such forces as I commanded this morning, with a third of British troops." Almost his last act was to write a letter, recommending the French prisoners to the generosity of the victors. He died at five o'clock in the morning of the 14th September; and was buried in an excavation made by the bursting of a shell within the precincts of the Ursuline Convent-a fit resting place for the remains of a man who died fighting for the honor and defence of his country. Besides the similarity of their fate, there was a remarkable coincidence in the prominent points of the characters of WOLFE and MONTCALM. As competitors for victory and fame, they had equal merit; and both eminently possessed those military qualities which are necessary to attain success. Equally gallant, zealous, and devoted to their country-animated with the same love of glory-they were in other respects similarly situated. Each had received literary cultivation before he entered the military service. WOLFE left a widowed mother, his father having died in the same year,-MONTCALM in addition to a mother, left behind him a widow and children. These, with an attachment to his unstained memory which cannot be too highly esteemed, defended the fame of MONTCALM from the insinuations contained in the calumnious defence of the Intendant BIGOT, who was arraigned for the mal-practices of his financial administration. They succeeded in fully vindicating the memory of their son and husband; and their triumphant refutation was made by the French Government as public as were the calumnies. It is due to the military character of MONTCALM to state, that he did not at first despair of the French cause, notwithstanding his own wounds and the loss of the battle. He declared to the council of war, that twelve hours would suffice to re-assemble the troops at Cape Rouge, and others scattered at a distance from the field of battle—to re-unite them to the beaten forces, and to those who had not been engaged-and to attack the victorious army with far superior numbers, before they had secured themselves by entrenchments. This spirited advice was not acted upon by the council of war. VAUDREUIL commenced a disorderly retreat towards MONTREAL, by way of Indian Lorette, compelling the Hurons to accompany him; notwithstanding which apparent act of hostility, the Indian Village remained uninjured by the English. There is no record in history of so important a victory being gained with so trifling a loss on the part of the conquerors. The English had only forty five rank and file killed, and five hundred and six wounded. The total loss, including officers of all ranks, was six hundred and sixty-four. The loss of the French amounted to fifteen hundred killed, wounded and prisoners, among whom were many officers. General MONCKTON, who succeeded to the command on the fall of WOLFE, was almost immediately shot through the lungs, at the head of the 47th regiment, where he had been greatly distinguished. The command then devolved on General TOWNSHEND, who had been engaged on the left. Colonel GUY CARLETON, Quarter Master General, received also a severe wound in the head. The Adjutant General, Major BARRE', afterwards Secretary at War, and a distinguished member of the British Parliament, was also wounded. The French General Officers were even more unfortunate. The Baron DE SENEZUERGES, second in command, was mortally wounded, and being taken prisoner, died on board the fleet the next day. The Baron DE ST, OURS also died of his wounds. General TOWNSHEND had the honor of finishing the battle; and preserved such an appearance of good order and strength, that BOUGAINVILLE, who had advanced from Cape Rouge with two thousand fresh troops, thought it most prudent to retire. The battle of the PLAINS was, therefore, gained-the English remained masters of the field. Generals TOWNSHEND and MURRAY then performed the gratifying duty of going to the head of every regiment, and thanking them for their gallant conduct. The following days were employed in entrenching the camp, and in erecting batteries against the town. On the 17th, however, propositions were made, which were accepted and ratified on the 18th, and QUEBEC surrendered to the British arms. The same day Lieutenant Colonel MURRAY, commanding the Louisbourg Grenadiers, with three companies of his battalion, a piece of cannon, and a detachment of Royal Artillery, took possession of the Gates and of the Upper Town. The British standard was hoisted on the highest part of the fortifications. The Lower Town was occupied by Captain HUGH PALLISER, and a body of seamen detached by Admiral SAUNDERS. The French garrison marched out with the honors of war, and with the prisoners who were not wounded, were embarked the next day on board of transports for France. Thus was effected by an inferior force, and without any assistance from the troops under General AMHERST, the surprising and almost miraculous capture of QUEBEC,-a fortress nearly impregnable-while M. DE LEVI, Governor of MONTREAL, was still at the head of a numerous army-while the fortifications were uninjured, and while the garrison was in communication with BOUGAINVILLE, and in daily expectation of being reinforced with men, stores and provisions by that enterprising officer. QUEBEC having been reduced, General TOWNSHEND sailed on his return to England, with Admiral SAUNDERS. He had, indeed, accepted a commission only to serve during the campaign, and under the express condition of returning at its termination. On their arrival in the channel, SAUNDERS received intelligence of the Brest squadron having put to sea. Instead, therefore, of making an English port, he hurried to reinforce Admiral HAWKE with three sail of the line, in which spirited resolution he was joined by TOWNSHEND, who was his passenger. A garrison of five thousand men, well furnished with provisions and stores, was left in QUEBEC under General MURRAY. General MONCKTON soon recovered of his wounds at NEW-YORK, whither he had proceeded, and of which he was soon afterwards Governor. LIST Of the Naval and Military force on the Expedition against Quebec, together with the General and Staff Officers. Twenty ships of the Line, two of fifty guns; eight frigates; nine sloops; three ketches; three fire ships; two armed ships; one cutter; one store ship. CHARLES SAUNDERS, Commander in Chief, Vice Admiral of the Blue. PHILIP DURELL, Rear Admiral of the Red. LAND FORCES. Major General JAMES WOLFE, Commander-in-Chief. Colonels Honble. Robert Monckton, Honble. George Townshend, Brigadier Genls. Lieutenant Colonel Guy Carleton, Quarter Master General. Major Isaac Barré, Adjutant General. Capts. Hervey Smith, Aides de Camp to the Comman der-in-Chief. Thomas Bell, Richard Guillem, Majors of Brigade. Hon. Richard Maitland, Capts. John Spittal, Lieut. Henry Dobson, Assistants to the Quarter Master Genl. Major Patrick Mackellar, Chief Engineer. Capts. Leslie, First Brigade, Regiments. 15th General Monckton, Commanding Officers. The Grenadiers of the above ten At Corps of Light Infantry from the Regiments of the Line. A corps of Rangers Major Irvine, Lieut. Col. James, General Townshend, Lieut. Col. Hale, Major Prevost. Lieut. Col. Fletcher, Lieut. Col. Young. |