in the rear of Mr. C. CAMPBELL'S house-the death scene of WOLFE-and the other towards the St. Foy road, which it was intended to command. On the site of the country seat called Marchmont, the property of the Honorable J. Stewart, and at present the residence of Mr. DALY, Secretary of the Province, there was also a small redoubt, commanding the intrenched path leading to the Cove. This was taken possession of by the advanced guard of the light infantry, immediately on ascending the heights. At the period of the battle, the Plains were without fences or enclosures, and extended to the walls to the St. Lewis side. The surface was dotted over with bushes, and the woods on either flank were more dense than at present, affording shelter to the French and Indian marksmen. In order to understand the relative position of the two armies, if a line be drawn to the St. Lawrence from the General Hospital, it will give nearly the front of the French army at ten o'clock, after Montcalm had deployed into line. His right reached beyond the St. Foy road, where he made dispositions to turn the left of the English. Another parallel line, some.. what in advance of Mr. C. G. Stewart's house on the St. Foy road, will give the front of the British army, before WOLFE charged at the head of the grenadiers of the 22d, 40th, and 45th regiments, who had acquired the honorable title of the Louisbourg Grenadiers, from having been distinguished at the capture of that place, under his own command, in 1758. To meet the attempt of Montcalm to turn the British left, General Townshend formed the 15th regiment en potence, or presenting a double front. The light infantry were in rear of the left, and the reserve was placed in rear of the right, formed in eight subdivisions, a good distance apart. The English had been about four hours in possession of the Plains, and were completely prepared to receive them, when the French advanced with great resolution. They approached obliquely by the left, having marched from Beauport that morning. On being formed, they commenced the attack with great vivacity and animation, firing by platoons. It was observed, however, that their fire was irregular and ineffective, whereas that of the English was so well directed and maintained, as to throw the French into immediate confusion. It must be stated, that although the French army was more numerous, it was principally composed of colonial troops, who did not support the regular forces as firmly as was expected of them. MONTCALM, on his death bed, expressed himself bitterly in this respect. The English troops, on the contrary, were nearly all regulars, of approved courage, well officered and under perfect discipline. The grenadiers burned to revenge their defeat at Montmorenci; and it was at their head that WOLFE, with great military tact, placed himself at the commencement of the action. About eight o'clock, some sailors had succeeded in dragging up the precipice a light six-pounder, which, although the only gun used by the English in the action, being remarkably well served, played with great success on the centre column as it advanced, and more than once compelled the enemy to change the disposition of his forces. The French had two field pieces in the action. The despatches mention a remarkable proof of coolness and presence of mind, on the part of troops who had no hopes but in victory, no chance of safety but in beating the enemy for had they been defeated, re-embarkation would have been impracticable. The English were ordered to reserve their fire until the French were within forty yards. They observed these orders most strictly, bearing with patience the incessant fire of the Canadians and Indians. It is also stated that WOLFE ordered the men to load with an additional bullet, which did great execution. The two Generals, animated with equal spirit, met each other at the head of their respective troops where the battle was most severe. MONTCALM was on the left of the French, at the head of the regiments of Languedoc, Bearne and Guienne-WOLFE on the right of the English, at the head of the 28th, and the Louisbourg Grenadiers. Here the greatest exertions were made under the eyes of the leaders -the action in the centre and left was comparatively a skirmish. The severest fighting took place between the right of the race-stand and the Martello towers. The rapidity and effect of the English fire having thrown the French into confusion, orders were given, even before the smoke cleared away, to charge with the bayonet. WOLFE exposing himself at the head of the battalions, was singled out by some Canadian marksmen, on the enemy's left, and had already received a slight wound in the wrist. Regardless of this, and unwilling to dispirit his troops, he folded a handkerchief round his arm, and putting himself at the head of the grenadiers, led them on to the charge, which was completely successful. It was bought, however, with the life of their heroic leader. He was struck with a second ball in the groin; but still pressed on, and just as the enemy were about to give way, he received a third ball in the breast, and fell mortally wounded. Dear, indeed, was the price of a victory purchased by the death of WOLFE of a hero, whose uncommon merit was scarcely known and appreciated by his country, before a premature fate removed him for ever from her service. It might have been said of him, as of Marcellus, Ostendent terris hunc tantùm fata, neque ultrà He met, however, a glorious death in the moment of victory-a victory which in deciding the fate of CANADA, commanded the applause of the world, and classed WOLFE among the most celebrated Generals of ancient and modern times. Happily, he survived his wound long enough to learn the success of the day. When the fatal ball took effect, his principal care was, that he should not be seen to fall." Support me," said he to an officer near him," let not my brave soldiers see me drop. The day is ours, keep it!" He was then carried a little way to the rear, where he requested water to be brought from a neighboring well to quench his thirst. The charge still continued, when the officer-on whose shoulder, as he sat down for the purpose, the dying hero leaned-exclaiming, " They run! they run !"-"Who run ?" asked the gallant WOLFE, with some emotion. The officer replied," The enemy, Sir: they give way every where !"— "What?" said he, do they run already? Pray, one of you go to Colonel Burton, and tell him to march Webb's regiment with all speed down to St. Charles River, to cut off the retreat of the fugitives from the bridge. Now, God be praised, I DIE HAPPY!" So saying the youthful hero breathed his last. He reflected that he had done his duty, and he knew that he should live for ever in the memory of a grateful country. His expiring moments were cheered with the British shout of victory, pulchrumque mori succurrit in armis. : Such was the death of WOLFE upon the Plains of ABRAHAM, at the early age of thirty-two years! It has been well observed, that "a death more glorious and attended with circumstances more picturesque and interesting, is no where to be found in the annals of history." His extraordinary qualities, and singular fate, have afforded a fruitful theme of panegyric to the historian and the poet, to the present day. How they were appreciated by his gallant companions in arms, may be learned by the subjoined extract from a letter written after the battle by General, afterwards Marquess, TOWNSHEND, to one of his friends in England .. "I am not ashamed to own to you, that my heart does not exult in the midst of this success. I have lost but a friend in General WOLFE. Our country has lost a sure support, and a perpetual honor. If the world were sensible at how dear a price we have purchased QUEBEC in his death, it would damp the public joy. Our best consolation is, that providence seemed not to promise that he should remain long among us. He was himself sensible of the weakness of his constitution, and determined to crowd into a few years, actions that would have adorned length of life." The feeling and affecting manner in which WOLFE is spoken of in this letter, and its elegance of expression, confer equal honor upon the head and heart of the accomplished writer. The classical reader will agree with us in thinking, that he had in his mind at the |