military manoeuvres and stratagems to draw his cautious adversary from his strong hold, and decide the contest by a battle. But Montcalm was not to be moved. General Wolfe, therefore, determined to cross the river Montmorency, and attack the enemy's entrenchments. Accordingly six companies of grenadiers and part of the Royal Americans were ordered to cross the river, and land near the mouth of the Montmorency, while Generals Murray and Townshend were to land higher up. The grenadiers were to attack a redoubt situated near the water's edge, in the hope that the enemy would make an effort in its defence, and thus bring on the engagement so much desired. The possession of the place was likewise a desirable object, as it would enable the English General to obtain a full view of the French position. The grenadiers, who first landed, had orders not to attack till the first brigade was sufficiently near to support them. These orders were, however, disregarded. Rushing forward with impetuosity, before they were regularly formed, to attack the enemy's entrenchments, they were received with so steady and well-directed a fire, that they were thrown into confusion, and sustained considerable loss before they retreated. They were again formed behind the brigades, which advanced under General Wolfe, who, seeing the plan of attack totally disconcerted, gave orders to repass the river, and return to the Isle of Orleans. The loss on this occasion was severe, being 543 of all ranks killed, wounded, and missing. The whole loss after the landing of the army till the 2d of September was 3 captains, 6 lieutenants, 1 ensign, 9 serjeants, and 160 rank and file, killed; and 4 field officers, 16 captains, 23 subalterns, 20 serjeants, and 570 rank and file, wounded. Of Fraser's Highlanders 18 rank and file were killed, Colonel Fraser, Captains M'Pherson and Simon Fraser, and Lieutenants Cameron of Glenevus, Ewan McDonald, and H. M'Donald, and 85 rank and file, wounded. That Ge

neral Wolfe keenly felt this disappointment, would appear from the tenor of the following general orders, which were issued on the morning after the attempt: "The check which the grenadiers met with yesterday will, it is hoped, be a lesson for them for the time to come. Such impetuous, irregular, unsoldier-like proceedings destroy all order, make it impossible for the commanders to forin any disposition for attack, and put it out of the general's power to execute his plan. The grenadiers could not suppose that they alone could beat the French army; and, therefore, it was necessary that the corps under Brigadiers Monckton and Townshend should have time to join, 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 (15th regiment) and the Highlanders alone, by the soldier-like and cool manner they were formed in, would undoubtedly have beaten back the whole Canadian army, if they had ventured to attack them."

It was thought advisable after this check, that, in future, their efforts should be directed to a landing above the town; but as no opportunity offered of annoying the enemy from that quarter, a plan was formed among a "choice of difliculties," for conveying the troops farther down, and landing them by night, in the hopes of being able to ascend the Heights of Abraham, and so gain possession of the ground on the back of the city, where the fortifications were weakest. Those heights rise abruptly from the banks of the river, and, in a great measure, command the city from that quarter. The dangers and difficulties attending the execu tion of this design were particularly discouraging; but the season was considerably advanced, and it was necessary to attempt something, however desperate. The late check, though it had taught them caution, had in no degree damped the courage, or shaken the firmness of the troops. The ardour of the General was unabated, notwithstanding his great debility of body, occasioned by disappointment and

agitation of mind on account of the last failure. On the 12th of September, about an hour after midnight, four regiments of infantry, with the Highlanders and Grenadiers, were embarked in flat-bottomed boats, under the command of Brigadier-Generals Murray and Monckton. General Wolfe accompanied them, and was among the first that landed. The rapidity of the stream carried some of the boats beyond the mark. Colonel Howe, who was first on shore with the light infantry and the Highlanders, ascended the woody precipices, and dislodged a captain's guard, which defended a small entrenched narrow path, by which the rest of the forces could reach the summit. They then mounted without much farther molestation, and General Wolfe formed them as they arrived on the summit. Some time was necessarily occupied in the ascent, as the precipice was so steep, that the soldiers were obliged to scramble up by the aid of the rugged projections of the rocks, and the branches of the trees and shrubs growing on the clifts. By day-break the order of battle was formed. When Montcalm heard that the British were on the Heights of Abraham, he considered it merely as a feint to force him out of his strong hold. But he was soon convinced of the truth, and, comprehending the full force of the advantage gained, he saw that a battle was no longer to be avoided, and that upon the issue depended the fate of Quebec. He accordingly made the necessary preparations with judgment and promptitude; and quitting the camp at Montmorency, moved forward to attack the English. His right and left wing were equally formed of regular and provincial troops, while his centre consisted of a column of Europeans, with two field pieces. Some brushwood in his front and flanks he filled with Indians and marksmen, the rest of the Indians and Canadians extending to the right. The British front line was composed of the Grenadiers, 15th, 28th, 35th, Highlanders, and 58th. The left of the line was covered by the light infantry, and the 47th regiment formed the reserve,

The irregular fire of the Canadians and Indians was extremely galling to the English line, and was particularly directed against the officers, whose dress and conspicuous exertions exposed them the more to the enemy. The troops were ordered to reserve their fire till the main body of the enemy were within forty yards. At that distance the whole line poured in a general discharge of musketry. This was repeated, and completely checked the enemy in front. Foiled in this attempt, they immediately directed an attack on the left of the British line, where they were as warmly received, and as effectually checked. Unable any longer to withstand the continued and well-directed fire poured in upon them, they began to give way. At this critical moment General Wolfe was mortally wounded, having before received two wounds which he had concealed. Nearly at the same time the Marquis de Montcalm, who had placed himself on the left of his line, immediately fronting our right where General Wolfe stood, experienced the same fate. Soon afterwards the two seconds in command, Generals Monckton and Severergues, were respectively carried wounded from the field. These disasters, instead of discouraging, seemed only to animate the troops, and every separate corps appeared to exert itself for his own peculiar honour. Brigadier Murray briskly advanced with the troops under his command, and soon broke the centre of the enemy, "when the Highlanders taking to their broadswords, fell in among them with irresistible impetuosity, and drove them back with great slaughter." General Townshend, on whom the command had now devolved, hastened to the centre, where he found some confusion from the rapid pursuit. Scarcely had he reformed the line, when Monsieur De Bougainville appeared in rear, leading on 2000 fresh men, with whom he had marched from Cape Rouge the moment he heard of the landing at the Heights. Two regiments were immediately

• General Account.

ordered against this body, which retired on their approach. The victory was now complete. The enemy retired to Quebec and Point Levi.

On the 12th of September the town surrendered. Of the enemy 1500 men were slain, the greatest part of which loss fell on the European troops, who made a most gallant stand. Their most irreparable loss was that of their brave and able commander. When this gallant officer was informed that his wound was mortal;-" So much the better," said he, "I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec." On the side of the British the loss was also severe, not less from the number, than from the rank and character of those who fell. The death of the young commander was a national loss. Possessing by nature a heroic spirit and an extraordinary capacity, he was eager to acquire every species of military knowledge which study or actual service could bestow. "Brave, above all estimation of danger, he was also generous, gentle, complaisant, and humane, the pattern of the officer, the darling of the soldier. There was a sublimity in his genius which soared above the pitch of ordinary minds; and, had his faculties been exercised to their full extent by opportunity and actions, had his judgment been fully matured by age and experience, he would, without doubt, have rivalled, in reputation, the most celebrated captains of antiquity." As he lay on the field, he was told, "They fly." He opened his eyes, and asked, Who are flying? When answered it was the enemy, "Then," said he, "I die happy," and he immediately expired. The loss of the British consisted of 1 major-general, 1 captain, 7 subalterns, 3 serjeants, and 45 rank and file, killed; and 1 brigadier-general, 4 staff officers, 12 captains, 26 subalterns, 25 serjeants, 4 drummers, and 406 rank and file, wounded. Of these the Highlanders had Captain Thomas Ross of Culrossie, Lieutenant Roderick Macneil of Barra, Alexander Macdonald of Barrisdale, 1 serjeant, and 14 rank and file, killed; and Captains John Macdonell of Lochgarry, Simon Fraser of