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+    <title>The Distributed Proofreaders Canada eBook of An Accurate and Authentic Journal of the Siege of Quebec 1759, by Anonymous</title>
+    <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg"/>
+    <meta name="cover" content="images/cover.jpg" />
+    <meta name="DC.Title" content="An Accurate and Authentic Journal of the Siege of Quebec 1759"/>
+    <meta name="DC.Creator" content="Anonymous"/>
+    <meta name="DC.Language" content="en"/>
+    <meta name="DC.Created" content="1912"/>
+    <meta name="DC.Subject" content="history"/>
+    <meta name="DC.date.issued" content="1912"/>
+    <meta name="Tags" content="history, journal, monograph, Canadiana, Quebec"/>
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+  <body>   
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76642 ***</div>
+<div class='figcenter' style='width:60%'>
+<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='book cover' id='iid-0000' style='width:80%;height:auto;'/>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='pbk'/>
+
+<div class='lgc' style='margin-top:3em;margin-bottom:3em;'> <!-- rend=';' -->
+<p class='line'><span style='font-size:smaller'>AN</span></p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'><span style='font-size:smaller'>ACCURATE and AUTHENTIC</span></p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>JOURNAL</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'><span style='font-size:smaller'>OF THE</span></p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='font-size:3em;'><span style="font-family:'fancy';">SIEGE of QUEBEC</span></p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>1759.</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'><span style='font-size:smaller'>By a Gentleman in an eminent Station</span></p>
+<p class='line'><span style='font-size:smaller'>on the Spot.</span></p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<div class='figcenter' style='width:10%'>
+<img src='images/deco.jpg' alt='drawing of a grape cluster and leaves' id='iid-0001' style='width:80%;height:auto;'/>
+</div>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'><span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>LONDON:</span></span></p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'><span style='font-size:smaller'>Printed for <span class='sc'>J. Robinson</span>, at the Golden</span></p>
+<p class='line'><span style='font-size:smaller'>Lion in Ludgate-Street,</span> <span style='font-size:x-small'>MDCCLIX.</span></p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'><span style='font-size:smaller'>[Price One Shilling.]</span></p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<hr class='pbk'/>
+
+<div class='blockquote'>
+
+<p class='hang'>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 <span class='it'>verbatim
+et literatim</span>. 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.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:0em;'>——<span class='it'>Lincoln, Rutland, and Stamford Mercury</span>,</p>
+
+<p>December 27th, 1912.</p>
+
+</div>
+<div class='blockquote'>
+
+<p>Printed by George Henry Burton, Markby
+Cottage, Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, at
+his private Press from the type as composed by
+the <span class='it'>Stamford Mercury</span> in re-publishing the
+“Journal” in serial form.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div><h1>A SHORT DESCRIPTION<br/>of<br/>QUEBEC.</h1></div>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span class='lead-in'><img class='dropcap' src='images/capt.jpg' style='float:left;width:8%;' alt='T'/>he</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<div><h1>SIEGE OF QUEBEC.<br/> <span class='sub-head'>1759.</span></h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'><span class='sc'>June</span> the 5th, 1759,</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span class='dropcap'>T</span>he fleet under the command of Vice-admiral
+Saunders, sail’d from Louisburg
+in high spirits for Quebec.</p>
+
+<p>8th, Pas’d Cape Ray, and enter’d the gulph
+of St. Lawrence, without any impediment.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>25th, Anchor’d with the fleet at the isle of
+Coudre, 20 leagues from Quebec. The admiral
+shifted his flag into the <span class='it'>Stirling Castle</span>, and
+with the <span class='it'>Alcide</span>, <span class='it'>Pembroke</span>, <span class='it'>Centurion</span>, and
+<span class='it'>Sutherland</span>, sailed up the river, as the <span class='it'>Devonshire</span>,
+frigates, &amp;c. had already done. We
+found Admiral Durell riding here, with his
+fleet. They arrived about the middle of May.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>30th, We anchor’d with the men of war,
+bombs, &amp;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.—<span class='it'>Note</span>,
+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.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>July</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>8th, The <span class='it'>Porcupine</span> 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 <span class='it'>Captain</span>,
+<span class='it'>Dublin</span>, <span class='it'>Vanguard</span>, <span class='it'>Medway</span>, and <span class='it'>Shrewsbury</span>,
+came up, and anchor’d off the west-end
+of Orleans; and Admiral Durell, and the rest
+of the three-deck ships, &amp;c. remainder of the
+fleet, lie off the east-end of the island.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='it'>Captain</span> 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 <span class='it'>Captain</span> and the Bombs,
+upon which they weigh’d and drop’d out of
+their reach.</p>
+
+<p>11th, The enemy made a very brisk fire from
+the town, on our batteries, erecting on Point
+Levi.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Our firing continues to do great execution
+upon the town; in the night the <span class='it'>Sutherland</span>,
+<span class='it'>Squirrel</span>, 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 <span class='it'>Diana</span> going
+up ran a-ground upon Point Levi.</p>
+
+<p>20th, General Wolf and Admiral Holmes went
+up by land to the fleet above the town.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>23d, In the Morning before day-break the
+<span class='it'>Lowestoff</span> and <span class='it'>Hunter</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>24th, At night several buildings in the Lower
+Town set on fire and consumed by our shells.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='it'>Centurion</span> 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 <span class='it'>Centurion</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>August</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>22d, Admiral Holmes, with the Captains of
+the <span class='it'>Sutherland</span> and <span class='it'>Squirrel</span>, 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>30th, The <span class='it'>Lowestoff</span> and <span class='it'>Hunter</span>, 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.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>September</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>6th, In the morning Admiral Holmes made
+up with his fleet to St. Nicholas, six leagues
+above Quebec. <span class='it'>N.B.</span> This Morning the <span class='it'>Rodney</span>
+cutter sail’d express for England.</p>
+
+<p>7th, Landed 2200 of the troops at St. Nicholas,
+on the south shore, in order to refresh them,
+being extreamly crowded in the transports.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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, <span class='it'>viz.</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Could the junction have taken place, we
+might bid defiance to united strength, of
+French, Indians, and Canadians.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Every thing is in motion, and a few hours
+will probably determine the fate of Canada.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.—<span class='it'>Mem.</span> 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 <span class='it'>Stirling Castle</span>, in order to be sent to England
+for interment.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:2em;font-size:1.5em;'>FINIS.</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk'/>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:4em;margin-bottom:2em;font-size:1.2em;'>TRANSCRIBER NOTES</p>
+
+<div class='blockquote'>
+
+<p class='noindent'>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.</p>
+
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'>Punctuation has been maintained except where obvious
+printer errors occur.</p>
+
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'>[The end of <span class='it'>An Accurate and Authentic Journal of the Siege of Quebec 1759</span>, by Anonymous.]</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76642 ***</div>
+  </body>
+  <!-- created with fpgen.py 4.65 on 2025-08-06 17:19:33 GMT -->
+</html>
+
author	pgww <pgww@lists.pglaf.org>	2025-08-07 09:22:02 -0700
committer	pgww <pgww@lists.pglaf.org>	2025-08-07 09:22:02 -0700
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