The New Hampshire Gazette

Extract of a Letter from an Officer at Quebec to a Gentleman in Portsmouth, dated May 22, 1760.

Take this Opportunity to acquaint you of our Situation at Quebec. --At this present Time it is so cold that we are obliged to run to the Fire as much as in January. We marched into this Garrison near 7000 strong, but what with the Scurvy, Fluxes, Fevers, and many other Disorders, we are reduced to about 2700 Duty Men, the Remainder being either killed, wounded, or in the Hospitals. We have had nothing but Skirmishes with the French this whole Winter, and always beat them to Pieces, until the 28th of April: The 27th, the French Army, consisting of 12000 Men, appeared at Loretto, 8 Miles from Quebec, and on the 28th got to the Heights of Abraham, two Miles from the Garrison, when we marched out to give Battle that Morning, with only 3000 Men and 20 Pieces of Cannon; at 10 o'Clock the Engagement began, and lasted near an Hour, when our left Wing gave Way: They came down with such heavy Columns upon our Flanks, that it was impossible for our little Army to bear them, who was drawn up only 2 deep, and they 14. We lost 1065 Men, (Officers included) and all our Artillery; Col. Young wounded and taken Prisoner, Col. Walsh wounded, Major Huey killed, Majors Dalling, Mackeller, and Godwin wounded; the other Officers amount to near 100 killed and wounded: The French lost 1200 Men, and during the Siege 600 more. The same Day of the Engagement, the French broke Ground about 800 Yards from the Walls, but we very soon had 40 Pieces of Cannon to play on them. On Sunday the 10th Instant they opened their Batteries, consisting of one of 6 Guns, one of 4, and one of 3, with one 13 and one 10 Inch Mortar. On the 16th, in the Morning, Commodore Swinton, with the Diana and Leostaff, (himself being on board the Vanguard) made Sail up the River: Upon the Sight of these Ships, the French Frigates, being three in Number, and many other small Vessels, cut their Cables, and made Sail in order to get up to Montreal, but were so closely pursued by our Frigates that they were obliged to run themselves On Shore, and fought for three Hours, when our Frigates Crews boarded them, and set them all on Fire, except one, which was greatly below. What Stores the Frigate that remains unburnt has on board, I have not yet heard, but we imagine the most of our Artillery (which we lost the 28th ult.) is there, as they took but 6 Pieces with them. The Leostaff, in running in Shore to cut off some French Boats, struck on a Rock, and sunk to the Bottom in five Minutes Time, but no Body lost. On the 16th Instant, 21 to o'Clock at Night, the French struck their Encampment, abandoned their Trenches, and marched up into the Country: They left behind them 4 Brass Cannon, 10 Iron ditto; one 13, one 10, and four 6 Inch Mortars, besides Shot, Shells, Scaling Ladders, Petards, Intrenching Tools; in short, every Thing that was any way bulky. We now seem to be a little quiet, as we are very certain they will not attempt any Thing of a Siege this Summer. The 15th Instant Lord Colvill arrived with five Sail of the Line and one Frigate. -- We are likely now to have another Battle with them, as we are order'd to hold ourselves in Readiness to march at a Moment's Warning, where to, we have not yet heard, but the Garrison are mostly of Opinion that it is to Trois Rivieres.