ld, we quit our barracks and took up our
residence in houses, built for the King's officers, which they evacuated
on our approach. We remained here until the 21st, during which time we
received intelligence that there were not more than 100 regular troops
in the city--some sailors, and a few newly enlisted troops from
Newfoundland; in all not exceeding 400 under arms. This intelligence was
soon contradicted. A servant of Colonel Arnold's who had been taken
prisoner and made his escape gave us a very different account: he stated
that the inhabitants and King's troops exceeded 800 under arms; our
whole force at that time not exceeding 500, and the most of our
ammunition spent.

We this day lost one of our sentry, next the walls of the city. He was
treacherously decoyed and taken. This event soon rallied all our
detachment. We marched on to that place of the plains where Wolfe fought
his battle, in sight of the city walls. Our troops were drawn up in
battle array and we gave them a challenge for a field battle, our
riflemen forming our right wing. Though much superior to us in numbers
and better provided with arms and ammunition, they declined an
engagement. They fired on us from the fort, and as they were in a
situation in which we could not attack them, we did not choose to stand
merely to be shot at: we deliberately retreated, and soon got beyond
reach of their balls.

From this time no special event occurred for the space of seven days. We
began to be in a very distressed situation, as the weather was
continually growing cold and we were almost naked, crowded together in
heaps, and nearly out of provisions--add to this we were in an enemies
country, almost destitute of ammunition, near to a force much superior
to our own and without a prospect of any reinforcements.

November 21. We were informed that the citizens of Quebec in conjunction
with the soldiery, were determined to attack us the next morning having
heard that our ammunition was very nearly expended. We judged it not
prudent to hazard a battle with so little ammunition as we had on hand,
our officers therefore determined on a retreat the night ensuing.

About 4 o'clock in the morning we began our retreat and effected it in
good order undiscovered by the enemy. We made no stops until we arrived
at Point aux Tremples, 20 miles. Most of the soldiers were in constant
misery during their march, as they were bare footed and the ground
frozen and very uneven. We