THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWN&AN, R.A. 495 
their attack assisted by four small cannon. One part of them soon 
gave way, but were replaced by others, and in this manner, with little 
alteration of plan and manoeuvring, they continued the action for two 
hours at a distance of not less than 280 yards. At length, after a 
slaughter and resistance, they were taught not to expect, they retired, 
some few in confusion, but the greater part in excellent order, bring¬ 
ing four guns to cover their retreat. In a critical moment for the 
British, the French determined their retreat, for at the time they 
effected it we had scarcely any ammunition left, the men having col¬ 
lected even what they could from their dead and wounded comrades, and 
our fire of course was nearly at a stop. General Medows had, how¬ 
ever, prudently reserved to each man three or four rounds which, if 
the enemy had attempted the Hill, were to be given them, and then 
they were to charge with bayonets. This was the determination of 
General Medows (though wounded) and his officers. Glorious resol¬ 
ution, truly becoming British soldiers ! 
You will observe in General Grant's orders that the troops were to 
land with thirty-six rounds of ammunition only; the field pieces also 
by his orders had but a small proportion. This security, or inattention, 
or whatever you may please to term it in our Chief, was very nearly 
being attended with the most serious consequences—the destruction 
of 1,800 or 1,400 of our best troops, and perhaps, had they fallen, the 
whole armament. Why was not more ammunition sent to General 
Medows when there was an appearance of his being attacked ? It 
was not thought of till it was too late to be of real service, and if it 
had been, it was to be sent for from our shipping by land, a tedious 
piece of business, and then a boat had to be found to transport it to 
the Yigie. It never once occurred to our Wisdoms, that a boat or 
two would be necessary and useful to us in this bay till the very in¬ 
stant one was wanted, and then everyone bawled out u Where are the 
boats ; where are all the boats ? " Says Colonel Chin, te no sir, by 
mere accident, only one boat secured on this side the bay; very extra¬ 
ordinary." At this very moment there were lying at the town three 
or four small sailing boats and several canoes, within half musket shot 
of our advanced picket, but we did not think it a matter of any 
moment when we were in possession of the town to move them to a 
place of safety, and now it would be dangerous, though under cover 
of our own posts, to attempt it. 
Why would it be dangerous ? 
Because the French troops are so near us. 
How near pray ? 
Not a yard less than half a mile. 
And, pray sir, why did you leave a quantity of powder and other 
stores in houses on your own side the water so long at the option of 
the French, either to set on fire or carry away, when you might in 
open day have taken them away yourself ? 
In truth sir, I can assign no cause for such neglect but the one just 
mentioned—mere accident. 
Just about the time the French army was retiring from the field of 
action, two of their 74 gun ships came to anchor off the harbour of 
