French army, than, with a promptitude of decision worthy of a
skilful general, he resolved to attack the columns while in the
act of completing it. An extraordinary movement was immediately
observed in the Mameluke line, and speedily 7000 horsemen detached
themselves from the remainder of the army, and bore down upon
the French columns. It was a terrible sight, capable of daunting
the bravest troops, when this immense body of cavalry approached
at full gallop the squares of infantry. The horsemen, admirably
mounted and magnificently dressed, rent the air with their cries.
The glitter of spears and cimeters dazzled the sight, while the
earth groaned under the repeated and increasing thunder of their
feet. The soldiers, impressed, but not panic-struck, by the sight,
stood firm, and anxiously waited, with their pieces ready, the
order to fire. Desaix’s division being entangled in a wood of
palm-trees, was not completely formed when the swiftest of the
Mamelukes came upon them; they were, in consequence, partially
broken, and thirty or forty of the bravest of the assailants
penetrated, and died in the midst of the square, at the feet
of the officers: but before the mass arrived the movement was
completed, and a rapid fire of musketry and grape drove them
from the front round the sides of the column. With matchless
intrepidity, they pierced through the interval between Desaix’s
and Regnier’s divisions, and riding round both squares, strove to
find an entrance; but an incessant fire from every front mowed
them down as fast as they poured in at the opening. Furious at
the unexpected resistance, they dashed their horses against the
rampart of bayonets, and threw their pistols at the heads of the
grenadiers, while many who had lost their steeds crept along the
ground and cut at the legs of the front rank with their cimetars.
In vain thousands succeeded, and galloped round the flaming walls
of steel; multitudes perished under the rolling fire which, without
intermission, issued from the ranks, and at length the survivors,
in despair, fled towards the camp from whence they had issued.
Here, however, they were charged in flank by Napoleon at the head
of Dugua’s division, while those of Vial and Bon, on the extreme
left, stormed the intrenchments. The most horrible confusion now
reigned in the camp; the horsemen, driven in disorder, trampled
under foot the infantry, who, panic-struck at the rout of the
Mamelukes, on whom all their hopes were placed, abandoned their
ranks, and rushed in crowds towards the boats to escape to the
other side of the Nile. Numbers saved themselves by swimming, but a
great proportion perished in the attempt. The Mamelukes, rendered
desperate, seeing no possibility of escape in that direction, fell
upon the columns who were approaching from the right, with their
wings extended in order of attack; but they, forming square again
with inconceivable rapidity, repulsed them with great slaughter,
and drove them finally off in the direction of the Pyramids. The
intrenched camp with all its artillery, stores, and baggage fell
into the hands of the victors. Several thousands of the Mamelukes
were drowned or killed; and of the formidable array which had
appeared in such splendour in the morning, not more than 2500
escaped with Mourad Bey into Upper Egypt. The victors hardly lost
200 men in the action; and several days were occupied after it was
over in stripping the slain of their magnificent appointments, or
fishing up the rich spoils which encumbered the banks of the Nile.”
PYRENEES, BATTLE OF THE.--Fought, July 28th, 1813, between the
British army, commanded by Wellington, and the French, commanded
by Marshal Soult. The French were defeated, with great slaughter.
After the battle of Vittoria, fought, June 21st, Napoleon sent
Soult to supersede Jourdan, with instructions to drive the British
across the Ebro; a duty which he could not accomplish; for he was
obliged to retreat into France, which was entered by the British,
and he lost 20,000 men, in a series of engagements in the Pyrenees,
which separate France from Spain, from July 25th to August 2nd,
same year.
Q.
QUARTRE BRAS, BATTLE OF.--Fought, June 16th, 1815, between the
French and English. The French were commanded by Marshal Ney, and
the British by the Duke of Brunswick, the Prince of Orange, and Sir
Thomas Picton. It was fought two days before Waterloo. The British
fought, to maintain their position, with wonderful intrepidity,
notwithstanding their inferiority in number, and the fatigue of
marching all the preceding night. The gallant 42nd Regiment of
Scotch Highlanders, or the Black Watch, suffered very severely in
pursuit of a French division repulsed early in the morning, by
cuirassiers being posted in ambush behind growing corn as high
as the shoulders of the tallest men. In this battle, the Duke of
Brunswick fell, whose death is alluded to in the well-known lines
of Byron on the field of Waterloo.
QUEBEC.--Has been five times assaulted. Founded by the French
in 1605. Reduced by the English, with all Canada, in 1626, and
restored in 1632. Besieged again by the English, but without
success, in 1711, but was taken, under Wolfe, September 13th, 1759.
The following is a good account of the capture of the city, under
the immortal Wolfe. Quebec was again besieged by the American
General Montgomery, who was slain before it, December 31st, 1775,
and the siege was raised early next year. Appended is also an
account of the siege and death of the American General.
“Wolfe’s army, amounting to about 8000, was conveyed to the
vicinity of Quebec by a fleet of vessels of war and transports,
and landed, in two divisions, on the island of Orleans, on the
27th of June. The Marquis de Montcalm made vigorous preparations
for defending Quebec. His armed force consisted of about 13,000
men, of whom six battalions were regulars, and the remainder well
disciplined Canadian militia, with some cavalry and Indians. He
ranged these forces from the River St. Charles, to the Falls of
Montmorency, with the view of opposing the landing of the British.
“Wolfe first attempted the entrenchment of Montmorency, landing
his troops under cover of the fire from the ships of war, but
he was gallantly repulsed by the French. In consequence of this
repulse, he sent dispatches to England, stating that he had doubts
of being able to reduce Quebec during that campaign. His prospects,
indeed, were not encouraging: the great stronghold kept up an
incessant fire from its almost inaccessible position, bristling
with guns, defended by a superior force, and inhabited by a hostile
population. Above the city, steep banks rendered landing almost
impossible; below, the country for eight miles was embarrassed by
two rivers, many redoubts, and watchful Indians. A part of the
fleet lay above the town, the remainder in the north channel,
between the island of Orleans and Montmorency.
“Soon after this repulse, however, Wolfe roused his brave and
vigorous spirit, called a council of war, and proposed, it is
generally said, at the instigation of his second in command,
General Townsend, to gain the heights of Abraham behind and above
the city, commanding the weakest part of the fortress. The council
acceded to this daring proposal, and their heroic commander
commenced his preparations; in the meanwhile, making such active
demonstrations against Montcalm’s position, that the French still
believed it to be his main object.
“On the 11th of September, the greater part of the troops landed,
and marched up the south shore opposite Quebec,--forded the river
Etchemin--and embarked on board the men of war and transports which
lay above the town. On the 12th, the ships of war sailed nine
miles up the river, to Cap Rouge. This feint deceived Montcalm,
and he detached De Bougainville, who, with his army of reserve,
proceeded still farther up the river to prevent the English from
landing. During the night, the English troops dropped silently down
the river, with the current, in boats, and at four o’clock in the
morning began to land.
“It is surprising how the troops contrived to land, as the French
had posted sentries along the shore, to challenge boats and give
the alarm. The first boat was questioned, when Captain Donald
M‘Donald, one of Frazer’s Highlanders, who was perfectly well
acquainted with the French language and customs, answered to “_Qui
vive?_” which is their challenge, the word “_La France_”--when the
sentinel demanded “_A quel régiment?_” the captain replied, “_De
la Reine_,” which he knew by accident to be one of those commanded
by De Bougainville. The soldier took it for granted that it was an
expected convoy, and saying “_Passe_,” the boats proceeded without
further question. One of the sentries more wary than the rest,
running down to the water’s edge called out, “_Pourquoi est-ce
que vous ne parlez pas plus haut?_” to which the captain answered
in a soft tone of voice, “_Tais-toi, nous serons entendus_.” Thus
cautioned, the sentry retired, and the boats proceeded without
further altercation, and landed at the spot now celebrated as
“Wolfe’s Cove.”
“General Wolfe was one of the first on shore, and on seeing the
difficulty of ascending the precipice, observed familiarly to
Captain M‘Donald, “I don’t believe there is any possibility of
getting up, but you must do your endeavour.” Indeed the precipice
here was so steep, that there seemed no possibility of scaling it,
but the Highlanders, grasping the bushes which grew on its face
ascended the woody precipice with courage and dexterity. They
dislodged a small body of troops that defended a narrow path-way up
the bank; and a few more mounting, the General drew up the rest in
order as they arrived. With great exertion they reached the summit,
and in a short time, Wolfe had his whole army drawn up in regular
order on the plains above.
“Montcalm, struck with this unexpected movement, concluded, that
unless Wolfe could be driven from this position, Quebec was lost.
Hoping probably that only a detachment had as yet reached it,
he lost his usual prudence and forbearance, and finding that
his opponent had gained so much by hazarding all, he, with an
infatuation for which it is difficult to account, resolved to meet
the British army.
“He crossed the St. Charles on the 13th, sallying forth from a
strong fortress without field artillery--without even waiting the
return of Bougainville, who, with 2000 men, formed a corps of
observation,--before he could concentrate his forces, advanced
with haste and precipitation, and commenced a most gallant attack,
when within about 250 yards of the English line. The English
moved forward regularly, firing steadily, until within thirty or
forty yards of the French, when they gave a general volley which
did great execution. The English had only a light cannon, which
the sailors had dragged up the heights with ropes. The sabre,
therefore, and the bayonet decided the day. The agile Scotch
Highlanders, with their stout claymores, served the purposes of
cavalry, and the steady fire of the English Fusiliers compensated,
in some degree, for the want of artillery.
“The heroism of Montcalm was as conspicuous as that of his
illustrious opponent,--both headed their men,--both rushed with
eagerness where the battle raged most fiercely. Often by their
personal prowess and example did they change the fortune of the
moment. Both were repeatedly wounded, but still fought on with
enthusiasm. And, at last, both those gallant commanders fell
mortally wounded, whilst advancing to the last deadly charge at the
head of their respective columns.
“Wolfe was first wounded in the wrist. He immediately wrapped a
handkerchief round his arm, and, putting himself at the head of
his grenadiers, led them on to the charge. He was then struck with
a second ball, but still pressed on, when, just as the enemy were
about to give way, he received a third ball in the breast and
groin, and sank. When they raised him from the ground, he tried
with his faint hand to clear the death-mist from his eyes. He could
not see how the battle went, and was sinking to the earth, when
the cry “_They run!_” “_They run_;” arrested his fleeting spirit.
“_Who run?_” asked the dying hero. “_The French_,” replied his
supporter, “_they give way everywhere_.” “_What!_” said he, “_do
they run already? now God be praised; I die happy!_” and so saying,
the youthful victor breathed his last. Such was the death of Wolfe,
at the early age of thirty-five, when but few men begin even to
appear on the theatre of great events.”
DEATH OF GENERAL MONTGOMERY, ETC.
“The first Congress of what is now called “The United States,”
met in Philadelphia, on the 5th of September, 1774. It is
remarkable that one of their first objects, after obtaining their
own independence, was to attempt to seize on the country they
had assisted England to conquer. It is a singular fact that the
money, which it was endeavoured to levy upon the New Englanders
and their fellow-colonists, and which, in a great measure, caused
the rupture, was for the express purpose of defraying the great
expenses incurred by England in the capture of Canada.
Having resolved to invade Canada, the Americans entered it in the
fall of 1775, in two directions--by Lake Champlain and by the
sources of the Kennebec River. The first division, under General
Montgomery, was very successful. After obtaining possession of
Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and St. Johns, he advanced towards
Montreal. His force was very considerable, while there were but few
British soldiers in Canada. General Carleton, who succeeded General
Murray in the military command, had been repulsed at Longueuil;
so that Montgomery had only to take possession of the city, which
he did on the 19th of November. The naval force in the river, and
all the military stores and provisions, were surrendered into his
hands, and General Prescott, with the volunteers and soldiers,
became prisoners of war. Finding plenty of woollen cloth in the
city, General Montgomery took the opportunity of new-clothing his
troops, who had suffered much from the severity of the weather. The
second division of the American army, under General Arnold, reached
the St. Lawrence on the 9th of November. They had traversed,
with dreadful fatigue, the forests and swamps in the District of
Maine, and arrived at Point Levi, opposite Quebec, worn out and
dispirited. Quebec was at this time defenceless; and had General
Arnold been able to cross the river, that capital, and with it
the territory of Canada, must have passed into the hands of the
Americans. Fortunately all the shipping had been removed to the
other side, and it was not until the 14th that he was able to cross
over. He landed 500 men at Wolfe’s Cove, and waited near that place
in the hope of being joined by Montgomery from Montreal. General
Carleton, the British Governor, was at this time occupied, with
his troops near Montreal, in endeavouring to repulse Montgomery.
The latter wished to effect a junction with General Arnold, that
they might unitedly attack the fortress. Perceiving that the safety
of the country depended upon the possession of Quebec, Carleton
effected a masterly movement to reach that place. In this, he was
assisted by Captain Bouchette, R.N., who conveyed him through the
American forces by night, in a canoe with muffled paddles. He
arrived at the citadel of Quebec on the 19th, whilst the Americans
thought him busily engaged with Montgomery, near Montreal.
General Carleton’s arrival at Quebec was hailed with great joy
by the Canadians, who vied with the oldest British soldiers in
preparations for defence. The force under his command amounted to
only 1800 men. Not more than 350 were regulars--of whom 230 were
Frazer’s Highlanders, who had settled in the country, and were
re-embodied under Colonel McLean. The remainder were 450 seamen,
and a gallant band composed of Canadian militia and artificers.
The American Generals had now effected a junction of their forces,
and summoned the fortress to surrender. This was at once rejected.
After pushing the siege during the month of December, without
any prospect of success, Montgomery determined upon making a
night-attack. This intention soon became known to General Carleton,
who made every preparation to defeat the enemy. The Governor, with
the officers and gentlemen off duty, took up their quarters for
several days at the Recollet Convent, where they slept in their
clothes. During this month’s siege, the American riflemen kept up
an unintermitting fire upon the sentinels, and threw from forty
to fifty shells every night into the city. The inhabitants became
so accustomed to the occurrences of a siege that they ceased to
regard them with alarm, all joining cheerfully in bearing arms and
performing the duty of soldiers. Two strong parties were formed on
the 31st of December--one under Montgomery, the other under Arnold,
whose local knowledge of Quebec was accurate. They were to advance
from opposite sides and meet at the foot of Mountain street; then
force Prescott gate and reach the Upper Town.
The besiegers approached the city with the most careful silence,
aided by the raging of a furious storm. Advancing by the road
which winds round the face of the rock, the army was crowded
into the narrow pass which led to the gate. Notwithstanding every
precaution the confused noise of the approaching troops rose
above the conflict of the elements, and struck the watchful ear
of the outer sentinel, who, receiving no answer to his challenge,
roused the British guard. The party who defended the battery,
consisted of Canadian militia, with nine British seamen to work
the guns. They kept a close watch, and, as soon as the day broke,
discovered the troops marching in the snow. Orders were given to
make no movement; and the Americans, having halted at the distance
of fifty yards, sent forward an officer to reconnoitre. On his
return the troops marched forward with a quickness and precision
deserving the highest praise. The English then opened a tremendous
fire from the artillery which commanded the path; the groans which
succeeded plainly revealed the enemy; and it was not until every
sound in answer to their fire had died away, that they ceased
their cannonade. The enemy having retired, thirteen bodies were
found in the snow. Montgomery’s orderly sergeant, desperately
wounded, but yet alive, was found and brought into the guard-room.
On being asked if the General himself had been killed, he evaded
the question by replying that he had not seen him for some time.
This faithful sergeant died in about an hour afterwards. It was
not ascertained that the American General had been killed, until
General Carleton, anxious to learn the truth, sent to inquire if
any of the prisoners would identify the body. An officer consenting
accompanied the aide-de-camp to the “_Près de Ville_” guard, and
pointed out the body, pronouncing over it a glowing eulogium on
Montgomery’s bravery. His two aides-de-camp were also recognised
among the slain. This brave man had fought by the side of Wolfe on
the Plains of Abraham; but, marrying an American lady, the daughter
of Judge Livingston, he imbibed the politics of his father-in-law’s
family, and joined the cause of the colonists against the Mother
Country. The excellence of his qualities and disposition procured
him an uncommon share of private affection and esteem. After his
death the Continental Congress ordered a magnificent cenotaph to
be erected to his memory in St. Paul’s Church, N.Y. Thither his
remains were removed in 1818, by the desire of his widow, and with
the permission of the then British Governor, Sir John Sherbrooke.
In the meantime, Arnold, who had been repulsed at the opposite side
of the town, took the command, and attempted still to maintain his
ground; but the dispirited state of his men rendered him unable to
keep up more than an imperfect blockade at a distance of three
miles, which he at last abandoned. In the whole attack upon Quebec
the Americans lost about 100 killed and wounded, and six officers
of Arnold’s division, inclusive of the loss at _Près de Ville_. The
British had one officer and seventeen men killed and wounded. The
number of those who surrendered was 426.”
QUEENSTON.--_Upper Canada._--This town, on the River Niagara, was
taken by the United States troops in the American war of 1812,
October 13th, but was retaken by the British, who defeated the
Americans with loss. The following is a succinct account of the
battle and death of general Brock, the Hero of Upper Canada:
WAR OF 1812 AND DEATH OF GEN. BROCK.
“The American Government assembled at the Niagara frontier a force
of 6300 men; of this force, 3170 (900 of whom were regular troops)
were at Lewiston, under the command of General Van Rensselaer. In
the American reports this army is set down at 8000 strong, with
15 pieces of field ordnance. To oppose this force Major General
Brock had part of the 41st and 49th regiments, a few companies of
militia, and about 200 Indians, in all 1500 men; but so dispersed
in different posts at and between Fort Erie and Fort George, that
only a small number was available at any one point. Before daylight
on the morning of the 13th of October, a large division of General
Van Rensselaer’s army, numbering between 1300 and 1400, under
Brigadier General Wadsworth, effected a landing at the lower end of
the village of Queenston (opposite Lewiston), and made an attack
upon the position, which was defended with the most determined
bravery by the two flank companies of the 49th regiment, commanded
by Captains Dennis and Williams, aided by such of the militia
forces and Indians as could be collected in the vicinity. Captain
Dennis marched his company to the landing place opposite Lewiston,
and was soon followed by the light company of the 49th, and the few
militia who could be hastily assembled. Here the attempt of the
enemy to effect a passage, was for some time successfully resisted,
and several boats were either disabled or sunk by the fire from the
one-gun battery on the heights, and that from the masked battery,
about a mile below. Several boats also were, by the fire from this
battery, so annoyed, that falling before the landing place, they
were compelled to drop down with the current and recross to the
American side. A considerable force, however, effected a landing
some distance above, and succeeded in gaining the summit of the
mountain. No resistance could now be offered to the crossing from
Lewiston, except by the battery at Vromont’s Point, half a mile
below, and from this a steady and harassing fire was kept up, which
did considerable execution.