Journal of the Siege of Quebec, 1760

 

By James Murray

 

[Originally published by the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in Historical Documents, Series 3, Vol. 5 (1871)]

 

NOTE.—When I was preparing the paper on “Military Operations at Quebec, in 1759-60,” since published in the “ Transactions” of the Society, I was in correspondence with Dr. Akins, Commissioner of Records, Halifax, N.S., who, in transmitting me, from the Archives of Nova Scotia, a copy of Murray's letter to Pitt, of 25th May, 1760, I directed my attention to the desirableness of procuring, from the English Record Office, a copy of his “Journal of the Siege,” to which he refers in his letter, and which, he says, “ sets forth, in full, what was done.” Acting on this hint, I had a conversation with the Hon. Joseph Howe, who promised me his aid in the matter. Subsequently, at the suggestion of Mr. Howe, who had consulted Mr. Todd, the Librarian at Ottawa, I addressed a letter to Sir Thomas Hardy, of the Public Record Office, London, and in due course received the following reply :

 

"PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, l4th March, 1871.

 

“ SIR,—I am directed by Sir Thomas Hardy to inform you, in answer to your letter to him of the 20th ultimo, that, after a very troublesome search, General Murray's Journal of the Siege of Quebec, A. D. 1760, has been. found among the papers preserved in this office. He also desires me to say, that if you will empower some one to make a copy for you, he will be happy to allow access to the document in question.

 

“ The Journal is one of considerable length, and if copied officially would put you to some expense. Had it been otherwise—that is to say, had the document been a short one—Sir Thomas would have had much pleasure in causing you to be supplied with a transcript without any charge.

 

“ I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

 

“ALFRED KINGSTON.

 

“W. J. Anderson, Esq.,

“ Quebec, etc.”   

 

Availing myself of the very courteous offer of Sir Thomas, I secured the services of my friend, Mr. Ralph Heap, of Lincoln's Inn, who engaged with great zeal in the matter, and in a short time transmitted to me, free of any charge, the desired transcript, informing me, at the same time, that it had been unofficially copied, through the kindness of Mr. Kingston, who had also had it verified. It has thus reached the Society free of charge, and is now published by it, in accordance with the rule, “ without note or comment.”

 

W. J. ANDERSON.

 

LIBRARY, LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY,

Quebec, 12th July, 1871.

 

GOVERNOR MURRAY’S

JOURNAL OF QUEBEC

FROM I8TH SEPTEMBER, 1759, T0 25TH MAY, 1760.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, AMERICA AND WEST INDIES, VOL. 99.

1759.

 

SEPT. 18th.—This day (fruits of the victory gained by the British forces over the French army on the 13th instant) Quebec, the capital of Canada, surrendered upon honourable terms ; and Lt.-Col. Murray took possession of the gates with three companies of grenadiers.

 

19th.—This day I marched into town, or, more properly, the ruins of it, with the battalions of Amherst, Bragg, and Otway.

 

20th.—The French garrison, having surrendered their arms, embarked on board the vessels appointed to receive them.

 

21st.—Settled the form of an oath of allegiance to be taken by the inhabitants to the King of Great Britain ; and it was accordingly administered to the companies of militia which had been doing duty in the town, who, after performing this and delivering up their arms, had liberty to depart to their respective homes ; the same method was continued, and the names registered. This night it was resolved, in a council of war, consisting of the Admiral and Generals, that we" should keep possession of Quebec, and I should remain with the command.

 

22nd.—In consequence of this, I ordered the town to be divided into quarters ; set the proper officers to survey the same ; see what repairs were necessary, and ordered lime to be bought at Beauport for that purpose ; likewise three-fourths of the Jesuits' College to be set apart for a storehouse.

 

24th.—As the inhabitants incapacitated to reside in town from the havock made by a bombardment, which had continued sixty-three days, were withdrawing from thence

with their effects, lest they should take anything |immediately necessary for the garrison, I ordered strict search to be made at the gates.

 

26th.—As a prodigious quantity of wood would be wanted in so cold a country for the fuel of this garrison, a field-officer, with 150 regulars and 350 irregulars, was ordered for Isle-Madame, to cut there, provided with proper tools; the men to be paid five shillings for each cord put on board ; each man to receive a gill of rum ; and the officers who were to survey the work to have three shillings a-day while employed. Now, we had occasion to regret the quantity of fine cord-wood fit for use we had burned, and to consider, though too late, we had been rather a little too hasty in so doing.

 

27th.—The regiments drew for quarters.

 

28th.—The heavy baggage belonging to the different regiments was brought into town.

 

29th.—All the troops and field-train marched in, the heavy artillery having been sent before. What made this necessary was the ruinous condition of the several quarters allotted them, which, considering the quick approaches of a severe winter, called for a speedy repair, barely even to cover the troops. The men, by this means, were nearer, also, the several. works they were set to constantly ever since we came into town—viz., landing and lodging the provisions, a work of immense labour, considering the necessity of placing it in the higher town, the men having a very sleep hill to haul up the casks and bags that contained them ; lodging the artillery J that was to remain ; embarking that which was ordered for Boston ; repairing the batteries, and putting the place in a posture of defence—at least against a coup-de-main.

 

From SEPT. 30th to OCT. 3rd.—Continued the above works, without ceasing, this and the following days, in such a manner that not a man but was constantly employed. Was obliged to forbid making fires upon guard, in order to save the wood in or about the town.

 

14th.—Sent a circular-letter to the curates and captains of militia of the several parishes subject to the British Dominion, to send in, forthwith, an exact récensement of their several parishes, specifying the names, age, and sexes of the inhabitants, and quantity of grain and cattle. It was necessary at this time to order several houses, just ready to tumble, to be thrown down, in order to prevent any accident happening. The detachment at Isle-Madame being at too great a distance from the town, and but a small quantity of wood brought from thence, it was necessary to recall the same, and order one to the Island of Orleans for that purpose.

 

15th.—As, the greatest part of the winter, the method of I carriage in this country, where there are prodigious falls of snow, is all upon sleys, it was necessary to order such as could be found in the town to be collected together and put in our magazines, it being impossible to spare carpenters from other more pressing works, to make a sufficient number. The improbability of being able to furnish this garrison with sufficient fuel made it necessary, likewise, to seize upon the stores, in order to make the wood go further.

 

18th.—As from the beginning orders had been given that no French inhabitant should take anything out of town without a passport from me, in order to prevent their carrying out what might be useful to the French army, it was now allowed them to carry out any kind of provisions which they might have bartered for with officers or soldiers. This day, Admiral Saunders, with the greatest part of the fleet, sailed for Britain, having first laid ashore the Porcupine and Racehorse sloops-of-war, the only naval force that was left here besides three small sloops and schooners.

 

23rd.—A circular order was sent to every parish for the inhabitants to give up their arms to the captain of militia before the 30th instant, he being ordered to keep them in his custody and be answerable for the same. The troops still employed constantly in bringing their provisions from the Lower Town, where it was too much exposed, and in repairing their quarters without intermission.

 

26th.—Brigadier Monckton, in the Fowey, the Orford, and Medway, sailed from hence, being the last ships to depart.

 

27th.—Two French schooners came down to take on board the effects in the town belonging to the French officers, according to the articles of the capitulation.

 

29th.—As the inhabitants, among many other articles, were in great want of salt, and would prefer exchanging cattle, sheep, fowls and greens for that, so ready specie, I thought it a proper indulgence to the officers, who had cheerfully gone through so much fatigue, to divide among them, according to their ranks, a quantity which had been found in the King of France's stores.

 

30th.—To facilitate, and, at the same time, to quicken such of the inhabitants as wanted to retire to the country, I gave them leave for so many days to go out without passports, with all their clothes and household goods, stores excepted, as these were immediately necessary for the garrison; and though this order was not strictly according to the capitulation, yet it was according to the old maxim— “ Necessity has no law.”

 

31st.—This evening the Spanish ship came down, and, having been fired at by the batteries, came to an anchor. The captain came ashore and reported his having struck upon a rock as he passed by the Point-au-Tremble, and sprung a leak ; applied for leave to go home, and assistance to examine his ship, as she made a great deal of water.

 

Nov. 1759.]

 

Nov. 1st.—In consequence of the Spanish captain's representation, I wrote to the commanding officer of the ships, Captain Macartney, to desire him to assist, as otherwise I should be obliged to subsist the crew, which would prove burthensome.

 

4th.—Ordered out a captain and 200 men to destroy the works of the enemy along the north shore of the river, from the Petite Rivière to the Saut de Montmorenci. Distributed, also, sixty-one hogsheads of wine, which had been found in the King of France's stores, to the officers of the garrison.

 

5th.—This day, the Spanish ship, as she was laying ashore to find out the leak, fell to pieces. The captain and several French merchants, to whom I had given leave to take their passage in her to France, applied for leave to procure one of the French merchantmen who lay above in the river, which I readily granted, as I knew from experience it was always in their power to pass in the night ; that the ships might obstruct our operations in the summer, and that it was removing so many hands I must otherwise subsist, upon account of the friendship subsisting

between the two Crowns, though I could not well spare the provisions.

 

7th.—As I had sent the sick into the nunneries, being large and convenient buildings, where they were used to take care of the sick, I had now an application made to me from the General Hospital for wood, it being impossible for that House to procure the quantity it required. I therefore ordered three of the neighbouring parishes to furnish fifty cords each for that purpose to be paid by the King.

 

11th.—As it was not impossible that by the intrigues of the enemy, or some other accident, our principal magazine might be burned or destroyed, in order to divide the same I ordered two months' provisions to be delivered out to each regiment that had conveniency to take in so much. I sent out this day an engineer and 200 men to possess and fortify the Church of St. Foix, as preparatory to my further views.

 

12th.—Divided 30,000 pound-weight of sugar out of the stores to the regiments, which I made them pay for at the rate of 7d. per pound.

 

Hitherto, the necessity of covering the troops and preparing for the winter kept us quiet ; but this being pretty well effected, and the enemy having had the impudence to come f and carry off cattle from the neighbourhood of the town, to prevent these incursions for the future, and any surprise; during the winter, I thought proper to march a strong detachment out, which, after reconnoitering the country myself, I took post in the churches of St. Foix and Loretta to command all the avenues to Quebec, so that no-considerable body could march to it without first forcing these two posts; and for this purpose I fortified them in such manner as to resist any attack without cannon to support it. At the same time I published a manifesto warning the inhabitants of drawing upon themselves fresh misfortunes if they did not keep themselves quiet, and representing to them how little they could expect from a beaten, dispirited army, which had already abandoned them. At the same time I published fresh regulations for the inhabitants, permitting them to take out everything they pleased, except provisions leather, soap and candles, commodities very scarce in the garrison ; also, established a civil jurisdiction for the inhabitants, and appointed Colonel Young chief judge, taking into the other offices some of the men of the best character that I could find in the place.

 

13th.—A very unusual desertion at this time prevailed among the troops. The plundering kind of war which had been carried on this last campaign had so debauched the soldier, that there was no putting a stop to these without very severe punishment ; to avoid which, most probably, they deserted. To put a stop to these disorders, I published a reward of five guineas to any one who would apprehend a deserter, or inform of those who endeavoured to persuade others to desert.

 

14th.—As drunkenness and theft continued to reign predominant vices in the garrison, highly prejudicial to the service, I recalled all licenses, and ordered for the future I every man who was found drunk to receive twenty lashes every morning till he acknowledged where he got it, and forfeit his allowance of rum for six weeks. As I found no I place so proper as the Jesuits' college to lodge the provisions, that the Fathers are but few in number', and the Society feeing in general remarkable for intrigue, I acquainted them of the necessity I was under to take possession of the whole building, and gave them leave to depart when they pleased.

 

15th.—Having, by the former motions I had made, convinced the enemy I meant nothing further than to establish my advanced posts ; and having intelligence they had a very small force between the Cape Rouge and Jacques Cartier, I ordered out Colonel Walsh with a detachment of upwards of seven hundred men, by a night march to surprise the Pointe-au-Tremble, to raise contributions in that parish, and the Ecureuils beyond it, to publish my manifestoes, and, in terrorem, to burn the habitations of such as remained yet with the army. But this scheme, through mistake or misapprehension of orders, was effected only in part ; and the colonel, having advanced within a mile of Pointe-au-Tremble, retired to the place from whence he departed, after burning a few of the habitations.

 

16th.—A soldier of the 48th having been tried and convicted this day of robbing a French inhabitant, the instant it was reported the sentence was put in execution, in order, if possible, to put a stop to the scene of villanies which had been carried on hitherto; at the same time executed an inhabitant, heretofore a drummer in the French service, for having enticed some of our soldiers to desert—one of them, of the Royal American Regiment, having been actually caught in his house in a Canadian dress.

 

18th.—It having been discovered that a French priest had been tampering with some of our men, in order to persuade them to desert, I reprieved Owen Kearnon, of the 3rd Battalion Royal American Regiment, upon his promise to do his endeavour to discover him, and banished one Bandouin, a priest, who had taken upon him to instruct some of our sick soldiers in the hospital.

 

20th.—Ordered Major Hussey, commanding the detachment at Lorette, to summons the inhabitants of that parish, to make them deliver their arms, swear them, and burn the houses of those who might be still with the army.

 

22nd.—Having also intelligence that the enemy, alarmed at our motions, had advanced a body of troops on this side Jacques Cartier which might in their turn undertake something upon our advanced posts, I advised Major Hussey of the same, and ordered him to withdraw into the church the guard which was advanced from him, and to defend it to the last extremity. I, had now reason to consider how unlucky it was my scheme had not been thoroughly executed, as in that case the enemy could not have subsisted any body of troops on this side Jacques Cartier. In the afternoon of this day appeared in sight ten French ships, which came to an

anchor in sight of the town, with an intention to have passed this night ; but the wind falling, they would not trust to the wind only, and the next morning, for fear of a bombardment, removed higher out of sight.

 

23rd.—As there was a confusion in all public business, from the different value set upon the current specie, I published this day an order, in French and English, regulating the same.

 

24th.—In the morning we found five out of the ten French ships wrecked by the bungling management of the French; for though it blew fresh, yet it could not by any means be

called very bad weather. Captain Miller, of the Racehorse, went up with the boats manned without my knowledge, and boarded one of the wrecks. Having lighted a fire, he

unfortunately blew himself up, his lieutenant, and several of the men ; the rest were taken, as was a schooner which had been stationed above the town to watch the enemy's motions and to make signals. This was the more unfortunate, for these unhappy people were entirely thrown away, the vessels being, to all intents and purposes, already irrecoverably destroyed ; and we now lost the ship-carpenters, who would have been extremely useful in the spring, for the preparations to be made against the ensuing campaign. As the provisions had been landed in so great a hurry, from the necessity of the departure of the shipping, that it was no easy matter to ascertain the quantity, and the commissary having before, this represented the necessity of procuring a supply of beef, this day ordered the Island of Orleans to furnish such a number to the assistant-quarter-master-general, whom I sent there, as he should require, according to their abilities.

 

25th.—Having intelligence that the merchants, ever greedy of gain, to purchase furs had transmitted a good deal of cash to Montreal, where they were much in want of that

commodity, the paper-money, by reason of the ticklish situation of the colony, being in utter disrepute ; and there being by no means in the military chest a sufficiency to defray the contingent expenses of the garrison to procure what was wanted, and effectually to prevent a commerce so destructive to us, I this day published a kind of

“proclamation,” to encourage the friends and well-wishers of His Majesty to lend what they could afford, for which Colonel Burton (the next officer in command to me) and I gave our bills, to be repaid in six months, with interest at five per cent. This, in a short time, produced us so considerable a sum as £8,000, which, without having recourse to further expedients, will enable us to wait the arrival of the ships, and be it remembered, to the honour of the Highland or 63rd Regiment, commanded by Colonel Fraser, that the non-commissioned officers and private men of that single regiment contributed of that sum £2,000.

 

28th.—As intelligence had been brought in that the enemy had some thoughts of stirring about Christmas, in order this winter to regain the honour and advantages they had lost-this last summer,—to disappoint their designs, as there were no out-works, I resolved to cover the fortifications of the town with a chain of block-houses, which were accordingly begun upon this day. The winter was too severe to imagine they could think of sitting down to a regular siege, supposing they had a sufficient force and artillery for the purpose; and this measure put us à l'abri d'un coup-de-main.

 

30th.—I now sent Captain Leslie with a detachment of 200 men to the southern shore, to disarm the inhabitants and oblige them to take the oath of fidelity. This would have been done sooner could I have spared the men ; and from the inclemency of the season, I was obliged to furnish them with snow-shoes, having had lately so great a fall that it had retarded the departure of this detachment for some days. That which had been ever since cutting wood on the Island of Orleans had been recalled, but could not join us for near a month after this, by reason of the badness of the weather, the winter having set in this year rather earlier than usual.

 

DEC., 1759.]

 

DEC. 1st.—In order to put off as long as possible the delivery of wood, I had been obliged to permit the pulling-down of several wooden houses in and about the town, as well as all the fences ; but now that, from the severity of the weather, that scanty allowance would no longer suffice, I was not a little surprised and mortified that what the navy had delivered to us for four thousand cords, did not, after repeated measurements, by different people, turn out to be a thousand ; which disappointment laid us under very many difficulties.

 

3rd.—As about this time the communication to Orleans by water is cut off, by reason of the large pieces of ice from the small rivers which are floated backwards and forwards by the tides, and that, as yet the channel between it and the northern shore is not frozen over,—consequently, that the wood we had cut there could not be brought from thence, I was obliged to send a detachment to cut wood at St. Foix ; and a quantity of snow being now fallen, I ordered that parish and that of Lorette to furnish a number of sleys to bring it in constantly every day, for which they were to be paid.

 

4th—Weather now so severe, ordered the sentries to be relieved every hour.

 

5th.—Ordered creepers to be made for all the men of the garrison.

 

6th—The quantity of wood in the garrison being very small, and the Canadians, from inability or disaffection, bringing it in but very slowly, I was obliged to order (hand-sleys having been made for that purpose) a detachment from the garrison to assist in this work.

 

7th.—Wood being now delivered out to the troops, I forbid the destruction of houses.

 

8th and 9th.—Ordered the parishes of Charlesbourg, Beauport, and Petite Rivière to send a number of sleys to help to bring in the wood, a considerable quantity of snow having fallen and made the roads practicable for that kind of carriage ; also, appointed Monsr. Cuguer judge of the above parishes.

 

12th.—Took measures for providing of charcoal.

 

13th.—Having received intelligence of some skulking Indians, gave strict orders for the men not to straggle.

 

14th.—No less than fifty men this day frost-bitten on the wooding and sleying parties.

 

15th.—Notwithstanding every measure has been taken to encourage the Canadians to be active in bringing in the wood, yet that affair goes on very slowly—whether from the

natural sloth of the people, not much used to work, or from disaffection, cannot well be said.

To accelerate, therefore, this necessary business, and make a sufficient provision

against the spring, when, by reason of the thaws and quantities of ice that come down, the rivers are not navigable nor the roads practicable, I stopt delivering any out of the

store, and obliged the regiments to furnish themselves, having for that purpose provided them with sleys, and ordered out parties to cover them every day.     

 

17th.—The weather being very bad, the men having received no clothing this year, and there being no pay for them, I thought it a proper encouragement to promise them five shillings per cord for all the wood they should sley in; 65 men having been frost-bit besides the foregoing 50.

 

20th.—About this time the detachment from the Island of Orleans returned ; several of the men frost-bit.

 

22nd.—Ordered several roads about the town to be marked with beacons all along.

 

24th.—From the 17th to the 24th Dec, 153 have been frost-bit : this happens always on the sleying parties ; nor is there any possibility to avoid them, as, notwithstanding every measure taken and the diligence of the officers, whose particular province it is, the Canadian horses do not bring in a sufficient quantity to provide for the present or against the spring.

 

25th.—This day, Captain Leslie returned from his expedition down the south shore. Every officer and soldier of the party has been frost-bit more or less, but none dangerously, except two. He has not been able to proceed quite so far as I had intended, by reason that the lower parishes were entirely burned, and there was no lodging for the troops.

 

26th.—The price of grain being here raised to an exorbitant rate, published this day an order regulating the same, and with a view to encourage their bringing it to market, though this is little to be expected, as the inhabitants have not been Used to this for these ten years past. Ordered, likewise, the inhabitants of the Island of Orleans to make the roads and mark them with beacons, in order to begin bringing in our wood from thence the beginning of next month. Gave the same orders to the parishes below the Sault de Montmorenci. This day, Lieut. Butler, of the Rangers, with four more, set out across the country for New-England, with despatches for General Amherst.

 

28th.—Reports been spread that the enemy had some intentions to pay us a visit, ordered snow-shoes to be made as fast as possible, and the men to be practised walking in them.

 

3lst.—Since the 24th, 19 men frost-bit. Much had been done here within these three last months, if rightly considered. Quebec had only capitulated for itself ; but now the Province, from the Caprouge on the northern, and from the Chaudière on the southern shore, had submitted ; the inhabitants had taken an oath of fidelity, and surrendered their arms; my orders were obeyed everywhere within this extent, and the parishes within reach of the garrison assisted to carry in our wood ; they, furnished bullocks for our use, and hay, straw, and oats for the draft cattle ; it is true that for these they were paid ; but it was at a very moderate rate, especially compared with the prices the same commodities bore and actually bear in Upper Canada ; and it will appear surprising that the King of Great Britain's troops should be furnished with wood at Quebec for about fifteen shillings a cord, while it cost the King of France at Montreal, with all the people at his devotion, upwards of fifty.

 

Mr. Wolfe, after warning the Canadians, chastised them for not returning to their houses and quitting their arms. Mr. Monckton rightly considered that the conquest of the land, if bereaved of its inhabitants and stock, would be of little value, gave them the strongest assurances of safety, and even encouragement, if they submitted. They confided in his promises. The country was as yet but partially conquered, and it would have been as impolitic to have crushed the inhabitants at this time as it was necessary to oblige them to give a reasonable assistance to His Majesty's forces. After all, in any event, with skill and tender management, twenty years will hardly restore this Province to the state it was in the beginning of this year.

 

1760

 

JANY., 1760.]

 

JANY. 2nd.—Ordered strict accounts to be taken of Monr. Cadet's effects and lands, he being the French contractor for all kinds of stores, and looking upon what belonged to him as belonging to the public.

 

3rd.—This day, Major McKellar gave me in his opinion, in writing, that the best method to defend the place was to fortify the heights of Abraham, there to wait our reinforcements.

 

5th.—To save the victualling of deserters, quartered them on the Canadians, with a promise to pay for them, and sent them to the Island of Orleans.

 

6th.—Having intelligence the enemy was making some preparations, providing ladders, and sending down snow-shoes, ordered communications to be made between the different posts both within and without the town ; hastened the erection of the block-houses : divided the ammunition, and secured it in the best manner I could ; and took every other measure in my power to defeat the enemy's designs. Lieut. Butler returned with his party, having met with some Indian tracks which discouraged them from proceeding farther.

 

7th.—Assembled the commanding-officers, to inform them of my intelligence, and to let them know of my dispositions for the defence.

 

11th—Took up two men who arrived but the day before from Montreal ; though they both at first denied any intention to return, yet at length one of them, who had letters directed for that place, confessed they were going back ; and from some letters intercepted, had great reason to imagine they were come to hire artificers. After being examined by some of my principal officers, ordered them to be closely confined.

 

12th.—Published an order this day, forbidding, on pain of death, any one to send up or receive letters from Montreal without first showing them. Forbid, also, anything to be carried out without a passport.

 

15th.—Both bread and meat having been brought to an excessive price, to the great detriment of both garrison and inhabitants, published a regulation for the same in French and English, fixing it at a moderate rate, and obliging the Vendors to take out licenses.

 

16th.—It was reported to me that several shot had been stolen off the batteries ; and it was remarkable that it was especially those which fitted the French guns.

 

18th.—Having received information that one of the Frenchmen I had given a civil employment to, held correspondence with the enemy, and having no positive proof, banished him to the Island of Orleans.

 

19th.—Being informed that the boatmen of Point Levi had passed over French soldiers in disguise, ordered for the future they should, as soon as arrived, come and make a declaration of the people and goods they passed over, on pain of being severely punished.

 

20th.—As the post of Lorrette was at so great a distance that rockets might not be perceived, set a field-piece there, that in case they were attacked we might have immediate notice.

 

22nd.—As I received information the enemy had reinforced some of their advanced posts, sent a subaltern and thirty men to St. Foix. Blew up a mill in front of the town, in order to erect a block-house on the spot.

 

23rd.—As I thought it would be a means to retain the people on the south side in their duty, to establish a civil jurisdiction among them, I divided that shore from Point Levi downwards in two jurisdictions, the upper and lower parishes, and appointed judges, to whom I sent their commissions.

 

26th.—As it was of the greatest importance to let General Amherst know our situation here, and what preparations would be most necessary to be made for the ensuing campaign, I detached this day Lieut. Montresor and 12 rangers, who crossed the river this very afternoon for that purpose.

 

27th.—Whereas I had ordered great numbers of cattle to be killed in the country, and brought in, chiefly to hinder the enemy to reap any benefit from them, this day I ordered part of it to be distributed to the officers at the price it cost.

 

29th.—As the soldiers had found out a method of procuring strong liquors from the inhabitants, who had been always used and still had liberty to sell to their own people, I this day forbid them to retail any, either in the town or suburbs.

 

3lst.—Forbid the pulling-up of fences for fire-wood, upon any account.

 

FEBY. 1st.—As intelligence constantly came in that the enemy intended to come down and attack the town, ordered the provisions remaining in the Intendants yard to be immediately brought up by the different regiments, proportionably to their several numbers.

 

2nd.—In the night the river froze over opposite to the town, or, in the French phrase, the bridge took, but was not yet passable. I ordered the corn that was taken from the farms of Cadet, contractor for the French King, to be sold, the same being a good deal damaged. If this had not happened, I purposed to have divided it among-the women who received no provisions.

 

3rd.—As the enemy had been spreading false reports about their coming down, I thought it proper to alarm them in their turn, at the same time that if I saw an opening to seize any of their posts with success, I might do it. I ordered four sley-carriages to be made for guns and some for royalls, and ordered hay and oats to be brought into the town.

 

6th.—This day, in the evening, received intelligence the enemy had brought down to Point Levi a party of men they had so long talked of ; but as the ice was not yet fit to bear so great a number of men, and that I had not a satisfactory account enough of the numbers or views of that party, I determined to wait till this was cleared up to me.

 

7th.—Lest the enemy should have farther views than what just now appeared, ordered the provisions to be hastened up from the Lower Town, and the regiments to lay in a stock of wood, that we might be prepared for any event.

 

9th.—There being a report that some Indians had passed into the Island of Orleans, lest the enemy should send some party to carry off the deserters I had quartered there, to save the King's provisions, and fearing this might deter others, I ordered them into town.

 

JAS. MURRAY.

 

Quebec, 25th May, 1760.

 

PART SECOND.

 

FEBY. 10th.—Having been able to procure but an inconsiderable number of snow-shoes, and they being absolutely necessary at this time of year, either for offence or defence, ordered out an officer with a detachment to collect as many as he could find in the country, and also the captains of militia to bring in all they could; but this search only produced a few, the country-people alleging they had lost theirs, and had no opportunity to supply themselves-with new ones.

 

12th.—Detached, early this morning, Capt. Donald McDonald with a party to find out whether the ice was-practicable, and to draw out the enemy in order to ascertain their numbers. This answered my design, for the enemy drew out of their houses and shewed themselves: as they appeared pretty much what the best intelligence I could procure made them—between four and five hundred men I determined to dislodge them.

 

13th.—Accordingly, I ordered but a party with two field pieces to march directly over the ice to the church at Point Levi, while the light infantry crossed above the town, in order to cut off the retreat of the enemy. There was a good deal of difficulty at first, as the landings are always bad on account of the rising and falling of the tides ; but the enemy, perceiving the movement of the light infantry, after a faint resistance gave way, betaking themselves mostly to the woods. Our loss was very trifling, and of the enemy we took one officer and eleven men. I immediately resolved to preserve the post, and left 200 men in the church and, curé's house.

 

14th.—Ordered the captains of militia of the southern parishes to come in, that I might be informed of the proceedings of the French commanders.

 

16th.—Several of the captains of militia came in, and declared that a commissary of cadets had been at those parishes nearest the Point de Levi, to order the killing of cattle and a certain quantity of corn to be brought in, but that they had killed but very little, and had stopped as soon as they had heard of the enemy's rout.

 

17th.—Having received information that most of the captains had made false reports, and that considerable quantities of cattle had been killed in the neighbouring parishes, to prevent their falling upon some method to convey it to the enemy, I ordered the parishes to bring in whatever was killed, and one-half of the flour, which had been ordered to be paid for at a reasonable price ; at the same time encouraged the inhabitants of the town and of all the northern shore to get in all the provisions they could from thence.

 

20th.—Received some intelligence that the enemy was meditating an attempt upon our post at Point Levi. This day, a small party of ours fell into an ambuscade of the enemy's, and eight were killed and taken.

 

22nd.—Having information that the captains of militia had not given in an exact account of what had been done on the southern shore, I wrote more pressing orders to them this day, at the same time summoning them to bring to town two English boys, captives, I had heard of in the lower parishes. At the same time I got very good intelligence that 700 men had passed over to the south shore from the Point-au-Tremble, part of which was said to be a detachment of grenadiers ; and it was surmised their view was to surround and cut off the post at Point Levi ; upon which I detached a captain, four subalterns, and four score light infantry, to seize a post I had reconnoitred, to disappoint them in such an attempt, and to facilitate the landing any body of troops 1 should think proper to send over to support them. A field-officer and a party, with four pieces of cannon (Upon sley-carriages, were kept in readiness on the least alarm.

 

23rd.—The thaw which had begun the last night continued this day to such a degree, I much feared the ice would give way. I therefore sent an order for all the southern parishes; to obey such orders as they might receive from the officer commanding at Point Levi; but towards evening, the wind shifted to the opposite point, and it froze hard.

 

24th.—At six in the morning was informed a large body of the enemy was seen moving on the opposite shore, towards the church of Point Levi. Having received intelligence they

were not above a thousand or twelve hundred strong, after detaching the 28th and 63rd regiments to draw up opposite two different roads on my right, I determined to cross over,

upon that which led nearest to the church, with the light infantry, 15th regiment, three hundred Highlanders, and, four pieces of cannon; Capt. Hazzen, with his Rangers, who

had seized some of the heights, covering our landing very properly. As soon as the enemy perceived some of our troops had got footing, they gave way. When I perceived this, I ordered Colonel Frazer to march upon the ice to his right with the utmost diligence, in order to cut them off between the Treschemin and the Chaudière ; but their precipitate flight saved them, and he could come up only with the rear of their column where he made fifteen or twenty prisoners ; some few were killed and wounded. From these prisoners we were informed the party consisted of about five hundred regulars, four hundred inhabitants, and some Indians. They had volunteers selected for the attack of the church, but prudently declined approaching it too near. The troops which had marched out returned the same

day into town.

 

26th.—As I was informed the French detachment had concealed itself for two nights in houses at Point Levi, within about six miles of our post, without any of the inhabitant

giving the least notice, I thought it a proper punishment to burn these houses, at the same time that it put it out of the enemy's power to make use of them a second time. Published my reasons for so doing, as the enemy's endeavours to dispossess us of this post more than ever pointed out to us the utility of it. I reconnoitred the ground, in order to fix some spot on which to erect a fort the ensuing campaign ; and in the meantime, resolved to erect two block-houses, in order to command the high-road and landing-places—one of them to be a large one, and two pieces of cannon to be put into it.

 

27th.—As we had got a pretty considerable quantity of Wood in town, I ordered what was cut on the Island of Orleans to be piled up at the Point, in order to serve for our summer's provision. At night, a French officer brought a packet to the advanced post of Lorette.

 

29th.-—The men growing sickly ; to ease the duty, took off some of the guards, and ordered a quantity of ginger to be delivered out to the several regiments, to be mixed with the men's water, to correct it. Answered Monsieur de Vaudreuil's letter, and sent with it Capt. Donald McDonald, of the Highlanders, that he might have an opportunity to take a view of the posts.

 

MARCH 2nd.—Received intelligence that the detachment had crossed over from Point-au-Tremble to St. Nicholas, consisting of thirty soldiers, thirty Canadians, and the same number of Indians.

 

3rd.—Ordered the wells to be shut up, as the water was reported to be unwholesome. This day, two young New-Englanders, who had been taken up by the Indians some years ago, were, in consequence of my orders, brought to this town by the Acadian woman who had redeemed them, for which I gave her a handsome reward. As I was determined to fortify the heights of Abraham, ordered a detachment, under proper officers, to be selected, in order to cut fascines and piquets for that purpose ; likewise, sent an order to the adjacent parishes to make 10,000 fascines and 40,000 piquets, in order to be ready to fall to work as soon as the season would permit us to fortify; began also to send over the timber for the two block-houses at Point Levi; begun also to repair the flat-bottomed boats.

 

5th.—As it apppeared that in all the grants made to the inhabitants, right was ever reserved of such wood as was necessary for the King's service, to facilitate the people's making fascines, impowered them this day, by an ordinance, to take it wherever it was most convenient for their purpose. This day great part of the ice went off, and the river was not passable ; in the evening it froze hard again. Finding that it would become very difficult for me now to support the post at Point Levi, I recalled from thence the captain and part of the detachment, leaving only as many as would protect the provisions and the block-house that was constructing.

 

6th.—In the evening, received intelligence that the party which had crossed over from St. Nicholas had now passed through the woods and taken post at St. Michel, two leagues below Point Levi.

 

7th.—Began to put up the block-house at Point Levi.

 

9th.—The sickness still on the increase, notwithstanding every measure was taken to prevent it spreading ; and the cause being manifestly the scurvy, gave orders this day about the method of boiling and preparing the salt pork, it being impossible to procure fresh provisions or vegetables.

 

10th.—The large block-house at Point Levi being finished, a guard was this day put into it, and two guns mounted therein. A French officer came this day again to the advanced post with a letter from Mons. Vaudreuil.

 

11th.—Last night and this day, several deserters came in, being mostly of the colony troops, and some of Languedoc. Returned an answer to the letter I received yesterday, and sent Captain McDonald with it.

 

13th.—Begun a block-house at Point Levi to cover the landing of any troops I should find necessary to throw over to support that post, or to secure their retreat.

 

14th.—Having some intention, in my turn, to pay a visit to the enemy, if their situation should give me any hopes of doing it with success, and the sickly state of the men would permit it, reviewed this day the Grenadiers, and ordered them to be completed.

 

16th.—Finished the block-house begun the 13th inst.

 

18th.—Begun another small block-house at Point Levi.

 

19th.—As I found I could attempt no considerable enterprise at this time of the year, without harassing the garrison to such a degree as would render it, perhaps, unfit afterwards for further operations, I resolved to endeavour to surprise their two advanced posts ; having for that purpose acquired a perfect knowledge of their situation, and the distance being too great to make out the march in one night, reinforced this last night the posts at St. Foix and Lorette with the men destined for this expedition.

 

20th.—This morning, at the break of day, Captain Donald McDonald surprised and attacked the post of the enemy at the Calvaire, and Captain Archbold at the village Brulé, with so good success that the former made seventy prisoners and the latter seventeen, without the loss of a man, only six wounded ; but many were frost-bit from the coldness of the night.

 

21st.—The two small block-houses at Point Levi being now finished, put guards into them.

 

24th.—Finished cutting down the wood round the blockhouses at Point Levi. Sickness continuing among the troops, was obliged to raise blankets among the country-people, upon a promise to return or pay for them on the arrival of the shipping.

 

25th.—Finished repairing nine of the worst flat-bottomed boats. It having been represented by Dr. Russell that wine would be extremely necessary for the men who were troubled with the scurvy, ordered a quantity to be bought and distributed, among them, which they were to pay for themselves. The Acadian woman who had been with me before returned and informed me the Indians of Nova-Scotia had made their peace with the British Government. She promised to forward a letter to the Governor of the British fort in the river St. John's, which I sent to him, informing him in general terms the garrison was well, and desiring he would forward the same to General Amherst and the Governor of New-England.

 

28th.—Received intelligence the French had sent up pilots to their ships which had wintered in the Sorel ; that they were busied in cleaning and getting them ready, and everything else, for an early expedition in spring; that they had reinforced their advanced guard, and the whole regiment of Languedoc was come down to Point-au-Tremble and St. Augustine.

 

29th.—Was informed Mons. de Boishebert, captain of the colony troops, was returned from the lower parts of the country, where he had been some time, and reported a peace was talked of.

 

APRIL 2nd.— Fresh intelligence being had of the designs of the French, ordered the parishes to bring into town the fascines and piquets they had been ordered to make as expeditiously as possible ; at the same time as a report prevailed that General Amherst had attacked and burned Chambly, I thought it was right to be in readiness to-second him, in case such a report was confirmed, and for that purpose ordered three of the regiments to be reviewed, and the grenadiers and piquets to be in readiness to march.

3rd.—As I considered the reports spread among the French of paquets from Europe to be with an intention to amuse the people and alienate them from us, I thought it might be of use to counterwork this stratagem by making a serjeant and four men of the ranging company cross the river and come in upon some of the out-guards, pretending to be sent express from General Amherst ; this gave great spirits to the garrison, and visibly affected the French inhabitants.

 

4th.—Whilst the people were yet warm with this news, I thought it right to publish a manifesto to make known to them His Britannic Majesty's good dispositions, without saying positively that any such account had arrived ; that at the same time I should neither bind myself too much by the declaration therein made, and at the same time to keep the people quiet in case there was any stir above.

 

6th.—I ordered a schooner to be brought up from the Island of Orleans, in order to get her ready for sea to meet Lord Colvil and give him some account of our situation.

 

8th.—Ordered Major Mackellar, chief engineer, to survey the ground about the Caprouge, in order to take post there, thereby to prevent the enemy landing their artillery in that place.

 

9th.—Began to cut the hulks out of the river St. Charles, in order, if it was possible, and we had the time, to fit them up as floating batteries ; we found the ice fourteen feet thick round the hulks.

 

10th.—The spruce drinks having been tried in the several hospitals, and found very beneficial to men in scorbutic habits, the disorder at this time mostly prevailing, ordered it to be given to all the men as a preservative against that fatal disease. This day, the ice above the town, as far as the Chaudière, gave way, but it stopped there.

 

11th.—The workmen finished four floating batteries.

 

15th.—The schooner Lawrence began to be caulked and graved.

 

17th.—The best intelligence was now procured that the French had armed six ships, which had remained in the river last autumn, with two gallies which they had built; that they designed to bring down this squadron, with a number of boats, to transport the troops to the Cap Rouge, where they were to wait the arrival of their ships ; also, that they were fortifying the Three Rivers. Upon this I went to reconnoitre the ground, and thought could not do better than to fortify the Hill, in order to hinder the enemy from landing their cannon in the river, and oblige them to bring it round by land, which, considering the badness of the road, would in that case delay their operations a considerable time.

 

18th.—Ordered a number of fascine-makers up to the Cap Rouge to be ready to establish that post as soon as the weather would permit, and part of the light infantry to cover them, cantoning for that purpose in the houses thereabouts, to be followed by Major Dalling with the remainder of that corps the next day.

 

19th.—At break of day Monsieur Herbin, an officer of the colony troops, crossed the river of Cap Rouge over the ice, with sixty men and five or six Indians, with an intention to surprise our party ; but being upon their guard, they obliged them to return in a great hurry, having one Serjeant killed, three or four of the men wounded, and one of the colony troops taken prisoner ; a large party drawn up on the other side, to favour their retreat, also ran for it, our light infantry pursuing them ; they were dispersed before Major Irwin, who had marched with some piquets, could arrive ; the same-day the chief engineer marked the ground for a redoubt on a rising ground advanced beyond the heights, where I designed to establish my lines. This day a schooner was finished and fitted for sea.

 

20th.—This day the schooner took in her guns and stores, and was fitted for sea.

 

21st.—The schooner, commanded by Lieut. Fortye, of the 35th, fell down to the Island of Orleans to take in her wood and proceed down the river ; by her. I wrote to Lord Colvil to inform him of the intelligence I had received, and gave him an account of the state of affairs, that he might use the greater diligence to join us. The same day ordered out a party of 120 men to work three hours in the morning and three in the afternoon at the advanced redoubt to be continued. As the garrison was so sickly, I was obliged to use them with the utmost tenderness; and the ground was so hard, it was hardly possible to drive in the piquets. That I might not be obliged to watch within as well as without, I this day ordered all the people to depart from the town, giving them three days to take away the effects they could carry. Ordered them to put up what they could not take away in the Recollets, over which I promised to set a guard, to be under the care of that community, together with two substantial inhabitants of the town ; also, permitted the religious belonging to the two nunneries to remain in town, as they were extremely useful in taking care of our sick.

 

22nd.—Ordered each regiment to have a piquet in readiness for any emergency. I had also sent out two pieces of cannon, which were drawn with infinite labour and trouble, to St. Foix.

 

23rd.—The ice gave way everywhere in the great river ; that in the Cap Rouge also went off; in consequence ordered the 15th regiment, 28th, 47th, 58th, and 2nd battalion, together with the grenadier companies of the whole, to hold themselves in readiness to encamp on the first notice. My design was, if the weather had permitted, to have encamped with this body at St. Foix, to be at hand to sustain any of my advanced posts and prevent the enemy's landing, but it froze so hard every night, that I could not venture on this measure yet, considering the sickly state of the men.

 

24th.—Captain Donald McDonald, a brave and experienced officer, who had been on several little parties this winter, having asked to have the command of a company of volunteers, I formed one for him this day, consisting of picked men; such a corps might be of use, and I thought it necessary to give officers who were willing an opportunity to distinguish themselves.

 

25th.—This day, augmented the working party at the advanced redoubt with one hundred men, though that work advanced but slowly, the ground being so hard they could not drive their piquets above nine inches into it. To encourage the men, and endeavour to put a stop to the spreading sickness, two hundred men having fallen ill this last week, I ordered the working parties a gill of rum each, to be mixed with their water in their canteens before they went out, as it was observed they often made use of snowwater, which was pernicious. This night, recalled my party from Lorette to St. Foix, having ordered all the bridges over the Cap Rouge to be broken up.

 

26th.—Having given a sufficient time to the French to withdraw their effects, this day I ordered the gates to be shut ; ordered also part of Captain McDonald's company of volunteers to Sillery, to be followed by himself with the remainder in the morning; in the evening, had a report from Major Dalling that he heard a good deal of firing of musquets on the other side of the Cap Rouge. The chief engineer marked out the ground for the intended lines upon the heights of Abraham this afternoon.

 

27th.—Being Sunday, very rainy weather, and it having blown hard the night before, I had intelligence at three o'clock in the morning that the enemy had landed the night before at Point-au-Tremble, and had marched on to Lorette; that they had with them seven vessels of all sorts, on board of which they had their provisions and artillery. On this information I marched immediately with the grenadiers, piquets, Amherst's, and two field pieces, to St. Foix, ordering three other regiments, commanded by Colonel Walsh, to march out to cover my retreat, and Major Morriss with Otway's to Sillery. The enemy I found in possession of all the woods from Lorette to St. Foix, and just entering the plain : however, they declined attacking me in the advantageous position I had taken ; but, finding that their numbers were increasing, and endeavouring to get round me by the woods, the weather very bad, and having received intelligence, while I was out, of a report that two French ships were at the Traverse, I thought it proper to retreat to town, which was accomplished in a very regular manner, having withdrawn all my posts with the loss of only two men ; knocked off the trunions of two eighteen-pounders I could not bring off upon account of the badness of the roads. The enemy followed us with their irregulars, but could make no impression on our rear. Blew up a small magazine of provisions and ammunition in the church, which I could not remove for want of carriages. As my numbers were so small, I could not think of keeping post at Point Levi any longer : I ordered the officer commanding there to burn the block-houses, spike the guns, destroy the provisions, and come off with the first tide, which was effected.

 

28th.—As I considered the enemy, so near at hand, would never suffer us to fortify the heights of Abraham ; that even unmolested the chief engineer was of opinion it would take up ten days to execute the plan proposed ; that the garrison was so sickly it could hardly be supposed equal to the task of guarding both town and lines ; having also a strong confidence in troops who had hitherto been successful, I resolved to give the enemy battle before they could establish themselves : in consequence, having given my orders this morning at seven o'clock, I marched out with all the force I could muster in two columns, and, as soon as I arrived upon the heights, formed this little army in the manner following :—The right wing, consisting of Amherst's, Anstruther's, 2nd battalion Royal Americans, and Webb's, was commanded by Colonel Burton ; Kennedy's, Lascelles' Highlanders, and Brag's, formed the left, commanded by Col. Fraser ; Otway's and the 3rd battalion of Americans, commanded by Colonel Young, formed a corps de réserve ; Major Dalling, with a corps of light infantry, covered the right flank ; Hazzen's rangers and a company of volunteers, commanded by Capt. Donald McDonald, a brave and experienced officer, covered the left. The battalions had each two field-pieces. While the line was forming, I reconnoitred the enemy, and perceived their van busy throwing up redoubts, while their main body was yet on the march. I thought this the lucky minute, and moved the whole in great order to attack them before they could have time to form ; they were beat from their works, and Major Dalling, with great spirit, forced their corps of grenadiers from a house they occupied to cover their left. Here he and several of his officers were wounded ; his men, however, pursued the fugitives to the second line, which checked our light infantry, who immediately dispersed along the front of our right, which prevented Col. Burton from taking the advantage of the first impression made on that left flank. The light infantry was immediately ordered to clear the front and regain the right ; but in attempting this, they were charged, thrown into confusion, retired to the rear, and never again could be brought up during the action. As soon as I perceived this, I ordered Major Morriss, with Otway's battalion, to wheel up and cover the right flank. This recovered everything there ; but a very little while after the left gave way, though they had early made themselves masters of two redoubts. I ordered Kennedy's from the centre and the 3rd battalion to sustain them, but they were too late. The disorder spread from the left to the right, and the whole retired under the musketry of our block-houses, abandoning their cannon to the enemy. Nothing more could now be done but to give the troops time to rest and endeavour to keep the enemy out of the town. The chief engineer being wounded, I ordered Capt. Holland to visit the works, and all the officers and men to parade for work at five next morning. This evening, the French fleet anchored off the Foulon.

 

Quebec, 25th May, 1760.

 

28th.—After the action of this day nothing more could be done ; it was necessary to give the men rest.— Ordered the chief acting-engineer, Capt. Holland, Major Mackellar being wounded, to visit the works, and officers as well as men to parade for work at five next morning. The French ships anchored off the Foulon.

 

29th.—I had taken the precaution yesterday morning, early, to employ pioneers to break up the small roads leading to the town. I ordered embrasures to be cut in the faces, flanks and curtains of the bastions of St. Louis, La Glusière, and Cape Diamond. St. John's gate was shut up, and four twenty-four-pounders were mounted this night. As we had the advantage of a numerous artillery, the enemy by the best accounts ill-furnished in that respect, and our wall bad, the best we could do was to endeavor to knock their works to pieces before they could mount their cannon. Ordered the wounded to be put into the two convents, the women to cook the soldiers' provisions and attend the sick, in order to save as many hands as we can. This day the enemy had drawn their first parallel across the heights, about six hundred yards from the wall At eleven this morning the enemy brought up a twelve-pounder, and fired several shot through the great block-house ; but it was soon dismounted by some accident in firing : the powder magazine catched, blew up the roof, and burned it to the ground. A captain and about twenty-five men were disabled. This was unlucky, as it was our most advanced work, roomly, strong, and hors d’insulte, having three pieces of cannon in it.

 

30th,—Last night, made a small sortie of one officer and twenty men to disturb their works : the officer was taken. As, from the nature and situation of the place, and the pressing necessity there seemed for the enemy to make quick work, and as it conduced to the safety of the men, ordered the regiments to encamp in their respective alarm-posts this day. Having observed a good deal of drunkenness among the men, ordered all the spirits in the lower town not belonging to the King to be spilled. As many of them were breaking into the houses, dreading the consequences, ordered one to be hung for an example to the rest. Mounted six twenty-four-pounders on the rampart ; the curtain between La Glasière and St. Louis was strengthened by a parapet, and embrasures left in it for thirteen guns ; employed the carpenters to make platforms ; at night began to cut embrasures in the two faces of St. Louis bastion : very troublesome it was to procure earth for these works. Ordered small sorties every night to fire upon and harass the workmen.

 

MAY 1st.—Observed in the morning that the enemy had begun to raise a battery on a rising ground to their right and in the front of their line, intended for La Glasière and Cape Diamond bastions. Ordered our fire to be directed to that place. The regiments quartered in the lower town were ordered to the upper one. The men off duty were divided into two parts, to work night and day alternately six hours, and to have always their arms by them. The commanding officer of artillery this day reported that several of the French guns were very bad, and several of the shells unserviceable. Dispatched Capt. Macartney in the Racehorse bomb to General Amherst, to acquaint him of the situation of affairs here, that he might lake his measures accordingly. Seven guns mounted this day ; great difficulty in fitting the merlons, part fascines and part earth and rubbish, as it could be scraped together. Cut out five more embrasures between the bastions St. Louis and St. Ursula.

 

2nd.—As we had neither news nor instructions, and being thoroughly resolved to maintain the place as long as possible, ordered in a return of the artillery, by which it appeared we expended to this time 1473 shot and 962 shells of different sizes, and that if we continued to fire in the same proportion as hitherto, our ammunition would not hold above fifteen days, I recommended economy, that we should not by too early a profusion disable ourselves from giving them a warmer fire when they should approach closer. Appointed alarm-posts for the convalescents, that they might be ready to give assistance if the enemy should attempt a storm raised all the most accessible places from the lower town ; mounted twelve more guns on the ramparts ; finished all the platforms between La Glasière and St. Louis bastions. A small party was ordered to lie out every night along the high bank of Cape Diamond, to watch the enemy's motions and prevent any surprise on that side.

 

3rd.—w.—Our fire retards the enemy, who seems to advance slowly. This day, about eleven o'clock, the fortified house was set on fire, a main avenue to the land side to the lower town, which was mostly burned. Great difficulty we had to prevent the Intendant's house from being burned, or its spreading to the upper town. The guns brought yesterday on the rampart were now mounted, and platforms laid for three howitzers. Began to fill up the parapet between St. John's and St. Ursula's bastions, and likewise the left face of the potace. This day, cut out embrasures for three more guns ; at night a soldier of Webb's deserted.

 

Ammunition expended this day.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
21½	24-617	13 in.-13
	18-470	8 in.-16
	12-459	5½ in. - 48

 

4th—N.B.W.—The enemy was observed this day to run out a boyau to the left of their work and towards St. Ursula's bastion or St. John's Gate ; mounted four guns on the left of St. Ursula's bastion. Palace-gate was shut up, all but the wicket. Firing a gun by accident, a box of hand-grenades took fire, blew up, and wounded an officer and four men ; one twenty-four-pounder this day rendered unserviceable. The enemy sent, down a vessel which passed the town this night.

 

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
50	24-179	8 in.-30
	12-210	42/5 in.-46
	18-225

 

5th.—The convalescents I ordered to make wadding, which was much wanted, and fill sand-bags ; ten women from each regiment were to assist in this work. 300 men employed to bring guns from the batteries next the water, to put them on the rampart, and the rest to make embrasures, fraise the rock towards Beauport, and make several places of arms on mat side. In case the enemy forced the picqueting at the left of the nine-gun battery, cut down a small house, which was made into a redoubt to flank the battery and all. the picqueting of Cape Diamond; the enemy's boyau very little advanced. Ordered the guards to be under arms every morning an hour before daylight. Sent two faithful Canadians down the river in a canoe to gain intelligence of the enemy, and know if there was any shipping in the river. A soldier of the Royal American regiment deserted this night from one of the block-houses ; the Rangers were ordered out to fire upon the enemy's workmen two or three times, in order to retard them.

 

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
25	24-114	42/5 in.-2
	18-82
	12-3

 

6th—w.—We observed this morning that the enemy had erected another battery against the bastions La Glasière and Cape Diamond, upon which I Ordered the cannon to bear against that part ; in a short time it was demolished. As the enemy now seemed to intend carrying on their attack towards bastions St. Ursula or St. John's gate, the heights of Cape Diamond overlooking that ground, I ordered this afternoon two cavaliers to be erected thereon, to mount heavy cannon upon them, one of which was instantly begun. This evening, two deserters came in, who had been in our service formerly : their information was, that in the action of the 28th their left was in great disorder, and had absolutely refused to advance, when our left gave way ; that their loss had been very considerable ; that all the battalions in Canada were there completed from chosen Canadians; that their numbers might be about 15,000; that they talked of artillery, but apprehended they were but ill-furnished in that respect, as well as with provisions, of which at present, however, they gave a pretty good allowance.

 

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
65	24-298	13 in.-7
	18-323	8 in.-55
	12-147	5½ -2
		42/5 in.-2

 

 

 

7th—Morning—w.—The men continued working in the cavaliers, and mounting guns on the ramparts ; brought up from the lower town four thirty-two-pounders and two twenty-four-pounders—the former intended for the cavaliers. The enemy busied in repairing their batteries ; saw them land two pieces of cannon out of a schooner which came down this day. Signals were made along the coasts on the Island of Orleans, In the evening, a topsail vessel and a schooner of the enemy's were seen going up the river. A fine breeze sprung up at north-east. Some men poisoned by a root resembling a parsnip.

 

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
40	24-	13 in.-7
	18-	8 in.-25
	12-	5½ -3
	8-	42/5 in.-6

 

8th—N.E.—The men employed still on the cavaliers ; got up six guns from the lower town. The signals in the country repeated and increased. Observed the enemy had begun another battery more to the right, intended against the right face and counter-guard of La Glasière bastion. Ordered a continual fire to be kept on it all night, in order to demolish the same. This evening, about half-an-hour after eleven, the French schooner gone down the river repassed the town, and joined the French fleet.

 

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
96	24-421	13 in.-18
	18-305	8 in.-36
	12-362	42/5 in.-17

 

9th—N.E.—Observed that the last night's fire had prevented the enemy's working, and had almost ruined their batteries ; the cavaliers finished, all to the merlons ; the artillery, being very weak, was obliged to complete their additional to 450. This morning, between ten and eleven, we had the joyful sight of a ship which hoisted British colours in return to those we shewed at the citadel ; she proved to be the Lowstaff frigate, commanded by Capt. Deane, who left Europe with Commodore Swanton the 9th of March. I acquainted him with our situation, and desired he might; remain here to co-operate with us in anything that might, be for His Majesty's service. Received intelligence the enemy intended storming us this night or the next. Ordered one-half of the men off duty to remain with their arms upon the ramparts all night ; the other half to be ready to turn out. Resolved, with Capt. Deane, to send a schooner down the river to hasten up any of our ships he might meet. I put a Serjeant and 12 men on board, and Capt. Deane sent a midshipman in her ; she sailed this night.

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
95	24-560	13 in.-3
	18-360	8 in.-30
	12-240

 

10th.—The wind came about to the southward this day, and it rained. The schooner returned, having touched as she went down, and lost her rudder ; shifted everything, from on board to a sloop, which was sent down this night on the same errand. Demanded of Monsieur de Levis the recovered men, as stipulated by the cartel ; ordered the gunners to level at the batteries, as I was diffident of our works. Settled with Capt. Deane that the Porcupine sloop should be hove-off, repaired, completed with guns, and prepared for sea in the best manner possible, which he readily took upon himself to do. One twenty-four-pounder arid three carriages rendered unserviceable ; one twenty-four-pounder burst, killed two men, and wounded two more. We began to mount guns on the cavaliers and run a stockade through the ditch of Cape Diamond bastion. A large party had been employed these four days past to fraise the face of the rock towards the river St. Charles. Got four more cannon from the lower town ; mounted two on the cavaliers, and changed some twelve-pounders that were on La Glasière and Cape Diamond bastions, and put twenty-four-pounders in their places.

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
119	24-489	13 in.-32
	18-496	8 in.-121
	12-229	42/5 in.-130

 

11th—N.E.—Monsieur de Levis answered me in polite terms, that he could not allow the recovered men to return into a town that was besieged. To this I replied by quoting the 27th article of the cartel, which included all the possible cases of war. About ten o'clock this morning the enemy opened two batteries, one of six guns and the other of four, and seven mortars, none larger than 18-pounders ; several 12, 8, and 4-pound shots were picked up. Had the coehorns laid in readiness in case the enemy should attempt to advance their boyau under favour of the batteries they had opened. Gave particular directions to the artillery to be careful in the management of that branch ; to keep always a superiority of fire over the enemy, but not to squander away the ammunition unnecessarily—in short, to be cautious and sure. The enemy dismounted three of our guns—two twenty-four and one twelve-pounder. This night, about 9 or 10 o'clock, a schooner of the enemy's passed the town, notwithstanding the cannon of our batteries and of the frigate.

 

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
155	32-12	13 in.-31
	24-809	8 in.-156
	18-501	5½ -29
	12-390	42/5 in.-90
	8-5

 

 

12th^.—N.E.—The enemy did not appear to have made any great progress this morning; only the battery upon their right was observed to be more forward, and opened at eight ' o'clock, consisting of two twenty-fours and one twelve-pounder; their fire was directed to the right face of the, bastion of La Glasière, under which lies a counter-guard, or false bray. One of these guns was soon silenced. One of the cannon of the enemy's six-gun battery played in the same direction and on the same face. The chief acting-engineer reported to me, at four this afternoon, that, having observed the enemy direct their fire very briskly to the above-mentioned part, he had been out to observe the effect, and was surprised to find it so great, owing, as he supposed, to the rottenness and badness of the wall. I went myself to examine it, and found it in the condition reported. This was matter of astonishment, the enemy having fired but a short time, and at such a distance as rendered the effect very surprising. Ordered a party of men to clear the rubbish as soon as it was dark. The men have been chiefly employed this day in bringing up ammunition to the artillery. Finished, however, the traverses in the flank of La Glasière bastion, and carried on the picqueting in front of it and Cape Diamond bastion. Finished this day the works from Palace gate along Otway's camp up to the Grand Battery, which are now in a good posture of defence. From the opening of the batteries yesterday till six this evening, four men killed and nine wounded. To save the men as much as possible, ordered this evening only one-third of the men to stand to their arms during the night. It is observable that both shot and shells appear new, which tallies with the intelligence received during the winter that they were casting them at Trois-Rivières. This day they threw carcases. A party employed at night to make merlons to the cavaliers, to repair the embrasures which had suffered, and to complete the traverses. We silenced four of the enemy's cannon and hurt their batteries much ; one of our eighteens and one twelve-pounder rendered unserviceable.

 

 

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
110	24-453	13 in.-15
	18-455	8 in.-97
	12-402	42/5 in.-120

 

 

13th.—N.E.—Last night 200 hundred men were employed ,to repair the embrasures and clear the rubbish in the ditch below the face and counterguard of La Glasière bastion, which had been knocked down yesterday by the enemy's cannon ; some also were employed about the cavalier. At break of day signals were made along both shores ; a rocket Was thrown up on the Beauport side, and another at Point Levi ; answered by a gun from the frigate. Mons. de Levis this day informed me by letter that he was sending a courier to Mons. de Vaudreuil about my demand, as he could not pretend to take upon him to settle that point. The enemy's ships were observed to have moved more into the stream, as the enemy directed several shells and carcases to the Jesuits' college. Ordered provisions of every species to be put on board the Porcupine sloop and schooner, as much as they could conveniently stow ; this, though, indeed, is rather a pretence, as I intend to provide for a retreat in case it becomes absolutely necessary. Some of the enemy's cannon which had been silenced last night fired again this morning, but were in a short time silenced a second time. The wall has not been damaged near as much this day as the last. Notwithstanding the enemy has fired a good deal at the cavaliers, that designed for two guns has been entirely finished and the guns mounted. We have been employed also in finishing the palisades before Cape Diamond, and continuing the traverses. This afternoon we removed three howitzers and mounted three cannon. The French have made no visible progress during these last twenty-four hours. Within that time one man has been killed and two wounded. A 13-inch mortar burst this day.

 

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
70	24-29	13 in.-11
	18-310	8 in.-59
	12-163	5½ -92
		42/5 in.-98

 

14th—E.—This morning the wind southerly and rain. At the break of day the enemy played ten guns from their different batteries, which were partly silenced by us at noon. From this time their fire has been very slack the whole day, and little or no damage has been done to the wall. The workmen have been employed making banquets to the left face of La Glasière bastion and raising merlons to the four-gun cavalier. No apparent alteration in the enemy's works. No man killed or wounded these last twenty-four hours.

 

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
25	24-139	13 in.-4
	18-65	8 in.-34
	12-62	5½ -23
		42/5 in.-92

 

15th.—This morning sprung up a very strong breeze at north-east. The French very silent this day, and do not seem to have made any nearer approaches. The men employed in raising banquets for musketry behind the merlons of La Glasière's right flank, and along the stockades. Between Cape Diamond and the citadel, the four-gun cavalier finished. Began a ravelin between St. Louis and St. Ursula's bastions, to cover Port St. Louis and the curtain. The damage done to the block-houses by the enemy's cannon quite repaired. This evening, about 9 o'clock, a strong north-easter blowing, anchored in the basin the Vanguard, Commodore Swanton, .with the Diana, Captain Schomberg, and the schooner Lawrence, Lieut. Fortye. This last vessel I had sent down the 20th of April, to acquaint Lord Colvil of the intelligence I had received of the enemy's preparations. The schooner I sent the 11th met them at Bic, and informed the Commodore of our situation ; he lost not an instant, and the wind seconding his good intentions, in one day he got up to this place. We were certainly much indebted to his diligence. This night, about ten o'clock, intercepted a courier from the officer commanding on the Beauport side, carrying his information to Mons. de Levis of the arrival of the ships, which he took to be French ; upon which it was concerted between Commodore Swanton and myself that he should attack the frigates with the first of the tide in the morning, and, to persuade the enemy the ships that came up were not our friends, that I should beat to arms about one in the morning, as if much alarmed. The party of Beauport consisted of their light horse, Canadians, and some Indians, who were raising a battery there. No man killed or wounded.

 

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
22	24-108	13 in.-12
	18-48	8 in.-36
	12-38	5½ -33
	9-11	42/5 in.-50

 

16th.—This morning, about one o'clock, the enemy, probably to gain intelligence, broke in upon our advanced chain of sentries ; killed one and carried off another. Beat to arms, as concerted above. Commodore Swanton in the Vanguard, with the Lowstaff and Diana, got under sail as soon as the tide served, and went up the river to attack the enemy's frigates ; they ran for it, but six of them got on shore, the Pomona in particular, on board of which was great part of the enemy's ammunition. This day we continued the ravelin, which was near finished, except the ditch and glacis. The parapets that wanted filling were this day completed ; the enemy fired only four shells and a few shot. Four deserters came in this evening, who reported that the enemy was making the necessary preparations to retreat—that, however, they had reinforced the trenches and posted the grenadiers there. Ordered the artillery to fire on the trenches this night, till about one or two in the morning, when it might naturally be supposed they would begin to retreat, at which time they were to fire into the

country entirely.

 

Ammunition expended.

Powder, barrels	Shot.	Shells.
172	32-5	13 in.-17
	24-671	8 in.-35
	18-1132	42/5 in.-103
	12-230

 

17th.—This morning I intended a strong sortie, and for that purpose had ordered the light infantry, grenadiers, Amherst's, Townsend's, Lascelles's, Anstruther's, and Fraser's, under arms. Lieut. McAlpin, whom I had, sent before to make small sallies and amuse the enemy, returned, and reported that the trenches were abandoned. I instantly pushed out with these corps, in hopes to come up with their rear; but they were too expeditious: their rear crossed the Caprouge before we could reach them. We took several prisoners, stragglers, and much baggage, which otherwise would have escaped. We took their camp standing, great part of their stores, ammunition, 34 pieces of cannon—four of them brass 12-pounders,—six of our own brass field-pieces, six mortars, four petards, a large provision of scaling-ladders, and intrenching tools beyond number. Monsieur De Levis wrote me a letter, requesting I should take care of the sick and wounded he left behind.

 

JAS. MURRAY.

 

Quebec, 2oth May, 1760.