Litchfield enquirer., 1858-09-23
HEAD CHARTERS, Holland House.

correct account of, the movements of little army since leaving St. Johns; as also the resolution taken to storm Quebec few days after I wrote you the above mentioned letter, the army moved tn the attack. Col Arnold with about 400men, inclu- ding Capt Lamb and the major part of his company. proceeded to the east end of the Lower Town. De-
 tachments of the Ist, 2d and Sd Regiments of York
 CTS headed by Gen. Montgomery, attacked the west
 end of the Lower Town and detachment from
 Major Browns Regiment went over the Plains of A.
 braham to the front of the walls and gave the sig
 nal for the assault by throwing several sky rockets Our men were obliged to march in single file mn to
 their knees in snow and every minute numbers fell
 down by slipping on the ice. When the front led by Capt Cheesman came to the place of action.
 the rear was (as near as can judge) mile astern
 and the front could not bring than five or six to act abreast. was next to Cheesman and Was serples company obliged to stand an inactive
 spectator exposed to the fire Of cannon and musket- ry the whole time, which was, Iabelieve, about a
 quarter of an hour, owiEg to the want of room to
 advance. Our soldiers musketsfwere so wet with
 the snow, which then fell in great abundance that
 when the. attempted to fire. not one in ten would go off. In this squabble, Gen. Montgomery, Capt. Cheesman and Capt McPherson aide-decsanp were kllled with SIX or seven men, and eight wounded. One of the latter is one of my best men. retreat
 was then ordered though believe we should have
 forced our way if we had been permitted yet if we
 had we should undoubtedly have been made prison-
 ers took the rear guard in the retreat and brought of the wounded ; and how it was that the enemy
 did not cut most of Us off in retreat can't tell
 as we had advanced on the side of the bank near half mile, under their cannon, which they could
 level on us at pleasure. But believe that their att
 tenton was in great measure taken off by the at.
 tack made by Col. Arnold at the other end of the
 town. The Colonel and Major Ogden were wounded
 in the beginning and brought back but the body led
 by Capt. Lamb penetrated to the entrance of the
 town, were soon surrounded and after, fighting four
 hourS were obliged to surrender. Poor Lamb was
 wounded in the head in :wo places, but is bravely
 recovering, as we are told by Major Megs who was allowed to come out on his parole for three days--
 Full one half of our men are prisoners, with most of our best officers and why the enemy have not come out and driven us off, can't say, as they are at least four times our number. We are obliged to do mort severe duty Mine is particularly hard as am obliged to mount Captain Guard for the whole regiment no other captain being here besides myself The Canadians discouraged and stand aloof We are suffering for the want of almost every owing to the base conduct of those who are paid t supplying us with those articIes-fire.wmsl in bty tcular. Could you have an idea of our w.,.. slft situation, which no words can convey ynnr I,sS,tf would bleed for your country if not for us tn;,,i, lost and the whole army thus sacrificed to cr.,;fv a few nadmen. Oh God! what does my s..ul ,,I on account of the abuse of sacr trust And ,il the righteous cause of America receive n,nrid s,, rom the conduct of fools 1? Forbid it, Heaven Ne nad the staff in our hands all Canada was our un except t9is town the inhabitants our friends, amt .ne town our sure prey in two months at farthrxt tnat we should run the risk of destroying Amer ica only to please fools, is too much And besides, II we had taken the lower town, it could not ave been of the least advantage to us. II is wasA ell known. If ever see you again in thik ,norid 1t must be something miraculous. My sentiments of Of the late extraordinary are now just the same they were three weeks ago. say asithe hon. est soldier saidThat if 800 could carry by as- sault very strong fortified town, defended by i5OO men, it was never worth while to build strong, high walls round city. e&s
 My love and respects to all our friends and let me hear from you if possible; and may every blessing attend you and those dear to you is the ardent wish of your afectionate friend, fGERSHOM MOTT.
 P. s. Col. Arnold has the command of our troops at present-Gen. Wooster being at Montreal
 To MT. Hugh Hughes. esssl iss.