238 J. G. BOURINOT 



exposed bay which has witnessed two of the most memorable episodes in the history of 

 British North America. A southeast wind invariably makes a landing almost impossible 

 for days. In curious contrast with the good fortune that attended Pepperrell's expedi- 

 tion, the weather was in every respect unfavourable for nearly a week. The commanders 

 were eagerly looking every day for an opportunity of obtaining a footing on the rocky 

 coast which was defended at important points for five miles by batteries constructed of 

 earth and trees, so arranged as to conceal a large force of some three thousand regulars, 

 inhabitants and Indians, which Drucour had stationed on the appearance of the fleet to 

 prevent a lauding. At last, on the 8th, the weather became sufficiently favourable, and 

 the three brigadier-generals in command of their respectiA^e divisions made all their 

 arrangements for a landing.' In order to distract the attention of the French from Fresh- 

 water or Kenniugton Cove, where it was decided that Wolfe should make the real 

 attack, the divisions under Lawrence and Whitmore proceeded at first as if they intended 

 to try a landing at Flat Point and White Point. Freshwater Cove was defended by a 

 large force of French commanded by Colonel St. Julien, and hidden behind intrenchments 

 cunningly devised of spruce trees with their tops outwards so as to deceive an enemy at 

 very close quarters, and the moment the English came within range of the guns they met 

 a furious fire from the French. Wolfe faltered before the fierce cannonade and actually 

 gave the signal to retreat, but by one of those remarkable incidents that sometimes change 

 the whole current of events three of his officers in the boats, Lieutenants Hopkins and 

 Browne, and Ensign G-rant — whose names deserve to be always remembered — misunder- 

 stood the signal, advisedly it is thought, and took it as an order to advance quickly. 

 Consequently they moved forward impetuously and succeeded in landing on some rocks 

 which were so situated as to protect them for the moment from the fire of the batteries to 

 their left. The little body of a hundred men, under the command of these three officers, 

 succeeded in obtaining a foothold among the rocks, and here they were joined without 

 loss of time by reinforcements under the orders of Wolfe who, like a skilful general, at 

 once seized the advantage which had been accidentally won for him. A Major Scott was 

 one of the first to obey the orders, and although he fou.nd himself in face of a force very 

 mttch greater than his little band of ten that he rallied arovtnd him on the rocks he suc- 

 ceeded in maintaining his position until his comrades joined him and enabled him to 

 drive off his assailants who were coming up in hot haste to crush him. From the moment 

 the English made a stand among the rocks, Wolfe recognized the necessity of supporting 

 the movement and the first success was won. The batteries were very soon taken and 

 the French seen in full retreat on Louisbourg with a loss of seventy-four prisoners, 

 including two captains and a considerable number of killed and wounded — probably less 

 than one hundred — whilst the English loss was fifty killed and fifty-nine wounded, a 

 small loss w^hen we consider the risk they ran in attacking a large body of well-armed 



' The first or right division was composed of detachments of the 1st, 17th, 47th, isth, 5Sth and 60th Regiments, 

 led by Brigadier-General Whitmore, Colonels Burton and Foster, and Majors Prévost and Darb/. 



The second or centre division consisted of detachments of the l.'jth, 22nd, 3.5th, 40th, 4.5th and 00th Regiments, 

 under Brigadier-General Lawrence, Colonel Wilmot, Lieutenant-Colonel Handfield, Majors Hamilton and Hussey. 



The third or left division was made up of the 78th Highlanders, five companies of Rangers, twelve companies 

 of Grenadiers, and a corps of Light Infantry consisting of 550 of the best marksmen to be found in the different 

 regiments, led by Brigadier-General Wolfe, Colonels Frazer, Fletcher and Murray, and Majors Scott, Murray and 

 Fartjuharson. See Entinck, ii. 227, 228 ; Brown, 298. 



