ful impatience and overboiling courage than of that military
discretion which ought to distinguish a commander in such a delicate
situation; but it is more easy to censure with an appearance of reason,
than to act in such circumstances with any certainty of success.
Mr. Murray, in his letter to the secretary of state, declared, that,
although the enemy were greatly superior to him in number, yet, when he
considered that the English forces were habituated to victory, that they
were provided with a fine train of field-artillery; that, in shutting
them at once within the walls, he should have risked his whole stake on
the single chance of defending a wretched fortification; a chance which
could not be much lessened by an action in the field, though such
an action would double the chance of success: for these reasons he
determined to hazard a battle; should the event prove unprosperous, he
resolved to hold out the place to the last extremity; then to retreat to
the Isle of Orleans, or Coudres, with the remainder of the garrison,
and there wait for a reinforcement. In pursuance of these resolutions
he gave the necessary orders over night; and on the twenty-eighth day
of April, at half an hour after six in the morning, marched out with
his little army of three thousand men, which he formed on the heights
in order of battle. The right brigade, commanded by colonel Burton,
consisted of the regiments of Amherst, Anstruther, Webb, and the second
battalion of Royal Americans; the left, under colonel Fraser, was formed
of the regiments of Kennedy, Lascelles, Town-shend, and the Highlanders.
Otway's regiment, and the third battalion of Royal Americans,
constituted the corps de reserve. Major Dalling's corps of light
infantry covered the right flank; the left was secured by captain
Huzzen's company of rangers, and one hundred volunteers, under the
command of captain Donald Mac-donald; and each battalion was supplied
with two field-pieces. Brigadier Murray, having reconnoitred the enemy,
perceived their van had taken possession of the rising grounds about
three quarters of a mile in his front; but that their army was on the
march in one column. Thinking this was the critical moment to attack
them before they were formed, he advanced towards them with equal order
and expedition. They were soon driven from the heights, though not
without a warm dispute; during which the body of their army advanced
at a round pace, and formed in columns. T