CHAPTER XIV.

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MONTMORENCY ABANDONED

NCE more the mysterious movements of the British caused the French to expect an attack of some imporace, but they had no idea either of the nature of 'olfe's intentions, or of the place where he intended to ake his final effort. Speculation was rife, as the following uotation shows:

"Considerable movement occured in point Levis Camp; ' also in the fleet; which made us suppose that the enemy was preparing to send some vessels above Quebec; those already above went up from St. Augustin to point aux "Trembles, whence, 'twas inferred that they designed attempting the passage of the Richelieu to go and attack our fleet; we had heard two days previously, that a ship, no matter what her draft, could easily ascend that rapid. "This caused us the greater uneasiness as one of the strongest of the contractor's frigates had the evening (( before run ashore at Grondines. Our little naval force "became by that loss, reduced to the other three of his frigates, all of which had orders to prepare to oppose the passage of the English."

In accordance with the resolution which was adopted

the scene of future operations was to be transferred to the north shore. Orders were therefore issued for the removal of the camp from Montmorency to Point Levis. This was a laborious and dangerous undertaking.

When Wolfe first occupied this position the risk of transferring the heavy pieces of cannon from Levis to Montmorency was great, but as soon as he commenced his operations in this quarter the French naturally strengthened their batteries, and they were now able to offer formidable opposition to any movement on the water. It therefore became necessary to detract the enemy's attention. Great preparations were consequently made by the fleet for an expedition above the town, and the French feared that another attack was meditated at Richelieu or in its vicinity. While all these different movements were being executed, two boats for each regiment left Levis for Montmorency at nine o'clock and the work of transfering the camp was commenced in earnest under the direction of Colonel Carleton

"Comme cette manoeuvre pouvoit n'être qu'un jeu pour tomber sur quelque partie de notre ligne si l'ennemi se "fût apperçu qu'elle eut été mal gardée, M. le Marquis de "Montcalm avoit fait prendre les armes une heure avant "le jour à toute la ligne avec ordre de border les retranchemens, chaque corps aux endroits qui lui étoient assignés. Les troupes restèrent sous les armes jusqu'à midi "que le mouvement des ennemis fut entièrement déterminé. "Leur retrait avoit été protégée par une chaîne de redoutes "sur la hauteur de leur camp, garnies de fortes gardes qui "s'embarquèrent après que toutes les troupes furent hors

“de portée d'être insultées. On se contenta de cannoner et bombarder les berges tant qu'elles furent à portée de (( nos batteries."

Several letters from Quebec were intercepted by the Rangers on this day from which it was ascertained that the Marquis de Montcalm apprehended that the British fleet would soon sail down the river with the army, and that the Canadians would be discharged from service on the 25th. A rumour was circulated in the British camp to the effect that the General intended to make a descent upon the north shore near Cape Rouge.

"The English continued to cannonade the town, directing their fire against St. Roch. We learned from deserters "from Mr. Amherst's army, that that General was disposed "to confine the operations of this compaign to repairing "Forts Carillon and St. Frederic (the latter had been totally destroyed). And on the other hand, M. Bourlamaque assured that the advantageous post he had taken "at Ile aux Noix, the intrenchments he had thrown up, "and the formidable artillery he had mounted there, placed him in a position not to fear the enemy, how(( ever numerous they might present themselves."

2nd. The work of transferring the camp from Montmorency was continued on this day. There were no less than 50 pieces of cannon there, which entailed great risk and labour. The batteries at Pointe des Pères were ordered to play against the town in the meantime to divide the attention of the enemy.

General Townshend, in his notes of the siege, gives the following particulars regarding the removal of the camp: