e. They readily formed themselves into battalions for
defence. They hung about the skirts of that part of the army which had
been landed, cutting off foraging parties, and otherwise harassing it.
They prayed in the churches for the preservation of their country. The
most noble spirit animated the Canadians. General Monckton was sent to
drive the French off Point Levi, opposite Quebec, and take possession
of the post. He succeeded. Batteries were thrown up and unceasingly
worked. The firing was, but however, of little use, only the houses of
the town being injured. The fortifications were not only uninjured,
they were being rapidly strengthened. More energetic measures were
determined upon. Wolfe crossed the river and attacked the enemy in
their entrenchments, at Montmorenci. But, some of the boats in which
the soldiers had crossed, unluckily grounded, and the attacking party
did not all land together. The grenadiers rushed impetuously forward,
without even waiting to form, and were mowed down by the enemy's close,
steady, and well directed fire. Montcalm's force now advanced to the
beach, and the contest waxed hotter. A thunder storm was approaching,
and the tide was setting in. Wolfe, fearing the consequences of delay,
ordered a retreat, and returned to his quarters, on the Island of
Orleans. He lost six hundred of the flower of his army in this unhappy
encounter, and left behind him some of his largest boats. The condition
of the invaders was far from enviable. Sickness prevailed to an
alarming extent in the camp. They had been already five weeks before
the city, and many lives had been lost, not only in skirmishes, but by
dysentery. Wolfe himself fell sick. Depressed in spirits by the
disastrous attempt to land on the Beauport shoals, and worn down with
fatigue and watching, he was compelled to take to his bed. It was while
lying ill that the plan occurred to him of proceeding up the river,
scaling the heights by night, and forcing Montcalm to a general
engagement. On his recovery he proceeded to carry his plan into
execution. A feint of landing again at Beauport was made. The boats of
the fleet, filled with sailors and marines, apparently made for the
shore, covered by a part of the fleet, the other part having gone
higher up the river. At one hour after midnight, on the 12th September,
the fleet being now at anchor at the narrows of Carouge, the first
division of the army, consisting of 1,600 men, were placed in flat