might have been tracked all the way by the
blood from our shattered hoofs.

In a few days after we arrived at Point aux Tremples, we were joined by
General Montgomery with about twelve hundred of the York forces from
Montreal. They brought with them a good supply of ammunition, clothing
and provisions taken from the King's stores at that place and from
eleven sail vessels which had been captured in the lakes. General
Montgomery brought on likewise implements necessary for carrying on a
seige against the city of Quebec. We lost no time in making every
necessary preparation for our return, and on the morning of the 5th of
December, took up our line of march and at evening arrived at the
encampment we had precipitately left on the plains of Abraham.

Before we arrived, however, Governor Carlton had entered the town and
was making every preparation for vigorous defence. The garrison now
consisted of about fifteen hundred men of whom eight hundred were
natives, and between four and five hundred seamen. Our whole force fit
for service, was about one thousand men.

General Montgomery endeavored to frighten the garrison to surrender: he
addressed a letter to the governor, giving an exaggerated account of his
own strength and resources and demanded him to surrender. But Carlton
who was an experienced, wary general, was not to be frightened. He
persisted in his determination to hold no communication with Montgomery,
and fired on the flag.

Our situation was such as would have disheartened any general of common
resolution. The intense cold had set in, and we were unaccustomed to the
hardships of an ordinary campaign. Besides, the time of service with
most of us under Arnold was nearly out. But notwithstanding all
discouragements, General Montgomery was determined to commence the
siege. In a few days we opened a six gun battery within about seven
hundred yards of the walls, but our artillery was too light to make a
breach, and I believe the officers did not calculate on any effect from
it,--the object was to amuse the enemy and conceal our real design. The
intention of General Montgomery was to commence an assault. Before he
undertook however, this hazardous and daring project, it was necessary
to have the approbation of all the officers and soldiers. After
conferring with each officer separately on the subject and bringing all
to approve of the plan, he addressed himself to the soldiers, many of
whom appeared unwilling to att