at Montmorency and Point Orleans, to destroy all the buildings
+(churches excepted) and their corn: one of these detachments from
+Montmorency fell in with a party of Canadians, headed by a priest twenty
+of which they took prisoners, and killed several. In return for many
+acts of cruelty, the priest and the rest of the prisoners were put to
+death, and scalp’d by our rangers.
+
+20th, The troops (marines excepted) embark’d from St. Anthony’s in the
+night, under General Murray, and row’d up under cover of it, to the
+village of Chambeau: at the same time, a feint was made to land at Point
+Tremble, in order to deceive the enemy.
+
+21st, At break of day our troops landed at Chambeau, 18 leagues above
+Quebec, on the north shore, without any opposition: they destroy’d a
+grand magazine of the enemy’s regulars, the effects of the people of
+Quebec, a great quantity of powder, some plate and specie, which was all
+destroy’d by fire. At noon, having compleated their design, embark’d
+without loss, just as a great body of the enemy appear’d in sight. We
+learn’d here, that the six marines, taken the 15th, were scalp’d by the
+Indians. In the evening we burnt an arm’d sloop of the enemy’s, and then
+landed again at the camp of St. Anthony. From Chambeau we saw the
+enemy’s frigates very plain, lying about two leagues above us; but the
+channel being very intricate and dangerous, the merchant ships lay some
+leagues above the frigates.
+
+22d, Admiral Holmes, with the Captains of the _Sutherland_ and
+_Squirrel_, went to examine the river to Chambeau, which they found
+impracticable to ships without a full tide, a fresh easterly wind, and
+good pilots. The two first of these seldom happen at this time of the
+year; and the last we cannot procure, as this upper navigation is little
+known: the French ships when they went up, had their guns and stores
+out, but lie now in deep water with their guns in.
+
+28th, The troops at St. Anthony embark’d in the flat-bottom boats, and
+pass’d the town without being observ’d: the ships above the town were
+left at anchor off Point Tremble. This day began to embark the train
+from Montmorency.
+
+30th, The _Lowestoff_ and _Hunter_, with two transports and three
+sloops, pass’d the town in the night, under a very severe fire from
+thence. In the morning part of the troops from Montmorency were remov’d
+to Orleans, being still employ’d in bringing the train from thence: our
+maroding parties continue to burn and destroy all the effects of the
+enemy they can meet with.
+
+_September_ 1st, In the evening the Seahorse and some transports pass’d
+the town, which saluted them with a pretty warm fire in their passage.
+Embark’d from Montmorency the rest of the train.
+
+2d, In the forenoon embark’d all our troops from the camp at
+Montmorency, without loss of a man, though the enemy fir’d very smartly
+on our boats from their batteries at Beauport, and from thence to the
+falls, but without success: at noon landed our troops at Point Levi.
+
+4th, In the night 32 flat-bottom boats pass’d the town without being
+observ’d by the enemy, and join’d the fleet under Admiral Holmes, who
+lay about four leagues above Quebec.
+
+5th, About 3,500 of the troops march’d up from Point Levi, and in the
+evening embark’d on board Admiral Holmes’s fleet. This body of troops
+consisted of Amherst’s, Bragg’s, Anstruther’s, Otway’s, Kennedy’s,
+Frazier’s, Royal Americans, and the light infantry, with the grenadiers
+of the whole, and were commanded by all the general officers.
+
+6th, In the morning Admiral Holmes made up with his fleet to St.
+Nicholas, six leagues above Quebec. _N.B._ This Morning the _Rodney_
+cutter sail’d express for England.
+
+7th, Landed 2200 of the troops at St. Nicholas, on the south shore, in
+order to refresh them, being extreamly crowded in the transports.
+
+12th, Re-embark’d the troops from St. Nicholas, without the loss of a
+man; and as the inhabitants of St. Nicholas had not attempted to disturb
+our troops, either at landing or when on shore, their houses and effects
+were left untouch’d.—In the evening all the troops were order’d to hold
+themselves in readiness for landing, and an order of the generals
+[General Wolf] read to them, to this effect,—“That as a large body of
+the enemy were march’d to oppose General Amherst, and a great number of
+the Canadians had left the enemy, and a general discontent prevail’d
+throughout the whole, now was the time to strike a stroke, which in all
+probability would determine the fate of Canada: that he intended to land
+in a place where the enemy least expected him; that the ships with the
+remainder of the troops, after the first disembarkation, would follow
+the boats, so as to second their landing immediately, and that the
+troops at Point Levi would march up close to the intended place of
+landing; so that our whole force would be connected in a very short
+time, and so soon as form’d, should endeavour to bring the enemy to
+battle.” He then reminded them of what they owed their country, their
+families and themselves, and what such a body of veterans were able to
+do against five battalions of regulars, and a rude undisciplin’d
+militia: conquest and glory awaited them, and he expected every thing
+from their resolution and conduct. At nine in the evening 1600 of the
+troops were embark’d in the boats, commanded by General Monckton, who
+was to make the first landing at midnight: the boats rendezvous’d in a
+line abreast of Admiral Holmes, who lay about five leagues above Quebec.
+
+13th, At one in the morning the boats that had the troops in were
+order’d to row down the river (it being then ebb-tide) in the same order
+as the troops were to land, _viz._ the light infantry first, then
+Bragg’s, Anstruther’s, Kennedy’s, Lascelle’s, and a detachment of
+Frazier’s; at two the frigates and transports, with the rest of the
+troops follow’d them. In rowing down the boats were discover’d by the
+enemy, but they expecting some boats down with provisions, under cover
+of the night, let us pass without examination. At Four we landed the
+troops about two miles from Quebec, with small loss, none but the
+enemy’s centinels being there.
+
+An attack is resolv’d on, and, let it be remember’d, for the honour of
+England, that though the enterprize is hazardous, exceeding doubtful,
+and attended with the utmost danger in every shape, not the least
+dejection or sign of fear appears among the troops: on the contrary, an
+uncommon eagerness in them to attack the foe is plain in every
+countenance: they are impatient to be lead on, and the General officers
+but with great difficulty can restrain their impetuosity; it should seem
+as if their courage rose in proportion to the labours they have to
+surmount; or perhaps they are fir’d with the resolution of revenging
+their companions who fell in the late attack, and are determin’d to
+punish the infamous and inhuman practice of scalping, if the place
+should fall into our hands, which however, seems greatly doubtful: it
+will in all probability be owing to the resolution the men have taken,
+of not being made prisoners, deter’d from falling into the enemy’s
+hands, from the infernal practice above-mention’d being so often
+exercised upon those who are unhappy enough to fall into their hands.
+
+From this disposition of the men, and the conduct and prudence of a very
+good set of officers, great things may be expected, especially from the
+Gentleman who commands in chief, who, in his military capacity, is
+perhaps equalled by few, and exceeded by none; and when riper years have
+matured a sound judgment, the great talents he possesses in the art of
+war will shew themselves to advantage; yet, if I can read right, though
+no man doubts his courage, he is not sanguine in his expections of
+reducing the place, and can depend on nothing but surprise, some bold
+and unexpected stroke, or as the French call it, coup de main; for this
+no troops in Europe are so fit as ours for resolution, and a contempt of
+death are characteristic of an English soldier.
+
+How many lives must be lost of the few troops we have before we can hope
+to succeed; had General Amherst been able to have joined us, something
+might have been done: as it is, he comes too late, for either the place
+will be taken, or we must return to England before he arrives: in the
+latter case he must sail as well as we, and owing to the same cause,
+want of numbers.
+
+Could the junction have taken place, we might bid defiance to united
+strength, of French, Indians, and Canadians.
+
+There can be but little hopes of taking the place by assault, for though
+the Men of war might be of infinite service in silencing the batteries
+of the Lower Town, yet the greatest, and indeed an almost insurmountable
+difficulty would yet remain; for the few passages that lead from the
+Upper to the lower town are strongly intrenched, and our ships can by no
+means reach the upper batteries.
+
+The country is extremely strong, and the enemy have added much to its
+natural strength; and have now, for the defence of the river, floating
+batteries and boats, which in a great measure frustrate our designs:
+several parties of Indians are likewise troublesome to us, by hovering
+round our advanced posts, and we have hitherto found it impossible to
+elude their vigilance.
+
+Every thing is in motion, and a few hours will probably determine the
+fate of Canada.
+
+If the General should attempt to ascend the rock, it is a work of much
+labour and difficulty, if at all practicable; and should our troops
+perform this difficult undertaking, I shall for the future think little
+of Hanibal’s leading an army over the Alps; the rock is almost steep,
+and the summit seems to me inaccessible to an army; this at least
+appears to be the Opinion of the French, who place no centinel there,
+and seem perfectly secure that it will never be attempted.——All
+difficulties have been surmounted, and such a blow struck as will amaze
+posterity: our brave General lead on the troops to the hills
+above-mentioned, and was the first man that began to clime it; the men
+followed their leader with the utmost alacrity, and at length ascended
+the summit: as soon as they were formed the enemy advanced, and sent a
+party to the bottom of the hill to cut off our retreat, but they were
+themselves cut off by the troops that remained below. Those above being
+attacked by the enemy, had reserved their fire till the French advanced
+within forty yards of them, then made a general discharge, which threw
+the enemy into confusion; our people improved the advantage, and with
+their bayonets pushed them over the river St. Charles, and into the
+town: this success was dearly purchased by the loss of our brave
+General, who was wounded in the beginning of the action, and died soon
+after, but not before he had the satisfaction of being told the day was
+ours. I die contented then the hero cry’d, my life was due to my
+country, happy if I have been the means of adding conquest and glory to
+it: he died with calmness, and closed a well-spent life by an action
+which throws a lustre upon the arms of Britain; like the old Theban, he
+died and conquered: the affliction of the army best speaks his merit; he
+was the sincere friend, the gentleman, and the soldier: at a time of
+life when many have but the command of a company, he had raised himself
+by his merit almost to the top of his profession: it is to be hoped his
+grateful country will decree those honours to his breathless corps, as
+living he would undoubtedly have received.
+
+The enemy, after their first repulse, made a stand at some distance, but
+were soon broke by the bravery of our troops, and ran into the town for
+shelter in the greatest confusion imaginable; there was dreadful
+slaughter on their side: the conflict was short but bloody, upwards of
+600 of our men being wounded, though not above 40 killed outright: the
+disparity in the number of killed and wounded was, no doubt, owing to
+the enemy’s firing at too great a distance, for their balls were almost
+spent before they reached our men: several of our people having received
+contusions on parts where the blow must have been mortal, had they
+reserved their fire a little longer: thus ended the thirteenth day of
+September, a day which will reflect honour on the British arms for ever.
+
+14th, Monsieur Montcalm, the French commander in chief, was brought on
+board our fleet, but died soon after of his wounds: he was a gallant
+officer, and deserved a better fate. Two commanders in chief of the
+different armies killed in one day, is an event, that, if my memory
+serves, never happened before; the next in command to Monsieur Montcalm
+was also killed, and several other officers of note: General Monckton
+dangerously wounded on our side; Colonel Carlton has received a ball in
+his head, which it is feared has fractured his skull; Major Barry has
+lost his nose.—_Mem._ The Highlanders did prodigious execution in the
+pursuit with their broad swords. General Wolf’s body was brought to the
+fleet, and now lies in his coffin, on board the _Stirling Castle_, in
+order to be sent to England for interment.
+
+Our troops are entrenched on the back of the citadel, and our men of war
+are preparing to batter the town; it is expected it will be stormed
+to-morrow, both by land and sea.
+
+17th, At noon a flag of truce from Quebec was sent with terms of
+capitulation: and sent back with answer, that four hours only would be
+allowed; returned again at the expiration of that time, with terms which
+were agreed to.
+
+At eight this morning the capitulation was signed, the garrison have
+obtained better terms than they probably would have done, on account of
+the General having received information, that a reinforce of 800 men,
+under the command of Monsieur de Bougainville, was in full march to
+reinforce the garrison; add to this, that no time was to be lost on
+account of the advanced season; the wet weather it was apprehended might
+have caused sickness amongst the troops, and storms endangered the
+fleet; besides, had breaches been made in the walls of the town, there
+might not have been time sufficient to have repair’d them before the
+arrival of the expected succours; these considerations hastened the
+signing the capitulation: the regulars and Canadians under arms are
+prisoners of war, and are to be sent to Old France, and they are now
+embarking for that purpose.
+
+                                 FINIS.
+
+
+
+
+                           TRANSCRIBER NOTES
+
+    Misspelled words have been retained as the author may not have
+    known the correct spelling. Printer errors have been corrected.
+    Where multiple spellings occur, majority use has been employed.
+
+    Punctuation has been maintained except where obvious printer
+    errors occur.
+
+    [The end of _An Accurate and Authentic Journal of the Siege of
+    Quebec 1759_, by Anonymous.]
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76642 ***