Montcalm was already worsted as a general: it was still, however, left him to fight as a soldier. His order of battle was steadily and promptly made. He commanded the centre column in person. His total force engaged was 7520, besides Indians. Wolfe showed only a force of 4828 of all ranks; but every man was a trained soldier.
蒙特卡姆早已經(jīng)是一位將軍:但是,他仍然會像一名士兵一樣去戰(zhàn)斗。他下令準備戰(zhàn)斗,士兵們都迅速而有條不紊地執(zhí)行。他親自指揮中軍。他的總兵力是7520人,這還不包括印第安人。伍爾夫全軍上下卻只有4828人;但是每一名士兵都訓練有素。
The French attacked. After a spirited advance made by a swarm of skirmishers, their main body, in long unbroken lines, was seen approaching Wolfe's position. Soon a murderous and incessant fire began. The British troops fell fast. Wolfe, at the head of the 28th, was struck in the wrist, but was not disabled. Wrapping a handkerchief round the wound, he hastened from one rank to another, exhorting the men to be steady and to reserve their fire. No English soldier pulled a trigger: with matchless endurance they sustained the trial. Not a company wavered: their arms shouldered as if on parade, and motionless, save when they closed up the ghastly gaps, they waited the word of command.
法軍發(fā)起了進攻。一陣小股部隊沖擊后,他們的大部隊形成長長地堅不可摧的陣型,向伍爾夫撲過來。隨后激烈的戰(zhàn)斗開始了,持續(xù)不息。英軍倒下地很快,在28軍中心的伍爾夫也被擊中手腕,但是并不影響繼續(xù)作戰(zhàn)。用手帕包好傷口后,他急急忙忙跑遍所有隊伍,命令他們穩(wěn)住,節(jié)約子彈。沒有一個英軍開火,他們堅守了很長一段時間。沒有人動搖。英軍好像是在游行一般,巋然不動。他們關閉射擊孔,在節(jié)約子彈,就在等著伍爾夫一聲令下。
When the head of the French attack had reached within forty yards, Wolfe gave the order to "fire." At once the long row of muskets was levelled, and a volley, distinct as a single shot, flashed from the British line. For a moment the advancing columns still pressed on, shivering like pennons in the fatal storm; but a few paces told how terrible had been the force of the long-suspended blow.
法軍先頭部隊來到400英碼以內的時候,伍爾夫一聲令下:“打!“法軍瞬間倒下一片,英軍萬槍齊發(fā),而不是零零散散地在打擊。法軍依然在逼近,好像暴風中搖擺得旗子;但是他們越往前走越覺得眼前敵人的恐怖。
Montcalm commanded the attack in person. Not fifteen minutes had elapsed since he had first moved on his line of battle, and already all was lost! But the gallant Frenchman, though ruined, was not dismayed. He rode though the broken ranks, cheered them with his voice, encouraged them by his dauntless bearing, and, aided by a small redoubt, even succeeded in once again presenting a front to his enemy.
蒙特卡姆親臨戰(zhàn)場指揮戰(zhàn)斗。戰(zhàn)斗開始還沒到十五分鐘,他的第一梯隊就已經(jīng)全部陣亡!然而,雖然遭受重創(chuàng),但是勇敢的法國人卻沒有灰心。他開著車來到陣前,給士兵們打氣,他無畏的精神激勵著將士們,而且在借助小堡壘的情況下,他甚至成功地組織了下一次沖鋒。