The Campaign of 1760 in Canada | Page 5

an instant they fell upon the
English impetuously--with thrusts of bayonets hand to hand, got
possession, like lightning, of their guns; and a ball which went through
Dalquier's body, which was already quite covered with scars of old
wounds, did not hinder him from continuing giving his orders.

Poularies, who was on the right flank of the army, with his regiment of
Royal Roussillon, and some of the Canadian militia, seeing Dalquier
stand firm, and all the troops of the centre having retired in disorder,
leaving a space between the two wings, he caused his regiment with the
Canadians to wheel to the left, in order to fall upon the left flank of the
English army, the French army extending further to their right beyond
the English left wing. The enemy no sooner perceived Poularies'
movement, than they immediately fled with precipitation and confusion,
and were so panic-stricken that not an English soldier could be rallied
by their officers, several of whom were taken prisoners. The French
troops who had retired advanced immediately, and all the French army
pursued so hotly the English, that if the cry had not been raised to halt,
it is very doubtful if they would not have got into Quebec pell-mell
with the fugitives, being near the town-gates when this cry began. Thus
Quebec would have been retaken in a most singular manner,[C]
unforeseen and unpremeditated. I know nothing worse than
ill-disciplined troops; certainly a brave militia, with its simple, ancient
way of fighting, even not drilled, is preferable to a force having a crude
notion of discipline--a science entirely neglected in Canada amongst
French regular troops; so that the French regiments there might be
looked upon as differing very little from the Canadian militia. The
method of managing militia and well-disciplined regular troops appears
to be quite as different as they differ in nature. A cool, phlegmatic,
undaunted bravery is the fruit of an excellent discipline, rendering the
soldiers capable, when repulsed, to return several times to the assault,
and rally of their own accord. But the strength and merit of the militia
resembles a hot, ardent, raging fire, that must be suffered to blaze until
it dies out of itself: it is a flash, an explosion, that often works prodigies,
and which, when stifled, there is no possibility of preventing the
immediate disorder that must ensue, nor any means of bringing it back
a second time to face the enemy.
NOTE.--The preceding winter had been employed in skirmishing
around Quebec.--(J.M.L.)
[Footnote B: Dumont's Mill.]

[Footnote C: "On the night of the eighteenth of March, two hundred
light infantry were detached from the Garrison of Quebec, with three
days' provisions, and a company of Grenadiers, marched the next day
to Lorette Church, being the place of rendezvous. The whole proceeded
to Calvaire, accompanied by a French deserter in a British uniform. In
this route they surprised an advanced post of the French, and made the
party prisoners, consisting of a corporal and nine privates; having
secured these, they pushed forward with the greatest speed, fearing that
a straggling peasant, whom they met, should mar their further views by
alarming the country. The light infantry having reached the wished for
object, which was a strong camp or entrenchment of logs and timber,
with a house detached at a small distance from it, they carried the
dwelling house With their accustomed bravery, killed four and took the
rest, being twenty in number, some of whom were wounded. The main
body of the French by this time had manned their works, which were
breast high, and environed with an abattis of wood, to the distance of
about three hundred yards, whence they fired a few random shots and
shouted as usual. Capt. McDonald, who commanded this detachment,
seeing the French advantageously situated, and perceiving their officers
very active in encouraging their men, expected a warm dispute, and
therefore made a disposition to attack them in form. As soon, however,
as the light infantry advanced to the charge, the French threw down
their arms and took to flight, when near eighty of them were made
prisoners. In the attack the English had only six wounded; but the
French lost five killed and thirteen wounded. Capt. McDonald
destroyed the post, three corn-mills, granaries, and other houses
contiguous thereto. The French prisoners were brought to Quebec,
except the wounded, who were left in charge of the peasants, with
directions to conduct them to Jacques Cartier. Near one hundred
soldiers of the English detachment were frost-bitten, and were brought
back to the garrison on sleighs. Capt. Herbin, the commanding officer,
escaped; but his watch, hat, and feather, 'fille de joie,' with a cask of
wine and case of liqueurs, were taken.
"The Governor of Quebec (General Murray) sent the Town Major to
the