North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-02-19
ian Rights and Canadian independence.
swANToN, VT. FEBRUARY 10, 1910.
EDITED BY CANADIANS AMERICANS.


perceived AT once that the most lfymg
lime had arrived, and that many would
succsmb under despair, and thereby endan-
ger the success of the expedition. He
loresaw also that under existing circum-
stances il would be extremely difficult, il
not impossible, to retain men whose term
OF enlistment was nearly expired. Dis
content had already made it's appear
ence in the camp, and fhe soldiers begsn
TO talk openly ofre,urning 10 their fire-sidcs.
General Montgomery was reduced to
the sad alternative Of seeing his army dis
handed and the consequent failure OF the
expedition, or Of running the risk OF max
ing at once bold and energ etc attack on
the city, which miga, perhaps prove sue
cessful; as an officer Of feeling and honor,
he choose shc latter cxpedient, and deter
mined that an immediate assault should be
made on the first dark night that should
occur. The 3fst Of December was the
day fixed upon, and between four and FIVE
O'Clock in the morning the American army
began TO move, in three different columns,
to the respective posts allotted them. The
party of Canadians Under the command of
Colonel Livingston and Msjor Brown, was
TO make ieint attack on the gates of ST.
Johns and ST. Lewis. whilst Monigome-
ry and Arnold were 10 make real atta.k,
The first at Pres de TiHe,' the second al
Sauh au .Mafelott But unfortunately the
snow was SO deep that COL Livingston and
Major Brown did not arrive in due time,
and consequently the attack proved fail
ure.
The stratagem Of Col. Livingston and
Of Major Brown was, TO draw the alten-
ton Of the enemy within the walls TO the
gates Of ST. Johns and ST. Lewis, wlIiisi
Gen. Montgomery was marching rapidly,
at the head Of 900 men, nearly all Provin-
cials, of New York, TO The posts which il
was his object to storm. The battery of
Pres de TiNe was situated on the bank OF
the St. Lawrence, at the place commonly
called .ance des .Mers, Immediately under
Cape Diamond; and TO reach this place
the General had TO cross the Plains Of
Abraham, and thence descend to WolPs
Cove and proceed along the river bank.
The English had been warned by de-
serter from the American camp, 10 be on
their guard against an attack on the first
dark light.
On The evening Of the S0th Dec. as Capt.
Fraser, Of Maclean's cowardly Scotch regi-
ment, was making tour of the pickets,
he saw several signal-rocke.s thrown up
by the enemy near ST. Johns Gate; seeing
these signals repeated several times, and
finding that the weather correspondent with
the declaration Of the deserier, he did not
wait for the order of his superior officers,
but ordered the alarm TO be sounded imme-
diately. Meanwhile, the sentries between
Cape Diamond and Palace Gate, had per-
ceived, now and then, flashes OF light and
those on the Cape could see lights on the
Plains Of Abraham, having The appearance
Of lanterns, attached 10 high polrs, and
placed at intervals across the Plains. Ali
at once two rockets were seen, apparently
coming from the foot Of Cape Diamond
about Wolfe's Cove, and distinct firing
was heard in that direction.
The Canadians under Majors Brown
and Livingston, who were TO make the
attack on the gates OF 81. Johns and 81
Lewis, posted themselves behind lage hanks
OF snow, and began to FIRE on the British
guards, who reformed the fire at random,
being unable 10 see their assaiIants. The
alarm soon became general throughout the
city; bells were ringing and drums beating,
and every soldier was summoned to his
past in less than ten minutes oil within
the walls were in readiness TO repei the
enemy. Col. Msclean sent detachment
IN reinforce Cape Diamond.
The British guard ct Pres de Vile had
also seen the sigpsls Of the Americans,