t from the side of the river St.
Lawrence along the fortified front round to the bason, every part seemed
equally threatened.--Montgomery, at the head of the New York troops,
advanced along the St. Lawrence by the way of Aunce de Mere, under Cape
Diamond. The first barrier to be surmounted on this side was at the
Pot-Ash. It was defended by a battery in which were mounted a few pieces
of artillery, about two hundred paces in front of which was a
block-house and picket. The guard placed at the block-house, being
chiefly Canadians, having given a random and harmless fire, threw away
their arms and fled in confusion to the barrier.

Unfortunately, the difficulties of the route rendered it impossible for
Montgomery instantly to avail himself of this first impression. Cape
Diamond, around which he was to make his way, presents a precipice, the
foot of which is washed by the river, where enormous and rugged masses
of ice had been piled on each other, so as to render the way almost
impassible. Along the scanty path leading under the projecting rocks of
the precipice, the Americans pressed forward in a narrow file, until
they reached the block-house and picket. Montgomery, who was himself in
front, assisted with his own hands to cut down or pull up the pickets,
and open a passage for his troops; but the excessive roughness and
difficulty of the way had so lengthened his line of march, that he found
it absolutely necessary to halt a few minutes, in order to collect a
force with which he might venture to proceed. Having reassembled about
two hundred men, whom he encouraged alike by his voice and his example,
he advanced boldly and rapidly at their head, to force the barrier. One
or two persons had now ventured to return to the battery; and, seizing a
slow-match standing by one of the guns, discharged the piece, when the
American front was within forty paces of it. This single accidental fire
was a fatal one. The General with Captains M'Pherson and Cheeseman, two
valuable young officers, near his person, the first of whom was his aid;
together with his orderly sergeant and a private, were killed on the
spot. The loss of their general, in whom their confidence had been so
justly placed, discouraged the troops; and Colonel Campbell on whom the
command devolved, but who did not partake of that spirit of heroism
which had animated their departed chief made no attempt to prosecute the
enterprise. This whole division retired precipitatel