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
Battle on the Plains of Abraham.--Bravery and Death of Wolfe.-- Death of
Montcalm.--Burial-place of Montcalm.
188prepared for action. Montcalm was on the left of the French, at the
head of the regiments of _Languedoc, Bearne, and Guienne_. Wolfe ordered
his men to load with two bullets each, and reserve their fire until the
French should be within forty yards. These orders were strictly obeyed,
and their double-shotted guns did terrible execution. "The hottest of
the fight occurred," says Hawkins, "between the right of the race-stand
and the martello towers." *
After delivering several rounds in rapid succession, which threw the
French into confusion, the English charged furiously with their
bayonets. While urging on his battalions in this charge, Wolfe was
singled out by some Canadians on the left, and was slightly wounded in
the wrist. He wrapped a handkerchief around to stanch the blood, and,
while still cheering on his men, received a second wound in the groin; a
few minutes afterward another struck him in the breast and brought him
to the ground, mortally wounded. At that moment, regardless of self, he
thought only of the victory for his troops. "Support me," he said to an
officer near him; "let not my brave soldiers see me drop. They day is
ours--keep it." He was taken to the rear, while his troops continued to
charge. The officer on whose shoulder he was leaning exclaimed,
"They run, they run!" The light returned to the dim eyes of the dying
hero, and he asked, with emotion,
"Who runs?"
"The enemy, sir; they give way every where."
"What," feebly exclaimed Wolfe, "do they run already? Go to Colonel
Preston and tell him to march Webb's regiment immediately to the bridge
over the St. Charles, and cut off the fugitives' retreat. Now, God be
praised, I die happy!" These were his last words, and in the midst of
sorrowing companions, just at the moment of victory, he died. Montcalm,
who was gallantly fighting in the front rank of the French left,
received a mortal wound, and died the next morning about five o'clock,
and was buried in an September 14. excavation made by the bursting of a
shell within the precincts of the Ursuline Convent, where his remains
still rest. *** When Lord Aylmar was Governor of Canada, he
* The Martello Towers are four strong structures erected at different
distances in rear of the city, between the St. Lawrence and the St.
Charles. Cannons are mounted upon their tops. They are very thick on the
side toward the open country, but thin toward the city. The object of
this manner of construction is, that, if taken by an enemy, they can
easily be laid in ruins by the shot of the garrison.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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