Cries of joy passed from street to street and they reached the little American army, now under General Thomas, encamped on the Plains of Abraham.

Panic seized the small force which had held on so long.

On the ships were ten thousand fresh British troops.

The one thing for the Americans to do was to get away; and they fled, leaving behind guns, supplies, even clothing and private papers.
Five days later Franklin, at Montreal, was dismayed by the distressing news of disaster.
Congress sent six regiments to reinforce the army which had fled from Quebec.

It was a desperate venture.