- 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.
