The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 4, April, 1852Various
History
The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 4, April, 1852
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
Louisburgh was deserted. The harbor still offers shelter
from storms; the coast repels the surge: but a few hovels
only mark the spot which so much treasure was lavished to
fortify, so much heroism to conquer. Wolfe, whose heart was
in England, returned home with the love and esteem of the
army. His country was full of exultation; the trophies were
deposited with pomp in the cathedral of St. Paul's; the
churches gave thanks; Boscawen, himself a member of
parliament, was honored by a unanimous tribute from the
House of Commons. New England, too, triumphed; for the
praises awarded to Amherst and Wolfe recalled the heroism of
her own sons."
This success inspired Pitt to still greater efforts. He resolved to
annex the "boundless north," as it was then called, to the British
empire in America; and early in the spring Wolfe again went out,--this
time, to conquer Quebec and find a soldier's grave. Many of his
companions in arms were then and afterwards famous men:--Jervis,
afterwards the renowned Earl St. Vincent, James Cook, the navigator,
George Townshend, Barre, and Colonel Howe.
"On the 26th of June, the whole armament arrived, without
the least accident, off the Isle of Orleans, on which, the
next day, they disembarked. A little south of west the cliff
of Quebec was seen distinctly, seemingly impregnable, rising
precipitously in the midst of one of the grandest scenes in
nature. To protect this guardian citadel of New France,
Montcalm had of regular troops no more than six wasted
battalions; of Indian warriors few appeared, the wary
savages preferring the security of neutrals; the Canadian
militia gave him the superiority in numbers; but he put his
chief confidence in the natural strength of the country.
Above Quebec, the high promontory on which the upper town is
built expands into an elevated plain, having towards the
river the steepest acclivities. For nine miles or more above
the city, as far as Cape Rouge, every landing-place was
intrenched and protected. The river St. Charles, after
meandering through a fertile valley, sweeps the rocky base
of the town, which it covers by expanding into sedgy
marshes. Nine miles below Quebec, the impetuous Montmorenci,
after fretting itself a whirlpool route, and leaping for
miles down the steps of a rocky bed, rushes with velocity
towards the ledge, over which, falling two hundred and fifty
feet, it pours its fleecy cataract into the chasm. As Wolfe
disembarked on the Isle of Orleans, what scene could be more
imposing? On his left lay at anchor the fleet with the
numerous transports; the tents of his army stretched across
the island; the intrenched troops of France, having their
centre at the village of Beanport, extended from the
Montmorenci to the St. Charles; the city of Quebec,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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