Reminiscences of the French war

1 August 1759

Battle of Minden

MKMOIR OF

The regiment o|'pofed to the N. H. line was that oftJie W'elsh Fl!5^iieers, which had been distinguish- ed at tlie battle of Minden in Germany, and was considered one of tlie finest corps in the British ser- vice. The troops advanced and displayed in front of our line, says an eye witness now living, with the coolness, and precision of troops upon parade ; not a sliot was fired until they came within 80 yarda of their enemy, who opjened, upon them a lite so rapid and deadly, that in a few minutes, they broke and fled in confusion. They were immediately ral- lied, reinforced, again led to the attack, and once more gave w^ay before the fatal fire, of the New-

13 September 1759

Battle of the Plains of Abraham

PREFACE. O

Upon the occasion of Wolfe's appointment to com- mand the expedition against Quebec, some one observed to George II. fhat Wolfe was thought to be a madman ; and wholly unfit to be entrusted with so important a com- mand. '' Is he," says the King, " then I wish he would bite all the rest of my generals."

PREFACE. O

The result justified the confidence reposed. Wolfe carried by a bold surprise, the heights of Abraham, met the strength of the French Army on the Plains of Que- bec, and fell in the hour of victory. But the object was attained. The fall of Quebec was followed by the ad- vance of Amherst, from Lake George,* reducing in his progress, all the French garrisons along the frontier, and the whole Province of Canada was surrendered with- out further bloodshed.

JEFF. AMHERST.

Several of our prisoners iiad been at the siege of Quebec, they reported, that the French lost 500 men ; and after bombarding, and caimonading the placp twelve days, they had retired to '-Jack's Quarters," where General Levi had left 500 Regu- lars and 400 Canadians ; that the remainder of th& troops were quartered by two's and three's upon the- inhabitants from that place to St. Johns ; in Mont-- real 100 troops onlr,^were stationed ; ilie inhabi- tants themselves doin^ duty ; tli it Charnblee Fort contained 150 men including workmen ; and the remnants of the Queen's Regiment were in the vil- lage ; tliat there v/erft twelve carmon at St. Johns and 300 men, including workmen, who were obli- ged to take up arms at a moment's warning ; that

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of death. His troops being defeated notwitlistand- ing all his exertions, MoiUcahn exj^ressed the high- est satisfixction upon learning* that Iiis wound was mortal ; and. when told that he could live but a few hours, he replied, " so much the better, I shall not live to seethe surrender of Quebec."