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1759]

WOLFE'S ATTACK ON QUEBEC.

177

chance of success, and for a brave man like Wolfe this was enough.

The plan was carefully kept secret, and the night following September 13th was set apart for carrying it into execu tion. An hour after midnight, the English forces floated down with the tide to the appointed spot. Having silently landed, they commenced the difficult ascent, supporting them

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed]

selves by the boughs and shrubs that skirted the narrow path. The Canadian guard on the summit gave way after a few shots; the road to Quebec was gained; and, when day

the attack? Give an account of the landing. What followed? 254. How did Mont

dawned, Wolfe and his army, inspirited by their success, stood on the Plains of Abraham.

254. Montcalm could hardly believe the tidings, yet hastened to meet the enemy, summoning to his support the detachments stationed at different points to guard the heights. He had but 2,000 regulars; the rest of his army consisted of brave but inexperienced Canadians. The French general began the attack. His charge was gallantly received by the English, who reserved their fire till his men were within 40 yards. Before their deadly discharge, the undisciplined Canadians gave way in confusion, and all Montcalm's efforts could not rally them. At this critical point, Wolfe decided the fortune of the day by a well-timed charge with the bayonet. The French on all sides fled. At the moment of victory, Wolfe, already twice wounded, received a third ball in his breast. An officer stood near "Support me," cried Wolfe, “let not my brave fellows see me drop." He was carried to the rear; it was plain that his last hour had come. "They run! they run!" exclaimed the officer who supported him. “Who run?" asked Wolfe, awaking from the lethargy of death. "The French-they give way everywhere." The spirit of the hero was roused as he gave his last commands; then sinking back, he exclaimed, "Now, God be praised, I die happy!" And so he perished, having gained the proudest victory yet won by English arms in the new world.

Montcalm, who had conducted himself with equal gallantry, met with a fate hardly less glorious. Everywhere present in the thickest of the fight, he did all that mortal could do to redeem the day; but for once fortune deserted him. Twice he was wounded, the last time mortally. "Death is certain," said the surgeon, 66 you have but ten or twelve hours to live." "I am glad to hear it," gasped Montcalm; "I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec." He died the

calm receive the news? Of what did his army consist? Give an account of Montcalm's charge. How did Wolfe decide the fortune of the day? What took place at the moment of victory? Describe Wolfe's death-scene. How did Montcalm conduct himself? What befell him? What appeal did he make to the English commander? What marks

1759]

CAMPAIGN OF 1760.

179

next morning, after hav-an
ing written to the Eng- ROBAL
lish commander, to solicited
his clemency towards the d
French prisoners. A mon-
ument raised by the Eng-
lish and generously in-
scribed with the names
of both leaders, marks
the scene of this great
battle.

255. Montcalm in his last hours suggested to his successor the concen

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tration of the French forces and a vigorous attack on the English before they should intrench themselves. But he left behind him no one able or willing to make the attempt. On the 17th of September, Quebec surrendered. The news was received with exultation throughout England and America. The remains of the French army assembled at Montreal. Early in the following year they attempted to recapture Quebec; but, after gaining some advantages, they were obliged to retire before a British fleet sent by Pitt to the relief of the city.

256. On the 7th of September, 1760, Amherst, having united his forces to complete the reduction of New France, appeared before Montreal. The officer in command immediately surrendered not only the city itself, but the whole of Canada, together with Detroit and Mackinaw.

257. Meanwhile, difficulties had arisen in the south with the Cherokees [see Map, p. 10]. They had been faithful friends and allies of the English, and would have so continued had it not been for the course of Governor Lyttleton of South

the scene of this great battle? 255. What suggestion was made by Montcalm to his successor? Why was it not acted on? When did Quebec surrender? How was the news received in England and America? Where did the remains of the French army assemble? What did they attempt the next year? With what success did they meet? 256. What movement was made by Amherst in the fall of 1760? 257. Meanwhile, where had difficulties arisen? [See Map, p. 10.-Where did the Cherokees live?] How were

Carolina. By unjustly imprisoning some of their chiefs, whc had come at his own invitation to explain misunderstandings and ratify a firmer friendship, he excited the indignation of the outraged Red Men, and brought on an Indian war with all its horrors.

In April, 1760, Colonel Montgomery, with 1,900 men, among whom were those gallant sons of Carolina, Moultrie mole'-tre], and Mar'-i-on, was sent against the Cherokees. After pillaging and burning a number of their villages, Montgomery was led into an ambuscade, by which twenty of his men were cut off, and he himself was so alarmed that he beat a precipitate retreat. Fort Loudoun, a frontier stronghold, which was besieged by the Indians but had held out in the hope of relief from Montgomery, soon capitulated. Twenty-three privates and four officers were killed, in retaliation for a similar number of murders by the English; and the rest, nearly two hundred in number, were distributed as slaves among the various tribes.

An anecdote illustrating the strength of Indian friendship is worthy of relation here. Among the prisoners taken at Fort Loudoun, was a trader named Stuart, to whom a chief called Little Carpenter was strongly attached. After giving all he possessed to ransom his friend and finding there was still danger, the faithful Cherokee took Stuart into the woods as if for the purpose of hunting, and led him for nine days. through mountain forests till he found Englishmen to whom he could deliver him in safety.

Montgomery had seen enough of Indian warfare; and, despite the remonstrances of the Carolinians, he set sail for the north, and thence for England. He afterwards had a seat in Parliament, where he showed himself an enemy to both liberty and America.

these troubles occasioned? What was done in April, 1760? Give an account of Mont gomery's expedition. What was the fate of Fort Loudoun and its garrison? What story is told, to illustrate the strength of Indian friendship? What was Montgomery's noxi novement? In what body did he afterwards appear?

1763]

PONTIAC'S WAR.

181

CHAPTER XXXIV.

PONTIAC'S WAR.

258. ENGLAND and France, having exhausted their re sources, concluded a peace at Paris, February 10, 1763. England had lost thousands of brave men and added £50,000,000 to her national debt; but she had gained much in the new world. Nearly the whole of North America was now in her possession. Her sway extended from the frozen north to Florida, and from ocean to ocean.

259. When the English began to follow up their victories in Canada by taking possession of the French posts in the west, the Indians regarded them with aversion and alarm. These feelings were heightened by the injustice and contempt with which they were too often treated. At last Pontiac, a brave and eloquent Ottawa, who, with his northern braves, had contributed to the defeat of Braddock, effected in 1763 a union between his own people, the Chippeways, Miamis, Shawnees, Delawares, and other tribes, for the extermination of the English throughout the whole western country. The plot was kept secret, and no suspicion of danger was entertained. Trader, farmer, and soldier had alike laid aside their arms, in the fond belief that war had ceased. Their security proved fatal. Prowling savages gathered round the forts and settlements. A simultaneous attack was made, and nine British garrisons were surprised in a single day. More than a hundred traders were massacred, and 20,000 persons in western Virginia were driven from their homes by fear of the scalping-knife.

260. At Mackinaw, a number of warriors united in an exciting game of ball, while the garrison lounged about wit

258. Where and when was peace made between England and France? What had England lost and gained by the war? 259. How did the western Indians feel towards the English? How was their dislike heightened? Who formed a combination for exterminating the English? In what year? Who was Pontiac? [See Map, p. 10.-Where did the Ottawas live?] What was the state of things at the English posts? Give an account of the massacre. What took place in Western Virginia? 260. What took place

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