The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for IndependenceLossing, Benson John
History
The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for Independence
Lossing, Benson John
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
I am indebted to Alfred Hawkins, Esq., of Quebec, for the following
account of the position of the two armies, and the present localities
identified therewith: "The battle-ground presents almost a level surface
from the brink of the St. Lawrence to the St. Foy Road. The _Grand
Allée_, or road to Cape Rouge, running parallel to that of St. Foy,
passes through its center. That road was commanded by a field redoubt, a
four-gun battery on the English left, which was captured by the light
infantry. The remains of this battery are distinctly seen near the
present race-stand. There were also two other redoubts, one upon the
rising ground in the rear of Mr. C. Campbell's house--the scene of
Wolfe's death--and the other toward the St. Foy Road, which it was
intended to command. On the site of the country seat called Marchmont,
at present the residence of Major-general Sir James Hope, K.C.B., 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 height. At the time of the battle
the plains were without fences or inclosures, and extended to the walls
oh the St Louis side. The surface was dotted over with bushes, and the
roads on either side 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, somewhat 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 twenty-second, fortieth, and forty-
fifth regiments, who had acquired the honorable title of the Louisburgh
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 fifteenth regiment _en
potence_, or representing a double front. The light infantry were in the
rear of the left, and the reserve was placed near the right, formed in
eight subdivisions, a good distance apart."
Wolfe placed himself on the right, at the head of the twenty-eighth
regiment of _Louisburgh Grenadiers_, who were burning with a desire to
avenge their defeat at the Montmorenci. The English had waited four
hours for the approach of the French, and were fully *
* This scene is about half way up the ravine from Wolfe's Cove, looking
down the road, which is a steep and winding way from the river to the
summit of the Plains of Abraham. It is a cool, shaded nook--a delightful
retreat from the din and dust of the city in summer.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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