Upon the other hand, the French were suffering from shortness of supplies.
The English frigates above the town prevented food being brought down from Montreal in boats, and the difficulties of land carriage were very great.
The Canadians deserted in great numbers, and Montcalm's force had been weakened by the despatch of Levis, to assist in checking the advance of Amherst.

The latter had captured Ticonderoga and Crown Point.

Niagara had also been taken by the English.

Amherst, however, fell back again, and Levis was able to rejoin Montcalm.
But the greatest misfortune which befell the English was the dangerous illness of Wolfe, who, always suffering from disease, was for a time utterly prostrate.

At the end of August, however, he partially recovered, and dictated a letter to his three brigadier generals, asking them to fix upon one of three plans, which he laid before them, for attacking the enemy.