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keep in constant pay all the scriblers under the sun. I
fought a battle: I lost it. What then? Is every day of battle a day of
victory? Did it be asked any soldier if, in my situation, it was right to
fight. He will answer without hesitation, "To be sure." Examine the
disposition, compare it with the ground which must determine the propriety
of it, and I flatter myself it will be allow’d a good one. Was not the
critical moment of attack made use of? Did it succeed? Was not the victory
gain’d, had the right wing been as active and as vigorous the 28th of
April, 1760, as the left was the 13th of September, 1759? Was not aid
instantly given during the action where it was wanted? Were not the cannon
judiciously placed? Does not all this denote a presence
of mind, and a coup d’oile Where
was the General in this battle - Betwixt his own line and that of the
enemy—everywhere, where the enemy made a push, animating his men by his
presence. He had two horses shot under him, and his clothes riddled by the
enemy’s musketry. Where was he when the right wing faulter’d? He was
placing the cannon on the hights, in the centre, but rode instantly to the
right, and there recover’d the confusion. How did the troops retreat into
town? In tolerable order by the means of the corps the General himself
posted in the two unfinished redoubts, and on an eminence. Did he stay
with the corps himself to the last? He did, he was the last man that
enter’d the gates. The defence of the place, as it was successful, in
England (where everything is right or wrong agreeable to the decision of
Dame Fortune) will answer for its self. You are to ask the French Generals
what share had this campaign in the total reduction of Canada. I am
persuaded Mr. Amherst is too just to be silent on that head. He certainly
has told that I left him nothing to do, and that the Marquis de Vaudreuil
insinuated terms of surrender to me, before Mr. Amherst’s army appear’d,
which I would not listen to, as I had intelligence of the
commander-in-chief’s being within six days’ march of me, and I was posted
at Longviel, by which the junction of the three armys was infallible.
This much I have open’d myself to my
brother; it is very wrong for a man to speak of himself, but he that
praises himself is unpardonable. I therefore conjure you not to show this
letter to any body but Elibank ; he and you may make what use of the
contents you please, provided you do not let it be known that I have
trumpeted my own fame.
I think myself accountable to my
family in a very particular manner for my actions, especially as the
sphere I have lately acted in has been eminent. It will be your business
to dive into the truth of every sentence of this letter, but not to expose
me to the reproach of vain glory. I offer my very affection-ate
compliments to all my relations round you, and am, my Dear George.
Your most affectionate brother and
sincere friend,
JAMES MURRAY.
Sandy Johnstone now lives with me,
and acts as my Brigade-Major. He is very fat, but we have nothing to do.
Brig-General Murray’s
"Journal" was published under the auspices of the Literary and
Historical Society in 1871. |
