The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-05-17
MEMOIR OF RHODE-ISLAND.
1855.
Military operations Of the year.

Bv THIS time Tue war, WHICH was Hiss
lighted up iu America, had spread Its flames
over great part of Europe, and even Asia,
beyond the Ganges, was not exempted from
its effects.
Mr.. Pitt was advanced to the ministry
in England and his friends came into pow
er. This change introduced new men in
to the army, of superior talents to those
whom they succeeded; from which time the
energies of the nation were directed in
manner which could not fail to rescue her
military character from the degradation in
to which it had been brought under the
preceding administration. Every thing in
Europc and America now took new turn,
confidence was every where restored, and
the Colonies looked with increased hope
for the entire conquest of Canada.
The ministry determined on the reduc-
ton of Louisburgh as the most effectual
means Of cutting off the intercourse between
France and Canada, and of securing the
trade ard fisheries to the Mother Country
as well as her American colonies. They
also determined on an expedition against
Crown Point and Fort du-Quesne. Mr..
Pitt minated his designs to the Colonies,
in a style which was calculated to bring out
their whole strength, by inspiring new
confidence in the cabinet as well as
in the military commanders Of their
selection. r. Island furnished regiment
of 1000 men for the Canada expedition, at
the sume time about 1900 more were en-
gagged in the privateer service : besides
providing for the defence of her own from
tiers.
General Amherst was appointed to the
several Governors were desired to commu-
nIcate to him from time to time, their pro-
gress in preparing for an early and vigor-
ous campaign.
While the colonies were engaged in lil-
ling up their quota, Of troops &c, the army
intended against Louisburgh sailed for A
merica. Admiral Boscnwen commanded
the naval, and General Amhurst the land
opei ations. Under General Amhurst was
Brigadier General Wolfe. All which com
manders were highly qualified for the SER
vic, as the events of the campaign fully ev-
idenced.
The flee. and army from Europe arrived
safe in America, aud on the 2Sth Of May,
the force amounting 10 $50 sail, with IA,
900 troops on board, departed from Hall
fax and arrived before Louisuigh the 2nd
day of June. The tenpestuous weather
prevented any landing of the troops for six
DAYS, which gave the enemy time to fortify
with cannon, and irtrenchme nts, all such
places that they judged possible for the
army to land. General Amhurst, on the
sth Of June. before the break of day, COM
menced the embarkatiun Of the army in
three divisions. The left, commanded by
General Wolfe, was to make the real at
tempt to land in the face Of the enemy
while the right and centre were to make
feints only, to draw the French force a,
much as possible from the real point of at.
tack. General Wolfe drove the French
from their stations and made good his land
ing, under the fire Of the ships, but not with
out a most heroic struggle and considerable,
loss, when the right and centre divisions
followed, landing ut the same place. Tn,
weather continued so bad, for a number o
days, iha; the work Of landing the artillery
stores &C., progressed but slowly, but wa
persevered in TO its accomplishment, nltbo
100 boats were lost in that service. T,
Amhurs, aud Wolfe no encouragement
were deemed insurmounts5ie by the I'D
of June the light house battery, and oil tIr
French posts in that quarter were carried
and on the 25,h the Island battery also
The French had five ships Of the line an
one or more frigaies in the harbor--the fr
from whom extremely annoyed the Engis
troops ia their approaches, which, togesht
with the bad ground they occupied, and III
courageous defence made by the besiege'
produced unavoidable delay. On the ~
Of July one Of the French ships took fir
and when she blew up, set two others on fir
all Of whom burnt to- the waters edge. Tt
accidental piece of good fortune wa. f.
lo<ed up by ,l,s Admiral, who on the mig