“What a blow for me,” says the unfortunate commandant, “to find myself abandoned so soon by the army, which alone could defend the town!” His garrison consisted of between one and two hundred troops of the line, some four or five hundred colony troops, a considerable number of sailors, and the local militia.[798] These last were in a state of despair.  The inhabitants who, during the siege, had sought refuge in the suburb of St. Roch, had returned after the battle, and there were now twenty-six hundred women and children, with about a housand invalids and other non-combatants to be supported, though the provisions in the town, even at half rations, would hardly last a week.  Ramesay had not been informed that a good supply was left in the camps of Beauport; and when he heard at last that it was there, and sent out parties to get it, they found that the Indians and the famished country people had carried it off.

[Footnote 798:  The English returns give a total of 615 French regulars in the place besides sailors and militia.]

“Despondency,” he says again, “was complete; discouragement extreme and universal.  Murmurs and complaints against the army that had abandoned us rose to a general outcry.  I could not prevent the merchants, all of whom were officers of the town militia, from meeting at the house of M. Daine, the mayor.  There they declared for capitulating, and presented me a petition to that effect, signed by M. Daine and all the principal citizens.”

Ramesay called a council of war.  One officer alone, Piedmont, captain of artillery, was for reducing the rations still more, and holding out to the last.  All the others gave their voices for capitulation.[799] Ramesay might have yielded without dishonor; but he still held out till an event fraught with new hope took place at Jacques-Cartier.

[Footnote 799:  Copie du Conseil de Guerre term par M. de Ramesay a Quebec, 15 Sept. 1759.]

This event was the arrival of Levis.  On the afternoon of the battle Vaudreuil took one rational step; he sent a courier to Montreal to summon that able officer to his aid.[800] Levis set out at once, reached Jacques-Cartier, and found his worst fears realized.  “The great number of fugitives that I began to meet at Three Rivers prepared me for the disorder in which I found the army.  I never in my life knew the like of it.  They left everything behind in the camp at Beauport; tents, baggage, and kettles.”

[Footnote 800:  Levis a Bourlamaque, 15 Sept. 1759.  Levis, Guerre du Canada.]

He spoke his mind freely; loudly blamed the retreat, and urged Vaudreuil to march back with all speed to whence he came.[801] The Governor, stiff at ordinary times, but pliant at a crisis, welcomed the firmer mind that decided for him, consented that the troops should return, and wrote afterwards in his despatch to the Minister:  “I was much charmed to find M. de Levis disposed to march with the army towards Quebec."[802]