Читать книгу Documents Relating to the Constitutional History of Canada 1759-1791, Part I - Adam Shortt - Страница 112

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Mr. Francis Russell, Chief Surgeon.
Mr. Field	} Mates.
Mr. Mabane
N-Be Mr. Zachariah Flitner, Provost Martial.
Benjamin Gable — Hangman.

2. State of The Fortifications. — Quebec. The natural situation of the ground which the present front of the fortification is built upon towards the land, is very disadvantageous. Cape Diamond is nearest the River S^t Laurence, and is likewise the highest ground, from whence there is a continued slope, sometimes very quick, toward the River S^t Charles, in consequence of which the walls not being built upon a level, but humouring the nature of the ground, the flanks of the Bastions cannot defend their opposite faces in a proper manner, for the flanks of the higher Bastions, must fire below the horizontal line, as the flanks of the lower ones must throw theirs above it. To remedy this defect, the French built two Counter guards or Fausse-brays with Casemated flanks, before the right face and flanks of Laglaciere Bastion, and the left face and flank of Bastion S^t Louis; this however introduced another inconvenience, of which they appeared sensible when Mons^r de Levis besieged the Town in 1760, as He directed his fire to this place, which had such an effect, the rubbish of the Wall filling the Counter guard, and that from the lower the ditch, that an easy ascent might have been very soon made to the breach.

The high grounds before Cape Diamond and Laglaciere Bastions command all the lower fortifications toward the River S^t Charles, and batteries for battering in breach may be erected at any distance, as the walls are high and seen in many places to the bottom of the Ditch, there being no covered way or outworks and even the counterscarp wall not well finished, neither can a covered way be constructed, but at a great expense, on account of the scarcity of Earth and irregularity of the ground, besides that it must be crowded with traverses to prevent its being enfiladed.

To make up in some measure the want of outworks, in the Winter 1759, I erected a line of Blockhouses within musquet shot of the capital wall to secure the body of the place against surprises, such outworks are proof against Musquetry only.

The Walls are built of an irregular unwrought stone and in many places the work is very badly executed as was sufficiently visible from the effect of the fire from the French batteries in 1760.

The Gates are ill placed and not defended. S^t Louis Gate is so near the right face of the Bastion of the same name, that it is beneath its fire, and the opposite flank can have but very little fire on it, that of S^t Johns has the same fault, being too near the left flank of S^t Johns Bastion.

The Palace gate is not much better constructed, and in general this whole front of the place, which indeed is the only fortified one, is enfiladed from the other side of the River S^t Charles.

The Wall from Bastion Lapotasse to Palace gate, is pierced with loop holes, and is good in its kind. The Barracks which are built against it being also provided with loop holes serve as a second fire. This Wall is continued to K and is built upon a Rock.

From K to L is a very bad stockade on the top of an accessible rock, with one small stockaded place of arms. This is the part of the Town most exposed to a coup de main.

From L to T there is a high Wall with a wooden gallery behind it, to serve as a banquette, and beneath it is a sally port to communicate with the lower Town.

From T to the saut au Matelot is a wall begun but carried no higher than Man is able to step upon it, there are some plat-forms for Cannon and Mortars. From M to M (sic) is the Royal Battery commanding the River S^t Laurence and built upon an inaccessible rock adjoining to the Bishop's palace, part of which was taken in during the late siege to defend the communication from the lower to the higher Town, which was also defended by some Cannon planted at O.

From O to P takes in Fort S^t Louis and a nine gun battery; it is by nature inaccessible except two small paths shewn in the plan. Fort S^t Louis is of no defense being the remains of the earliest fortifications erected there.

From P to Q the Citadel or Redoubt of Cape Diamond, is a quick or rather steep ascent, defended by a stockade only. Betwixt this Redoubt and the Bastions of La Glaciere and Cape Diamond is a commanding grownd overlooking the whole Town and Fortifications. This grownd I judge very proper for the construction of a Citadel.

From Q to R the same sort of stockade is continued, and from R to Cape Diamond there is a Wall with loop-holes, defended by two small flanks with Cannon. The rocky hill under these parts is very high, but accessible and in many places cover'd with brush, by the help of which small parties might advance to the very stockades.

The lower Town is only cover'd by a Stockade and some batteries; The Batteries marked q are to defend the road and annoy the shipping in passing the Town. The Batteries t, are for the same purpose. They serve likewise to flank the lower Town and the other Batteries.

From the above report and annexed Plan^[10] it appears that the Enceinte of Quebec is very large and would require a very strong Garrison to defend it tho properly fortified ... That at present it is open on two sides, has no out works not even a cover'd way nor hardly a ditch, for the foot of rotten walls is to be seen from most of the Environs at the distance of 500 Yards. That the whole Rampart is enfiladed from the other side of the River S^t Charles, and that in its present situation, with a Garrison of 3,000 Men it is not proof against a well conducted Coup de Main. Any temporary works that can be added, would be of little signification, as matters now stand; and to fortify the place upon the old plans is by no means adviseable, the situation never can be render'd strong, and the attempt must cost an immense sum ... I therefore am of opinion that if His Majesty shall think proper to be at the expense of strengthening Quebec, the most effectual method will be to erect upon the rising ground of Cape Diamond, a Citadel which will answer every purpose of the Towns being strongly fortified, may be defended 4 months at least by a small garrison, awe the Inhabitants, whose fidelity in case of an attack we cannot for some Years rely on, and secure our Magazines. The Ground I propose for this Citadel commands the whole Town and is commanded no where from the Country; in short it possesses every advantages to be wished for, and at a small expense may be fortified, as the Inhabitants of the Country and the Troops in the time of peace may contribute their labor towards it gratis; to this the former can have no objection as they were on all occasions formerly liable to Military services and were all allow'd only provisions.

I order'd Captain Holland to take an accurate survey of the ground and have the honor herewith to transmit the several plans he has drawn in consequence.

I cannot slip the opportunity of recommending this Gentleman to Your Lordship's notice — He came to this Country in 1756, and ever since the siege of Louisbourg I have been myself a witness of his unwearied endeavors for the King's service, in a word, He is an industrious brave Officer, and an intelligent Engineer, in which capacity he would be desirous, and deservedly merits to be advanced.