The estimates given by Garneau, of the English, and by Lt. Col. Beatson, of the French, are evidently exaggerated. The estimates of Knox and Ferland deserves also notice, even if only from the discrepancy they present."
[205] Montcalm, when he heard that the English had ascended the hill and were formed on the high ground at the back of the town scarcely credited the intelligence … but he was soon undeceived. He saw clearly that the English fleet and army were in such a situation that the Upper and Lower Town might be attacked in concert, and that nothing but a battle could save it. Accordingly he determined to give them battle.—The Annual Register for the year 1759.
[206] Local tradition relates that, on receiving, about 8 o'clock in the morning of the 13th September, the startling intelligence that the English were in possession of the Plains, MONTCALM (hitching up his breeches with both hands, as was his custom) briskly exclaimed, "if that be the case it is time we were hastening thither; for we must drive them into the river before noon."—R. S. B.
[207] "The English troops were exhorted to reserve their fire; and they bore that of the enemy's light troops in front (which was galling though irregular) with the utmost patience and good order, waiting for the main body of the enemy which fast advanced upon them. At forty yards distance our troops gave their fire, which took place in its full extent, and made a terrible havoc among the French."—The Annual Register for 1759.
"General Wolfe ordered the men to load with an additional bullet which did great execution.
"As soon as the French came within musket-shot they began to fire, but the British reserved their fire until the enemy were within twenty yards." —Beatson's Naval and Military Memoirs of Great Britain from 1729 to 1790.
[208] The Canadian militia (of which more than half of Montcalm's forces consisted) were without bayonets.—MONTCALM'S Letter of 24th August, 1759.
[209] The authenticity of this famous, prophetic letter has been attacked by subsequent writers: among others by Francis Parkman.
[210] For a description of the spot where MONTCALM expired, see Album du Touriste.
[211] Knox's Journal, Vol. ii., pp. 14, 21, 24, 28, Aug. 21 "The project of erecting a fortress on the Island of Coudres, for a garrison of three thousand men, is laid aside for want of proper materials, and the season being too far advanced for such an undertaking. The enterprise of storming Quebec is also given up as too desperate to hope for success." P. 28.