Friday, September 11, 2009

Live-blogging the siege of Quebec+250 #71

Tuesday, September 11, 1759. The weather clears. Why doesn’t Wolfe launch his attack today? Apparently because, having permitted the troops to leave their cramped shipboard quarters during the bad weather, the regiments need a little time to get them back aboard. Wolfe’s orders for today focus the mechanics of that.
The troops on shore, except the light infantry and Americans, are to be upon the beach, to-morrow morning, at five o'clock, in readiness to embark. The light infantry and Americans will re-embark at, or about, eight o'clock, the detachment of artillery to be put on board the armed sloop this day. The army to hold themselves in readiness to land and attack the enemy.
The supply clerk's journal, meanwhile expresses jitters on the other side of the lines:
All the English vessels except two at Pointe-aux-Trembles have come down to Sillery. Some think they intend to return downstream. May God will it so. But I always fear some surprise.
 
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