1759
From Louisburg the regiment sailed in the beginning of June, 1759, with the expedition against Quebec, under Major-General James Wolfe; and was formed in brigade with the forty-third, forty-eighth, and seventy-eighth foot, under Brigadier-General Monckton. Towards the end of June, the army landed at Orleans,—a large, fertile, and well-cultivated island in the river St. Lawrence, below Quebec,—and commenced preparations for carrying on the object of the expedition.
The French General, the Marquis of Montcalm, possessed a superiority of numbers over the invading force, and he had made excellent dispositions for the defence of the country: but the English Commander had complete reliance on the valour of his troops, whose confidence he possessed to an extraordinary degree. The Fifteenth foot, and three other regiments, were detached under Brigadier-General Monckton, against Point Levi, on the east shore of the river, from whence a body of the enemy was driven; at the same time a body of troops, under Colonel Carleton, took possession of the western point of the island of Orleans, and both these posts were fortified. Sixteen hundred of the enemy attempted to retake Point Levi, but were repulsed; and a mortar battery, constructed at that post, fired on Quebec, destroying the lower town, and damaging the upper town. Having finished the works on the island of Orleans, the army crossed the north channel of the river in boats, and landed below the splendid waterfalls of Montmorenci; and arrangements were made for attacking the enemy's position beyond the river Montmorenci, in which the Fifteenth regiment was ordered to co-operate.
As the regiment was crossing the river in boats from Point Levi, the grenadiers effected a landing, and commenced the action prematurely, before their formation was completed and before the troops designed to sustain them had arrived; and they were repulsed. They reformed behind the corps from Point Levi, the Fifteenth and seventy-eighth; but the excess of ardour, without sufficient attention to discipline, occasioned the loss of five hundred officers and men, and the failure of the operation.[12]
Difficulties, calculated to perplex and discourage the most resolute and intelligent commander, presented themselves; but the English general evinced talent and perseverance. No prospect of final success, by advancing across the river Montmorenci, presenting itself, the troops re-embarked and proceeded to Point Levi; they afterwards sailed a considerable distance up the river; but it was found impossible to annoy the enemy above the town. A desperate resolution was subsequently formed, to retire a little down the river, land in the night within a league of Cape Diamond, ascend the heights of Abraham, and gain possession of the ground at the back of the city.
At midnight on the 12th of September, the troops went on board the boats, and at one o'clock the first division moved down the river; an officer who spoke the French language, answering the challenges of the enemy's sentries on the shore. A landing was effected: the officers and men climbed the steep woody precipice, pulling themselves up by roots and branches of trees with admirable courage and activity, dislodged a captain's guard, and gained the heights. The Fifteenth and other corps followed.
When the French general was informed that the English had gained the heights of Abraham, he instantly collected his forces and advanced to give battle; and Major-General Wolfe, observing the approach of the hostile troops, formed line, the Fifteenth being posted in reserve. The enemy manifesting a design against the British left, the Fifteenth were removed to that flank by Brigadier-General Townshend, and were formed en potence, presenting two fronts to the enemy.
About nine o'clock the action commenced, and was particularly severe on the right, at which point the British regiments behaved with extraordinary gallantry, charging with bayonets, and overthrowing all opposition. In the midst of the action, Major-General Wolfe was shot in the breast, and he expired at the moment of victory. Brigadier-General Monckton was also wounded, and the command devolved on Brigadier-General Townshend, who had scarcely formed the troops after the pursuit, when a fresh body of the enemy appeared in his rear: he detached two regiments against them, and the enemy fled to the woods. The French commander, the Marquis of Montcalm, was mortally wounded; and his second in command, Brigadier-General de Senezergue, was wounded and taken prisoner, and he died on board an English ship on the following day.
This victory was gained with the loss of about fifty men killed, and five hundred wounded; but the fall of Major-General James Wolfe was a national loss. He possessed an animating fervour of sentiment,—an intuitive perception,—extensive capacity,—personal bravery beyond all estimation,—and an unbounded thirst for glory; these bright qualities were combined with every species of military knowledge that study could comprehend, and actual service illustrate; and, while the sublimity of his genius soared above ordinary minds, his generous disposition, and complacent deportment, procured him universal esteem. The soldiers admired and loved him.
After this victory, preparations were made for prosecuting the siege of Quebec; but further loss of life was prevented by the surrender of the garrison.