This valuable possession was restored to France by the treaty of Aix-la- chapelle, in 1748, -and was attacked a second time by the British in 1758. About 12,000 men were destined again to undertake the siege of Fort Louisbourg. General Amherst being joined by admi ral Boscawen with the fleet and forces from England, the armament. sailed from Halifax on the 28th of May, and on the 2d of June part of the transports anchored in Gabarus Bay, a few miles to the westward of Louis bourg. The garrison of that town, commanded by che valier Drucour, consisted of nearly 3000 men. The harbour was guarded by six ships of the line and two frigates ; three ships were sunk across its mouth, in or der to render it inaccessible to the English navy ; but the fortifications were in bad repair, and no part of the town was secure from the effects of bombardment. The governor had taken every possible precaution to prevent a landing, by establishing a chain of posts for sonic leagues along the most accessible parts of the beach, by forming entrenchments, and erecting batteries ; but some intermediate places could not be fully guarded, of which the British commander resolved to avail himself.
The troops destined to make the attack, under the command of the immortal Wolfe, having been driven from their first landing point by a masked battery, which the French opened upon them with a most destructive fire, he espied a rock at no great distance, which had always been deemed inaccessible. Thither he directed
major Scott to repair, and if possible gain possession of it, while he himself was employed in reimbarking his troops. That officer instantly carried his men to the spot ; but his own boat sinking at the very moment that he was stepping out, he boldly climbed the rock alone. With the utmost danger and difficulty he reached the summit, and was followed by ten of his men. He was instantly attacked by sixty Frenchmen and ten Indians, and saw two of his men killed, and three mortally wound ed. With the remaining fire he gallantly maintained his ground, under cover of a thicket, till his brave com panions, regardless of danger, came up to his relief, and put him in possession of that important post. As soon as it was gained, the other troops leaped into the water with the utmost alacrity, and reachingthe shore, attack ed the enemy with such impetuosity in all quarters, that they soon abandoned their artillery, and fled in the ut most confusion. The British stores and artillery were then landed, and the town of Louisbourg was formally invested.