22 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF PRINCE' EDWARD ISLAND

We shall now follow this stupendous armament to the place of its destination and for a short time recall the reader’s attention to the events which ultimately altered the destinies, not only of Cape Breton and St. John’s Island, but likewise of the continent as well.

On the fifth day of their voyage they arrived opposite the coast of Louisburg, but owing to a dense fog that prevailed, the troops were unable to disembark until the 8th of June, when a large body of men under General Witmore effected a landing at Gabarus Bay. Here the line of coast was well fortified, the French who advanced to oppose the landing made a gallant resistance, but were, however, overcome by the military skill of the officers and daring bravery of the men.

The Artillery being landed they took their position in the rear of Louisburg, where breaching batteries were erected, and soon the bombardment of the fortresses commenced. The Lighthouse battery from its advanced position and great strength was a much desired stronghold to get possession of, and General Amherst in order to carry it, had the frigates stationed well in shore, from where on the morning of the 12th they opened fire on the batteries. Under this protection, twelve hundred men commanded by General Wolfe, left their respec- tive ships in boats and pulled rapidly ashore, being the while exposed to the fire of round shot, canister and musketry. Boats were broken, and many men were killed or drowned, but notwithstanding this, the shore was reached, and Wolfe was among the foremost to jump into the sea and lead the way through the surf and up the rocks to where the French were posted, who after some severe fighting in defence of their position, were obliged to retreat. Six line of battle-ships lay at anchor inside the harbor taking part in the defence; these Wolfe determined to engage, and the battery’s heavy 28 pound- ers were turned towards them. The French guns immediately responded from their battle-ships, but in due time four of their number were completely destroyed by the battery under General Wolfe. Of the two remaining, some boats of the fleet under the command of a captain, on a dark night rowed into the harbor and finding one of the vessels fast aground set her on fire, while the other was successfully towed out to sea as a prize for the British Tats.

While these events were in progress at the harbor, the French