Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-10-29
GENERAL VOLTS
SPEECH
To HIS ARMY BEFORE QUEBEC.
Hys4,srciL ILLus4RzTIoFs.

the armament destined for the inva-
sion Of Canada, under the command
Of Gen. Wolfe. arrived at the Island
ef Orleans. formed by the branches
ef the river ST. Lawrence. and ex-
tending 10 the basen Of Quebec. The
situation Of this city along tie base.
and the summit of lofty rock; was
supposed TO render it on enc side IN
accessible. TWAS protected. on the
other. by the river st. Charles. the
channel of which is rough. and bro
ken. and is Borders intersccted with
rayines. On the left bank OF this
river the French army, amounting
to about 10000 men. commanded BY
NJ. de MontcaIm, were posted; the
eneampment extending t" the river
| of Montmorenci to the east ana
their rear covered with imneneira-
Bile woods. Wolfe perfectly sehI-
! Bile that. unless the enemy ccG'a re
brought to decisive engagement his
| enterprise must prove aboFti'e. pc
solyed, aiiersoine feints in vain made
| 70 induce his able and cautious anita
yonisis to relinqH:sh this advantage
Gus post to attacl< the French in 'heir
| entertainments OF the last daFot Jn-
". The plan OF the assault. howe
yer iHdiciaus. was efftu!uali.y diScon-
cer:cd by Ike irregular impetgesI;y
ofthe English grenatiiers ;aad Wolfe
| was compelled TO retreat With consi-
dera5Ie loss. This disaster made
deep impression on his lofty and sus-
! cepti1ie mind. He was observed
| often to sigh and TO his intimate
| friends. he declared his determine
| lion to die rather than to endure the
censure and reproach which inYaria-
b!y attend the want of Success.
An effort transcendently bold yet
! remained to be tried. 4 plan was
formed in concert with the naval COM
mander. Admiral Saunders, for land
ing the troops on the northern bank
OF the river above the city. and by
sealing the heights hitherto deemed
inaccessible, to gain possession ofthe
grounds at the back Of the town.
where it was hut slightly fortified.
The Admiral in order to deceive the
enemy, moved up the river several
leagues beyond the spot fixed upon
forthc !aDtiins; but during the night
he fell. down with The stream. in or
der to protect the disembark:nent Of
tie troops, which was happily accom-
plished in secrecy and silence. HE
| preeiyiee now remained to he ascend
Ell {: and. with infinite labor and diff
fcul,y, the troop. .us aiming them
selves by the rugged projections of
the rock. and the branches OF the
| trees and plants which sprang from
| the innupeIahie cleiis into which it
was every where broken. they at
last obtained The summit. and imme-
Giaiciy formed in order OF battle.
The intelligence being quickly con-
yc.ed 10 Nj. de Aisnira,,... ;,ia: the
GnSlisi! array was in actual posses
sion of the Heights OF Abraham,
thatcoG,Elan,irr declared himself an
able to express his advertisement, and
immediatelycomnrehendedl heneces-
SHY OF abandoning his strcag camp,
and ct ri,tips an engagement. IN or
der 10 save he city. II W2s lust be-
fore this dreadful conflict, tina. " o!fr
in the front Of the line. IS supposed
by The ingenious Akin to have ha-
rsngued his army thus:
I congratulate van, N. brave coun-
trymeB, and fellow soldiers! on the
spirit and success with witch you
have executed this important part OF
car enterprise. The forlpis|ahle
Heights Of Abraham are now sur
mounted; and the city Of Quebec. the
Object Of ali cur tolls, bow stands in
full view before us. A perfit:ious en-
envy Who have dared 10 exasperate
yen by their erueities. but M: to
oppose you On equal ground, are now
constrained to face you ca the open
plain. without To mDarts or entrench-
men;s 10 shelter them.
" iOu know too we'll The forces
which compose their army to dread
their superior numbers. A few re-
ga!ar troops from Old France, weak
eaed by hunger and sickness. who
when fresh. were unas!sto withstand
the British soldiers, are iheir Gene
rails chief dependence. Those nu-
rnarans ron, nn.i,S nf. (,ana lianS L.,