[205] Montcalm, when he heard that the English had ascended the hill and
were formed on the high ground at the back of the town scarcely credited
the intelligence ... but he was soon undeceived. He saw clearly that the
English fleet and army were in such a situation that the Upper and Lower
Town might be attacked in concert, and that nothing but a battle could
save it. Accordingly he determined to give them battle. - The Annual
Register for the year 1759.
[206] Local tradition relates that, on receiving, about 8 o'clock in the
morning of the 13th September, the startling intelligence that the English
were in possession of the Plains, MONTCALM (hitching up his breeches with
both hands, as was his custom) briskly exclaimed, "if that be the case
it is time we were hastening thither; for we must drive them into the
river before noon." - R. S. B.
[207] "The English troops were exhorted to reserve their fire; and they
bore that of the enemy's light troops in front (which was galling though
irregular) with the utmost patience and good order, waiting for the main
body of the enemy which fast advanced upon them. At forty yards distance
our troops gave their fire, which took place in its full extent, and made
a terrible havoc among the French." - The Annual Register for 1759.
"General Wolfe ordered the men to load with an additional bullet which did
great execution.
"As soon as the French came within musket-shot they began to fire, but the
British reserved their fire until the enemy were within twenty yards."
- Beatson's Naval and Military Memoirs of Great Britain from 1729
to 1790.
[208] The Canadian militia (of which more than half of Montcalm's forces
consisted) were without bayonets. - MONTCALM'S Letter of 24th August,
1759.
[209] The authenticity of this famous, prophetic letter has been attacked
by subsequent writers: among others by Francis Parkman.
[210] For a description of the spot where MONTCALM expired, see Album
du Touriste.
[211] Knox's Journal, Vol. ii., pp. 14, 21, 24, 28, Aug. 21 "The
project of erecting a fortress on the Island of Coudres, for a garrison of
three thousand men, is laid aside for want of proper materials, and the
season being too far advanced for such an undertaking. The enterprise of
storming Quebec is also given up as too desperate to hope for success." P.
28.
[212] Denis de Vitre, then a prisoner of war in England, had been induced
to come to Canada, partly by threats, partly by promises, to pilot the
English fleet. According to the Diary of old James Thompson, both Cugnet
and Davis had indicated the spot when Wolfe landed at Sillery. Stobo
claimed the credit of it, and according to Panet's Diary, it was on his
advice, that on the 21st July, 1759, was undertaken the expedition to
Deschambeault and neighboring parishes, where 100 Quebec ladies of
respectability secreted there - had been captured and brought back.
