IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. h Q^-> ' :a C/j {/. LO I.I 11.25 ■f i^ IIIM ^ I— 12.2 i ■- IIIM 1.4 1.6 P>. <^ 'W "#.^ '^^„v^ Cj^ Photographic Sciences Corporation .^w # ^V ^X\\ ^;^<^ teresting to the pubhc. llie cause x)f the* '*'^^^'^ invasion was a national one ; Canada was a fortress that overawed the rebellious colo- nief ; it was a depdt for troops and arms, and would i to a nation possessing no great mari- time power, become a potent means of ag- gression, when aided by the warlike legions of the mother country. It was certainly strange to see the colonists from Great Britain, for whom the war of 1756 had been undertaken, to shield their limits from the depredations of Old France, aided by the numerous savage nations, (in conjunction with whom perpetual encroachments were made on the territory of the states, by fre- quent sorties and excursions, for the pur- pose of plundering, scalping, and dragging the wretched inhabitants into captivity,) en^ deavouring in the first outset of their policy to wrest a province of such magnitude as Canada from her grasp. The reduction of that country in 1760, by the embattled forces VI of Britain, " far more merciful than wise/' while she exhausted her treasure to guard her offspring, and extend their trade, cer- tainly weakened the bond of allegiance among the colonists, and made them feel less indebted to the military power of Great Britain, since they had no longer any fears from the savages of that quarter, or of ag- gression from the chain of French forts, which had been planned and constructed by able officers, to unite their vast colony with Louisiana, through the efforts of the Sieurs de la Jonqui^re and La Galissoniere, who claimed all countries north and west of a line they had drawn, from Cape Canso to the river Penobscot, and from thence nearly as far as New Orleans, in the Gulf of Mexico, and thus deprived Great Bri- tain of her most valuable settlements, and the fur trade on Lakes Erie, Ontario ^nd Champlain ; circumscribing her within a tract of land lying between the sea and the Alleghany mountains. It was never per- haps foreseen by our ministers, that the reduction of it, although attended with so much glory, would materially weaken the VII if dependence of the neighbouring states on England ; or that it would have hastened that disunion, which sooner or later takes place, whenever the offspring of the parent state consider themselves capable of being supported by their own resources alone. There was a mania in England for colonies at that period ;' it was called *' a darling conquest,'' the days of the Edwards and Henries were said to be revived. Perhaps Monsieur Choiseul, the French minister, when he stipulated that the country should be totally surrendered to its victor, at the peace of Ut'.rccnt , nad sagacity enough to foresee the events that would result from such a measure. • After its subjugation in 1628, by Sir David Kirk, who acted under a commission from Charles I., three abortive attempts were made to retake it, (it having been given up at the peace,) one of which was made in l690,by Sii- William Phipps, another under Sir Hoveden Walker in 1711, who lost 8 transports and 800 men on Egg Island by shipwreck, on the north shore, having sailed from Boston with 6,400 men. Another failed in m6,^i;^m;.,h under Admiral Lestock, who had 25 companies of Ameri- ' ' '' cans on board, under General St. Clair. Vlll It has been suid by Lord Byron, that tlje world of the present century . was growing blind To the greet Marlbro's skill in giving knocks. Until his late life by Archdeacon Coxe. But the present manuscript, which has none of the voluminous character of tiiat work, nor even of Captain Drink water's well-known siege of Gibraltar, only pro- fesses to sive a full account of the events which took place during the siege under- taken by General Montgomery, one of the principal leaders of the rebel troops, whose catastrophe is well known, from the cir- cumstances recording his fall in a desperate attempt to take the town of Quebec by storm. The celebrated Arnold showed at that period a sanguine adherence to the cause of republicanism, which gave but very distant impressions of that inclination to apostacy, which proved in after times the principal cause of the death of the gallant and lamented Andre, but was nevertheless most beneficial to the British troops with whom he afterwards served, and by whom his courage as a leader was never called in IX question. It is for this purpose that the manuscript has been raised from the obh- vious situation in which it had Iain for many years succeeding the period of the siege, and given to the pubhc with numerous im- provements and additions. Tlie celebrated Frankhn, " stoic Frankhn's energetic shade" had in vnin endeavoured to corrupt the fealty of the Canadians ; circulars were dis- tributed by Congress without effect among a people whose chief bond of allegiance was riveted by the power of their priesthood, and the rigid observance of the Roman Ca- tholic faith. They abhorred an union with a power of a different persuasion from their own ; their priests, who were all attached to the British Government, used a most potent spell to terrify those who might wish to join the invaders, by refusing them absolution and the sacraments of their church, and more particularly the benefit of extreme unction, in case of sickness : to this may be attributed the cause why only a few (abo t three hundred raised by Livingston, near Montreal) joined the standard of the rebels. Although but a brief period of years had Queb. i elapsed since the reduction of the country, the inhabitants, always peacefully inclined, had greatly forgotten *he warlike spirit of their ancestors from old France, and felt a prepossession for the milder sway of Britain, particularly as they had been generally subjected to martial law before the con- quest, and forced to take up arms, and serve with the French regulars, under pain of severe punishi ent; General Montcalm always threatening to send the savages among them, to burn their habitations and C'^rn fields, and giving orders to kill those that fled from battle, during the invasion under the English Epaminondas, General Wolfe, Avho there, Profuse of life, cut short the date Of rising lionor.s, by untimely tate. Arnold commenced his march from New ^ Englandyby Lake George and^ the sources of the river Kennebec, through an almost impenetrable wilderness; this action ap- peared as chimerical a scheme as the incur- sion of any horde of barbarians, in old time, more deserving of commendation, however, than the wild adventures of another Aineri- XI try, led, t of It a ain, ally :on- and Dain aim ages and lose sion erul ires iiost ap- cur- iine, iver, icri- can general, one of the worthies of the lat' war, whose perambuhitions among the herds of buffaloes in a desert country lying be- tween the United States and the Floridas, were designated by his countrymen as equal to the sublimest stories recorded by Plu- tarch and Xenophon. Instigated by the hopes of conquest, the followers of Arnold endured the greatest hardships in passing this trackless waste; many abandoned him, dismayed at the difficulties that presented themselves, and reiurned to more civilised regions. Dearborn, who was a major in this detachment, (and afterwards figured as a general in the war of 1812, though not in the most striking colours,) divided his favo- rite dog among his tattered comrades, who were in danger of perishing with hunger, and was abandoned in consequence of ex- cessive weakness, at the period when they erne -ged from the gloomy bosom of those devious forests which surround the vicinity of the Chaudi^re, a noble fall of water, possessing the most romantic grandeur, tar superior to the pigmy works of nature ex- emplified in most European cataracts. A Xll Canadian bard, addressing the Chaudi^re, says, in allusion to this wild expedition, 'Twas by thy drear inhospitable stream, W'here wood-fires ne'er from cheerful cottage gleam. The hardy Arnold led his daring few, Who braving hunger dared their point pursue ; But all their courage of how small avail, Their aim was conquest, but their fate a gaol. Montgomery was brother to Conway Montgomery, whose romantic courage is said to have been only paralleled by that of Charles XII., and who is said to have fought his last duel in an arm-chair, when weakened by age and infirmity. They were of a re- spectable family in the county of Donegal. It is strange to relate that Gen. Sir Guy Carleton, whose conduct was a parallel to the gallant stand made by the Pro- testants at Londonderry, was the son of a government officer, who resided only a few miles from the sam<" spot. Richard Mont- gomery, who had the chief command in the expedition here commemorated, was un- doubtedly a hero ; he had been an officer in a regiment of Wolfe's army, but left the service afterwards in disgust, and having. IS XIU says Captain S'^^edman, married an Ameri- can lady, completely threw off his allegiance to Great Britain. His fall drew tears from many of his colleagues, who had fought along with him in various engagements; and a distinguished member of the British Se- nate could not refrain from regretting the circumstances that led to the untimely end of one whose courage, he considered, might have been employed in a better cause. The conduct of the American Repubhc suffi- ciently shows its people to be of an enter- prising disposition. After the engagement at Bunker's Hill they prided themselves on their obstinate efforts in the cause of liberty ; and when covered by intrenchments and ramparts impenetrable to an attack con- ducted solely by musketry, and defended by natural barrljirs, sufficiently cleared them- selves from the imputation of cowardice, and of being heroes." who would fly at the sight of a grenadier cap.'' The reduc- tion of Canada has long been their aim, from political as well as commercial views, (particularly the navigation of the St. Lawrence, and the advantages of the fur XIV trade,) and from the immense command it would give them of the more northerly At- lantic shores, and of Nova Scotia ; but in this they have been hitherto completely foil- ed, particularly in their last attempts, insti- gated by the emissaries of our implacable enemy, Napoleon Bonaparte, when England was involved in a bloody continental war; and it is to be hoped that the example of those few British battaHons who, aided by a small number of Canadians and Indians, planted their standards on the walls of De- troit a.id Niagara, and completely baffled the invasion of upwards of thirty thousand Americans at various points of this vast province (containing from S. W. to N. E. a distance of more than 900 miles), will lohg serve to instigate in like manner its future defenders, whenever any a»<>»».. ^« *i,_ o i\ xi t • jo- . „ .1.,. v„v!!ijr uii luc ouicij iiirew nimscii inio Queb. A Arnold, and other officers in the rebel army, h with 150 Scotch emigrants, who had left their native country for the purpose of settling in Canada, and were the only followers that proved true to him. It was at a critical period, for the inhabitants had been divided by various fections; and general dissatisfaction, occasioned by thp liaSsing of the Quebec bill in Parliament, tended not a little to weaken their attachment to the mother country. But seeing the enemy at their gates, they all united for the preservation of public and private property, fearing the calamitous consequences of a general assault and pillage, and forgot former dissensions. Sir Guy Carleton, who had found his troops hardly capable of coping with the invaders, from their small numbers, and in vain attempted to embody the Canadian militia, who persisted in remaining neuter, escaped (in company with a few faithful followers) in the night from Montreal, through the enemy's flotilla, in a boat with muffled oars, and landed without being discovered at Quebec, at the exact period when Arnold arrived at Port Levi opposite the town, and by whose followers he was seen crossing the river. The inhabitants were immediately armed and disciplined, and the sailors of the transports and mer- chant vessels in the harbour incorporated, and appointed to the working of .the great guns. Arnold sent a flag of truce, after he had landed on the Heights of Abraham, de- manding a surrender, but it wa» fired upon from the garri- son, and all communication with the rebels prevented. In a letter from head-quarters, written by General Montgomery to Governor Carleton, he strongly remonstrated against such a breach of the law of nations, as he called this firing on. a flag of truce ; and after intimating to him the fruitlessness of any defence that could be made by his mojley garrison advised him not to destroy any public stores, as had beeu (who have lately figured as thfe principal chief- tains of the insurgent forces, leagued together for our destruction,) prepared to besiege us in form; and atler taking possession of the prin- cipal houses in the neighbourhood of the town, employed all the inhabitants in the laborious task of cutting fascines, and opening lines of circumvallation ; which account we learn from numerous deserters. On the 5th of this month Montgomery, who it appears had taken posses- done in other places above, that had surrendered ; " for in that case," says he, " by heavens you can expect no mercy." Arnold, after attempting to storm one of the city gates, (that of St. Louis) was beaten off with loss, and fearing M'Lean would make a sortie, retreated to Pointe aux Trembles, at some miles* distance from the town, till reinforced by the ar- rival of Montgomery, when a bombardment commenced, and 200 shells were thrown into the garrison ; and it was on the 31st of the month that they prepared for a general attack, in the midst of a tremendous storm of snow from the N.E., which covered their approach, after promising the plunder of the town to their followers, many of whom were greatly discontented, and murmured at the severe hardships they encountered in the midst of a Canadian winter. At the commencement of the late war the gasconading manifestoes of the American generals endeavoured to inspire their followers b^ such expressions as, " Are ye not relat- ed to the heroes 'whom Montgomery led, who have visilad the tomb of the chief, and conquered the country in which he lies ? Has the race degenerated, or have ye, through contending factions, forp-ottp.n vmir nntiuA lan^i v Xrr, sion of the parish of St. Croix, two miles from this city, at first posted himself there with some field artillery, having landed his heavy cannon at Cap Rouge, beyond the Heights of Abraliam— - Arnold's detachment taking possession in the interim of the Grande Allee fi-om St. Louis' Gate, and the other principal avenues, so as to cut off all communication with the country. On the 7th several letters addressed to the principal merchants, and written in an imperious strain, came in, advising immediate submission, and promising manifold indulgence in case of theit compliance with such an unreasonable demand. They were clandestinely introduced to the garri- son by some perfidious female, who brought likewise an epistle to Sir Guy Carleton, our go- vernor, written in very strange terms, and de- manding in peremptory language a surrender of the town ; but he took no further notice of tiie insidious conduct of the rebels, beyond im- prisoning the messenger for a short time, and then ordering her to be drummed out, as she deserved. 9th. Received information that the enemy were preparing to erect a heavy battery, on a spot situated on the heights, a little above the bark mill, at the end of St. John's Suburbs : all this day a constant fire of small arms was kept up from the village of St. Rocks, in which they have entrenched themselves, on the two-gun battery (en barbette) next the barracks, but did no execution. From a late hour this evening, till about three o'clock in the morning, they threw thirty-five shells into the garrison, from behind Mr. Grant's garden wall, (say cohorns,) but none of them did any damage, although they burst in every direction. The upper town much alarmed at hearing the reports of these unexpected winged messengers, " portending hollc truce,'' from the hideous orifice of our adversaries' thUn- derers — On entendoit gronder ces bombes efFroyables, Des troubles de la Flandre enfants abominables ; Dans ces globes d'airain le salp6tre enflamm6 Vole avec la prison qui le tient renferme ; II la brise, et la mort en sort avec furie, Voltaire, Henriade, c. vi. 10th. This morning at day-light the ene- my's battery, hitherto masked, of five canhon and a howitzer, (which seemingly consisted en- tirely of fascines, and had been hastily thrown up in the darkness of the preceding night, like the Bunker's Hill intrenchment) appeared on the face of the mill above-mentioned, about 700 yards from the walls, which was only exposed to the guns from St. John's Gate, and the forti- fications downwards, from which quarters a constant fire of two twelve, and two twentv-four pounders, was kept up all day upon the insur- gents, which annoyed them greatly, and is said to have done considerable execution among their working detachments. At noon a sallying party was sent out to destroy several large houses nigh St. John s Gate ; but finding much difficulty in pulling them down, they were fired ; a circumstance which, although the result of inevitable necessity, the governor afterwards disapproved of. After burning all night, and destroying about six houses more, the fire went out of itself. At one o'clock in the morning the enemy began again to throw their shells from the same quarter, and in the space of three hours sent in the critical number 45, but did no damage whatever : (if they elevate their mor- tars to that range, they may indeed amuse themselves as they please, but do us very tri- fling injury :) in return we threw several into their battery and post at St. Rocks, which seemed to fall as directed. 1 1th. Busied all day in supplying the hospital with rugs, canvas, &c. for bedding — to provide for casualties, and ensure the safety of any who may suffer from the inclemency of the weather. In the afternoon a corporal of the Royal Emi- grants was unfortuj'ar:!j killed on the two-gun battery, by a muc'xt- : il jom St. Rocks. In the course of this evening, and till late in the morning, thfi enemy sent in thirty-five sliells ; but liice the otherH, these did little or no damage, 80 that their ill-omened attempts at reducing us by bombardment alone, appear completely in- effectual, and have not made the least impres- sion on the body of our citizens. 12th. The garrison busied all day in bringing more guiis to bear on the enemy's works: — mounted two 32«pounders and two ten-inch howitzers on the ramparts, which with the others keep up a constant fire of round and grape, and have made very good shots. The inhabitants of the town say that the militia and sailors mur- mur much at the governor's not allowing them to burn that hornet's nest, St. Rocks and St. John's Suburbs, and thereby drive the besiegers at once from the strong holds they possess. — Two Yankees killed by our marksmen, from the two-gun battery, with musket-shot. 13th. Nothing particular: — kept up a constant fire of shells and round shot on the enemy's works. Still annoyed from St. Rocks with small arms ; :ne balls from which whistle round our fatigue-parties on duty, who nevertheless are providing measures for soon returning them the compliment in a handsomer style. 14th. Preparing mortars and royals for throw- ing shells : all day kept up a constant fire from our different batteries on the enemy's works, s. > 8 having opened the Cavalier Redoubt, consisting of two thirty-six, and two thirty-two pounders, besides a flanker fronr. Capo Diamond, which are all directed so as materially to annoy the besiegers at their fortifications, and to sweep away all that appear from the ground within the range of their destructive influence. 15th/ The enemy opened their battery upon • The conduct of Sir Guy Caricton, in refusing to admit any flags from the enemy, by which the firmness of his garrison might be shaken, deserves the greatest praise. It reminds the reader of the siege of Stirling Castle in 1745; and its defence by General Blakeney ; also of the conduct QF THE Governor of Fort William, — — Avho withdrew Into the castle, with those thought true, Who chose with him the siege to stand, To their life's end, with sword in hand — And all of use he thought to be Were welcome to his company. Th' unloyal he charged not to tend it, For to the last he would defend it. — Stapleton a French tambour sent, Beating a parley as he went : The captain asked, for what he came ? He said, " From General Stapleton, To you, Sir Governor, with this letter— 'Tis to surrender — you can't do better." " Then io your general this answer give, * No letters from rebels I receive.' — I shall do better, and him defy, t-iVcn lO nic X asi eXiFCiiiUy. .^-Kl » »^ -x/ia I'ocm. s. > sting Jers, 'hich ^ the tfveep 1 the jpori admit 3f his e. It 1745, DUCT 9 lis this morning at day-light, from which they continued to fire till nine o'clock, with the inten- tion of making a practicable breach, when it suddenly ceased playing, either owing to their guns having bursted, or to the powder maga- zine or caissons having blown up : at half past ten o'clock they sent a flag of truce ; but the go- verno", Sir Guy Carleton, would neither admit it, nor listen to their proposals. On receiving a message to this effect from the ramparts, they replied, that the inhabitants were to blame, and that the governor would answer the con- sequences, and then marched off towards the ge- neral hospital.' About two o'clock they again began their fire from the battery, which lasted till dark, without doing any material damage ; at the same time, they threw in about twenty shells^ and at night sent in about fifteen more, without any effect. Our batteries kent up a well- directed fire all day, which did a great deal of damage, and during the night as well as day threw a number of shells into their battery and St. Rocks. Employed in giving out materials to * Arnold himself was the bearer of this white flag, but was refused admittance, and desired to carry back his letter, as the governor strongly discountenanced any communica- tion whatever with the insurgents, and was determined to frustrate any preparatoiy stratagem of this kind, which might intimidate the garrison under his qpmmanu. Queb. B 10 make 2000 sand-ba^s or gabions, to repair the embrasures. ' 16th. As soon as day-light ap^ eared we re-opened our battery on the enemy, the guns * The bombardment of the town by the rebels appears to have had little effect on the garrison, particr.larly in a space so widely extended for their shells to play on, as the fortifications of Quebec presented : — Their shots fell weak, and came too short, Some fell before they reach 'd the fort : Cohorns, bombs, and a twelve-pounder, In vain ai, such a distance thunder. Old Poem. And the inclemency of the weather, in addition to the small calibre of the guns they levelled against these fortifications, seems to have been an insurmountable obstacle to any at- tempts at reduction by other measures than a regular as- sault. A propensity to burn and destroy appears to have been the prevailing feature in the conduct of the besiegers, and which their countrymen appear to have been too fond of reiterating during the iate war, when they totally ruined many settlements of the Upper Province, by devastations not generally practised in the course of honorable warfare. Amongf these the burning of the flourishing village New- ark, near Fort George, on Lake Ontario, in the depth of a hard winter, was an instance of unexampled barbarity, for which the perpetrators would have suffered in the most signal manner, had they not saved themselves by a dis- graceful flight. It was in retaliation for such deeds of atrocity that the principal buildings of Washington were destroyed when the British troops entered it» u of which were played off incessantly till night, and seemed to annoy them very much, by a well-directed fire, conducted by Captain M'Kenzie of the Hunter sloop of war, and Captain Goseling of the merchant service, who acted as gunners. At half past two the enemy again opened their battery ; but instead of five, they could only make use of three of their can- non, the largest of which were only twelve- pounders : however, they kept up a fire of shot and shells till dark, without doing any ma- terial damage except throwing down a few chimnies, and one of their cohorns bursted in a house near St. John's Gate, which in some mear sure destroyed it, and wounded a little boy, but not dangerously. From the number of the Vaii- kees visible about St. Rocks in the dark, and particularly in the Intendant's palace, we were suspicious of an attack in the nighf, and a heavy snow-storm which began to fall late, seemed to encourage their designs, and to increase our fears. 17th. Just as we supposed, it turned out ; for aibout a quarter before five o'clock in the morn- ing the alarm was given both by ringing of the town bells, and beating of drums ; on which, to the great honor of the inhabitants, every one of them repaired to their alarm-posts imme- diately, where they waited for further orders : 12 at the same time care was taken to support the weakest and most suspected places. After re- maining some time under arms, we were inform- ed that no real attack had been actually made, but that the number of the enemy descried ap- proaching towards Palace Gate had increased in proportion to the fears of the sentry, who swore that he had seen thousands of them advancing towards his post ; and so positive was he in his opinion (although the morning was very dark and gloomy), that he insisted they formed seven deep, and that there seemed no end to their line. In short, a few discharges of small arms was all that was heard ; a circumstance rather singular than otherwise, ever since the enemy took possession of St. Rocks.^ The governor ' In the defence of a fortification which extends over a great space of ground, nnd in which the besieged are com- paratively but few, the effectual measure has been often adopted of calling the garrison to their posts at a moment's warning, by giving a false alarm. This stratagem, which has the power of showing the real strength of a fortress, was resorted to by Sir G. Prevost at Quebec in 1813; three cannon being discharged at midnight, and the troops quar- tered in the town, as also all the inhabitants, roused from their slumbers with the report of the enemy being at the gates, though they were at the time nearly 300 miles distant from the town, and had a few arduous difficulties to sur- mount before they could come within cannon-shot of its wails. 13 appeared about seven o'clock, and after thanking the inhabitants for their alacrity, dismissed them. During the corpse of the day a heavy firing commenced from St. John's suburbs, at the sentinels on the lines, which was soon si- lenced by a twenty-four pounder, loaded with case-shot. During the night a few shells were thrown in from them, and a number returned from our howitzers. Not a shot from their bat- tery this day, nor is there a person to be seen in it : we have imagined it is abandoned, and con- sidered untenable. The inhabitants of the sub- urbs were afterwards seen marching home with their spades and pick-axes on their shoulders : we supposed that they were tired of acting as pioneers, and of raising batteries, which they have seen so soon destroyed by the galling fire of destructive missiles from our guns. 18th. Learnt this morning that some person in woman's clothing had been killed the evening before, going towards Palace Gate, in the dusk! About noon one of the emigrants wa^^ wounded by a musket-bal! from the enemy's marksmen in St. Rocks. In the evening the enemy threw into the town about twenty shells, but they all burst without doing us any damage. During the night many were thrown into St. Rocks by our gunners, some of which were thirteen-inch shells. A canoe from Point Levi came over to the Lower town in u the course of the day, with four men : ♦hey wepe immediately conducted to the governor, who suspected they came over for no good purpose, (although they brought a little provision with them for sale,) and ordered them immediately back under an escort to the water-side. It seems there is a party of about 50 of the enemy in that neighbourhood, who, it appears, (if we can believe the rascals who have just embarked) prevent them from sending their provisions into town. But attend to the absurdity : a party of fifty rebels hinders a body of from 4 to 5,000 Canadians from doing as they please, showing them to be a set of traitorous, faithless, ungrateful villains !' Colonel M'Lean this day received a * The country part of the population, descended from the old French stock that migrated from Normandy, and other parts, with Samuel de Champlain in 1608, are a peaceful class of mortals, in general averse to war, and little solicitous about any change of rulers that may take place in the country, as long as they are permitted to possess their rural domains in tranquillity. Immediately after the French garrison of Quebec in 1759 had beaten the chamade, and capitulated to General Townshend, the Canadians surrendered, and so- licited permission to reap their harvest. The Beauport people, in particular, received our soldiers with joy. On the 22d and 24th of September (nine days after the battle) they delivered up their arms in great numbers, and took the oaths, after which they returned home with their effects and cattle, and began to reap their corn, in which our soldiers off duty ^^^i^^^t m^iju. inc cxprcssiua oi virgn (ueorg. Lib. ii. letter from some friend without, which is fraughf with very agreeable information ; such as that the besiegers are greatly dissatisfied with their general's proceedings, and that their body of men appears backward in doing the duty re^ quired of them ; also that there is a great scar^ city of gunpowder, as well as of cannon and musket-balls among them— intelligence which afforded us great satisfaction. 19th. Every thing quiet ; busy in fortifying the town and mounting cannon : one of the emigrants deserted to our foes in the night over the wall of the Sally Port, while posted there on sentry: the enemy threw in a few shells without doing any damage. Threw a great many also from the garrison in return. ' 20th. This day several letters came into town, which confirm what had been written to Colonel M'Lean, and also desire the go- vernor to beware of the machinations of some of the captains of the militia ; they can be no others than those of the French part of the 458. et seq. v. O fortunatos nimium, &c. Agricolas !) is in a most particular manner applicable to the situation of the Canadian peasantry. ' This account of the besieging force does not corre- spond with that given by other writers, by whom it is stated at 1500 rebels alone ; the 400 Canadians were those raised by Livingston, for none of the inhabitants of the vicinity of Quebec served with them except under compulsion. 16 population ; d secret correspondence being kept up, it is %aid, through that channel, by which the enemy is made acquainted with every thing that passes within the town. These accounts further mention, that among the rebel forces there are actually not more than 800 true-blood- ed Yankees, and 400 apostate Canadians from above, under arms, together with 300 of the inhabitants of this neighbourhood, forced into their service ; in all 1500 men, employed in the siege: but were they twice the number, we have now little to fear, the town being so well fortified. We are also informed that the enemy is retreating up the country, probably in con- sequence of the severity of the winter. This evening we threw a great many shells into St. Rocks, and fired it in two diflferent places ; but there being little or no wind, the conflagration ceased, and was completely extinguished in the morning, without doing great damage. It is con- fidently asserted, that the person disguised in woman's attire, mentioned as having been killed at St. Rocks, turned out to be the enemy's chief engineer in disguise, and that draughts of the suburbs were found in his pockets. About half past five o'clock this morning an alarm was given by the sentinels at the Saut du Mate- lot, (some of the faithful) and the great bell was set ringing ; but on the rumour being found 17 out to be a false one, it was stopped, and but a few of the inhabitants turned out, who imme- diately retired again to their respective habita- tions. 21st. Employed in p 'eparing carcasses,* (to pour defiance into the mouths of the rebels' ar- tillery,) and fixing wall-pieces round the garri- son. Only a few musket-shots fired from St. Rocks. The block-house behind the Hotel" Dieu was completely finished, and the one at Cape Diamond very much advanced. Very few of the enemy seen to-day. Another emigrant is said to have deserted over the battery behind the barracks. 22d. The sentinel above-mentioned, it seems, did not desert, but committed a most unsoldier- like offence; for being taken ill on his post, he went directly home to his barracks, without acquainting the guard. Late last night a young gentleman, clerk to Lieutenant-Colonel Cald- well, who had been taken prisoner about the time Si. Bruit was burned, came into the town by way of Drummond's wharf, and brought in one of the enemy with him, having got under our guns, (the French militia having the guard) ' A species of shell filled with combustibles, with several holes in its circumference, thrown from mortars and howitz- ers, and intended to burn an enemy's lod^^ment, palisades, or habitations. Queb. c I 18 without being challenged : he gives an account of great preparations making among the besieg- ers for storming the town : confirms their num. her as being in all about 1500, and that their general's head-quarters were at Holland House, on the St. Foy Road : that Montgomery re- solved on making a grand attack between that evening and Christmas, having assured his party that they should most certainly dine in town on or before that day. He likev/ise maintains that great numbers were infected by that dreadful scourge the small-pox, and that they had many killed as well as wounded during the period of their working the guns at their battery. In short, that they were very much dissatisfied with the general situation of affairs ; but that General Montgomery, with the promise of giving to each man who would volunteer to mount the wall with him the sum of 100/., had gained their assent to hazard an attack.' All this * The reader will recollect the anecdote of the great Cond6, who, speaking of the intrepidity of soldiers, says, that he promised fifty louis to any one who should carry a palisade (which it was found necessary to burn) by a coup de main. A soldier more courageous than the rest, and who preferred honor to money, said he would relinquish the fifty louis if the prince would make him sergeant of his own company. His Highness, pleased with this generous feeling, promised him both; and the soldier, animated by the prospect of reward, completely succeeded in the hazardous attempt. 10 matter being corroborated by his associate, ex- traordinary pickets, and additional guards, were ordered. Continued throwing shells as usual into St. Rocks. 23d. Most of the town under arms, in ex- pectation of an attack ; but nothing material happened. Busy all day in mounting more flanking guns. One of the emigrants killed from St. Rocks, while standing sentinel on the two-gun battery. In the evening a deserter came in ; but on examining him closely, his ac- counts were so contradictory, both in regard to their numbers and intentions, that little or no credit was given to him ; on the contrary, we suspected he only came in as a spy, to mislead us by false or supposititious information, and if possible to desert again to the enemy with intelli- gence ; in consequence of which, instead of being well treated, as he seemed to expect, he was sent to gaol. He formerly did duty in this town with the 52d regiment, when quartered here, and marched off with his comrades when they were ordered to Boston ; so that it is imagined he deserted that corps in the dubious skirmish which took place at Lexington* in M^idJiu^d^as ' The spot where the first aflfray took place between the regulars and revolutionary forces; the latter having in- trenched themselves behind stone-walls, houses, bushes, &c. from which they kept up a scattering fire on our troops I 20 he mentions having been present in tliat affair, but was left wounded on the field, and afterwards forced by threatening measures into the enemy's service. A few of the besiegers seen about the heights, and in St. Rocks. Threw shells into the enemy's position all night. Still all quiet. 24th. The volunteer picket continued, in ex- pectation of an attack. Busy in mounting more flanking guns. Nothing else particular. All the posts were reinforced, and the night passed away iu tranquillity. The usual proceeding of annoying our foes, by throwing shells, regularly continued. 25th. Still employed in bringing up more heavy cannon to bear on the works of the be- siegers. Last night one of the British Militia unfortunately killed a sergeant of the Royal Emi- grants, it is said in a quarrel, having shot him dead on the spot. 26th. The volunteer picket continued under arms. This morninp- the coroner's inquest sat on the body of the man who was shot yester- day, and after due examination, brought in the as they retreated. It may be observed, that the acrimony, even at this early stage of the contest, existing between the two parties, was great indeed, when it is considered that several of the wounded of Major Smith's party were scalped by the savage republicans, into whose hands they had fallen. SI verdict, murder. About noon we received intelligence tiiat about 350 of the enemy had got into St. Rocks last night, with their scaling ladders, and meditated a decisive stroke this evening ; in consequence of which, every one was on the spot, expecting they would attempt to carry the town by a coup de main: but the night passed in silence on their side; on ours, we continued to throw shells from our guns as usual, and to keep a strict look out, at the advanced posts, for fear their intentions should be verified, to our peril and damage, and that any ambuscades may be frustrated, which their skulking parties may attempt to form, being determined to oppose them, however numerous, with the utmost vigor. 27th. The volunteer picket still continued. Employed in reinforcing the different out-posts, and destroying out-houses, which might shelter the besiegers. A few cannon fired at the suburb of Minues, to drive the rebels from their lodg- ment there. Mounted more guns in the lower town during the evening. Shells at night as usual, from the howitzers. 28th. The volunteer picket mounted guard as usual ; but every thing passed in tranquillity. Nothing else this day worthy of relation. These deceptive calms, however, we fear, forebode 9 finm'll G!trk%«m Ort#1 ^>ow.«|r ui'j-iixij uxivt ^aiijr ouiiic ^icat cvcuis ill 22 their bosom, from what we can at present dis- cover. 29th. This morning early another deserter came in, who confirmed the information which we had received, regarding their intentions of attacking us by surprise, and aJso agreed in his account withthatof Mr. Wolfe, of their numbers; in consequence of which most of the out-posts were reinforced, and more cannon mounted to- day. 30th. Very quiet all day. Only a few of the enemy to be seen. Fired a few shots at their out- goard at St. Rocks, and threw a great number of shells this evening into that neighbourhood. The volunteer picket continued as usual. * 3Ist. The darkness of last night, and the ' The writer of this journal appears to have been chiefly engaged in the defence made by the garrison in the narrow pass leading to the lower town, where the attack was con- ducted by General Arnold in person, at the head of the 600, some say 350, New England men, who seem to have' coliectti all the courage they were masters of on this even- ing; their irregular valor, now and then having the propensity of oozing out, like Bob Acres's valor, at their fingers' ends • for we never hear of the New England men attempting any warlike action, unless they "felt bold," and had perfect confidence in themselves. After his left leg had been shattered by a musket-ball, which rendered him lame ever after, the general was carried off to the hospital, a convent of Augustine nuns, founded by St. Vallier, Bishop of Quebec, at gloominess of this morning, seemed fit for (he an early period, on the St. Charles' river, and famous in for- mer days for being the spot where the celebrated General Montcalm died of his wounds, after the battle of Quebec, in 1759, where he vainly attempted to rally his flying legions. The first barrier was carried by Captain Morgan (afterwards a general in the service of the rebels), who entered it through the embrasure, just as one of the guns was discharged with grape, (so near that only one man was killed,) and who in vam attempted to force the second, in consequence of the heavy fire from its battery and the adjoining houses ; but was forced to surrender with the greatest part of his attacking force to a detachment which came in his rear, and so placed him between two fires. Lieutenant Anderson, who was an officer of the navy, doing duty as a captain in the garrison^ mentioned here, (if we may credit what is said in Marshall's life of Washington,) fell by Morgan's own hand, as he was callmg to the enemy to surrender. His body was immediate- ly drawn into the embrasure, and a heavy fire of musket- shot commenced from the neighbouring windows on the Americans. Morgan had been originally a waggoner in General Braddock's army during his ill-fated expedition against Fort Du Quesne (now Pittsburg, on the Monanga- hela): and having quarrelled, it is reported, with one of the British sentinels on duty, he raised his fist, and knocked the soldier down, for which offence he was condemned to receive 300 lashes; and it was an observation of his in after times, that the British still owed him a lash; for, says he, " they promised to give me 300, and they only gave me 299, for I counted them every one." He was afterwards the cause of General Frazer's being marked out and shot, in an engage- ment during the revolutionary war ; for observing that officer ~ "^ "'" =^^'^ "' ^"e woopsi as he rode on a white horse, 24 blackest designs, and, as many suspected, would and led them on to the attack in a most gallant manner, he directed one of his company, whom he knew to be a good marksman, to ascend a tree, and take particular aim at the " man on the whit? horse," which was done in too fatal a man- ner, as that officer was shot through the body from the tree, by the rifleman. He also contributed, by skilful manoeuvring, to the disaster at Cowpens, where Colonel Tarleton com- manded. The American Colonel, Washington, (soon after wounded and made prisoner,) commanding the cavalry, is said to have called out, while in pursuit of the British, " Which is Colonel Tarleton?" audone of the British troop- ers, who answered, " that he was not Tarleton, but thouo-ht he could, nevertheless, do for the American colonel," was shot by Washington's trumpeter, while attempting to cut that of- ficer down. Morgan took advantage of the impetuosity of our troops in that combat; but it must be recollected most of them were young recruits, who had never seen service. He was a man of dissipated habits, who passed great part of his time in playing at dice, and drinking at taverns, and ge- nerally went by the name of the rifleman, among the British officers, several of whom were quartered in his house after the surrender of Cornwallis at York-town. Captain Nairns mentioned here, was a brave Highland officer, whose services were very instrumental in the defence of the town ; and his loyalty was rewarded by government with the grant of a con- siderable tract of land on the St. Lawrence. His friend Dam- bourgesse was the first who entered the house, and he him- self followed, and ran the American officer, who commanded, through the body with his sword. His son, who was a captain in the 49th, and a brave and distinguished officer, was slain by the first discharge of artillery in the combat which took place at Chrystler's Farm, above Montreal, in 1812, between 25 effectually encourage the blow meant and plan- ned against this place ; as so it turned out: for about half past five o'clock in the morning we were all alarmed at our pickets with the report of an attack being made by the enemy : in con- sequence of which the alarm bell of the cathe- dral rung, and all the drums beat to arms ; dunng which, they sent in a number of shells from their battery, (whilst we were stationed in the quarter of Recollects) which burst in all di- rections with a great crash, and served to in- crease the alarm of those who yet remained in the mterior of the fortress. Colonel MXean was informed by a person just come from the grand battery, that the post of Saut du Mate- lot> was in possession of the enemy; upon hear- Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison's Spartan band of 800 British troops and nearly 4000 Americans, under the command of General Boyd. But his death was not left unrevenged by his companions in arms, by whom upwards of one hundred of the enemy (including a General of Brigade) were killed and nearly 240 wounded, without including more than 150 prisoners and a six-pounder taken. The British were so drawn up, that their flanks, whjch were covered by the nver, and by a wood, could not be turned, and the Ameri- cans were forced to march to the attack up to the knees in p oughed ground, exposed to a heavy fire of musketry, and of Shrapnel shells from our six-pounders. roZ'' f fr™'"'' ^''P- ^ "'"°^ P'^^ ""^^'- ^he precipitous rocks of the upper town. defendpH l.v .. u.,.^,/^.^ .. r\ 1 ~ --- ~j ~ -.t.iic'jT iijuunung D 'if 26 ing which we repaired to the lower town to reinforce the guard, but on arriving at the place of action, found all in disorder and confusion ; learnt that a number of the other picket, who had advanced too precipitately, were made pri- soners along with Adjutant Mills of the British Militia, and that Captain Lester had narrowly escaped. This being the situation of things, there was no keeping of any order among either the few British or French M:\itia, who had re- paired to the assistance of this post, for there were two other attacks made at the same time. Day-light appearing, in some small degree re- lieved our distress, and removed a considerable share of anxiety, but even then we found there were no proper commanders, at least any whose authority had sufficient weight with the people so as to keep them to the charge or lead them on. Our out-post was thus surprised, without^ I may freely say, firing a gun ; the guard and advanced parties being made prisoners; and the enemy, having thus gained possession of the barrier after a short struggle, advanced to the narrow pass that leads to the lower town, and took possession of the houses as they came along, from the back parts of which a constant two la-pounders, which opened on the enemy with grape as soon as they were perceived. 27 fire of musket-shot was kept up by theirt, and returned by us under the best cover we could find at this critical juncture ; for had the enemy pushed boldly on through the defile, having got under our last barrier in the Saut du Matelot, they must certainly have carried it. While things were at this crisis, a most seasonable remforcement of the heroic band of volunteers arrived, aided by the volunteer company formed by thecaptains of our merchant-vessels, the whole under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Cald- well, Captain Nairn, and Lieutenant Anderson (the latter of whom was soon killed by a shot through the head) ; and being thus aided by such able officers, things soon bore a very different aspect ; for having disposed of the greatest part of the whole body in the neighbouring houses (say Captain Gill's, Mr. Vialar's, and Lymbur- ner's), from which places we kept up a constant fire of musketry, we prevented the enemy from getting over our barrier, or advancing by any other quarter ; at this very moment a sailor got upon the stage behind the barrier-gate, and laid hold of a scaling-ladder, which the rebels had put up and were attempting to ascend, and pulled it over his head. This we mounted against an end-window, which faced the street, being that of the house next the barrier-gate, in which the enemy had made a lodgment, when a Mr. 28 Damboui-gesse, doing duty in the Royal Emi- grants as an officer, and Captain Nairn of the same corps, mounted the ladder, followed by many others, and having forced the window, made themselves very soon masters of the ; - aft6r killing one of the enemy on the spot, t _.a wounding several others.* In this place they continued intrenched for nearly an hour, during which time the fire of small arms from both sides was kept up extremely hot and galling, in which dispute the British Militia were the only corps that suffered ; the first man killed was a servant of Mr. Drummond, at the corner of Flanagin's Hangard ; a servant of Mr. Renaud was also wounded in the thigh, and a Mr. Les- ter mortally wounded at the end of Mr. Lym- burner's gallery; Charles Daley was also wounded in the mouth, while firing the great gun, in the redoubt which enfiladed the street from the 2d barrier gate, and a Mr. Fraser, ship- builder, was shot dead by my side at the two pair of stairs' window in Lymburner's house ; however, these horrid spectacles wrought but little on our minds, who were determined to fight to the last ; for notwithstanding these un- ' All readers conversant with naval history, will be here naturally reminded of the gallantry of Lord Nelson in board- ing the San Nicholas Spanish man of war, through the cabin- window, at the head of a brave party of sailors and marines. 29 happy accidents, the firing on our side never ceased until such time as victory declared in our favor, a circumstance as unexpected as sin^rular for about nine o'clock we found ourselv^es iii possession of nearly 200 prisoners, with our friends formerly taken released, and busy in escorting them off. How we were conquerors at a juncture when we imagined all lost, and at a time when we so little expected it, you will now be informed, viz. The governor being ap- prised by repeated messengers, some voluntary while others were ordered to carry him intelli- gence to the castle, in rotation of duty, how likely the lower town was to fall into the hands of the enemy, they having forced our out-post and nearly gained our last barrier, he, in con! sequence of this, with the greatest coolness ordered an immediate sortie to be made from' Palace Gate to outflank them,' conducted by ' In a surprise we must come directly to a determinaUon one way or another, for the enemy will not allow us time for reflection; and the quality most essential to a General is a prompt and just discernment and judgment in his decisions. Boldness may often supply the want of quickness of imagi- nation, and furnish resources in embarrassing circumstances but an ardent temperament, which is in its place at the head of a regiment of grenadiers o„/y, deprives the mind of the facu ty o thinking, and exhibits every object in a false :tlt "'?"'' "'"'""•" ''^''' '' '"-^^ °^--ts. - -^v^d „. «„„wmg nimseif to be mastered by them ; 30 Captain Lawes of the Royal Engineers, which party was covered by a Captain M^Dougal of the Royal Emigrants, and this body had no sooner gained the bottom of the hill than they fell in with the rear-guard of the enemy, who were so much confounded at so unexpected an attack, that they immediately threw down their arms, and submitted themselves prisoners without firing a shot. Captain Lawes kept boldly advancing (leaving M'Dougal to dispose of the enemy who had fallen into his hands, as was thought proper) and soon gained the out- post at Saut du Matelot, which he entered without opposition, none of his party having as yet come up, and rushed into the midst of the rebels, crying out, with the greatest sang froid, " You are all my prisoners." If the rear party, which consisted of upwards of 300, were as- tonished at being mrde prisoners so unexpect- edly, you may well conceive the surprise of those who had made themselves masters of our post, at being addressed in such language. " How," said they, " your prisoners ! you are ours." " No, no, my dear creatures," replied he, ** I vow to God you are all mine, don't mistake yourselves." " But where are your men ?" " O, ho !" says he, and when he happens to be surprised, will himself surprise the enemy — Vide Chevalier Johmtone's Memoirs. 31 " make yourselves easy about that matter, they are all about here, and will be with you in a twinkling." Conversation to that purpose, for near ten minutes, was carried on, during which period a proposal was made to kill him, which was overruled ; in the interim his party arrived, made themselves masters of the post, and plac-. ing the enemy between two fires, secured it, with the assistance of Captain M^Dougah Thus the whole body of the enemy which had taken pos- session of the Saut du Matelot were made prisoners. In this manner we within the town were released from impending ruin through this unexpected manceuvre of the general, by which means their whole party was either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners ; among the for- mer were 3 officers' and 50 privates ; 44 were wounded. On our side we had only 5 kill- ed and about twice as many wounded, (say thirteen, two of whom are since dead.) The total amount of prisoners taken was 427, thirty- two of whom were officers, including Lieu- tenant-Colonel Green, Major Biclowe, and many others of note.* Thus ended the at- * Captain Hendricks and Lieutenant Humphries of the Pensylvania Rifllemen, and Lieutenant Cooper. * The contest had been so hot, that many of our foes, who escaped unhurt, were scorched by the powder of the' ■%t- tV. ■ge« a«, lueiu; lOr every one that showed 32 tack of the Saut du Matelot which was con- ducted in person by our old acquaintance Arnold, who being wounded in the leg, du- ring the approach, was carried off to the general hospital ; as soon as the enemy were seen approaching, a constant rolling fire of mus- ketry was kept up from behind the barracks all along by the pickets, to the Saut du Mate- lot battery, on their advancing party, by which great numbers were killed and wounded. Se- veral of the former were not yet covered with the snow, of which there was a great fall im- mediately after they were found, and victory was scarcely declared in the town, when the enemy made another attack at Pr^s de Ville, near Drummond's Wharf, and the Potash, of which many of the town were ignorant — this body was repulsed, leaving behind them nine killed, and two wounded. A party of the gar- rison was afterwards ordered to sally out to St. Rocks, which, after bringing in a 6-pounder brass field-piece with the small mortars, shells, &c. of the enemy's battery, set fire to almost the whole village of St. Rocks, beginning a litde below Palace Gate, taking in M'Cord's street, the Intend ant's palace, and the whole of that neighbourhood, with several houses near the himself in the street or at the windows, was immediately fired at- and shot down. 89 Saut Ou Matelot, whirii were all entirely coa, sumed before next morning.' Thus ended tho glorious operations of a day which threatened destruction to Quebec and its inhabitants, with the total subversion of the whole province. Let U3 therefore, with one voice, express our gra- titude to the King of kings for our miraculous preservation : for the Almighty was with us in the day of distress ; the Lord of Hosts severely smote our enemy ; they were overwhelmed as with a whirlwind, and left us triumphant to gather them up and lead them into captivity ; for which blessing, glory, honor and praise be to the Most High ! At a subsequent period, St. Silvester's day, (so named in the Roman Calendar from a bishop of Rome in 314), the anniversary of this contest was commemorated by the survivors, as a festival, with the usual solemnities observed on such an occasion. * Jan. 1st, 1776. Every thing quiet during the 'The Intenda-^t's palace mentioned here was a large building, the ancient seat of the French government in the province, (having been founded in 1639,) and it was there that the " Conseil Souverain " met four times a week to transact public business, it being the residence of the lieu- tenant-governor. It was fired on account of its proximity to the walls, and because the enemy annoyed the garrison from it with their rifles. » The spot where General Montgomery attacked the town was by a narrow pass leading to an n-it-nnat «oar Queb. E 34 night. In the morning two Canadians came in, Pr^s de Ville ; which was commanded by a small redoubt, and a battery which enfiladed the approach. He advanced at the head of 900 men, in the midst of a snow storm, along this narrow path, over which impended the rugged precipitous rocks of Cape Diamond, and which was bound- ed on the other side by huge masses of ice, piled up by the stream of the St. Lawrence. The Canadian sentinel fired a few random shots, and fled to the redoubt, which gave the alarm. The General, who encouraged his men to follow by liis entreaties and example, immediately helped to pull up the palisades with his own hands ; but as he was advancing, the guard fired a volley of grape and musketry at his advanced party, by which !»imself and many others were killed. Stedman says, that a captain of a transport com- manded in the redoubt, of the name of Brain&feather, who allowed the assailants to approacli within forty yards of the guns. The New York men who followed became dishearten- ed, and immediately, under the command of Colonel Camp- bell, without making any further attack, retreated. The gun that commanded this important pass is said to have been fired with the slow match in the. hurry of the moment.' General Carleton in his letter seems to have had little notice of the attack on this quarter of the town, while engaged in frustrating that undertaken by Arnold. In his letter he says, ** The attack on the other out-post was soon repulsed with slaughter : — Mr. Montgomery was left among the dead." — Captain Malcolm Fraser of the 78th Highlanders (a com- rade of General Wolfe) was the officer who discovered the ' In the spring of 1820 died at Norfolk, Mr. Ayres, ta- vern-keeper in that city, who was one of the men stationed at the gun. 36 thinking the lower town in possession of the enemy, who, upon being carried to the main guard and examined, reported that they had come from the general liospital that morning, where there was no account given of General Montgomery. This intelligence, joined to the circumstance of a fur cap, marked in the bot- tom R. M., having been brought in, immediately led us to suspect that iie must have been killed in leading his men on to the attack of our out-post at Pr^s de Ville. A Canadian, also, named Gagne^ who had been out plundering, having found a considerable sum of money on the body of one of the rebel officers, orders were sent down to bring up all the dead bodies from that quarter, amongst which were found by a ser- advance of the Americans in the storm of snow, and as he was going his rounds, ordered his drummer to beat to arms, and thus gave notice to the garrison. — The American govern- ment sent a few years back for the bones of General Mont- gomery, to whom a cenotaph had been erected among the tombs of other heroes at New York, by the continental con- gress ; and the spot where he was buried (accompanied by the honors of war, on the 2d of January, according to General Carleton's order) was pointed out by Mr. Thompson, who is possessed of his sword, having been a Sergeant at the time of the siege, and found his body in the snow next morning. He had received not less than eleven balls. Other accounts say his chief wounds were one in each thigh, and one on the head. 36 geant and drummer, who went out, (fortunately for us) General Montgomery,' also his aid-de- camp Captain MVPherson,* a Captain Chees- man of their artillery, and the general's orderly sergeant, all lying dead together, pierced with wounds. This unexpected discovery gave new spirits to the town, and greatly relieved us from the apprehensions of any second attack. The prisoners, officers and men, appear much pleased with their usage, it being greatly beyond their expectations.' A great many shells thrown into Anquetil, the French historian, committed a gross blun- der (it may be here observed) when he says, that Arnold was wounded in endeavouring to avenge the death of Mont- gomery— (Le bouillant Arnold resut une blessure en voulant le venger). * The American biographers have recorded some idle story concerning M'^Pherson (who was aid-de-camp to their hero), stating that in consequence of his having followed the standard of the Republican cause considerable acrimony had arisen between him and a brother who was an officer in the British service, by wiiom he had been long blamed for the part he had chosen ; but that on the receipt of a letter from him, written from the exact spot on which, as it was termed, Wolfe sacrificed his life for the honor of England " in alliance with America," that officer, who soon after be- came informed of his brother's catastrophe, threw up his commission and joined the revolters. ' Something similar occurred after the battle of Quebec in September 1759, when the French officers that were made prisoners begged for mercy in the most humble manner on their knees, with their hats ofl; fearing that they should be 37 the farther part of St. Rocks; otherwise all quiet. 2d. Nothing remarkable all day : — the go- vernor down surveying the post at the Saut du Matelot, and giving fresh orders in regard to its fortifications.' All the militia under orders to attend the sombre funeral of our late brave com- panions, Messrs. Fraser and Keuzie, who were slain during the conflict of the 31st. 3d. Several prisoners were brought in, among whom was an officer, having come too nigh the walls, thinking their friends were in posf«ession of the lower town ; they all agreed that the put to death by the British, to retaliate upon them the cruel- flea they had inflicted on the garrison of Fort Wilaam Henry, by giving it up to the savages. The American officers taken (according to the accounts of one of their countrymen), were thrown into close confinement, and every day tauntingly told that they should be sent to England in the spring, and hanged as rebels. However, most of them were allowed to depart after the siege was raised, oa their parole of honor, to which it would appear some of them paid but little regard in after times. ' It may be here observed that Sir G. Carleton, who was a brave old officer, and had been a colonel under General Wolfe, showed all the talent, genius and capacity needful in turning a victory to account, which is said lobe the criterion by which we discover the great soldier. The gaining of a battle is often the effect of pure chance, and many have been dreadful even after a defeat— like the Parthian " fidentem fuga versisque sagittis." fc 38 report of all the country was that the lower town was taken, and that no accounts had reached them of General Montgomery's death ; on the contrary, a report was spread that General Carleton was killed. A firmg of small arms heard towards St. Foys, but in no way accounted for. Continued to throw shells as usual. This day Major Meigs, prisoner, was allowed to go out of town to collect and bring in all the officers' bag- gage, and is to return the 5th instant. 4th. Every thing quiet. This day attended the funeral of our late comrade Mr. John Lester, who was mortally wounded on the 31st ult. 5th. No accounts this day worth rehearsing; only that one of our friendly citizens, John M'Cord, came to town, and had an audience with Captain Fraser over the ramparts. 6th. This day all well. Nicolas Marchant was tried for the murder of Niel Nicolson, as formerly mentioned ; when the Jury, on mature consideration, brought it in manslaughter. 7th. This morning two Frenchmen and a savage, taken prisoners, were set at liberty, and sent over among the Point Levi people: for what purpose is not yet known. Three Canadians taken prisoners while plundering without the walls. 8th. This morning we were informed that General Wooster had arrived from Montreal to 39 take the command of the rebels without ; and that the detachment of troops he commanded there were all ordered down to reinforce them. At parade time 100 of the prisoners taken on the 3 1 St ult. (being all old Britons) entered vo- luntarily into Colonel MXean's corps of Royal Emigrants, to do duty with them till the first of June next (each of them having received a dollar to drink, on their swearing the oath of allegiance to King George), after which period they are to be discharged, and sent home at the expence of government, should they be inclined to leave the province ; at the same time whatever baggage they had left in the country was sent into town, from the camp of their late asso- ciates. The volunteer picket discontinued for the present. Every thing quiet. 9th. Nothing to-day remarkable on either side. An easterly storm has continued blowing with great vehemence incessantly for the last three days. 10th. Clear weather: — fatigue parties out, employed in clearing away the snow from the guns and walls. Busied in making new barriers to the lower town, and fortifying the Saut du Matelot. 11th. Every thing quiet:— not even a sur- mise to-day, in or without the town. r2th. The same:— only three more Cana- 40 dians, who had been taken prisoners, and a sa- vage, set at liberty, and crossed for Point Levi, along with three Recollect Friars. 13th. Busy in erecting a mortar battery to j3lay upon the farther houses of St. Rocks, where the enemy station their main guard ; a foraging party out to-day for fire-wood, and also square timber. 16th. This morning a Recollect Friar went out at Palace Gate and walked over the ice to Beauport ; and the same day Mrs. Richee got leave to go into the country by way of the gene- ral hospital, but was stopped by the rebels at the end of St. Rocks. A sortie was made to bring in the Record of the province, which was lodged in a vault under the Intendant's palace, now presenting a mass of ruins and rubbish, in consequence of the late conflagration. 17th. A Mademoiselle Baboche (since pen- sioned by our government), who had been em- ployed to bring in intelligence, and was detected by the Yankees, and confined, made her escape, and came in to-day. She confirms the account of General Wooster and his three companies having arrived from Montreal, accompanied by Mr. Walker, who it seems also takes a com- mand ; and further says, that since the af it of the 31st ult. above 200 of them had deserted ; nnil in n*nimr nft' \ho I ^fitinrlictna onrloavnnr/arl tn p 1 C( ei 41 stop them, whereupon a scuffle ensued, and it was reported that several of them were killed. There you may see how the Faithfuls serve us ; ' it is thus we are requited for our abundant lenity showed them upon all occasions. 18th. This being the Queen's birth-day, a royal salute was fired, in honor of her Majesty. 19th. Every thing quiet : the mortar battery opened against the enemy's guard-house at the west end of St. Rocks, and continued playing till two o'clock : it escaped destruction, but great damage was done by the bombs to the neigh- bouring houses. A sortie was made to-day into St. Rocks for fire-wood (of which we began to be in great want), and upwards of 35 cords of that material were brought in, and divided among the British and French Militia. In the evening three of the late prisoners who had entered into Colonel MXean's corps made their escape behind the barracks, and carried with them their arms and ammunition. About 11 o'clock the rebels set fire to some of the remain- mg houses in St. Rocks, to prevent us, as we • The Canadians are distinguished by this epithet, out of pleasantry with respect to General Carleton-who, like the Marquis Vaudreuil de Cavagnal, the last French Governor in 1759, always relied in a great measure on the dauntless courage of the " faithful Canadians" when he wished io eiisurc success. Queb, ^, 42 supposed, from getting in hay and wood, which was lodged in some of them. 20th and 21st. These two days nothing parti- cular, only that on the night of the 21stthe enemy fired a sloop that lay behind the ruins of the In- tendant's palace, and more houses in St. Rocks ; otherwise all quiet in the garrison. 22d. This day a long 26-pounder was brought down to the mortar battery, (and mount- ed en barbette,) which is likely to annoy the enemy greatly at their guard-house: nothing else now occurring, except that fatigue-parties are out clearing away the snow from the lines, which are more open to assault in consequence of the drifting of the late heavy storms. 23d. This day, a party having made a sortie under cover of a strong guard, and a brass field- piece 3-pound er, a great deal of wood was got in. In the morning about eleven o'clock, we witnessed the burning of many houses in St. Rocks by the rebels, which appalling conflagra- tion continued all night, and had a very grand effect amid the thick darkness which surround- ed all other objects. Busy in making additions to the battery at the Saut du Matelot. 24th. In the evening, a party went out under the command of the brave Captain Lawes, and lodged in Mr. Drummond's distillery all night, with intent to surprise the enemy's maraudei^s 43 in case they should attempt burning the ship, ping, as it was expected ; but none of them appeared. — N.B. This extra guard it is said is to be continued until further orders. The recreant enemy burnt more houses in St. Rocks, as it would appear for the purpose of exciting our feelings of retaliation hereafter, as they are debar- red from injuring us in a more material manner, at present, and not inclined to attempt a second coup de main under cover of the smoke, as it is understood by intelligent officers that the de- struction of the suburbs was the certain precursor of their late desperate effort. 25th. This day the guards are to be relieved at nine o'clock, on account of a sortie being made by a party under the command of Major M*Kenzie (to bring in wood), covered by a field- piece 3-pounder. While the party was out, a great many shot and shells were fired at the guard-house, from the Devil's battery, as the enemy called that on which our two heavy guns are mounted. The governor went out and desired the party to advance, to divert their at- tention; to which they conformed with the utmost alacrity. Our people being now within musket- shot, the enemy's out-sentinel having taken the alarm, was immediately sent off for succour, as we suppose, for in less than half an hour their guard was reinforced by a detachment from 44 Minues, consisting of 50 men ; but neither they nor the guard chose to attack us, althoujrh our party, which consisted of 30 meh, was posted within reach of their musketry. A little before the retreat was beat, one of the enemy separated himself from the rest, and seemed to be coming over to us on snow- shoes ; but when he got well within musket- shot, whether through fear of our firing on him, or that he had advanced through the spirit of enterprise, he returned to his party. From the 26th to the beginning of February, there are facts of daily occurrence which too plainly bespeak the direful effects of the fatal contest that has divided the British empire against itself. Our foes must be now convinced that they have nothing to trust to beyond im- plicit submission or effectual resistance ; and the crisis is of so delicate and important a na- ture that we cannot at present hazard a conjec- ture as to the choice they will hereafter make. Large reinforcements are expected from Eng- land, and Halifax, as soon as the river is freed from ice; and the Laurentian stream, stained with Montcalm's, Wolfe's, and Montgomery's blood, will probably smoke for another campaign with the thunder of opposing hosts, and re-echo the dissonant groans of warriors whose blood may lOr a tixiru time saturate the greensward of Ca- 45 nadian plains ;' although it is to be hoped that no more will be. shed in the course of further re- bellion, and that our troops and, those of the provincials will cease to slaughter each other for the diversion of our natural enemies in Europe. • • • • ♦ » Blow, Eurus, blow, and with propitious gales Fill the stretch'd bosom of Britannia's sails, Waft her brave sons to the ungrateful shore, Glutted, alas ! too oft with heroes' gore — Rise from thy hallow'd tomb, Wolfe's glorious shade ! In injured Hamlet's awful form arrayed ! Feb. 8th. This day the enemy were ob- served in great numbers about their out- posts, and burnt many houses in the suburbs. We attribute the cessation of their firing to their cleaning their muskets. They have two field- pieces placed by Minues on the highway, ready to act against any of our sallying parties. This evening, a detachment, under the command of Captain Nairn, lodged in St. John's suburbs, with a view of detr Jting some one or other of these vagabonds as they come to burn the houses, but none came. ' Odi, frementi D' impaziente ardore, i guerrier' I'aure Empier di strida : e rimbombar la terra Al flagellar dellaferratazampa De' focosi destrieri ; urli, nitriti, Sfolgoreggiar d' elmi e di brandi, e tuoni,&c. &c. Alfieri* 4e 9th. Every thing quiet. A severe snow. 10th. Nothing particular. The snow storm still continues. 11th. This day about noon, a flag of truce was seen approaching. Colonel M'Lean de- manded their business over the walls, and was answered, that they had letters from Captain Godwin of our artillery, addressed to the go- vernor, along with several others, of various import ; however, they were dismissed without our receiving any of their credentials. It has been supposed that the purport of the embassy was to exchange a Captain Godwin for a Cap- tain Lamb of their artillery, a prisoner, and wounded. He conducted a field-piece mounted on a sledge, against the first barrier, on the night of the 31st December, but was forced to abandon it on account of the snow, and was afterwards shot in the eye, and made prisoner. 12th. All the garrison off duty employed in clearing away the snow from the ramparts. 13th and 14th. Still busy in clearing away the snow. A great many people seen with sledges at Mimes, and at the guard-house at St. Rocks. Kept up a constant fire on the former f ^ some thne; and so w^U directed was it that their dura- tion there was but short, and they soon dispersed with some broken bones. Five more deserters went off this morninj of *'- mem were K 47 prisoners that enlisted in Colonel McLean's corps; the others were, one of his own men, and a sailor, who, as we suppose, were corrupted by the rest. They knocked down the militia senti- nel, and threw his gun over ti^e walls, whilst he was upon duty behind the barracks. More houses fired in St. Rocks suburbs. Another flag of truce seen advancing, but was not allow- ed to approach.— N.B, The sailor and emigrants did not go over the wall behind the barrack, but over the pickets behind the H6tel Dieu, &c. This convent was founded by a French duchess of the first eminence (D'Aiguillon), at an early nfriod, for nuns who should exclusively attend to the sick. During the siege in 17(30 they car- riid on a clandestine communication with the French troops outwide the walls, which so exas- perated General Murray, that he swore he would turn them all out, and convert their convent into a barrack. 13th. Nothing particular all day. Several of the rebels seen at the old battery. This even- ing four more deserters went off, from behind the barracks, being also part of those who had enlisted with Colonel McLean's corps, as it would appear, simply from a treacher- ous motive. An order issued out, that no persons are to come into the street, during the wix^iiCoD v>i iMc csciiiug, vTuiiuui a iigni. m the evening was heard a smart firing of small arms 48 from St. John's suburbs by the enemy's marks- men ; and more houses vere fired at the same time. The shipping at St. Rocks was also at- tempted to be set on fire by the enemy ; but this scheme was prevented by our endeavours, and the vessels were saved. * 16th. This morning all the prisoners that ' The city of Quebec, which now bids fair to be called the Gibraltar of British America, was at this period in no very considerable posture of defence, the works having nearly gone to ruin during the interval of sixteen years which followed its reduction by the British arms. Even in 1760, when besieged by Monsieur de Levi, the fortifications facing the heights of Abraham were but weak, till strengthened by new defences, which withstood the fire from the enemy's batteries ; for the trenches were opened on the evening of the 28th of April, on the very day when the battle was fought (with dubious success) between General Murray, at the head of 3140 British, and 15000 of the French regulars and colony troops. On the 1 1 th of May they unmasked their batteries against Cape Diamond, the citadel and the Ursu- line Bastion, with 24, 18, and 12-pound shot, and fired at the Jesuits' College and powder-magazines with shells. But 150 pieces of cannon on the ramparts appear, after a fierce cannonading, to have rendered all their attempts abortive, in addition to the cohorns which were thrown inlo the " boyaux," and other parts of their lines of circumvallation. Improvements were in operation during the period when Sir James Craig was governor, preceding the late war with Ame- rica, which would have made this post utterly inaccessible, strengthened as it was with strong lines of circumvallation, bastions, and redoubts, mounted with heavy cannon and mor- 4U had entered into Colonel M'Lean's corps (in tars. But in the year 1821 the province had its line of defence considerably altered. The Isle au Noix, as tlie great key to the lower regions of Canada, was ordered to be convert- ed into a complete fortification ; and the Isle of St. Helen at Montreal was purchased by government for the purpose of being made a grand depot, and strengthened by numerous fortified works. The Lachine canal, from Montreal to La- chme, nine miles in length, was begun to be excavated ; and for the purpose of continuing a line of military commu- nication, distinct from that by which the St. Lawrence is exposed to an enemy, with the Upper Province, a canal was begun on the Outawa, near the military settlements on that river, whicli is said to be nearly 4 leagues in length, and the same in breadth.' Tiie'^'plan of fortification at Quebec was totally altered — very much for the better. All the old circumvallations, from the gates of St, Louis to that of St. John, being comparatively of small importance, were plant- ed with rows of young forest trees. A fortifted line was formed on the Heights of Abraham, beyond the town, on which four strong martello towers had been before erected, mounting heavy cannon, (in digging the foundations of which towers many skeletons, arms, and other mementos of the conflicts which had taken place on the spot, were found) and was intended to be the strongest post of defence in that quarter. Cape Diamond was formed into a most extensive citadel, and 400 men were daily employed at the excava- tions which were made in the solid rock, to carry the design into execution, and form a lofty monument of human indus- try — intended for the site of an impregnable fort, which should surmount all the other works ; and to which cannon and the munitions of war were elevated by the power of steam from the base of that stuoendous preciuice. Queb. G so consequence of the frequent desertion among them) were again sent to gaol, a circumstance which has seemingly given great satisfaction to all the other members of the garrison, as this plan is the only effectual one that can be de- vised to frustrate their traitorous designs. Many shots fired at Minues from the Devil's battery, great numbers of the enemy being seen in that quarter. This evening a volunteer picket was again established, and the guards at Cape Dia- mond and Port Louis were reinforced, in con* sequence of the height of snow in these places, as the enemy might have walked in at the em- brasures, had they felt inclined to make another assault. 17th. Nothing particular :— the volunteer picket still continued, until we have clear moon- light all night. Several houses fired in the evening in St. John's suburbs, and some shot fired from the enemy. 18th. Every thing quiet:— the guards on the ramparts continued to be reinforced. More houses set on fire in tlie suburbs, by the rebel- lious marauders. 19th. No occurrences worth relating. The enemy continued to amuse themselves by burn- ing more houses in St. John's suburbs during the night ; a barbarous measure, which can be of among fnstance ction to as this I be de- . Many battery, i in that ket was pe Dia- in con» places, the em- another ►lunteer moon- in the e shot rds on More rebel- , The r burn- during I be of 51 no service to them beyond the pleasure of doing us as much damage as lies in their power. 20th. Nothing particular ; only that an offi- cer and twenty privates of the British Militia were ordered to be ready at day-break to make a sortie. Strong pickets held, and all the guards reinforced, in expectation of an attack ; but the night passed in tranquillity. The enemy still continued, without intermission, to fire the houses in St. John's suburbs. 21st. At day-break the snow-shoe party went out at St. John's Gate, to cover the bring- ing in of wood from the few remaining houses. About eight o'clock the enemy fired a few cannon-shot from behind the right of the old battery. Our guns played away briskly on th^^ir guard-house in that neighbourhood, which an- noyed them greatly. In the evening, a party under the command of Colonel Caldwell, Cap- tain Nairn, and several subaltern officers, took possession of the English burying-place in the suburbs, fortifying a house that stood there, and which was under cover of a stone wall, which inclosed that spot, to secure the remainder of the houses for the use of the garrison, and lay hold of some of the vagabonds who usually pay that place a visit almost every night: a few made their appearance at different times, but as soon as they diseovcrcd our oui-seniinels near 52 the cemetery (or rather, perceived the approach of the lieutenant, who was then on his rounds, and also commanded those desperadoes, the British Militia), they made off without firing a shot. 22d. This morning the out-party was re- lieved, and the garrison busied in getting in wood.* In consequence of the general tranquil- lity without the walls, all the r^ut-parties were ordered in at seven o'clock. Every thing passed in quiet. 23d. A covering party stationed out all day, which continued till night, so that a great deal of wood was brought in by our foragers. Very few of the enemy seen to-day. In the afternoon a few shots were fired at Minues and the guard-house at the end of St. Rocks. This evening a deserter came in from the enemy, who gave a very contradictory account of himself ; in- somuch, that after a short examination, he was • ' The necessity of procuring this indispensable material in a country where the intense cold of winter is so severely fell, and which produces no coal, is one of the principal evils under which a besieged force could labor ; particularly as the inexhaustible forests of the province are at some distance from the capital. During the winter of the siege in 1760, General Murray constantly sent wood-cutters to the forest of St. Foy, which has since disappeared, and the trees were felled and conveyed to the town in sledges, , 69 sent to gaol as a spy: it is much suspected that he has been sent in by our foes, to learn the cause of there being no more desertion, and to form some plan of aggression with the prisopers that entered into Colonel McLean's corps, whom they might still imagine at liberty, and just as capable of carrying on their perfidious designs as before. 24th. Every thing quiet. By the deserter that came in last night, we learn that both the Generals, Lee and Schuyler, had been ordered to reinforce the rebels without ; but were both countermanded, (particularly as there is a re* port of Colonel Johnson having entered the province with a large party of Indians,) owing to the critical situation of affairs throughout the colonies ; for by a newspaper account, Gover- nor Dunmore was said to be destroying their sea-ports in Virginia,* while other royalists to the southward had given the liberti^ boys a severe drubbing : he likewise acquaints us, that Gover- nor Tryon was intrenched on Long Island, a most proper spot for landing our soldiers, and reduc- ' The towns of Norfolk and Portsmouth, in consequence of the annoyance they gave our ships of war. A few bombs were thrown into each place, and the friends of the provin- cials set fire at the same moment to every house, the owner of which was supposed to be well affected to government. m> 54 ing the colonists to obedience ; and had been reinforced by large bodies of foreign troops : that without, the enemy were employed in making scaling ladders ; and that he left Montreal lately, where things were in confusion, owing to the militia officers in that quarter refusing to deliver up their commissions. In town all well, and in high spirits. He likewise says that Colonel Clinton had arrived with about 100 men, and is to take the command. 25th. This morning, between the hours of eight and nine o'clock, the enemy fired six shots from their new battery, which they have taken great care not to expose to view ; so that their balls are merely thrown at random into the town, and hitherto have done no damage. The volun- teer picket still kept up on duty at Mr. Collins's house, for the convenience of being near the ram- parts in case of an attack. By the newspaper which the deserter brought in, we find a great ac- count of the events of the 31st December, which, when it reaches Old England, will cause much uneasiness to ou. friends, as they will naturally imagine from the numbers taken and killed of the enemy, that many of their own friends within the walls must have fallen a sacrifice to their heroic exertions in repelling the invaders. 26th. The regular picket which has hitherto 55 met at the H6tel Dieu was this day ordered to meet at Mr. Dmmmond's at retreat beating, for the purpose of being near the ramparts. The Cape Diamond guard continues to be regularly reinforced every night, and sentinels are placed without the walls ; so that there is no relaxation m our vigilance. Several of the enemy were seen m scattered parties lurking about the heights, for the purpose, we suppose, of reconnoitring. This evening a person went out over the ice on snow-shoes to the island of Orleans, for intelli- gence, with an intent to return in a few days.' 27th. All day a very great thaw, and rain in the evening. Mounted more flanking guns at Cape Diamond, being dubious of an attack in * This island is 14 leagues in circuit, and was erected into an earldom in 1676 by the French government, un- der the name of St. Lawrence, in favor of Fr. Berthelot secretary-general of the artillery, who had purchased it from Fr. Delaval, first bishop of Quebec, and it then had four Villages on it. The inhabitants had the reputation of bemg devoted to witchcraft. J. Cartier, who brought over the first colony, called it the island of Bacchus, from the numerous wild vines growing on it. The earthquake of 1663 overturned a mountain, and threw it into the river at some distance below the extremity of this island, which oc- casioned the rapids of the Saguenay river, below Les Isles aux Coudres, and formed a peninsula called ChicoFitimi.^ near which, and at its entranco into the St. Lawrence, there was consequently formed an equihbrium of the tides. 50 that quarter. Some of the enemy seen about their old battery, seemingly employed in clearing away the snow.— N. B. Omitted to mention in its proper place that there has been a guard of twelve men stationed at Lauchlan Smith's' house for these ten days past, without Palace Gate, which is still continued, to prevent the enemy from firing the shipping, or surprising that part of the town \ and the guard that was kept in the distillery is now taken off. 28th. This morning an inhabitant of Chambly,* (15 miles from Montreal,) out fifteen days, and lately arrived from the island of Orleans, came in at the Saut du Matelot, and brings us the fol- lowing agreeable accounts, which he learnt from undoubted authority in that neighbourhood ; viz. That advice had arrived at Montreal of a gene- ral officer having landed at New York with ' An old resident, who was a soldier in Wolfe's army, and died lately at the advanced age of 100. * This post is a fort on the Sorel river, which issues from Lake Champlain. Chambly and the river adjacent were so called from two captains in the regiment de Carignan, who were among the first settlers of the province, after Cham- plain's expedition, in 1608. When the fortress of St. John had been surrendered to Montgomery by Major Preston, Chambly also fell a sacrifice to the invades, and opened the way to the reduction of Montreal the following year, in consequence of the stores it contained, 6f guard a reinforcement of 10,000 men ; (it was rather doubted that so large a body had arrived at such an unseasonable time of the year ;) and that large reinforcements had sailed from Halifax and Louisbonrg to give early succours to this place ; also, that the enemy had sent about 150 sledges over the lakes to bring their expected reinforce- ments ; but had returned with only about 100 men, whom they had picked up as recruits at different places, their intended succours being recalled, having enough to do in thdr own colo- nies, with the different subdivisions of the king's troops : and he further states, that the whole amount of their force, both here and above, did not exceed 2,000 men. He likewise says, that the enemy have been talking of going away, but that the country people won't let them ; saying, '* thdt as you have brought us into a scrape of this de- scription, you must bring us out of it again, and take Quebec," as it appears they are weak enough to imagine that the invaders would be able to keep it eventually in possession. The enemy have also amused the inhabitants with telling them that General Carleton had offered to give up the garrison, but that they did not choose to take possession till their reinforcements arrive, as they would then be better able to retain it/ These artifices call to remembrance the plan pursued Queb. H 58 He also mentioned many other satisfactory cir- cumstances, all of which put the garrison in high spirits :— clear weather, but frosty. 29th. Every thing qniet without :— strong pickets still held, in expectation of an attack. A signal fired from the grand battery. March 1st. Nothing particular all day:— about five in the afternoon, several cannon-shot were fired at a large house on the Beauport side of the river, where the rebels have been seea lurking for these several days past. About eight o'clock this evening a small house at the back of Mr. Drummond's distillery took fire, supposed by the wad from the guns that were fired in the afternoon, they being right over the house, and a number of the town's people went out to ex- tinguish it.' Several musket-shot fired at our out- by the Marquis de Vaudreuil, in 1760, who, to keep up the spirits of the Canadians, held out to them that the " Grand Monarque" would send them abundant succour in the spring, and that he had lately made an entire conquest of Ireland, to divert their enemy's attention from the province. * A similar accident occurred May 3, 1760, when a for- tified house near the Intendant's Palace was fired by the wad of a gun from the ramparts, during the period of an incessant cannonade on the trenches of the French troops. Such accidents are common, through the hurry of firing, and inadvertence of gunners. We hear about the same time of an advanced block-house, against which the enemy fired double=headed shot, being blown up by accidcut, of several 69 sentinels on duty at Palace Gate, between three of the defenders being wounded by a spark falling on an ammunition chest, which it blew up. On the 24th of November preceding, some French vessels having passed the town with the ebb tide, received 100 shot and many shells, from the guard battery, and one of them was forced ashore and abandoned. A number of seamen having entered her, she blew up, having been provided with a match and train to her powder room, by which most of them were killed; but 4 officers and privates who survived were brought ashore by a Canadian of Pt. Levi, who rubbed them with bear's grease, and treated them humanely, for which act of kindness she was rewarded by the governor. The attention of the reader might be recalled to the disastrous circumstance attending the storming of Fort Erie in 1814, in which the British troops who were sent to take that formi- dable post with the naked steel, suffered so severely. The enemy's guns were turned upon themselves by our brave fel- lows, on entering the fortifications ; and it is supposed that a wad penetrated in some unaccountable manner the magazine of the bastion, which exploded while 200 of the assailants were on it; unless we are at liberty to imagine that such a proceeding originated in a train secretly laid by our perfidious foes for that purpose. Great animadversion was made at the time on such an unseasonable measure as taking away the flint from the soldier's firelock, which rendered him perfectly defenceless in the attack of a fort, in which his foes had the advantage of him at a distance with the great guns and the rifle, who in the darkness of the night mistook the abattis of the fort for an American detachment, but immediately pushed forwards after driving in their picket, and scaled the walls. Colonel Scott of the 103d, greatly distinguished himself, by turning the cannon on the rnemy— almost alone. 60 and four o'clock in the morning, from a few of the He was soon afterwards killed— go was Colonel Drum- mond. But it was V\e lot of most of our heroes in America, at that period, to be sacrificed to their gallantry, and they only swelled the catalogue of brave officers who werr uov/^a down in numbers by the hand of an insidious foe. What these triumphs were may be gathered from the records of those warriors who fought under Sir Isaac Brock at Detroit and Queen's-town ; who routed the N. W. army on the rivers Raisin and Miami, and were the meritorious comrades of the brave Indian Sachem Tecumseh :— the 49th and 89th regiments, who, reduced to 800, repelled the attack of 4,000 invaders, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison ; the 300 Cana- dians who defeated a like number of assailants in the Thermopylee of Canada ; the heroes who stormed Fort Nia- gara, and inflicted a just vengeance on its lawless marau- ders, and those who conquered under General Drummond at Lundy's Lane. Far be it from our fate, that such reverses as those of Fort Erie and New Orleans should ever again occur to our armies, that our foes should exult in such a catastrophe, and pride themselves in being enabled to reiterate the carnage of Bunker's Hill ; as they did, while entrenched behind bales of cotton, at the latter scene of destruction (New Orleans). We must not be recalled by any lamentable gaucherie in our measures to the unhappy "^T d^ys ofj^addock*', and of the sanguinary failure at Ticonde- roga, in consequence of the misbehaviour of a drunken or insubordinate corps, chosen to lead the advance. Let all irregularities in the march of a leading column be punished by a drum-head court-martial, even on a victorious field, if other means prove ineffectual. The conqueror of the field of Maida showed his steadiness in enforcing the regulations of discipline, even after completely defeating his Gallic foes. 61 enemy who had lurked about the Intendant's Palace :— otherwise all quiet. 2d. All well during tue day : — in the even- ing Colonel M'Lean had like to have been killed while placing the sentinels without the walls, he going out without first acquainting the guard of St. Louis' Gate, who were not aware of the circumstance, and would have taken him for one of the besiegers skulking about in the dusk. It is to be hoped that the disasters of a laima, or a Philippi, will never be felt by England ; that nothing so detrimental will occur in her annals. Posterity will in a succeeding age appreciate the gh --ies of iier armies, and the be&uty of the laurels that entwir ■ her stern uncui uptible ** heart of oak," with more enthusiasm than the present, while the re- collection of the heroic deeds of her warriors who fell on the field of glory is perpetuated by the annals of the historian and the grateful memory of survivor^;, or y the embossed sculpture of " monumental emblems :" — Wraj;! in the cold embraces of the tomb, Adorn'd willi honors oa their native shore, Silent they sleep, and hear of wars no more. — I have often admired the laconic, but pithy and expressive tribute, paid to Caulincourt, by the celebrated General Rapp, aid-de-camp to Napoleon the Great, en he recounts how he met his fate at ihe bloody conflict ot Borod o. " Restait un dernier retranchement qui nous prenait en flana et nous accablait. Caulincourt avan9a, sema au loin le desordre et la mort. II se rabattit tout d'un coup sur la redoute et s'en reudit maltre. Un soldat cache dans une embrasure I'etendit roide mort." " // s'endormit du sommeil des braves — a nsjui pas iernoin de nos dcsustrea."' 3(1. All well during the day : — in the even- ing three soldiers of Colonel M'Lean's corps deserted at the old place behind the barracks. Several musket-shot fired from the Beauport side, by our foes, supposed at the people that are expected from the island of Orleans. Clear weather, and moonlight. 4th. Nothing particular all day ; excepting that two grates (for holding the fire-halls) were placed at Cape Diamond, and a few shots fired from the Devil's Battery into Minues, and also some rockets thrown up at night. 5th. This day perceived that the enemy had displayed two flags, a red one at Mr. Lynd's farm, and a black one in the neighbourhood of the guard-house, near their old battery. Various are the conjectures concerning them ; some ima- gine them to be signals for prisoners within (who are now very strictly looked after), while others say it is in commemoration of that seditious day at Boston, when Captain Preston is said to have ordered his soldiers to fire upon the populace, during the tumult, and killed several people of the town ; and some few think it is to show they will give no quarter when they attack us again.* ' This was considered as the first exertion of military power in the.colonies, when General Gage was Governor of Boston, after the passing and repealing of the Stamp act. Various attemrits were made to tax the colonists, which> i (33 ig A strong easterly wintl, with hail and rain, all niglit. Mounted more guns on the face of the ramparts. All quiet. 6th. All tranquillity. Blowing hard, with hail and snow : — no flag seen to-day. 7th. Fine weather. Fatigue-parties out mak- ing a snow ditch without the walls, and mount- ing more cannon on the face of the ramparts. Many of the enemy seen marching backwards and forwards in the environs of the town. The red flag hoisted again. 8th. Busy in finishing the snow ditch, and mounting more cannon. Some of the enemy were seen passing and repassing from Wolfe's Cove, carrying off* square timber. Fired a wall piece at two of them who came rather nigh : one of them fell. This evening, about five o'clock, a Canadian from the Beauport side, came in at Palace Gate, and was fired upon by the guard in that neighbourhood, but escaped unhurt. He it is well known, met with universal disapprobation. Being likewise denied the benefit of free representation in Great Britain, the torrent of popular feeling became so strong, and so irritated were the colonists against the parent dominion, that they flew to arms with the warmest zeal, and showed the utmost enmity to her, although fostered under her wing for so long a period, and protected from insult by her arms. The tragical scenes which first took place at Boston are too 64 was sent to the governor, but seemed so fatigued and frightened, he could get nothing out of him : he was then ordered under the care of Mr. Dunn for that evening, by whom he was conducted to the lieutenant-governor's house ; but had not re- mained long there, before he gave them the slip. Great search was made after him ; but the poor man was at last found, and soon gave his reasons for leaving the house, iiuving imagined he might have slept where he pleased, and so went to Mr. Marcout's in the lower town: however. Mr. Dunn sent him back for the evening, for fear of any espionage. About eight o'clock the Saut du Matelot guard was alarmed by the firing of small arms on the river towards Beauport, seem- ingly from people engaged in that quartei, as up- wards of 60 shots were counted. In consequence of which a number of both British and French railitia repaired to the support of that guard, I'he firing then ceased, though not without a confused cry. Not long after two men were seen approaching upon the ice, who, upon being chal- lenged, answered " Friends," and desired admit- tance. We imagined that we should then be able to know the meaning of the firing, but on this point they remained silent; and being imme- diately conducted to the governor, said they had brought good news, so that every one was anxious for the approach of morning, to know the particulars. 65 atigued of him: . Dunn cted to not re- he slip. he poor reasons e might i to Mr. er. Mr. • fear of Saut du iring of t, seem- , as up- jquence French guard, thout a ?re seen ig chal- l admit- be able on this imme- ley had ne was 3 know 9th. The two persons that came in last night were both Canadians of some consequence above : one of t>';m had been taken prisoner at St. John's, and carried up to the Congress, from whom, by repeated solicitations, he had received permission to return to Canada, they having ima- gined he was in their interest ; the other was an inhabitant of the neighbourhood of Montreal, who had prudently remained silent with regard to his public sentiments in the present critical situation of affairs, and consequently was not suspected to be a royalist: the former of these brought a letter from Governor Tryon of Long Island,' (where the reueis have been since in- trenched and advar^tageously posted as well as at New York, with upwards of 100 pieces of cannon for the defence of the town, and to ob- • On the 27th of August was fought the battle of Brook- lyn, on Long Island, between Lord Howe and the Generals Sullivan, Lord Sterling, and Udell, who were all three made prisoners. The British landed in company with Colonel Donop's chasseurs and Hessian grenadiers, supported by 40 pieces of cannon ; and the rebels, at the close of the con- test, fearing their retreat would be cut off, attempted to se- cure it across a morass and creek that covered the right of their works ; in which however they failed, and were com- pletely routed with the loss of 3,300 killed, wounded, and prisoners. Many were suffocated in the morass, in the course of their flight, and five field-pieces and a howitzer were taken. Quel). * m struct our fleet in its passage up North River,) fraught with agreeable intelligence; also many scraps of newspapers, which inform us of the dismal situation of our enemy to the southward; ft'hile the other brought a letter from the superior of the clergy at Montreal, to the Governor also, which, I understand, paints things in that quarter in a miserable situation, and gives information that the enemy intend making an attack in the course of a week, and were preparing scaling ladders for that purpose. All the garrison are in high spirits, and wait with impatience to put a finishing stroke to our long contest. In a few days a gazette is to be published of all the news. This afternoon the man mentioned in the first part af my day's work is sent out, he being seem- ingly a fool ; at least it was thought more pru- dent to dismiss him in that manner than keep him in town, lest he should turn out to be some- thing worse. 10th. All well during the day. At ten o'clock at night an alarm was given at Cape Diamond, of a number of people seen approaching the walls, which was announced to the inhabitants by the ringing of bells, and beating of drums. Every one repaired to his post ; but after waiting some time under arms, they were all dismissed. The Governor appears extremely satisfied at seeing us all so alert, for m less than half an hour 67 we had 100 men under arms : — tke remainder of the night passed in silence. 11th. This morning a general parade of the British militia took place, who, without any com- pliment to that corps, made a very respectable, soldier-like appearance. The General (through Colonel Caldwell) thanked us for our alertness in turning out the preceding evening, saying, that he was extremely sorry we were disappoint- ed, being well convinced, that had the enemy approached, they would have met with a very warm reception. One of the saibrs of the Saut du Matelot guard deserted ; but was taken by our out-sentinels at Palace Gate, and sent in irons to gaol ; and another who was privy to the action is likewise in confinement. 12th. This day snowy weather. Nothing material occurred. 13th. Clear weather, but cold. Fatigue-par- ties out clearing away the snow from the walls. A flag of truce from the enemy came in, and said they had papers for General Carleton. They were probably encouraged by a permission grant- ed for the prisoners' baggage to enter the town. But it was answered, that unless they containe4 supplicating terms, and exhibited a true sense of the heinousness of their crimes, and a wish to implore the King's mercy, they would not be received : on which the party that addressed 68 Major Le Maitre' made a low bow, and marched off. This will serve as a damper to their confi- Cionce, should they return again with any more attempts at correspondence. All well during these twenty-four hours. 14th. This morning, about 11 o'clock, an out- sentinel of the enemy was seen on the heights near Cape Diamond, which gave occasion to think that there must be some work going on below, or at least that the enemy were posted in that quarter ; upon which an officer of the sea- men, with 15 men, went out ; on seeing whom the Yankee sentinel, after firing his gun, ran off; so that when our party had gained the face of the hill, the enemy below were alarmed, and a smart firing commenced, which lasted about five minutes, during which time our people fired off all their ammunition ; not, however, before the whole party had scampered from Wolfe's Cove, leavinff behind two or three killed and wound- ed. It seems they were a working party of pio- neers, having raised sheds on the beach ; and the circumstance of many of them having no arms gave us strong reasons to suspect so. A num- ber of the enemy seen going towards Montmo- rency* this morning. ! He was afterwards the bearer of despatches from Sir Guy to Lord G. Germaine, iii July following', and recom- mended as an officer of mefit and intelligence. * A romantic village beyond Beauport, so niuued from 15th. A fatigue-party of twenty privates Montmorency, Lord High Admiral of France and Viceroy of Canada, famous for its stupendous falls, which take their rise from a rapid stream flowing from a lake situated among lofty mountains. The spot is famed for having been the scene of the attack by Wolfe's grenadiers in 1759, on the formidable intrenchments in its neighbourhood, thrown up by the French, in which the British troops were repulsed, after a gallant effort to storm them. An old French cannon that had burst, lies in the road near the intrenchment, a mem ;nto of the sanguinary conflict. It was on the beach near this spot that the heroic conduct of the two wounded officers of the Royal Americans (60th), Captain Ochterlony and Ensign Peyton, became so conspicuous, which was compared to the gallant actions of two of Caesar's centurions, Pulfio and Varenus. (De Bello Gall. v. 44.) The savages rushed down upon them, armed with their murderous scalp- ing knives ; and first of all attacked the captain, whom they severely wounded in the belly, and then endeavoured to pillage; but Peyton, who lay at some distance, disabled by a wound in the knee, discharged his double-barrelled fusil at one of them, and shot him through the head. The other in advancing received a ball directly through the thorax ; but nevertheless pushed forwards towards the ensign, who warded off the purposed blow with one hand, and with his bayonet in the other " slung" the savage to the heart ; but he still defended himself, like a wild beast in the agonies of death, and was only despatched with many wounds. A gre- nadier carried off the ensign on his shcul I'vs. by Captain Ochterlony's orders, (to whois he at fire. «)»Fc-; -u his services,) in the midst of a heavy fire of cannoa and uusketry ; but the captain was carried into the town, and shortly after died of hiwS wounds. The French soldier who accompanied the 70 and an officer, out clearing the snow from the ramparts. In the afternoon a canoe was sent off, to discover what was doing in the Aun6e de Mer, at Wolfe's Cove, but could only see a few men with some sheds they had raised in going up, to keep off the snow. Having kept well to the other shore, they were hailed from that quarter, and some of the Point levi habitants desired to know if they might bring in provi- sions ; to which they were answered in the affir- mative, when they replied they would come over next day. Dark weather, and snow. 16th. At midnight two men in a canoe came up from below with provisions, (the first since the town had been invested). They were immediately conducted to the governor, and all that we can learn is, that some parishioners in their neighbourhood are much disposed, during the present scarcity, to give us assistance. In daily expectation of another attack : a strong French picket held at Mr. Lymburner's ; the British militia about establishing another for the lower town, which it is reported will be held at Mr. Willcock's house : — rain all these 24 hours. 17th. Nothing particular : a few fascines seen savages, and was the means of the captain being removed from the fatal field, was rev/arded by General Wolfe with a sum of money ; but M. de Montcalm prevented its being retained, and it was sent back by his orders. 71 put together by the enemy, on the Point Levi side, supposed with an intent to raise a battery. The habitants who came up in the canoe, report that they have got a few small guns, and a 10-inch howitzer on that side : however, we as yet can see no appearance of the people at workj This being St. Patrick's day, the governor (who is a true Hibernian,) has requested the garrison to put off keeping it till the 17th May, when he promises they shall be enabled to do it pro- perly, and with the usual solemnities. Busy in preparing three large batteaux to cruise in the river, one of which is to carry a six-pounder. The ice breaking up very fast. 18th. This day no occurrences worth re- cording, only that Captain Harrison's and Lester's companies assembled, according to orders, at Willcock's post for the first time. The canoe that came on the 16th instant set off with large pacquets for the priests below, and as is thought, will produce the desired effect on the inhabitants. The enemy were seen transporting ladders from different quarters to this neigh- * During the siege in 1759 the town had been warmly cannonaded from this quarter ; but the batteries made no real impression on the town, although the iron shower of bails and bombs succeeded in laying the greatest part of it, including the Cathedral, in ashes. 72 bourhooa, for which reason we keep a very good look out on their motions. All well. 19th. This day snowy weather : in the after- noon, one batteau and two ships' long boats were launched, the first carrying a six-pounder, and the others swivels, and went up as far as Sillery Point, but could discover nothing par- ticular owing to the day being so far spent. Canoes seen passing from Wolfe's Cove in the afternoon, to the other side, transporting (as it is thought) their small pieces of cannon. — N. B. When the boats were sent off, a corps of reserve was ordered out at Cape Diamond, (belonging to the Royal Emigrants,) to support them in case any thing should happen, &c, 20th. Clear weather, but extremely cold. The last of the King's wood was delivered out to- day to the garrison : however, the Governor and Lieutenant-governor have still got about 150 cords to spare for the present. The lower town picket regularly attended. All tranquillity these last twenty-four hours. 21st. Busy laying platforms for heavy guns and mortars, to bear on the enemy's works, which are now seen erecting at the Point Levi side. Nothing else material. 22d. • ♦ • • * 25th. This day the advanced guard of a 79 of a detachment of Canadians, which had been raised by that partisan of tried fidelity, Monsieur Beau- jeau, to reHeve his friends in the town, was met, as we are informed, by a superior body of the rebels, and completely defeated: the rest, wearied with repeated misfortunes, and finding them- selves hardly capable of coping with their foes, who are superior to them in the science of war, are said to have dispersed, and returned home. We will at any rate give them due credit for their good intentions respecting us: but we cannot but place ample confidence in our own British and Canadian militia, who behave with a steadiness and resolution hardly to be expected from men unused to arras, and seldom met with but in veterans. Lieutenant-Colonel M'Lean continues indefatigably zealous in the King's service, and Captain Hamilton (acting as Colo- nel), of His Majesty's ship Lizard, who com- mands the battalion of seamen, has by his ex- ample encouraged both officers and men to act with that alacrity ai. d intrepidity, which is chiefly to be met with as truly characteristic in the hearts of Britons. The judges and other officers of Government, many of whom are considerable sufferers by the present hostile invasion, have all along cheerfully submitted to every privation, in defence of the town, and showed a spirit of per- severance, amidst the most untoward circum- Quelf. K 74 stances, that does tliem the greatest honor.— Considering our being so ill supplied with neces- saries, it is hardly to be expected that we should have been at all kept together for so many months, in the midst of such inclement frosts and snows : while we can scarcely refrain from wondering how our enemies without the walls, undisciplined and ill provided as they are, can endure the hardships of so severe a climate, compelled as they must needs be by officers, to whom, by all accounts, they scarcely deign sub- mission/— Nor are we disposed to give much credit to a report, which is supposed by some to be authentic, concerning a memorial and peti- tion said to have been presented to the French King, and signed by thirty of the principal French inhabitants of this province, entreating that potentate to take advantage of the times for the recovery of his ancient province, and pro- raising that all his former subjects will crowd with alacrity to his standard.— In our Governor's opinion, the intrepid conduct of the citizens will prove a lasting monument to their honor ; and it is to be hoped that their example will inspire the unhappy sufferers in the neighbouring states, ' There, on an icy mountain's height. Seen only by the Moon's pale light, Stern Winter rears his giant form, His robe a mist, his voice a storm. 7i> ■with similar powers of mind, in order to res* «e themselves from impenuing miseries. 3l8t. We receive informatio this day, of a desperate plot formed by the prisoners (the Yankee part of them, in particular, the others who had enlisted into Colonel McLean's corps being in a different prison) to escape, and 1 ' in General Arnold. It seems at the bottom of tiie gaol where they were, there is a well from which they procure their water ; so that having frequent occasion to go to that place, they concerted a scheme among themselves for effecting their escape ; which plan must have been encouraged by some of our good friends in town, as we find they were furnished with various instruments for undermining the wall, besides pistols, cut- lasses, and other deadly weapons : this lal- lacious purpose they had very nearly effected, bu for the vigilance of one of the sentinels. So soon as this circumstance was clearly known, they were all examined ; and how much then must our surprise be heightened, when it was found out that one of them had actually de- camped. This discovery immediately led to others ; for though threats and rewards were held out to the whole of them, only one turned evidence against the rest, and gave the IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // (./ l/l 4o 1.0 I.I 1.25 UK 2.5 2.2 lit -— US Itt l< 40 2.0 1.8 U i 1.6 ^ # ^ '^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 fc ^ ^ 70 following account of their preconcerted scheme. Had it succeeded, being planned with considera- ble ability, and supposing that these prisoners had appointed officers of tried courage among themselves, proper to conduct them, when they got out, their tirst attack was to have been di- rected against St. John's Gate, where they meant to c!it and destroy every one they met with : this done, having fixed a signal to give notice to their companions who had already escaped, they in- tended forthwith to turn the guns in that quarter on the town, and set fire to three different houses ; the rebels without were then expected to advance with all speed to that gate, while others supported them, by marching towards Palace Gate, where they did not doubt of their comrades within being able to admit them, as there was a detached party on their getting out actually appointed to massacre that guard also : Uiis done, and their friends admitted, they were neither to spare young nor old, but to smite all their foes without mercy, till they had made themselves masters of the town, resolving to a man to conquer or die in that brutal manner. However, that All-seemg Providence, which so miraculously saved us on the 31st of December, again distinguished itself on this day. AH those who had taken any command among these insurgents (say to the number of twelve) are in 77 irons, closely confined, and the others care- fully looked after. The Governor, pleased with this unexpected discovery, and being possessed of the signal expected without by the enemy, im- mediately resolved to avail himself of the benefit derived from such information, and endeavour to decoy them within range of the ramparts, by ordering out the whole garrison under arms, at two o'clock in the morning, and every man to his alarm-post ; which being accordingly done, two small brass field-pieces were brought down to St. John's Gate, and three different fires were kindled in various directions, as if so many houses were burning ; when immediately the two guns fired away, and continued repeated dis- charges of blank cartridge for about ten minutes. The garrison being now supposed to be alarmed, all the church bells were set ringing, and the drums beating: at the same time, small arms were fired in various directions, while a party kept hallooing, Liberty, Liberty for ever I This scheme, although extremely well-conducted, had not however, unfortunately, the desired effect; for not a single man of the enemy appeared in the face of our works. Had our plan succeeded, and they boldly advanced in consequence of these signals, instead of being so -extremely wary and over-cautious, they would have met with m 7fi such a reception as would have completely put an end to the blockade, as well as to our tedious fatigues. Another deserter came in to-night, who gives much the same account with the for- mer, and says we shall soon have many more come in. . April 1st. To-day nothing new occurred, excepting that a few shot and shells were fired at the enemy's battery from the Upper Town. The rebels have now opened four embrasures, but as yet have fired no cannon. This evening a deserter came in ; two others attempted to fol- low him, but our sentinels prevented them from entering the town, by firing upon them. He in- forms us that General Wooster, who ha hither' o remained at Montreal, is just arrived at the camp with a small party of about 14 men ; and further says, that his Canadian allies, who are greatly dispirited, have almost all abandoned the rebels in disgust, and that Colonel Hazen's battalion of renegade Canadians, which he was raising in the neighbourhood of Chambly, was now re- duced by desertion to 60 men : also confirms, to the full extent, what the others have said respect- ing the insurgent forces being in a sickly condi- tion, and upon the whole very much dissatisfied with tlieir campaigning adventures. 2d. Soft weather, and extremely hot in the 70 morning. A few shells and shot sent from the grand battery. In the afternoon the Lizard's cutter went up the river, and had like to have been taken, off Sillery,' by two armed batteaux ; was fired at from them, as well as from two pieces of cannon which the enemy had planted on the point, but got safe back to the harbour. This night the extra pickets were discontinued, and all the garrison off duty allowed to sleep in their clothes, till further orders, it being now moon-light. 3d.* This morning the enemy opened their « A village on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, situat- ed in a creek about a quarter of a mile from the spot where the British troops disembarked on the 13th September 1759 ^ the first descent being made by 1600 men in 30 flat-bottom- ed boats, which served as a complete surprise to the French general, who, from the natural strength of the frowning pre- cipices, never suspected, and was completely unprepared to resist, so arduous an attempt. * We have hardly a parallel in history to the persevering spirit of Arnold in thus conducting a blockade amid the stern inclemency of a Canadian winter, excepting the siege of Frederickshall in Norway, by Charles XII., the chivalrous Alexander of the North. In Voltaire's history of that part of the Swedish monarch's career, we have the following energetic observations : " Le soldat, transi de froid, pou- vait k peine remuer la terre endurcie sous la glace ; c'etait ouvrir la tranchee dand une esp^ce de roc ; mais les Suedois ne pouvaient se rebuter en voyant k leur t^te un Roi qui par- tageait leurs fatigues. Plusieurs de ses soldats tomb^rent 80 battery at Point Levi,* nearly on the same spot as those erected during the former siege, with three li^-pounders, and one eight-inch howitzer. They continued to play away till about twelve morts k leurs postes ; et les autres presque g4Us, voyant leur Roi qui soufirait comme eux, n'osaient proferer une plainte." — After the days of Gustavus Adolphus the Swedes carried on war in winter as in summer. The Czar of Russia, Peter the Great, besieged Narva in 1700, in the midst of the most severe frosts and snows ; and it is related that the army of Charles XII. (which had advanced to succour the besieged) marched boldly to the attack of his intrenchments, while a dreadful snow-storm was blowing right in the faces of their enemies. In later times, we have viewed the Empe- ror Napoleon, in the height of his ambition, leading a nu- merous army into the frozen climes of Russia, the greatest part of whom served to whiten the desarts of that immense region with their bones. Thou other element! as strong and stern. To teach a lesson conquerors will not learn. Whose icy wing flapped o'er the faultering foe, Till fell a hero with each flake of snow : — How did thy numbing beak and silent fang Pierce, till hosts perished with a single pang. Age of Bronze. ' This populous village, so called from the Due de Ven- tadour, Viceroy of North France, extends a great distance along the opposite coast of the St. Lawrence, and its bold and precipitous cliffs are thickly wooded with dark groves of fir-trees. 81 o'clock ; but their firing did not the least dailiage. They began again about one o'clock, and finished an hour after, entirely owing to a heavy shower of rain coming on, which lasted all the evening. On our part, as soon as they opened their bat- tery, nine large pieces oi)ened against them, none less than 24-pounderQ, and two 13-inch mortars, and continued to play upon them with shot and shells as long as they remained in their battery, during which time a number of our shot took effect, and damaged them great- ly. At noon we heard the report of six heavy cannon ; but cannot conceive what quarter it proceeds from. The evening being very obscure, the extra pickets are again ordered to meet, and lie on their arms all night :— but every thing remains quiet. 4th. This morning the enemy began to fire from their battery, which now mounts four guns besides the howitzer, with shot and shells, which did no damage whatever. Returned the fire, but in a far superior style to theirs. Their battery now appears like a honey-comb, which in my opinion is a target that will not stand much more firing at. Snowy weather, which stops all cannonading for the day. In the night not a hand stirring without the walls, as far as we could see. Qiieb. ^ 11 82 6th. All the garrison oflF duty employed in clearing away the snow from the ramparts. The enemy renewed their fire, which they con- tinued without any effect all the afternoon. In return our artillery-officers fired from the bat- teries upon them with well-directed cannon. This evening a large schooner that lay in the Aunee de Mer, with several batteaux, drifted down the river with the ice ; and about ten o'clock an inhabitant of repute in the neighbour- hood of Montreal, came in at the Saut du Ma- telot. He was immediately conducted to the Governor, who delayed hearing his information till morning ; so that all we could learn is, that things without are in a most dismal plight. Soon after, a deserter came in at Cape Diamond, who was detained till morning at the main guard for examination, while the other slept at Mr. Mel- vin's, being related to him. 6th. By the joint information of those who came into the garrison last night, we learn that the enemy are about erecting two other batteries ; one in the neighbourhood of the old one on the heights, and the other over at the ferry-house on the river St. diaries, under cover of the old redoubt on its north side.' The number of ' This old French tete-ue-pont formed part of their for- tifications erected all along the banks of the river from 83 ayed in ts. The y con- DD. In he bat- cannon. |r in the drifted lOut ten ghbour- duMa- to the rmation is, that t. Soon nd, who uard for Ir. Mel- ose who arn that atteries ; e on the ry-hoiise the old mber of Iheir for- river from sick at present is said to form Aearly a third of the whole army of the besiegers, among whom there are constant desertions ; and it is said that they were not able to bring their troops to hazard another attack. Also that a few of the inhabitants down the river, to the number of 40, had risen, (being headed by their priests), with a firm inten- tion of surprising the enemy's guard at Point Levi, and bringing them prisoners to town ; but they were unfortunately betrayed. However, they took post in a large house, where, after bravely defending themselves some time, they were obliged to surrender, having about five of their number killed, and several others wounded ; among the latter the priest who commanded them, mortally.* On the enemy's part they had Beauport to the St. Charles. On the 22d of September, 1759, a party of 200 men and 6 officers was posted there after the surrender of the town, and on the 24th a skulking party of the enemy, supported by some light horse, at- tempted to force the redoubt, but they were repulsed ; one horse and trooper being killed, and several others wounded. Fifty men were then sent to reinforce the post ; but on the approach of M. de Levi towards Quebec it was evacuated, and the guns spiked. * The Canadian priests have great Influence over their parishioners, as is geneially the case among true Catholics. During the siege under General Wolfe, while the British troops were intrenched on the Montmorency shore, a priest 84 «eTen killed, beBides wounded. Since this skirmish General Wooster has ordered all the priests and inhabitants below of consequence to be sent up to camp, that he may detain them as hostages for the frustration of any more such attempts. 7th. Blowing weather, with rain, &c. No- thing particular occurring. 8th. Fatigue-parties out, making additional batteries to play on the enemy. Carpenters employed erecting two block-houses without the walls. This evening a random shot from the enemy*s battery killed Mr. Melvin's son, a child of about 8 years of age, almost in his mother's arras — the only accident of the kind that has happened since the 31st of December. with about 80 partisans fortified themselves in a strong build- ing at Chateau Richet, a few miles east of the camp, on the north side of the river. He then sent a polite invitation to some of the British officers to dine with him, which honor they declined from motives of prudence. On the 25th of August a detachment of light infantry was placed in am- buscade near the house, and a field-piece was brought up, and began to play, upon which the gallant priest sallying out, fell into the ambush, and with 30 of his followers was killed and scalped. They had disguised themselves as Indians, and it was for this reason that the New England rangers paid them the compliment of the knife. Afterwards the chateau and village were reduced to ashes. 85 ce this all the lence to them as re such !. No- ditional 'penters lOut the rom the son, a t in his iie kind cember. ong build- up, on the station to lich honor le 25th of ed in am- rought up, St sallying owers was iselves as (V England /Vfterwards dth. This morning a few shots fii^d froti the enemy's battery as usual, but they did no damage. About twelve o'clock a deserter of rather a genteel appearance came in at Cape Diamond, from whom we learn that, the whole army without is in a miserable situation ; that there were not more than 1800 of them, alto- gether; and only 1000 of these fit to do duty. Confirms the accounts of the last deserter, and says notwithstanding that they are about raising two other batteries, which will chiefly mount 12-pounders and howitzers, they having only one 24-pounder brass field-piece in their train of artil- lery ; and that they still meditate another attack on or before the Idth instant. Also, that a plan was actually formed for destroying the »'iiipping, which was to be undertaken by a set of officers, for a reward of a€300. He further states, that he had never taken up arms among them, but fol- lowed the army as suttler, having formerly belonged to Sir John Johnston's corps ; and adds, that Arnold had that morning set off for Montreal, to take the command there. In short, he says, in a few words, (though many suspect he has been sent in as a spy,) that if we keep a good look-out we have nothing to fear from the besiegers— a hint which was immediately adopted, for now all the garrison off'duty, except 86 those who are for guard next day, are assem- bled at their difterent pickets. 10th. At an early hour this morning a young man, who was taken in the fall of last year with the vessels above, near Montreal, came down from Cape Rouge in a canoe, at the potash : from him we learn little or nothing new, he having remained all the winter above. He says the Gaspee brig is much damaged by lying aground, and must have a thorough repair before she can be fit for service.' The usual employment, ^cannonading, continues. All quiet these twenty-four hours past. 11th. Blowing, disagreeable weather ; not a gun fired to-day ; a few of the enemy seen at their new battery on the heights ; — the snow going away apace. 12th. A few guns fired with hot shot from Point Levi, which were all intended to burn the shipping. Some of their balls took place, but no bad consequences ensued. On our part we gave them in return a very warm reception, by which they were soon silenced. In the evening we were a little alarmed in the lower town, owing ' She was taken along with seven other vessels, and 150 privates of the 26th regiment, at Montreal, by Colonel Easton. 87 to our hearing; some firing from above ; but we soon learned it was the explosion of the loaded pistols which were in the fire balls, thrown in while burning, on the ramparts. At the same time there were several sky-rockets thrown up, to perplex the people without, who are ac- customed to make such signals. — N.B. This scheme we have frequently adopted, for various reasons. 13th. Busy erecting another block-house in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. In the afternoon a slight cannonading commenced from Point Levi, which was smartly returned. 14th. Employed laying new platforms, and mounting heavy cannon, to bear on the enemy's works. A few shots fired at all their batteries. In expectation of another attack, all the garrison are under arms. Dark gloomy weather. 15th. A number of shots exchanged to-day. Some of the enemy's missiles were red-hot balls, intended to fire the shipping in the Cul de Sac ; but their infuriate scheme of destruction had not the least effect. Every thing in a state of tranquillity during the night. 16th. Nothing particular all day, only that 8 pieces of cannon were placed o. Mr. Grant's wharf and hanguard. A few shots fired at Point Levi, and returned from the enemy's battery. 1 7th. At mid-day two deserters came in at the 88 Saut du Matelot with their arms. They confirm in some measure the information the last one ;jrought in (Mr. Chauser), that the besiegers, who still meditated an attack, were erecting their new batteries with all expedition, and planning a scheme to destroy the shipping in the Cul de Sac. They likewise say, that the New York troops, consisting of about three hundred, whose period of service has expired, have refused to do duty any longer ; and that the night before they themselves came in, 150 of that division of the army had actually revolted with an inteE . tion to join us, previously to which scheme they intended to burn their magazine ; but being dis- covered, they were all made prisoners, arid dis- armed : notwithstanding which they still huzzaed for the king. Ah this intelligence did not in the least slacken our zeal in the performance of OUT duty. Fire-balls and rockets as usual. 13th. This day nothing worth recording; only a few shots exchanged an before. 19th. Fatigue-parties out, raising a battery to oppose the enemy at the ferry. Eve. y thing quiet these twenty^four hours. 20th, Early this morning two of our people, who were taken with the fleet, near Montreal, in the fall, made their escape in a canoe from Pointe aux Trembles, 7 leagues fromtown, (so called from the Tremble or aspen-poplar grow- oufirm st one liegers, reeling If and J in the e New indre'^, refused , before ision of 1 inter,, le they ing dis- ad dis- luzzaed not in ance of lal. )rding ; battery y thing people, ontreal, oe from (so Nn V grow- 80 ing on the spot,) and came in at Pr^s de Ville, from whom we learn, that Hectoi* M'Nierhad taken the command of all the vessels, and that the Yankees were preparing the Gasp^e for a fire-ship, to burn the shipping, and had offered 2000 livres to any incendiaries that would un- dertake it; but not having the money to pay down, no one would engage to perfomy that meritorious service, although several of the French Acadians (i. e. those of Nova Scotia, formerly called Acadie) had offered to do it ok these terms ; also that many of the people who had left the town were actually in the service of the rebels, particularly Messrs. Wells, Swift and Freemctn.— General Carleton, it may be ob- served, had permitted every one who wished to depart from the garrison, to leave it, as he was determined not to have any correspondence kept up with the rebels/' They likewise inform us, that a report prevails in the enemy's camp, ' It is a plan sometimes resorted to, when a town is besieged, to dismiss all the useless members frr fear of famine, and to prevent any treasonable designs that may be undertaken within the walls. When Quebec was besieged la 1760, General Murray sent out all the inhabitants (except the bakers, who were required to issue bread to the troops), although they murmured exceedingly at the measure, and said, that the English were, as they always imagined, dei gens sans foi. QueO. M 00 that Colonel Caldwell, (a most active and diligent officer, and faithful subject of his Majesty, ^ho commanded the militia all the winter,) with the troops under his command, at diff(prent posts, was coming down the country, notwith- standing his being a considerable sufferer by the invasion, to our assistance ; and that General i^rnold, who escaped from us on the 31st of December, had gone up to Montreal to oppose them ; and also, that General Lee, with about two thousand men, who was endeavoring to pas9 the lakes, had lost all his cannon, and afterwards hearing that the Canadians would not join hirn, but remain strictly neuter, re- turned without performing any service. Our in* formant further pays, that Walker and Price, whp had gone up to the Congress to give evidence against General Prescott, (who was taken with the fleet last fall, and it is said, treated with such rigor, that from his age and infirmi- ties fatal consequences might be apprehended,) were put under arrest at Philadelphia, for misleading its members by the solemn assur- ance they had given of the inhabitants of this province in general being ready to join any army that might be sent into this country, our enemies having found the contrary to their woful experience ; and lastly, he states, that Mr. Chauser, who came in lately, was a " formidable" 1 91 Hligent [ajesty, vinter,) ifft^rent otwith- by the jreneral 31st of oppose k about ring to m, and would :er, re- Our in* I Price, to give bo was treated infirmi- lended,) ilia, for n assur- i of this oin any try, our to their hat Mr. nidable" spy, (sent no doubt to overhear any secret whis- pers among the besieged, and learn our future purposes of aggression,) having a few days before received a company as a reward for undertak- ing that service. Al! these matters put together have not OBly raised our spirits (well knowing that we shaB soon have reinforcements), but have redoubled our diligence in securing the garrison from asss^ult during these dark nights, for in the day time we fear nothing.— Busy in mounting more cannot). All quiet during the night. 21st. The Point Levi battery still continues firing shot and shells, and has been replied to during the whole of the day, by the gunners in the lower town, who have directed the eight pieces of cannon mounted on Mr» Grant's pre- mises on the 16th, with great eflfect against the rebels on the opposite bank. The night passed in silence. 12d. This day the rebels opened another battery upon the town from the opposite bank of the river St. Charles, upon which they have mounted two heavy guns and a howitzer. Their object in erecting this work, at which they have been engaged for several days past, is evidently to burn the town and destroy the shipping, as they have fired red-hot balls from that quarter likewise: but they have done us little injury 92 beyond intercepting our supplies and burning the miserable remain^ of the suburbs, which still afforded a scanty Pilotvanceof fuel. We understand that a large part of their army has left St. John's, probably to reinforce their comrades here. After firing several shots from the guns bearing on the St. Charles, dur- ing the day, and mounting more cannon, the garrison were ordered under arms, lest another assault should be attempted. Extremely dark at night. 23d. The enemy attempted to annoy us by throwing in a few shells from a battery lately erected on the heights opposite Port St. Louis ; but they were soon silenced by a supe-» rior fire from our artillery, which has exceedingly damaged this, as well as every other they have erected. May 3d.' About ten at night a fire-ship ' We have here an instance of that determined ferocity, which prompts civilised nations to resort to such infuriate instruments as fire-ships, and other savage methods of destruction, not sanctioned by the laws of honor amongst belligerent powers, and long disused by the British Govern- ment, which generally contents itself with bombs and Congreve rockets, for the purpose of destroying au enemy's ships or magazines, and witb. using what is generally termed " fair shot" by the common consent of man. kind. Fire-ships seldom answer the purpose int«nded. S3 urning which • their nforce I shots 3, dur- annon, IS, lest remely noy us battery >ort St. a supe-' edingly ly have ire-ship I ferocity, infuriate ethods of amongst I Govern- mbs and I enemy's generally of man. int«nd«cl. attempted to run into the Cul de Sac, where the greatest part of our vessels is at present laid up in ordinary for the winter. She dropped down at ebb-tide, with the expectation of doing a great deal of injury ; but the scheme proved abortive, for our batteries opened upon her when she came to leeward of the shipping ; and the incen- diaries on board having deserted her through fear of the flying shot from the town, she was run aground and burnt to the water's edge, without at all answering the purpose intended. It is gene- rally supposed that the insurgents would have attempted a general assault during the confu- sion naturally ensuing from the burning of the ships and the lower town contiguous.* from the danger of their being sunk by opposing batteries, and the arduous nature of the service required from the engineer on board. It may not be amiss here to recall to the memory of the reader the torpedoes so ingeniously (we will not say diabolically) contrived by our transatlantic foes to destroy our ships of war, during the late contest in 1814. If Milton thought proper to apply the term of " devilish enginVy" to the artillery of the great apostate spirit, I see no reason for classing the torpedo intended to blow up the Ramillies, 74, within the circuit of any other less distinguishing epithet. The fire-ship Infernal, sent in by the famous Commodore Benbow to burn St. Maloe's, is well recorded in our Naval History ; bnt she struck on a sand- bank, and the utmost damage she o d, was throwing down part of the town walls, and terrifying the inhabitants, being set on fire too soon l)y the engineer. ' During the siege of Quebec in 1759, we find, among d4 On the (jth of May' the Surprise frigate, Isis, and sloop Martin, canje into the basin. Captain Douglas of the Isis, which sailed from Portland on the nth of March, with succours on board for this town, made the island of St. Peter on the 11th of April, and from thence with the greatest difficulty and exertion made his way through large fields of ice, which for fifty or sixty other instruments of destruction (such as fire-rafts, and boats filled with loaded gun-barrels and hand-grenades,) sent down the S :. Lawrence to bura the shipping, a fire- organ, made of a square timber frame, in which v.'ere fixed a number of barrels loaded with slugs and nails, aud provided with a train, by which a midshipman and two men, who jumped on board, were severely wounded, and another man alongside, killed. . ' Here ends the narrative of the principal occurrences of this important blockade, from which it will clearly appear, that Sir Guy Carleton possessed thoroughly that pre- sence of mind and self-possession, combined with quickness of imagination, wiiich makes itself superior to the casualties of any events which may occur. In honor to the humanity of this officer, who, it is said, by some warm expression which escaped in the ardor of his zeal for government, " was suspected of too keen a resentment to those unhappy men against whom he was employed," it is but just to men- tion, that after a subsequent series of military operations, he issued a proclamiation commanding the officers of the militia " to make diligent search" for all wounded and disabled Provincials dispersed in the woods and parishes of Canada, and to afford them all necessary relief, and convey them to the general hospital, for the purpose of alleviating their distresses. 95 leagues were of such thickness and consistency, that the ship could only be forced onwards by carrying a heavy press of sail. After clearing the Gulf he made the inhospitable island Anti- coste, (an ill-wooded and barren spot, 40 leagues in extent, from N. E. to S. W., without a gooii harbour, granted to the Sieur Jojet by the French, on his return from the discovery of the Mississippi,) and entering the river, was joined near Isle aux Coudns by the two other vessels which sailed from Plymouth on the 20th of March. As soon as the detachment of the 29th regiment on board with a party of marines had landed, they were joined by the garrison ; and the Commander-in-chief, wisely availing himself of the impression which the arrival of the ships of war had made on the insurgents, marched out to engage them, with a strong party, from the gates of St. Louis and St, John. The enemy were found busied in making preparations for a rapid retreat, and after exchanging a few shots, fled in the utmost confusion. The alarm being given, the plains, as well as the adjacent wood, were soon completely cleared of the marau- ders. Several stragglers were made prisoners, and the dastaixHy villains, after in vain attempt- ing to rally and charge our troops, scampered off, having abandoned fifteen pieces of can- non, with all their military stores, petards, M scaling ladders, and baggage. The parties on each side of the river were prevented from join- ing in their flight towards Montreal by two armed vessels, sent by Captain Douglas as far as the Rapids, in the hope of annoying them in their retreat, which was so precipitate, that most of their cannon were left ready loaded, and their ammunition, provisions, intrenching tools, and even muskets, in many cases abandoned. An armed schooner, carrying ten guns, 3 and 6-pounders, was taken by the Surprise and Martin, her crew escaping to the woods ; and the Gasp6e schooner, which had been sunk by the rebels, was weighed up, and recovered without much damage. Further reinforcements arrived from Halifax on the 8th of May, consisting of the 47th regi- ment, in threo transports, convoyed by His Majesty's ship Niger, which were soon followed by others from England. Captain Forster, with a detachment consisting of two companies of the 8th regiment, some Canadians, and a party of 500 Indians, who had pursued the rebels, came up with them at the Cedars, (the 3d rapid or fall, Coteau du Lac being the 4th,) a spot beyond Lac St. Louis, where there are cas- cades at the upper end of Isle Perrot, separating that Lake from the Lac des deux Montagnes.* • Captain Forster, on his way down the St. Lawrence, car- 97 Two pieces of cannon and 390 prisoners were sur- rendered in this post, at discretion : and about the same time a party of 120 insurgents, passing from the island of Montreal to Kinchin, were defeated by Messrs. Lorimer and Montigny. General Carleton, on receiving his reinforcements, pushed forward with all expedition, after order- ing the troops to rendezvous at Three Rivers (25 leagues from Quebec, formerly a French military post for trade). On the 8th of June the rebels attempted a bold stroke against the troops at Three Rivers, having crossed to the number of nearly 2,000 men, in 50 boats, from Sorel, and landed at a place called the Point du Lai, before day-break, out of the range of the armed vessels at anchor above the town. They were, however, speedily repulsed in an attack on the 62d regi- ment, and made a quick retreat up the river through the woods, finding that General Nes- bit had formed in their rear with a large body of ried this post at the Cedars, consistingof five hundred men, after killing 50 of the enemy, and capturing many others. The Indians having lost a Sachem in the attack, it was with great difficulty that they were restrained from putting the prisoners to death. The officers were kept as hostages for the due performance of a cartel for the exchange of pri- soners, and the rest were dismissed ; but the Indians, not considering their oath sufficiently binding, slit all their left cars, to know them again, in case they should be found with arms in their hands. Queb. ' N 98 troops from the transports, and that General Fraser was too strongly posted to be drivca from the town by their endeavours alone. Those two officers then pursued and attempted to seize their boats, and cut oflf the retreat of the insur- gents from the swamps in which they had taken refuge, but they had fled with such precipitation, that only two boats and about 200 prisoners were taken, through the exertions of the sloop Martin and the armed vessels which sailed up the River du Loup. Among those who surren- dered were Major-General Thompson, and Ir- win, the second in command. The rebels conti- nued their flight, pursued by the troops to Longueil, (four leagues from Chambly.") and from thence by La Prairie to St. John's. On the night of the 18th the head of General Bur- goyne's column took possession of the redoubts of St. John, when they found aU the buildings in flames, and all the craft and large boats that could not be dragged up the Chambly Rapids burnt by their retreating foes. Twenty-two pieces of cannon are also said to have been abandoned and hid in the woods. On the lUh and 13th of October, General Carleton put the finishing stroke to the expulsion of the invaders, by de- feating their fleet on Lake Champlain, in two ac- tions, near Valicom Isle and Crown Point; only three vessels escaping out of fifteen, two of which, al 5:vi se ze ir- en >n, jrs op up m- Ir- iti- to nd On iir- bts sin uld irnt 1 of [led lOf ling de- ac- ►nly ich, 00 with General Waterburgh» Tie second in com- manil, were taken, and ten others burnt and destroyed. Arnold immediately set fire to the buildings of Crown Point, and after blowing up his flag-ship, escaped to Ticonderoga. The prodigies of labor said to have been effected since the rebels were driven out of Canada, in creating and equipping a fleet of above thirty armed vessels, together with the transporting over land, and dragging up the two Rapids of St. Terese and St. John thirty long boats, above four hundrcd batteaux, and other flat-bottomed vessels, are almost incredible. The flotilla was also manned by a large body of prime seamen, two iiundred of whom en- gaged from transports to serve on board during the expedition. With all these advantages, it is not to be wondered at that nearly the whole of the rebel fleet met destruction. During the late contest in 1813 and 1814, our naval engagements on the Lakes of Canada were not marked with that brilliancy of success which attended the heroic exertions of General Carleton, who exerted himself so manfully to avenge his country's wrongs. With the excep- tion of Lake Ontario, where the brave Sir James Yeo commanded, and whose appear- ance there struck such awe into the hearts 100 of his opponents, that they never dared to en- gage him, our naval exploits were comparatively attenv'.ed witli but a trifling degree of splendor. But it cannot be denied that they were all well fought actions ; and when the immense su- periority of their foes in naval equipments, in possessing the best of riflemen to man their tops, and in being quite at home, provided with the numerous ., sources of war, is considered, there will be a great deal to be said in extenuation of the conduct of our gallant seamen, in tht two actions fought between Captain Barclay (one of the heroes of Trafalgar) and Commodore Perry, on Lake Erie, and between the brave Downie and Commodore Macdonough, on Lake Champlaih. In the former contest, although our flag-ship, the Detroit, was manned with at best a motley crew, there not being above 50 British seamen in the whole fleet, and armed with guns of four different calibre, she appears to have been fought with a most determined spirit of heroism. By the accounts of her opposing foes, the enemy's vessel, Lawrence, sufferrd most severely, having 27 men killed and 61 wounded when she struck, and was only saved from capture by drifting out of the range ot the Detroit, when the Niagara was brought up to bear upon the latter through the exertions of the commanding officer. The Lawrence's men were raowod down on their birth-deck, and even in the cockpit, and the 101 •ed to en- paiatively splendor. 1 were all mense su- )ments, in their tops, with the ^red, there n nation of in the two lay (one of lore Perry, ovvnie and Jhamplain. ig-ship, the Dtley crew, nen in the iir different ght with a By the 3 enemy's jly, having she struck, Irifting out le Niagara er through icer. The [1 on their L and the officers appointed to command the crew were twice appointed, and twice successively shot down. One ball nearly penetrated the maga- zine, and another killed a seaman standing close to Commodore Perry on deck. As to the fai- lure on Lake Champlain, and the manner in which both the fleet and its brave mariners were sacrificed, as it would appear, in a most unne- cessary manner, in consequence of non-co- operation from the shore, and the neglect showed most unaccountably in not occupying the forti- fications of Plattsburg, I shall say but little, having no wish to reiterate the story of events o-enerally known, or recall to recollection the melancholy tale of disasters which then attended our naval exertions. Hardly any better success could have been sought for, when it is consi- dered that the Confiance went into action in a state quite unprepared to meet a superior foe, supported by gun-boats, and by every hostile preparation that the nature of the lake afforded. In the foregoing narrative we have seen the garrison of Quebec bravely holding out against a numerous and determined body of enemies, in defiance of hardships and the wintry rigor of a climate as severe as that of any northern lati- tude, recalling to our minds the gallantry of those 540 brave Pranestines who defended Casilinum against Hannibal, till nearly half 102 their number had perished by the sword and by famine, and affording an illustration of what can be achieved even b^ inexperienced recruits and unwarlike citizens, when aided by the pro- found sagacity, clear and unerring insight into the measures of a hostile leader, and superior energy of mental resource possessed by that ve- teran governor, under whose auspices they ven- tured to exert their native valour, for the steady purpose of retaining what had been wrested in former duys from the overweening dominion of Gallir foemen. When the more distant possessions of a coun- try are invaded in this manner, its inhabi- tants naturally look up to men, who, hav- ing been accustomed to a military life, are perfectly qualified to perform all warlike duties of protection and defence. But in consequence of the small number of regular troops that could be disposed of at this critical juncture, and the inefficacy of the Canadian part of the population, we here find a body of men so placed, as to be under the necessity of exerting themselves by personal courage and the endurance of fatigue, many of whom were not originally called to the profession of arms, and to support the glory of their country, but notwithstanding performed every action of a soldier for their own private ad- vantage, and to secure themselves from the disas- 103 troiis consequences of a storm, undertaken by an exasperated body of rebellious plunderers. In a service, such as is undergone in a country like America, abounding with impene- trable forests, and almost impassable morasses, where the great art of a military character is to avoid a surprise and to secure the most impor- tant passages and defiles of an immense extent of territory, and thereby to circumscribe the hostile operations of foes, whose manoeuvres are peculiar to themselves, and materially distinguish them from European warriors, great circumspec- tion is required, and no small share of address, to overcome them ; and a needless slaughter should never be promoted by temerity, particu- larly in places where bush fighting is practised to so uncommon an extent. This was suflScient- ly proved during the last war. And when the contest is carried on against an enemy by no means generous, he ought to be combated with his own weapons, according to the Indian mode of fighting ; for he rarely courts an engagement in open plains, being aware of a decided inferiority. It is a maxim not to be denied by any philosopher, that from various causes the benefit of a standing army is always indispensa- ble, particularly with respect to a nation like our own, whose commerce proceeds not so much from mere innate sources of profit, as from its con- nexion with its foreign colonial possessions, to 104 which it acts as a species of centre— a vivifying influence, which agitates every thing within its sphere, and even the most remote objects with which it is concerned. The inevitable defects in the political body of empires have, from very distant periods, become the infallible origin of perpetual wars—a sort of distemper which, it appears, arms man against his fel- low, fomented indeed almost always by a wish to seek aggrandisement through interference with his neighbours, and constant encroachments on their borders ; by national animosity, and by endeavours to lessen that preponderance which any powerful monarch may possess, and thereby increase the dangers which ensue to other princes in his more immediate vicinity. Man has always appeared to have had a ruling passion for con- tention—a sort of opposing spirit in his nature. When any broils foment disturbance in the cabinets of Europe, his hand, like Ishmael's of old, " is against every man, and every man's against him." Terms of reconciliation are re- jected, the sword is drawn, and the spirits of war 'and destruction let loose throughout the territo- ries of his enemies. He is constantly on the watch to enrich himself with the spoils of his neighbours. This being the case, it is also plain, that the animosity borne us by foreign nations, from an invidious feeling towards our superiority, will Wi avifying ithin its cts with defects e, from nfallible istemper his fel- i wish to ice with chments , and by :e which I thereby r princes s always for con- s nature. in the nael's of y man's L are re- ts of war e territo- ' on the s of his that the from an lily, will always demand an armed force by sea and U\nd, of which the members, " hke brave men will always think well, and think justly of themselves, when destined lo serve their country, and capa- ble of serving it, ought." What a Gaul once observed to me speaks volumes: — although nothing beyond the career of a privateersman, he said, that if it was in his power he would do every thing to injure and ruin England, though he allowed, that neither his own paltry efforts nor those of all Europe united, would ever have the least chance of destroying its preponder- ance. The plotting and conspiring of Count Gyllembourg, (ambassador from Sweden at the Court of London in 1717,) for which he was seized and confined, is well known in our annals, and the scandalous duplicity of the Neapolitans and their refugee commanders. Mack and St. Philip, about the time when the fleet of the im- mortal Nelson was co-operating for their deli- verance, are by no means to be cited as solitary instances of the ungenerous feeling nurtured to- wards us by foreigners. A French military writer (the Count de Stendhal) says, with exul- tation, that we have rendered ourselves particu- larly odious to most of the Continental nations* and are at the same time detested by the Ameri- cans, who in twenty years will swarm upon our trade with five hundred privateers. Nar. o 106 In the military manceuvres of former days, t!»e chief thing observable was the great simplicity evinced by the movements of armies. At Crecy the English were drawn up in solid square, thirty deep ; in front were generally placed the men at arms, before whom stood the archers, who endea- voured to overpower the chivalry of their foes with a shower of arrows, (as the ancient Par- thians at Carrae did the Romans under Crassus) which was done effectually, at the above-men- tioned battle, as well as at Poictiersand also at the action of Holmedon Hill, fought against tltc Scots during the reign of our Henry 1V„ before a general charge was made by the heavier troops armed with the pole axe and two-handed sword. At Agincourt each bowman was provided with a fascine or stake to cover him from the French missiles, and after the arrows were expended, the combatants mingled hand to hand in the more certain work of mutual destruction. Manual strength, particularly revived in our own days during the eventful contest at Waterloo, was the augury most relied on, in the securing of vic- tory amona; the heroes of former ages ; and dur- " 1 ing the Homeric campaigns and subsequently, for a long period, we find it combined with no very regular observation of tactics. Ambuscade, which is the general masterpiece of savage aa- tions, and attended with frequent success, their 107 attempts being more calculated to overpower by stratagem than by any steadiness of raanceuvre, was constantly resorted to, when any practica- bility offered of employing it. Hannibal was no doubt considered a captain of remarkable skill; for his method of defeating an enemy evinces much greater discernment than was possessed by most commanders of his day.^ A sudden surprise, rapidity of manoeuvre, speedy majches, combined with the taking advantage of his foes in a foggy day, and attempts to fall upon their flanks and rear, were his principal sallies of skill. His attack on the Romans, at the lake Thrasymenus, was suggested by the simple locality of the country and by securing the narrow defiles in front and in the rear of their army, while the main body of his troops occu- pied the heights directly above them. We find him placing his Numidians during another skr- mish, in the caverns of hollow rocks, so as to ' Hannibal, it must be allowed, possessed great superiority •m military skill, when opposed to the consuls of Rome, fcr bis knowledge of war was derived from a long series <»f campaigns. His experience would consequently tend in a great degree to foil the efforts of such leaders as prlvaLe citizens, or warriors taken from the plough, who could liacw but little of warfare beyond mere animal courage ml ',he superstitious idea of devoting themselves, to ensure vicio.