[dovguty] battle of THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM 899 



"military skill and discdpline, or the exertion of physical force and 

 '•'determined valour.^'' The battle-field presents almost a level surface 

 " from the hrink of the St. Lawrence to the St. Foy Road. The Grande 

 " Allée, or road to Oape Eonge, running parallel to that of St. Foy, 

 " passed through its centre. That road was commanded by a field re- 

 " doubt, in all probability the four-gun battery on the English left, which 

 " was captured by the light infantry, as mentioned in General Towns- 

 "hend's letter. The remains are distinctly seen near to the present 

 " race stand. There were also two other redoubts, one upon the rising 

 " ground in the rear of Mr. CampbelFs house — the death scene of Wolfe 

 " — and another towards the St. Foy Road, which it was intended ta 

 " command. On the site of the country seat called Marchmont, thef 

 " property of the Honourable J. Stewart, and at present the residence 

 '' of Mr. Daly, Secretary of the Province, there was also a small redoubt, 

 " commanding the entrenched path leading to the Cove. This was 

 " taken possession of by the advanced guard of the light infantry, im- 

 " mediately on ascending the heights. At the period of the battle the 

 " plains were without fences or enclosures,^^ and extended to the walls to 

 " the St. Lewis side. The surface was dotted over with bushes, and the 

 " woods on either flank were more dense than at present, affording shel- 

 " ter to the French and Indian marksmen. In order to understand 

 " the relative position of the two armies, if a line be dra^vn to the St. 

 " Lawrence from the General Hospital, it will give nearly the front of 

 " the French army at ten o'clock, after Montcalm had deployed into 

 " line. His right reached beyond the St. Foy Road, where he made 

 " dispositions to turn the left of the English. Another parallel line, 

 "somewhat in advance of Mr. C. G. Stewart's house on the St. Foy 

 " Road, will give the front of the British army, before Wolfe charged at 

 "the head of the Grenadiers of the 22nd, 40th and 4oth regiments, 

 " who had acquired the honourable title of Louisbourg Grenadiers, from 

 " having been distinguished at the capture of that place, under his own 

 " command, in 1758. To meet the attempt of Montcalm to turn the 

 "British left. General Townshend formed the 15th regiment en 'potence, 

 " or presenting a double front. The light infantry were in the rear of 

 " the left, and the reserve was placed in rear of the right, formed in 

 " eight subdivisions, a good distance apart. The English had been 

 " about four hours in possession of the plains, and were completely pre- 

 " pared to receive them, when the French advanced with great resolu- 

 " tion. The English were ordered to reserve their fire until within 

 " forty, yards. They observed these orders most strictly, bearing with 

 "patience the incessant fire of the Canadians and Indians. It is also 

 " stated that Wolfe ordered the men to load with an additional bullet. 



Sec. IL, 1899. 26 



