 However , the open battle never took place . The 1 @,@ 200 @-@ strong English landing force under Major John Walley , Phips ' second @-@ in @-@ command , never got across the Saint Charles . Frontenac had sent strong detachments of Canadian militiamen under Jacques Le Moyne de Sainte @-@ Hélène , along with some Indians , into the wooded areas east of the river . When the English landed on 18 October , they were immediately harassed by Canadian militia , while the ships ' boats mistakenly landed the field guns on the wrong side of the Saint Charles . Meanwhile , Phips 's four large ships , quite contrary to the plan , anchored before Quebec and began bombarding the city until 19 October , at which point the English had shot away most of their ammunition . The French shore batteries had also proved to be much more than a match , and the ships were pounded until the rigging and hulls were badly damaged ; the ensign of Phips ' flagship the Six Friends was cut down and fell into the river , and under a hail of musket shots , a daring group of Canadians paddled a canoe up to the ships to capture it . They triumphantly brought the ensign back to the Governor unscathed . 
