Dear Sir,

I make no Doubt but General Montgomery acquainted you with his Intention of storming Quebec as soon as a good Oppertunity offered. ー As we had several Men deserted from us a few Days past, the General was induced to alter his plan which was to have attacked the upper and lower Town at the same Time he thought it most prudent to make two different Attacks upon the lower Town the one at Cape Diamond the other thro' St. Rocks [St. Roch]. For the last Attack I was ordered with my own Detachment and Capt [John] Lamb's Company of Artillery ー At five O'Clock the Hour appointed for the attacks ー a false Attack was ordered: to be made upon the upper Town, we accordingly began our March I passed thro St Rocks and approached near a two Gun Battery picketted in without being discovered, which we attacked, it was bravely defended for about an Hour but with the Loss of a Number of Men we carried it ー In the Attack I was shot through the Leg and was obliged to be carried to the Hospital; where I soon heard the disagreeable News that the General was defeated at Cape Diamond ー Himself Capt [John] McPherson his Aid de Camp and Capt [Jacob] Cheeseman killed on the Spot with a Number of others not known ー After gaining the Battery my Detachment pushed on to a second Barrier, which they took possession of, at the same Time the Enemy sallied out from palace Gate and attacked them in the Rear ー A Field piece which the Roughness of the Road would not permit our carrying on, fell into the Enemy's Hands, with a Number of prisoners; The last Account from my Detachment about ten Minutes since they were pushing for the lower Town ー Their Communication with me was cut off ー I am exceedingly apprehensiye what the Event will be ー They will either carry the lower Town ー be made prisoners or cut to pieces ー I thought proper to send an Express to let you know the critical Situation we are in and make no Doubt you will give us all the Assistance in your power ー As I am not able to act I shall give up the Command to Col [Donald] Campbell ー I beg you will immediately send an Express to the Honble Continental Congress and his Excellency General Washington ー The Loss of my Detachment before I left it was about twenty Men killed and wounded ー Among the latter is Major [Matthias] Ogden who with Capt Oswald, Captn Burr, and the other Volunteers behaved extremely well ー I have only time to add that I am with the greatest Esteem [&c.]

P S It is impossible to say what our future operations will be until we know the Fate of my Detachment