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
Wolfe and Montcalm were both able commanders, and were idolized by their
respective troops. The former, though so young, was almost reverenced by
his officers, for to bravery and great military skill he united all the
virtues and graces of the perfect gentleman. The expressions of
attachment made by General (afterward Marquis) Townshend illustrate the
sentiment of his officers and men. In a letter written just after the
battle, he says, "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."
Five days after the battle the city of Quebec capitulated and passed
into the September 18, 1759 possession of the English, and the remnant
of the grand army of the French, under M. Levi, who succeeded Montcalm,
retired to Montreal. General Murray was left to defend battered and
half-ruined Quebec, and the British fleet, fearful of frost, retreated
down the St. Lawrence to the ocean. Levi determined on attempting to
regain all that the French had lost, and in the spring of 1760 he
marched upon Quebec with a motley army of ten thousand men, composed of
French, Canadians, and Indians. Murray, with seven thousand men, went
out and attacked him, but was sorely defeated, lost all April 28, 1760
his guns, and was nearly cut off in his retreat back to the city. Levi
followed up his success vigorously, and as soon as the ice left the St.
Lawrence he brought up six French frigates and prepared to beleaguer the
city by land and by water. He encamped upon the heights above Point
Levi, and felt sure of his prey. Fortunately for the English, Lord
Colville arrived at this juncture with two good frigates, and destroyed
the French vessels under the eyes of Levi. Thoroughly frightened by the
suddenness of the event, and May 16 learning that these two fast sailers
were only the van of a powerful fleet, the French commander retreated
precipitately to Montreal, leaving his artillery and stores behind him.
Vaudreuil, the governor general of the province, was at Montreal, and
Amherst, Murray, and Haviland proceeded to invest that city. Despairing
of succor from abroad, Vaudreuil capitulated on the 8th of September,
and on that memorable day French power in Canada expired and hostilities
in America ceased. Peace ensued between the two governments by the
conclusion and signing of a treaty at Paris, on the 10th of February,
1763, and thus ended the famous "Seven Years' War." From that time the
two races have not been arrayed in battle against each other in the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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