In consequence of the treaty of peace
between Great Britain and the several nations of Indians between the Appalachian mountains
and the Lakes, the British government was enabled to carry into effect those operation
which had been projected against the French settlements in Canada. The plan and partial
progress of these combined operations have been already detailed in the service of the 42d
regiment. The enterprise against Quebec, the most important by far of the three
expeditions planned in 1759, falls now to be noticed from the share which Fraser's
Highlanders had in it.
According to the plan fixed upon for the conquest of Canada, Major-general Wolfe, who had
given great promise of military talents at Louisburg, was to proceed up the river St
Lawrence and attack Quebec, whilst General Amherst, after reducing Ticonderoga and Crown
Point, was to descend the St Lawrence and co-operate with General Wolfe in the conquest of
Quebec. Though the enterprise against this place was the main undertaking, the force under
General Wolfe did not exceed 7000 effective men, whilst that under General Amherst
amounted to more than twice that number; but the commander-in-chief seems to have
calculated upon a junction with General Wolfe in sufficient time for the siege of Quebec.
The forces under General Wolfe comprehended the following regiments - 15th, 28th, 35th,
43d, 47th, 48th, 58th, Fraser's Highlanders, the Rangers, and the grenadiers of Louisburg.
The fleet, under the command of Admirals Saunders and Holmes, with the transports,
proceeded up the St Lawrence, and reached the island of Orleans, a little below Quebec, in
the end of June, where the troops were disembarked without opposition. The Marquis de
Montcalm who commanded the French troops, which were greatly superior in number to the
invaders, resolved rather to depend upon the natural strength of his position than his
numbers, and took his measures accordingly. The city of Quebec was tolerably well
fortified, defended by a numerous garrison, and abundantly supplied with provisions and
ammunition. This able, and hitherto fortunate leader had reinforced the troops of the
colony with five regular battalions, formed of the best of the inhabitants, and he had,
besides, completely disciplined all the Canadians of the neighborhood capable of bearing
arms, and several tribes of Indians. He had posted his army on a piece of ground along the
shore of Beaufort, from the river St Charles to the falls of Montmorency, - a position
rendered strong by entrenchments where the ground appeared the weakest. To undertake the
siege of Quebec under the disadvantages which presented themselves, seemed a rash
enterprise; but, although General Wolfe was completely aware of these difficulties, a
thirst for glory, and the workings of a vigorous mind, which set every obstacle at
defense, impelled him to make the hazardous attempt. His maxim was, that "a brave and
victorious army finds no difficulties"; and he was anxious to verify the truth of the
adage in the present instance.
Having ascertained that, to reduce the place, it was necessary to erect batteries on the
north of the St Lawrence, the British general endeavored, by a series of maneuvers, to
draw Montcalm from his position; but the French commander was too prudent to risk a
battle. With the view of attacking the enemy's entrenchments, General Wolfe sent a small
armament up the river above the city, and, having personally surveyed the banks on the
side of the enemy from one of the ships, he resolved to cross the river Montmorency and
make the attack. He therefore ordered six companies of grenadiers and part of the Royal
Americans to cross the river and land near the mouth of the Montmorency, and at the same
time directed the two brigades commanded by Generals Murray and Townshend to pass a ford
higher up. Close to the water's edge there was a detached redoubt, which the grenadiers
were ordered to attack, in the expectation that the enemy would descend from the hill in
its defense, and thus bring on a general engagement. At all events the possession of this
post was of importance, as from it the British commander could obtain a better view of the
enemy's entrenchments than he had yet been able to accomplish. The grenadiers and Royal
Americans were the first who landed. They had received orders to form in four distinct
bodies, but not to begin the attack till the first brigade should have passed the ford,
and be near enough to support them. No attention, however, was paid to these instructions.
Before even the first brigade had crossed, the grenadiers, ere they were regularly formed,
rushed forward with impetuosity and considerable confusion to attack the enemy's
entrenchments. They were received with a well-directed fire, which effectually checked
them and threw them into disorder. They endeavored to form under the redoubt, but being
unable to rally, they retreated and formed behind the first brigade, which had by this
time landed, and was drawn up on the beach in good order. The plan of attack being thus
totally disconcerted, General Wolfe repassed the river and returned to the isle of
Orleans. In this unfortunate attempt the British lost 543 of all ranks killed, wounded,
and missing. Of the Highlanders, up to the 2d of September, the loss was 18 rank and file
killed, Colonel Fraser, Captains Macpherson and Simon Fraser, and Lieutenants Cameron of
Gleneves, Ewen Macdonald, and H. Macdonald, and 85 rank and file wounded. In the general
orders which were issued the following morning, General Wolfe complained bitterly of the
conduct of the grenadiers: "The check which the grenadiers met with yesterday will,
it is hoped, be a lesson to them for the time to come. Such impetuous, irregular, and
unsoldier-like proceedings, destroy all order, make it impossible for the commanders to
form any disposition for attack, and put it out of the general's power to execute his
plan. The grenadiers could not suppose that they alone could beat the French army; and
therefore it was necessary that the corps under Brigadiers Monckton and Townshend should
have time to join, that the attack might be general. The very first fire of the enemy was
sufficient to repulse men who had lost all sense of order and military discipline.
Amherst's (15th regiment) and the Highlanders alone, by the soldier-like and cool manner
they were formed in, would undoubtedly have beaten back the whole Canadian army if they
had ventured to attack them".
General Wolfe now changed his plan of operations. Leaving his position at Montmorency, he
re-embarked his troops and artillery, and landed at Point Levi, whence he passed up the
river in transports; but finding no opportunity of annoying the enemy above the town, he
resolved to convey his troops farther down, in boats, and land them by night within a
league of Cape Diamond, with the view of ascending the heights of Abraham, which rise
abruptly, with steep ascent, from the banks of the river, and thus gain possession of the
ground on the back of the city, where the fortifications were less strong. A plan more
replete with dangers and difficulties could scarcely have been devised, it was necessary
either to abandon the enterprise altogether, or to make an attempt upon the city, whatever
might be the result. The troops, notwithstanding the recent disaster, were in high
spirits, and ready to follow their general wherever he might lead them. The commander, on
the other hand, though afflicted with a severe dysentery and fever, which had debilitated
his frame, resolved to avail himself of the readiness of his men, and to conduct the
hazardous enterprise in which they were about to engage in person. In order to deceive the
enemy, Admiral Holmes was direct to move farther up the river on the 12th of September,
but to sail down in the night time, so as to protect the landing of the forces. These
orders were punctually obeyed. About an hour after midnight of the same day four
regiments, the light infantry, with the Highlanders and grenadiers, were embarked in
flat-bottomed boats, under the command of Brigadier Monckton and Murray. They were
accompanied by General Wolfe, who was among the first that landed. The boats fell down
with the tide, keeping close to the north shore in the best order; but, owing to the
rapidity of the current, and the darkness of the night, most of the boats landed a little
below the intended place of disembarkation. When the troops were landed the boats were
sent back for the other division, which was under the command of Brigadier-general
Townshend. The ascent to the heights was by a narrow path, that slanted up the precipice
from the landing-place; this path the enemy had broken up, and rendered almost impassable,
by cross ditches, and they had made am entrenchment at the top of the hill.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, Colonel Howe, who was the first to land, ascended the
woody precipices, with the light infantry and the Highlanders, and dislodges a captain's
guard which defended the narrow path. They then mounted without further molestation, and
General Wolfe, who was among the first to gain the summit of the hill, formed the troops
on the heights as they arrived. In the ascent the precipice was found to be so steep and
dangerous, that the troops were obliged to climb the rugged projections of the rocks,
pulling themselves up by aid of the branches of the trees and shrubs growing on both sides
of the path. Though much time was thus necessarily occupied in the ascent, yet such was
the perseverance of the troops, that they all gained the summit in time to enable the
general to form in order of battle before daybreak.
M. de Montcalm had now no means left of saving Quebec but by risking a battle, and he
therefore determined to leave his stronghold and meet the British in the open field.
Leaving his camp at Montmorency, he crossed the river St Charles, and, forming his line
with great skill, advanced forward to attack his opponents. His right was composed of half
the provincial troops, two battalions of regulars, and a body of Canadians and Indians;
his center, of a column of two battalions of Europeans, with two field-pieces; and his
left of one battalion of regulars, and the remainder of the colonial troops. In his front,
among brushwood and corn-fields, 1500 of his best marksmen were posted to gall the British
as they approached. The British were drawn up in two lines: the first, consisting of the
grenadiers, 15th, 28th, 35th Highlanders, and 58th; the 47th regiment formed the second
line, or reserve. The Canadians and the Indians, who were posted among the brushwood, kept
up an irregular galling fire, which proved fatal to many officers, who, from their dress,
were singled out by these marksmen. The fire of this body was, in some measure, checked by
the advanced posts of the British, who returned fire; and a small gun, which was dragged
up by the seamen from the landing-place, was brought forward, and did considerable
execution. The French now advanced to the charge with great spirit, firing as they
advanced; but, in consequence of orders they received, the British troops reserved their
fire till the main body of the enemy had approached within forty yards of their line. When
the enemy had come within that distance, the whole British line poured in a general and
destructive discharge of musketry. Another discharge followed, which had such an effect
upon the enemy, that they stopped short, and after making an ineffectual attempt upon the
left of the British line, they began to give way. At this time General Wolfe, who had
already received two wounds which he had concealed, was mortally wounded whilst advancing
at the head of the grenadiers with fixed bayonets. At this instance every separate corps
of the British army exerted itself, as if the contest were for its own peculiar honor.
Whilst the right pressed on with their bayonets, Brigadier-general Murray briskly advanced
with the troops under his command, and soon broke the center of the enemy, "when the
Highlanders, taking to their broad-swords fell in among them with irresistible
impetuosity, and drove them back with great slaughter". The action on the left of the
British was not so warm. A smart contest, however, took place between part of the enemy's
right and some light infantry, who had thrown themselves into houses, which they defended
with great courage. During this attack, Colonel Howe, who had taken post with two
companies behind a copse, frequently sallied out on the flanks of the enemy, whilst
General Townshend advanced in platoons against their front. Observing the left and center
of the French giving way, this officer, on whom the command had just devolved in
consequence of General Monckton, the second in command, having been dangerously wounded,
hastened to the center, and finding that the troops had got into disorder in the pursuit,
formed them again in line. At this moment, Monsieur de Bougainville, who had marched from
Cape Rouge as soon as he heard that the British troops had gained the heights, appeared in
their rear at the head of 2000 fresh men. General Townshend immediately ordered two
regiments, with two prices of artillery, to advance against this body; but Bougainville
retired on their approach. The wreck of the French army retreated to Quebec and Point
Levi.
The loss sustained by the enemy was considerable. About 1000 were made prisoners,
including a number of officers, and about 500 died on the field of battle. The death of
their brave commander, Montcalm, who was mortally wounded almost at the same instant with
General Wolfe, was a serious calamity to the French arms. When informed that his wound was
mortal, "So much the better", said he, "I shall not live to see the
surrender of Quebec". Before his death he wrote a letter to General Townshend,
recommending the prisoners to the generous humanity of the British. The death of the two
commanders-in-chief, and the disasters which befell Generals Monckton and Severergues, the
two second in command, who were carried wounded from the field, are remarkable
circumstances in the events of this day. This important victory was not gained without
considerable loss on the part of the British, who, besides the commander-in-chief, had 8
officers and 48 men killed; and 43 offices and 435 men wounded. Of these, the Highlanders
had Captain Thomas Ross of Culrossie, Lieutenant Roderick Macneil of Barra, Alexander
Macdonnel, son of Barrisdale, 1 sergeant and 14 rank and file killed; and Captains John
Macdonell of Lochgarry, Simon Fraser of Inverallochy; Lieutanants Macdonell, son of
Keppoch, Archibald Campbell, Alexander Campbell, son of Barcaldine, John Douglas,
Alexander Fraser, senior; and Ensigns James Mackenzie, Malcolm Fraser, and Alexander
Gregorson; 7 sergeants, and 131 rank and file wounded. The death of General Wolfe was a
national loss. When the fatal ball pierced the breast of the young hero, he found himself
unable to stand, and leaned upon the shoulder of a lieutenant who sat down on the ground.
This officer, observing the French give way, exclaimed, "They run! they run!".
"Who run?" inquired the gallant Wolfe with great earnestness. When told that it
was the French who were flying: "What", said he, "do the cowards run
already? Then I die happy!" and instantly expired.
On the 18th of September the town surrendered, and a great part of the surrounding country
being reduced, General Townshend embarked for England, leaving a garrison of 5000
effective men in Quebec, under the Hon. General James Murray. Apprehensive of a visit from
a considerable French army stationed in Montreal and the neighboring country, General
Murray repaired the fortifications, and put the town in a proper posture of defense; but
his troops suffered so much from the rigors of winter, and the want of vegetables and
fresh provisions, that, before the end of April, 1760, the garrison was reduced, by death
and disease, to about 3000 effective men. Such was the situation of affairs when the
general received intelligence that General de Levi, who succeeded the Marquis de Montcalm,
had reached Point au Tremble with a force of 10,000 French and Canadians, and 500 Indians.
It was the intention of the French commander to cut off the posts which the British had
established; but General Murray defeated this scheme, by ordering the bridges over the
river Rouge to be broken down, and the landing places at Sylleri and Foulon to be secured.
Next day, the 27th of April, he marched in person with a strong detachment and two
field-pieces, and took possession of an advantageous position, which he retained till the
afternoon, when the outposts were withdrawn, after which he re-returned to Quebec with
very little loss, although the enemy pressed closely on his rear.
General Murray was now reduced to the necessity of withstanding a siege, or risking a
battle. He chose the latter alternative, a resolution which was deemed by some military
men as savoring more of youthful impatience and overstrained courage, than of judgment;
but the dangers with which he was beset, in the midst of a hostile population, and the
difficulties incident to a protracted siege, seem to afford some justification for that
step. In pursuance of his resolution, the general marched out on the 28th of April, at
half-past six o'clock in the morning, and formed his little army on the heights of
Abraham. The right wing, commanded by Colonel Burton, consisted of the 15th, 48th, 58th,
and second battalion of the 60th, or Royal Americans: the left under Colonel Simon Fraser,
was formed of the 43d, 23d Welsh fusiliers, and the Highlanders. The 35th, and the third
battalion of the 60th, constituted the reserve. The right was covered by Major Dalling's
corps of light infantry; and the left by Captain Huzzens's company of rangers, and 100
volunteers, under the command of Captain Macdonald of Fraser's regiment. Observing the
enemy in full march in one column, General Murray advanced quickly forward to meet them
before they should form their line. His light infantry coming in contact with Levi's
advance, drove them back on their main body; but pursuing too far, they were furiously
attacked and repulsed in their turn. They fell back in such disorder on the line, as to
impede their fire, and in passing round by the right flank to the rear, they suffered much
from the fire of a party who were endeavoring to turn that flank. The enemy having made
two desperate attempts to penetrate the right wing, the 35th regiment was called up from
the reserve, to its support. Meanwhile the British left was struggling with the enemy, who
succeeded so far, from their superior numbers, in their attempt to turn that flank, that
they obtained possession of two redoubts, but were driven out from both by the
Highlanders, sword in hand. By pushing forward fresh numbers, however, the enemy at last
succeeded in forcing the left wing to retire, the right giving way about the same time.
The French did not attempt to pursue, but allowed the British to retire quietly within the
walls of the city, and to carry away their wounded.
Shortly after the British had retired, General Levi moved forward on Quebec, and having
taken up a position close to it, opened fire at five o'clock. he then proceeded to besiege
the city in form, and General Murray made the necessary dispositions to defend the place.
The siege was continued till the 10th of May, when it was suddenly raised; the enemy
retreating with grea precipitation, leaving all their artillery implements and stores
behind. This unexpected event was occasioned by the destruction or capture of all the
enemy's ships above Quebec, by an English squadron which had arrived in the river, and the
advance of General Amherst on Montreal. General Murray left Quebec in pursuit of the
enemy, but was unable to overtake them. The junction of General Murray with General
Amherst, in the neighborhood of Montreal, in the month of September, and the surrender of
that last stronghold of the French in Canada, have been already mentioned in the history
of the service of the 42d regiment.
Fraser's Highlanders were not called again into active service till the summer of 1762,
when they were, on the expedition under Colonel William Amherst, sent to retake St John's,
Newfoundland, a detailed account of which had been given in the notice of Montgomery's
Highlanders.
At the conclusion of the war, a number of the officers and men having expressed a desire
to settle in North America, had their wishes granted, and an allowance of land given them.
The rest returned to Scotland, and were discharged. When the war of the American
revolution broke out, upwards of 300 of those men who had remained in the country,
enlisted in the 84th regiment, in 1775, and formed part of two fine battalions embodied
under the name of the Royal Highland Emigrants.
Many of the hundreds of Frasers who now form so important a part of the population of
Canada claim descent from these Fraser Highlanders who settled in American.
Thanks to Marie Fraser for the below
information.
Following disbandment of the 78th
Fraser Highlanders in 1763, many of the officers and soldiers were awarded grants of land
and settled in the new country, some of them marrying into French families. Their
descendants are very proud of their Franco-Ecosse heritage. Between the end of
the Seven Years War and the outbreak of the American Revolution an estimated 20000 people
left the Scottish Highlands, including those who came to Nova Scotia on the famous Hector
in 1773.
Many former Jacobites who had become American colonists and
declared themselves for the Duke of Cumberland's nephew, King George III, moved to Canada
after the war, settling in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Upper Canada.
In the Introduction to Clan Fraser, A history celebrating
over 800 years of the Family in Scotland [1997], Lady Saltoun notes:
"Although the Lovats never cleared their people from the Glens to make
way for sheep, there was small prospect of advancement in life for younger sons unless
they went south to one of the cities or emigrated, which is what many of them did.
They went to Edinburgh, Glasgow or London, many went to America, Canada, Australia
or New Zealand and prospered and founded families there, especially in the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries."
As the daughter-in-law of the first Colonel-in-Chief of
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry [PPCLI], Lady Saltoun has strong feelings for
Canada. She is married to Captain Alexander Arthur Ramsay of Mar, the only son
of Admiral the Hon Sir Alexander Ramsay [1881-1972] and HRH Princess Victoria Patricia
[1886-1974], younger daughter of HRH Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
[1850-1942] Governor-General of Canada (1911-16).
You might wish to check out
the Clan Fraser web
site for further information on this regiment. Also check out
the
78th Fraser
Highlanders in Montreal web site. |
