quartre bras, battle of.—fought, june 16th, 1815, between the french and english. the french were commanded by marshal ney, and the british by the duke of brunswick, the prince of orange, and sir thomas picton. it was fought two days before[248] waterloo. the british fought, to maintain their position, with wonderful intrepidity, notwithstanding their inferiority in number, and the fatigue of marching all the preceding night. the gallant 42nd regiment of scotch highlanders, or the black watch, suffered very severely in pursuit of a french division repulsed early in the morning, by cuirassiers being posted in ambush behind growing corn as high as the shoulders of the tallest men. in this battle, the duke of brunswick fell, whose death is alluded to in the well-known lines of byron on the field of waterloo.
quebec.—has been five times assaulted. founded by the french in 1605. reduced by the english, with all canada, in 1626, and restored in 1632. besieged again by the english, but without success, in 1711, but was taken, under wolfe, september 13th, 1759. the following is a good account of the capture of the city, under the immortal wolfe. quebec was again besieged by the american general montgomery, who was slain before it, december 31st, 1775, and the siege was raised early next year. appended is also an account of the siege and death of the american general.
“wolfe’s army, amounting to about 8000, was conveyed to the vicinity of quebec by a fleet of vessels of war and transports, and landed, in two divisions, on the island of orleans, on the 27th of june. the marquis de montcalm made vigorous preparations for defending quebec. his armed force consisted of about 13,000 men, of whom six battalions were regulars, and the remainder well disciplined canadian militia, with some cavalry and indians. he ranged these forces from the river st. charles, to the falls of montmorency, with the view of opposing the landing of the british.
“wolfe first attempted the entrenchment of montmorency, landing his troops under cover of the fire from the ships of war, but he was gallantly repulsed by the french. in consequence of this repulse, he sent dispatches to england, stating that he had doubts of being able to reduce quebec during that campaign. his prospects, indeed, were not encouraging: the great stronghold kept up an incessant fire from its almost inaccessible position, bristling with guns, defended by a superior force, and inhabited by a hostile population. above the city, steep banks rendered landing almost impossible; below, the country for eight miles was embarrassed by two rivers, many redoubts, and watchful indians. a part of the fleet lay above the town, the remainder in the north channel, between the island of orleans and montmorency.
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“soon after this repulse, however, wolfe roused his brave and vigorous spirit, called a council of war, and proposed, it is generally said, at the instigation of his second in command, general townsend, to gain the heights of abraham behind and above the city, commanding the weakest part of the fortress. the council acceded to this daring proposal, and their heroic commander commenced his preparations; in the meanwhile, making such active demonstrations against montcalm’s position, that the french still believed it to be his main object.
“on the 11th of september, the greater part of the troops landed, and marched up the south shore opposite quebec,—forded the river etchemin—and embarked on board the men of war and transports which lay above the town. on the 12th, the ships of war sailed nine miles up the river, to cap rouge. this feint deceived montcalm, and he detached de bougainville, who, with his army of reserve, proceeded still farther up the river to prevent the english from landing. during the night, the english troops dropped silently down the river, with the current, in boats, and at four o’clock in the morning began to land.
“it is surprising how the troops contrived to land, as the french had posted sentries along the shore, to challenge boats and give the alarm. the first boat was questioned, when captain donald m‘donald, one of frazer’s highlanders, who was perfectly well acquainted with the french language and customs, answered to “qui vive?” which is their challenge, the word “la france”—when the sentinel demanded “a quel régiment?” the captain replied, “de la reine,” which he knew by accident to be one of those commanded by de bougainville. the soldier took it for granted that it was an expected convoy, and saying “passe,” the boats proceeded without further question. one of the sentries more wary than the rest, running down to the water’s edge called out, “pourquoi est-ce que vous ne parlez pas plus haut?” to which the captain answered in a soft tone of voice, “tais-toi, nous serons entendus.” thus cautioned, the sentry retired, and the boats proceeded without further altercation, and landed at the spot now celebrated as “wolfe’s cove.”
“general wolfe was one of the first on shore, and on seeing the difficulty of ascending the precipice, observed familiarly to captain m‘donald, “i don’t believe there is any possibility of getting up, but you must do your endeavour.” indeed the precipice here was so steep, that there seemed no possibility of scaling it, but the highlanders, grasping the bushes which grew on its face ascended the woody precipice[250] with courage and dexterity. they dislodged a small body of troops that defended a narrow path-way up the bank; and a few more mounting, the general drew up the rest in order as they arrived. with great exertion they reached the summit, and in a short time, wolfe had his whole army drawn up in regular order on the plains above.
“montcalm, struck with this unexpected movement, concluded, that unless wolfe could be driven from this position, quebec was lost. hoping probably that only a detachment had as yet reached it, he lost his usual prudence and forbearance, and finding that his opponent had gained so much by hazarding all, he, with an infatuation for which it is difficult to account, resolved to meet the british army.
“he crossed the st. charles on the 13th, sallying forth from a strong fortress without field artillery—without even waiting the return of bougainville, who, with 2000 men, formed a corps of observation,—before he could concentrate his forces, advanced with haste and precipitation, and commenced a most gallant attack, when within about 250 yards of the english line. the english moved forward regularly, firing steadily, until within thirty or forty yards of the french, when they gave a general volley which did great execution. the english had only a light cannon, which the sailors had dragged up the heights with ropes. the sabre, therefore, and the bayonet decided the day. the agile scotch highlanders, with their stout claymores, served the purposes of cavalry, and the steady fire of the english fusiliers compensated, in some degree, for the want of artillery.
“the heroism of montcalm was as conspicuous as that of his illustrious opponent,—both headed their men,—both rushed with eagerness where the battle raged most fiercely. often by their personal prowess and example did they change the fortune of the moment. both were repeatedly wounded, but still fought on with enthusiasm. and, at last, both those gallant commanders fell mortally wounded, whilst advancing to the last deadly charge at the head of their respective columns.
“wolfe was first wounded in the wrist. he immediately wrapped a handkerchief round his arm, and, putting himself at the head of his grenadiers, led them on to the charge. he was then struck with a second ball, but still pressed on, when, just as the enemy were about to give way, he received a third ball in the breast and groin, and sank. when they raised him from the ground, he tried with his faint hand to clear the death-mist from his eyes. he could not see how the battle went, and was sinking to the earth, when the cry “they run!” “they[251] run;” arrested his fleeting spirit. “who run?” asked the dying hero. “the french,” replied his supporter, “they give way everywhere.” “what!” said he, “do they run already? now god be praised; i die happy!” and so saying, the youthful victor breathed his last. such was the death of wolfe, at the early age of thirty-five, when but few men begin even to appear on the theatre of great events.”
death of general montgomery, etc.
“the first congress of what is now called “the united states,” met in philadelphia, on the 5th of september, 1774. it is remarkable that one of their first objects, after obtaining their own independence, was to attempt to seize on the country they had assisted england to conquer. it is a singular fact that the money, which it was endeavoured to levy upon the new englanders and their fellow-colonists, and which, in a great measure, caused the rupture, was for the express purpose of defraying the great expenses incurred by england in the capture of canada.
having resolved to invade canada, the americans entered it in the fall of 1775, in two directions—by lake champlain and by the sources of the kennebec river. the first division, under general montgomery, was very successful. after obtaining possession of ticonderoga, crown point, and st. johns, he advanced towards montreal. his force was very considerable, while there were but few british soldiers in canada. general carleton, who succeeded general murray in the military command, had been repulsed at longueuil; so that montgomery had only to take possession of the city, which he did on the 19th of november. the naval force in the river, and all the military stores and provisions, were surrendered into his hands, and general prescott, with the volunteers and soldiers, became prisoners of war. finding plenty of woollen cloth in the city, general montgomery took the opportunity of new-clothing his troops, who had suffered much from the severity of the weather. the second division of the american army, under general arnold, reached the st. lawrence on the 9th of november. they had traversed, with dreadful fatigue, the forests and swamps in the district of maine, and arrived at point levi, opposite quebec, worn out and dispirited. quebec was at this time defenceless; and had general arnold been able to cross the river, that capital, and with it the territory of canada, must have passed into the hands of the americans. fortunately[252] all the shipping had been removed to the other side, and it was not until the 14th that he was able to cross over. he landed 500 men at wolfe’s cove, and waited near that place in the hope of being joined by montgomery from montreal. general carleton, the british governor, was at this time occupied, with his troops near montreal, in endeavouring to repulse montgomery. the latter wished to effect a junction with general arnold, that they might unitedly attack the fortress. perceiving that the safety of the country depended upon the possession of quebec, carleton effected a masterly movement to reach that place. in this, he was assisted by captain bouchette, r.n., who conveyed him through the american forces by night, in a canoe with muffled paddles. he arrived at the citadel of quebec on the 19th, whilst the americans thought him busily engaged with montgomery, near montreal.
general carleton’s arrival at quebec was hailed with great joy by the canadians, who vied with the oldest british soldiers in preparations for defence. the force under his command amounted to only 1800 men. not more than 350 were regulars—of whom 230 were frazer’s highlanders, who had settled in the country, and were re-embodied under colonel mclean. the remainder were 450 seamen, and a gallant band composed of canadian militia and artificers. the american generals had now effected a junction of their forces, and summoned the fortress to surrender. this was at once rejected. after pushing the siege during the month of december, without any prospect of success, montgomery determined upon making a night-attack. this intention soon became known to general carleton, who made every preparation to defeat the enemy. the governor, with the officers and gentlemen off duty, took up their quarters for several days at the recollet convent, where they slept in their clothes. during this month’s siege, the american riflemen kept up an unintermitting fire upon the sentinels, and threw from forty to fifty shells every night into the city. the inhabitants became so accustomed to the occurrences of a siege that they ceased to regard them with alarm, all joining cheerfully in bearing arms and performing the duty of soldiers. two strong parties were formed on the 31st of december—one under montgomery, the other under arnold, whose local knowledge of quebec was accurate. they were to advance from opposite sides and meet at the foot of mountain street; then force prescott gate and reach the upper town.
the besiegers approached the city with the most careful silence, aided by the raging of a furious storm. advancing by the road which winds[253] round the face of the rock, the army was crowded into the narrow pass which led to the gate. notwithstanding every precaution the confused noise of the approaching troops rose above the conflict of the elements, and struck the watchful ear of the outer sentinel, who, receiving no answer to his challenge, roused the british guard. the party who defended the battery, consisted of canadian militia, with nine british seamen to work the guns. they kept a close watch, and, as soon as the day broke, discovered the troops marching in the snow. orders were given to make no movement; and the americans, having halted at the distance of fifty yards, sent forward an officer to reconnoitre. on his return the troops marched forward with a quickness and precision deserving the highest praise. the english then opened a tremendous fire from the artillery which commanded the path; the groans which succeeded plainly revealed the enemy; and it was not until every sound in answer to their fire had died away, that they ceased their cannonade. the enemy having retired, thirteen bodies were found in the snow. montgomery’s orderly sergeant, desperately wounded, but yet alive, was found and brought into the guard-room. on being asked if the general himself had been killed, he evaded the question by replying that he had not seen him for some time. this faithful sergeant died in about an hour afterwards. it was not ascertained that the american general had been killed, until general carleton, anxious to learn the truth, sent to inquire if any of the prisoners would identify the body. an officer consenting accompanied the aide-de-camp to the “près de ville” guard, and pointed out the body, pronouncing over it a glowing eulogium on montgomery’s bravery. his two aides-de-camp were also recognised among the slain. this brave man had fought by the side of wolfe on the plains of abraham; but, marrying an american lady, the daughter of judge livingston, he imbibed the politics of his father-in-law’s family, and joined the cause of the colonists against the mother country. the excellence of his qualities and disposition procured him an uncommon share of private affection and esteem. after his death the continental congress ordered a magnificent cenotaph to be erected to his memory in st. paul’s church, n.y. thither his remains were removed in 1818, by the desire of his widow, and with the permission of the then british governor, sir john sherbrooke. in the meantime, arnold, who had been repulsed at the opposite side of the town, took the command, and attempted still to maintain his ground; but the dispirited state of his men rendered him unable to keep up more than an imperfect blockade[254] at a distance of three miles, which he at last abandoned. in the whole attack upon quebec the americans lost about 100 killed and wounded, and six officers of arnold’s division, inclusive of the loss at près de ville. the british had one officer and seventeen men killed and wounded. the number of those who surrendered was 426.”
queenston.—upper canada.—this town, on the river niagara, was taken by the united states troops in the american war of 1812, october 13th, but was retaken by the british, who defeated the americans with loss. the following is a succinct account of the battle and death of general brock, the hero of upper canada:
war of 1812 and death of gen. brock.
“the american government assembled at the niagara frontier a force of 6300 men; of this force, 3170 (900 of whom were regular troops) were at lewiston, under the command of general van rensselaer. in the american reports this army is set down at 8000 strong, with 15 pieces of field ordnance. to oppose this force major general brock had part of the 41st and 49th regiments, a few companies of militia, and about 200 indians, in all 1500 men; but so dispersed in different posts at and between fort erie and fort george, that only a small number was available at any one point. before daylight on the morning of the 13th of october, a large division of general van rensselaer’s army, numbering between 1300 and 1400, under brigadier general wadsworth, effected a landing at the lower end of the village of queenston (opposite lewiston), and made an attack upon the position, which was defended with the most determined bravery by the two flank companies of the 49th regiment, commanded by captains dennis and williams, aided by such of the militia forces and indians as could be collected in the vicinity. captain dennis marched his company to the landing place opposite lewiston, and was soon followed by the light company of the 49th, and the few militia who could be hastily assembled. here the attempt of the enemy to effect a passage, was for some time successfully resisted, and several boats were either disabled or sunk by the fire from the one-gun battery on the heights, and that from the masked battery, about a mile below. several boats also were, by the fire from this battery, so annoyed, that falling before the landing place, they were compelled to drop down with the current and recross to the american side. a considerable force, however, effected a landing some distance above, and succeeded in gaining the[255] summit of the mountain. no resistance could now be offered to the crossing from lewiston, except by the battery at vromont’s point, half a mile below, and from this a steady and harassing fire was kept up, which did considerable execution.
at this juncture sir isaac brock arrived. he had for days suspected this invasion, and on the preceding evening he called his staff together and gave to each the necessary instructions. agreeable to his usual custom he rose before daylight, and hearing the cannonade, awoke major glegg, and called for his horse alfred, which sir james craig had presented to him. he then galloped eagerly from fort george to the scene of action, and with two aides-de-camp passed up the hill at full gallop in front of the light company, under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry from the american shore. on reaching the 18-pounder battery at the top of the hill, they dismounted and took a view of passing events, which at that moment appeared highly favourable. but in a few minutes a firing was heard, which proceeded from a strong detachment of american regulars under captain wool, who, as just stated, had succeeded in gaining the brow of the heights in rear of the battery, by a fisherman’s path up the rocks, which being reported as impossible, was not guarded. sir isaac brock and his aides-de-camp had not even time to remount, but were obliged to retire precipitately with the twelve men stationed in the battery, which was quickly occupied by the enemy. captain wool having sent forward about 150 regulars, captain williams’ detachment of about 100 men advanced to meet them, personally directed by the general, who, observing the enemy waver, ordered a charge, which was promptly executed; but as the americans gave way, the result was not equal to his expectations. captain wool sent a reinforcement to his regulars, notwithstanding which, the whole was driven to the edge of the bank. here some of the american officers were on the point of hoisting a white flag with an intention to surrender, when captain wool tore it off and reanimated his dispirited troops. they now opened a heavy fire of musketry, and, conspicuous from his cross, his height, and the enthusiasm with which he animated his little band, the british commander was soon singled out, and he fell about an hour after his arrival.
the fatal bullet entered his right breast, and passed through his left side. he had but that instant said, “push on the york volunteers!” and he lived only long enough to request that his fall might not be noticed, or prevent the advance of his brave troops, adding a wish which could not be distinctly understood, that some token of remembrance should be transmitted[256] to his sister. he died unmarried, and on the same day, a week previously, he had completed his 43rd year. the lifeless corpse was immediately conveyed into a house close by, where it remained until the afternoon, unperceived by the enemy. his provincial aide-de-camp, lieutenant colonel mcdonell, of the militia, and the attorney general of upper canada, a fine promising young man, was mortally wounded soon after his chief, and died the next day, at the early age of twenty-five years. although one bullet had passed through his body, and he was wounded in four places, yet he survived twenty hours, and during a period of excruciating agony his thoughts and words were constantly occupied with lamentations for his deceased commander and friend. he fell, while gallantly charging up the hill, with 190 men, chiefly york volunteers, by which charge the enemy was compelled to spike the 18-pounder in the battery there.
the battle of queenston heights.
at this time, about two in the afternoon, the whole british and indian force thus assembled was about 1000 men, of whom 600 were regulars. in numbers the americans were about equal—courage they had, but they wanted the confidence and discipline of british soldiers. after carefully reconnoitering, general sheaffe, who had arrived from fort george, and who had now assumed the command, commenced the attack by an advance of his left flank, composed of the light company of the 41st, under lieutenant mcintyre, supported by a body of militia and indians. after a volley, the bayonet was resorted to, and the american right driven in. the main body now advanced under cover of the fire from the two 3-pounders, and after a short conflict forced the americans over the first ridge of the heights to the road loading from queenston to the falls. the fight was maintained on both sides with courage truly heroic. the british regulars and militia charged in rapid succession, until they succeeded in turning the left flank of the enemy’s column, which rested on the summit of the hill. the americans who attempted to escape into the woods were quickly driven back by the indians; and many cut off in their return to the main body, and terrified by the sight of these exasperated warriors, flung themselves wildly over the cliffs, and endeavoured to cling to the bushes which grew upon them; but some, losing their hold, were dashed frightfully on the rocks beneath; while others, who reached the river, perished in their attempts to swim across it. the event of the day no longer appeared doubtful.
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major-general van rensselaer, commanding the american army, perceiving his reinforcements embarking very slowly, recrossed the river to accelerate their movements; but, to his utter astonishment, he found that at the very moment when their services were most required, the ardour of the unengaged troops had entirely subsided. he rode in all directions through the camp, urging his men by every consideration, to pass over. lieutenant-colonel bloome, who had been wounded in the action and recrossed the river, together with judge peck, who happened to be in lewiston at the time, mounted their horses and rode through the camp, exhorting the companies to proceed, but all in vain. crowds of the united states militia remained on the american bank of the river, to which they had not been marched in any order, but ran as a mob; not one of them would cross. they had seen the wounded recrossing, they had seen the indians; and they had seen the “green tigers,” as they called the 49th, from their green facings, and were panic struck. there were those to be found in the american ranks who, at this critical juncture, could talk of the constitution, and the right of the militia to refuse crossing the imaginary line which separates the two countries. general van rensselaer having found that it was impossible to urge a single man to cross the river to reinforce the army on the heights, and that army having nearly expended its ammunition, boats were immediately sent to cover their retreat; but a desultory fire which was maintained upon the ferry from a battery on the bank at the lower end of queenston, completely dispersed the boats, and many of the boatmen relanded and fled in dismay. brigadier-general wadsworth was, therefore, compelled, after a vigorous conflict had been maintained for some time upon both sides, to surrender himself, all his officers, and 900 men, between three and four o’clock in the afternoon. the loss of the british army was 16 killed and 69 wounded; while that on the side of the americans was not less than 900 men, made prisoners, and one gun and two colours taken, and 90 killed and about 100 wounded. but amongst the killed of the british army, the government and the country had to deplore the loss of one of their bravest and most zealous generals, in sir isaac brock, and one whose memory will long live in the warmest affections of every canadian and british subject. the country had also to deplore the loss of the eminent services and talents of lieutenant-colonel mcdonell, whose gallantry and merit rendered him worthy of his chief.
the gratitude of the people of canada to the memory of brock was manifested in an enduring form. they desired to perpetuate the[258] memory of the hero who had been the instrument of their deliverance, and they were not slow in executing their design; and whilst his noble deeds were still fresh in the memory of all, the provincial legislature erected a lofty column on the queenston heights, near the spot where he fell. the height of the monument, from the base to the summit, was 135 feet; and from the level of the niagara river, which runs nearly under it, 485 feet. the monument was a tuscan column, on rustic pedestal with a pedestal for a statue; the diameter of the base of the column was 17? feet and the abacus of the capital was surmounted by an iron railing. the centre shaft, containing the spiral staircase, was 10 feet in diameter.
on good friday, the 17th of april, 1840, a vagabond of the name of lett, introduced a quantity of gunpowder into the monument with the fiendish purpose of destroying it, and the explosion, effected by a train, caused so much damage us to render the column altogether irreparable. lett had been compelled to fly into the united states for his share in the rebellion of 1837, and well knowing the feeling of attachment to the name and memory of general brock, which pervaded all classes of canadians, he sought to gratify his malicious and vindictive spirit, and at the same time to wound and insult the people of canada by this atrocious deed.
he afterward met with some meed of his deserts in the state prison at auburn, new york.
after the first monument had remained in the dilapidated condition, to which it was reduced, for some years, a new and beautiful column was a short time ago raised on its site. it is thus described: “upon the solid rock is built a foundation 40 feet square and 10 feet thick of massive stone; upon this, the structure stands in a grooved plinth or sub-basement 38 feet square and 27 feet in height, and has an eastern entrance by a massive oak door and bronze pateras, forming two galleries to the interior 114 feet in extent, round the inner pedestal on the north and south sides of which, in vaults under the ground floor, are deposited the remains of general brock, and those of his aide-de-camp, colonel mcdonell, in massive stone sarcophagi. on the exterior angles of the sub-basement are placed lions rampant 7 feet in height, supporting shields with the armorial bearings of the hero: the column is of the roman composite order, 95 feet in height, a fluted shaft, 10 feet diameter at the base; the loftiest column known of this style; the lower part enriched with laurel leaves, and the flutes terminating on the base with palms.”
the height from the ground to the top of the statue is 190 feet,[259] exceeding that of any monumental column, ancient or modern, known, with the exception of that on fish-street hill, london, england, by sir christopher wren, architect, in commemoration of the great fire of 1666, 202 feet high, which exceeds it in height by 12 feet.”
quesnoy, battle of.—fought, september 11th, 1773, between the french and british, in which the british were defeated, with some loss. taken by the austrians in 1793, but recovered by the french the following year. it surrendered to prince frederick of the netherlands, after the battle of waterloo.
quiberon bay.—a british force landed here in 1736, and was repulsed. in this bay admiral hawke gained a complete victory over the french, under conflans. this most perilous and important action defeated the french invasion, november 10th 1758. taken by some french regiments in pay of the british, july 3rd, 1795; but on july 21st, retaken by the french republicans. about 900 of the troops and near 1500 royalist inhabitants effected their escape on board the ships.
