1759] THE FIRE-SHIPS. 243 embarked. Some of the transports were driven from their moorings and were cast ashore; others suffered injury by being dashed together. No permanent damage, however, was caused, and no life was lost. The storm was of short duration, and during the following day, the 28th, the water was perfectly calm, and the troops quietly established themselves in their quarters. During the night of that day the fire-ships were sent down from Quebec. They failed most egregiously in their purpose: they had been prepared in anticipation of the arrival of the British fleet, and much had been hoped from them. They were seven in number: three consisted of large merchant vessels; the remainder were schooners and bateaux, and had been constructed under one Oclouches, the master of a merchantman. It had been determined that the fire-ships should be directed against the three frigates which were in advance, and that the remainder should be sent against the sixty transports lying at Saint Patrick's cove, in the island of Orleans. Oclouches set fire to his ship after passing Point Lévis. The frigates sent out boats to meet the danger, and the vessel was safely towed to Beaumont, seven miles below Point Lévis. Of the six others, three only made their way to the island. One exploded when the match was lighted; two burst into flames before leaving Quebec. The shouts of the English sailors, on the failure of the attempt, reached Quebec to add to the discomfiture which succeeded the vain hope of success. The appearance of these fire-ships so struck with terror the guard at the western point of the island that the men ran from their posts and spread alarm in the ranks. They were sternly rebuked by Wolfe in his general orders and the officer placed under arrest; he was, however, subsequently released at Monckton's intercession. The storm which had been experienced suggested to the admiral the insecurity of his moorings; he determined, accordingly, to anchor his ships in the basin of Quebec. Previous to so acting, Saunders brought to Wolfe's notice the necessity of taking possession of Point Lévis. On the night of the 29th, Monckton, with his command, crossed over to Beaumont on the southern shore. The 15th, 43rd and 78th, with some rangers, constituted the force. They lay on their arms until morning. The outposts were attacked by some of the militia; the skirmish, however, was unimportant. Three of the French were killed and were scalped by the rangers in retaliation; three were taken prisoners. The British loss was one mortally, two slightly wounded. Monckton attached to the church door the proclamation issued by Wolfe. It set forth that the object of the invasion was the conquest of the country. He offered his protection to the habitants provided they took no active, part in the contest: should they refuse these terms then the law of nations would justify their experiencing the fate of war. On the morning of the 30th of June, Monckton's force advanced towards Point Lévis: after having proceeded about. four miles, they were fired on from the woods. A halt was made and the march was then continued through the open fields, until Point Lévis was reached and the church taken possession of. Montcalm had advised that this position should be held and fortified. The influence of de Vaudreuil, however, prevailed with the council, to reject the proposition on the ground that although some injury might be done to the lower town, artillery from the point could not harm the city. On the 1st of July some floating batteries were sent from the city to attack the British force. They were quickly silenced by a frigate, sent by the admiral to drive them off. A battery en barbette was established without delay, and the safety of the fleet was more thoroughly assured, by the same precaution being taken at the western front of the island of Orleans. The attack of the floating batteries had not been without effect; of the British force four were killed and seventeen wounded, many mortally, but it in no way interfered with the permanent establishment of the detachment. A fort was constructed on the island of Orleans for provisions and stores. Several old men, women, and children had been brought in prisoners from the south shore. Wolfe gave them their 1759] MONTMORENCY. 245 liberty, and sent them to Quebec with a flag of truce. Information was also sent that the ladies were on board, whom Durell had brought from Miramichi. Opportunity was taken to inquire concerning the three young officers surprised at île aux Coudres. De Vaudreuil replied that he had treated the prisoners with distinction, and when he heard that Wolfe was about to depart he would send them back to him. There were now 300 Ottawas and 400 Iroquois and Abenakis with the French. Many had arrived early in the siege, and their presence in attacking and scalping any stragglers was soon felt. In any considered plan of operations they were of little account. The French lines closed with the falls of Montmorency. Wolfe, perceiving that the ground to the eastward was higher* than that held by the French, considered that it offered a favourable point for attack. There was also a ford below the falls, which for some period between the ebb and flow was passable. Wolfe hoped that there might be a fordable place in the river above the falls by which he might pass his troops. In modern times this ford is well known, and some writers. have imagined that it was from ignorance that Wolfe did not avail himself of it. Wolfe was well aware of its existence. "In reconnoitring the river Montmorency," he says, "we found it fordable + at a place about three miles up, but the opposite bank was intrenched, and so steep and woody, that it was to no purpose to attempt passage there." Wolfe doubtless recollected the defeat of Braddock, and the repulse of Abercrombie from the impenetrable abatis, and he was not one to risk his force in so unequal a contest. It was the spot by which the Indians passed to attack the British lines; during the two months' occupation of the north shore, forty officers and men were killed and wounded in the encounters with them. On the evening of Sunday, the 8th of July, the three regiments at Point Lévis, the 15th, 43rd and 63rd were ordered to strike their tents at one in the morning, and admiral Holmes, * De Lévis' expression is "séduit par la hauteur." + Can. Arch., A. & W. I., 88, p. 83. |