Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

GENERAL WOLFE'S
SPEECH
TO HIS ARMY BEFORE QUEBEC
:Historical Illustrations.

On the twenty-sixth of June, 1759,
the armament destined for the inva-
sion of Canada: under the command
of Gen. Wolfe. arrived at the Island
of Orleans. formed by the branches
of the river St. Lawrence. and ex-
tending to the bason of Quebec. The
situation of this city along the base.
and the summit of a lofty rock ; was
supposed to render it on one side in-
accessible. It was protected, on the
other. by the river St. Charles. the
channel of which is rough. and bro-
ken. and its borders intersceted with
ravines. On the left bank of this
river the French army, 'amounting
to about 10,000 men. commanded by
M. de Montcalm, were posted; the
encampment extending to the river
of Montmorenci to the east. and
their rear covered with impenetra-
ble woods. Wolfe perfectly sensi-
ble that, unless the enemy could be
brought to a decisive engagement his
enterprize must prove abortive, re-
solved after some feints in vain made
to induce his able and cautious anta-
gonist to relinquish this advantage-
ous post to attack the French in their
entrenchments on the last day of Ju-
ly.

The plan of the assault. how-
ever judicious. was effectually discon-
certed by the irregular impetuosity
of the English grenadiers :and Wolfe
was compelled to retreat with consi-
derable loss. This disaster made a
deep impression on his lofty and sus-
ceptible mind. He was observed
often to sigh: and to his intimate
friends, he declared his determina-
tion to die rather than to endure the
censure and reproach which invaria-
bly attend the want of success.

An effort transcendently bold yet
remained to be tried. A plan was
formed in concert with the naval com-
mander. Admiral Saunders, for land-
ing the troops on the northern bank
of the river above the city. and by
sealing the heights hitherto deemed
inaccessible, to gain possession of the
grounds at the back of the town.
where it was but slightly fortified.
The Admiral in order to deceive the
enemy, moved up the river several
leagues beyond the spot fixed upon
for the landing: but during the night
he fell down with the stream, in or-
der to protect the disembarkment of
the troops, which was happily accom-
plished in secrecy and silence. The
precipice now remained to be ascend-
ed : and, with infinite labor and dif-
ficulty, the troops sustaining them-
themselves by the rugged projections of
the rock. and the branches of the
trees and plants which sprang from
the innumerable clefts into which it
was every where broken. they at
last obtained the summit. and imme-
diately formed in order of battle.

The intelligence being quickly con-
veyed to M. de Montcalm. that the
English army was in actual posses-
sion of the Heights of Abraham,
that commander declared himself un-
able to express his astonishment, and
immediately comprehended the neces-
sity of abandoning his strong camp,
and of risking an engagement, in or-
der to save the city. It was just be-
fore this dreadful conflict. that Wolfe
in the front of the line. is supposed
by the ingenious Aikin to have ha-
rangued his army thus:

I congratulate you, my brave coun-
trymen, and fellow-soldiers! on the
spirit and success with which you
have executed this important part of
our enterprize. The formidable
Heights of Abraham are now sur-
mounted; and the city of Quebec. the
object of all our toils. now stands in
full view before us. A perfidious en-
emy who have dared to exasperate
you by their cruelties. but not to
oppose you on equal ground, are now
constrained to face you on the open
plain. without ramparts or entrench-
ments to shelter them.

You know too well the forces
which compose their army to dread
their superior numbers. A few re-
gular troops from Old France, weak-
ened by hunger and sickness, who
when fresh. were unable to withstand
the British soldiers. are their Gene-
ral's chief dependence. Those nu-
merous companies of Canadians, in-
solent, mutinous. unsteady, and ill-
disciplined, have exercised his utmost
skill to keep them together to this
time; and as soon as their irregular
ardor is damped by one firm fire,
they will instantly turn their backs,
and give you no further trouble but
in the pursuit. As for those savage
tribes of Indians, whose horrid yells
in the forests have struck many a
bold heart with affright, terrible as
they are with a tomahawk and scalp-
ing knife to a flying and prostrate foe,
you have experienced how little their
ferocity is to be dreaded by resolute
men upon fair and open ground;
you can now only consider them as
the just objects of a severe revenge
for the unhappy fate of many slaugh-
tered countrymen.

This day puts it into your power
to terminate the fatigues of a siege
which has so long employed your
courage and patience. Possessed
with the full confidence of the cer-
tain success which British valor
must gain over such enemies, I have
led you up these steep and danger-
rous rocks; only solicitous to shew
you the foe within your reach. The
impossibility of a retreat makes no
difference in the situation of men re-
solved to conquer or die: and be-
lieve me, my friends, if your con-
quest could be bought with the blood
of your general. he would most cheer-
fully resign a life which he has long
devoted to his country."

The blood. indeed, of this heroic
commander was the dear price at
which so brilliant a victory was to
be purchased. WOLFE. who stood
conspicuous in the front of the line
received a shot in the wrist, which
wrapping a handkerchief round it,
he seemed not to notice. and conti-
nued giving orders without the least
emotion. But advancing at the head
of the grenadiers. another ball pierc-
ed his breast, and compelled him to
retire to a spot a little distance from
the field of action, where he exprest
the most eager anxiety to learn
the fate of the battle. He was af-
ter an interval of suspense, told that
the enemy were visibly broken: and
reclining. from extreme faintness,
his head on the arm of an officer
standing near him. he was in a short
time aroused with the distant sound
of. they fly! they fly! Who fly?'
exclaimed the dying hero-On being
told, the French,' Then,' said he,
I depart content;' and almost im-
mediately expired in the arms of
victory.