How did British soldiers reach the Plains of Abraham before the Battle of Quebec?
To reach the Plains of Abraham before the Battle of Quebec, British forces executed an amphibious landing at LâAnse-au-Foulon, located approximately 2 miles (3 km) upstream from the city.1
Following a period of stalemate, British ships successfully navigated the strong currents of the Saint Lawrence River to establish a naval presence upriver from Quebec in late August 1759. On the night of September 13, 1759, operating in darkness and silence to maintain surprise, the British transported troops in boats to the base of a 170-foot (50-meter) cliff. An advance force of light infantrymen, led by Col. William Howe, scaled the heights and subdued the French outpost stationed there. By sunrise, the first division had reached the plateau, and by 8:00 am, the entire force of 4,500 men had assembled on the Plains of Abraham.1