clothe the
naked—especially during the January frosts, is hard to determine at the
present time ; certain it
is, that the Nuns generously begged of Governor Murray, to be allowed to
provide raiment for the barelegged Sons of Caledonia.
Fraser’s Highlanders
distinguished themselves at the capture of Louisbourg,
in 1758; at the battle of Montmorency, 31st July, 1759; and at that of St.
Foyor Sillery, 28th April, 1760; a fitting tribute was rendered to their
bravery on this occasion by the Hon. P. J. O. Chauveau, at the
inauguration, in 1855, of the statue of Bellona, sent out by Prince
Napoleon to crown the monument on the celebrated battle-field.
A singular incident marked the
engagement at Carillon *
[on the 8th July, 1758, where a
Scotch Regiment suffered fearfully.
"At the battle of the Plains, the
loss of Fraser’s Highlanders amounted to three officers, one
sergeant, and fourteen rank and file, killed; ten officers, seven
sergeants.
* We read in Garneau,
respecting the battle of Carillon, on the 8th July, 1758:
"It was the right of the trench
works that was longest and most obstinately assailed; in that quarter the
combat was most sanguinary. The British Grenadiers and Highlanders there
perservered in the attack for three hours, without flinching or breaking
rank. The Highlanders above all, under Lord John Murray, covered
themselves with glory. They formed the troops confronting the Canadians,
their light and http://www.electricscotland.com/history/canada/picturesque costume distinguishing them from all other
soldiers amid the flames and smoke. The corps lost the half of its men,
and twenty-five of its officers were killed or severely wounded."
(Garneau’s History of Canada.)
"Some Highlanders taken prisoners by
the French and Canadians huddled together on the battle-field, and
expecting to be cruelly treated, looked on in mournful silence. Presently
a gigantic French officer walked up to them, and whilst exchanging in a
severe tone some remarks in French with some of his men, suddenly
addressed them in Gaelic. Surprise in the Highlanders soon turned to
positive horror. Firmly believing no Frenchman could ever speak Gaelic,
they concluded that his Satanic Majesty in person was before them—it was a
jacobite serving in the French army." (Maple leaves, 1864, p. 102.)
(2) Manuscripts published under the
auspices of the LITERARY AND HISTORICAL Society of Quebec, 1867-8.]
