[dougoty] battle of THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM 371 



the redoubt was constructed by the English after the battle. Further 

 testimony on this point will be offered, all of which confirms the state- 

 ment made by Townshend, that the battery was on the left of the land- 

 ing place, as indicated on the plan and on the drawing. 



Another important passage in the despatch, bearing particularly 

 upon the orders of Wolfe is, that during the engagement, a detachment 

 was sent to preserve communication with the boats. As this fact would 

 seem to furnish proof that no engagement occurred on the Marchmont 

 property, immediately above the landing, the question will be more 

 fully considered in connection with the further testimony of Knox, 

 quoted from his journal, under the date of September 13th, 1759. 



" Before day-break this morning we made a descent upon the north 

 " shore, about half of a quarter of a mile' eastward of Sillery, and the 

 ''light troops were fortunately, by the rapidity of the current, carried 

 " lower down, between us and Cape Diamond; we had in this debarka- 

 '"■ tion, thirty flat-bottomed boats, containing about sixteen hundred 

 '' men. This was a great surprise on the enemy, who, from the natural 

 " strength of the place, did not suspect, and consequently were not 

 "prepared ag'ainst, so bold an attempt. The chain of Gentries, which 

 " liad been posted along the summit of the heights, galled us a little, 

 " and picked off several men, and a few officers, before our light in- 

 " fantry got up to dislodge them. This grand enterprise Avas conducted 

 "and executed with great good order and discretion. . . .As soon as we 

 " gained the summit, all was quiet, and not a shot was heard, owing to 

 "' the excellent conduct of the light infantry under Colonel Howe; it 

 "was by this time clear daylight. Here we formed again, the river and 

 " the south country in our rear, our right extending to the town, our 

 " left to Sillery, and halted a few minutes. 



" The general then detached the light troops to our left to route 

 " the enemy from their battery,* and to disable their guns, except they 

 " could be rendered serviceable to the party who were to remain there, 

 " and this service was soon performed." [It will be seen from this 

 last statement, that when the army was formed parallel with the River 

 St. Lawrence, facing the north, the four-gun battery was upon the left, 

 and therefore, it could not have been in the position indicated by Mr. 

 Hawkins in "Picture of Quebec.''] 



" "We then faced to the right and marched towards the' town by 

 " files, till we came to the Plains of Abraham, an even piece of ground 

 " which Mr. Wolfe had made choice of while' we stood forming upon 

 " the hill.^ Weather showery ; about six o'clock the enemy first made 

 "' their appearance upon the heights, between us and the town, where- 



