six o'clock
It was their last stroke against Quebec . Had the attempt succeeded , the army intended to attack the town during the confusion which the conflagration would necessarily have created , and the onslaught would have been a terrible one , because they were goaded to despair by their continuous ill-success , at the same time that they knew it was their final chance prior to the arrival of the British fleet , which was every day expected . That fleet did not long delay its appearance . At six o'clock , on the morning of the 6th May , a frigate hove in sight turning Point Levis . The whole American army witnessed her triumphant entrance . The ramparts of the town were lined with spectators to hail the welcome sight . Drums beat to arms , the church bells clanged , and an immense shout arose that was re-echoed from the Plains of Abraham across the river to the Isle of Orleans .