Live-blogging the siege of Quebec+250 #68

Saturday September 8, 1759. Captain Knoxreports on the British buildup, and the response of the still-lively batteries of the city:

Wet weather, wind up the river. This morning, at daybreak, a transport cat, two sloops, and a schooner passed the town with provisions, etc. and were followed soon after by two other small vessels. They were all warmly cannonaded in their passage, and sustained some damage.

The rain pours down all day, and makes an attack impossible. Wolfe has time to think. The British plans are focussed on ground just east of Pointe-aux-Trembles, about 4 leagues or 12 miles upriver from the city. The shore is low offering lot of space for the regiments to land and form up, and once ashore they will be astride the road linking Quebec to its supply bases and to Montreal. It fits the brigadiers’ plan perfectly. But, during the rain delay, Wolfe goes downriver to reconnoiter some more.