Battle of Quebec 1759 Museums Battle of Quebec 1759 Battle of Quebec 13th September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War: click here to buy this picture The previous battle of the French and Indian War is the Capture of Louisburg Major-General James Wolfe: Battle of Quebec 13th September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War: click here to buy this picture Battle: Quebec War: The French and Indian War also known as the Seven Year War (1757 – 1762) Date: 13th September 1759 Combatants: British and Americans against the French and Canadians Generals: Major General James Wolfe against the Marquis de Montcalm Size of the Armies: The British Army besieging Quebec was around 8,000 troops. The force Major General Wolfe took onto the Plains of Abraham for the battle was around 4,500 men and 1 gun. The Marquis de Montcalm brought to the battle a force of around 5,000 men and 3 guns.

Marquis de Montcalm French commander at the Battle of Quebec 13th September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War: picture by Richard Caton Woodville: click here to buy this picture British Regiments: 15th Foot later the East Yorkshire Regiment and now the Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire * 22nd Foot now the Cheshire Regiment (only the grenadier and light companies) 28th Foot later the Gloucestershire Regiment and now the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment * 35th Foot later the Royal Sussex Regiment and now the Princess of Wales’s Own Royal Regiment * 40th Foot later the South Lancashire Regiment and now the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment (only the grenadier and light companies) 43rd Foot later the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and now the Royal Green Jackets * 45th Foot later the Sherwood Foresters and now the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment 47th Foot later the North Lancashire Regiment and now the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment * 48th Foot later the Northamptonshire Regiment and now the Royal Anglian Regiment * 58th

 Foot later the Northamptonshire Regiment and now the Royal Anglian Regiment * 60th Foot later the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and now the Royal Green Jackets * Fraser’s Highlanders, disbanded at the end of the war.

The Louisburg Grenadiers, the Light Infantry and 6 companies of American rangers. * These regiments have Quebec as a battle honour. General Wolfe and his troops climbing the Heights of Abraham at the Battle of Quebec 13th September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War: picture by Richard Caton Woodville Uniforms, arms and equipment: The British Foot wore red coats falling to the knee with the skirts, lapels and cuffs turned back to reveal a wide expanse of the lining of the regiment’s colour. The coat was embroidered with the regiment’s distinctive lace pattern. The lining colour was part of a regiment’s character so that the 3rd Foot was known as the “Buffs” and the 19th Foot as “the Green Howard’s” from their lining colours. The main headwear for the foot was the black tricorne hat, a wide brimmed hat with the brim turned up and fastened to form three angles. The grenadiers wore a mitre cap with an embroidered front of the regimental facing colour. This was the standard form of uniform. However on arrival in America the soldiers quickly adapted their dress. Coats were cut back or abandoned.

Many took to wearing hunting shirts and leggings. Hats were adapted and mutilated. It is unlikely that the grenadiers retained their inconvenient mitres for long. The new light companies in particular adopted local dress. Each soldier carried a musket, 24 rounds of ammunition carried in a pouch slung from a shoulder belt, a short sword and a bayonet that he fixed to the muzzle of his musket. In America the sword was quickly abandoned as useless. The city of Quebec lies on the north bank of the St Lawrence to the West of the St Charles river. Montcalm established his army along the north shore of the St Lawrence between the St Charles and Montmorency rivers building fortifications along the St Lawrence bank. The city was strongly fortified and ships added to the defences. French fire ships off Quebec: Battle of Quebec September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War The British and American force arrived and established itself on the Isle of Orleans downstream from Quebec in late June 1759. Monckton’s brigade took post on the southern bank of the river opposite the city and began to bombard it. The other two brigades occupied the banks of the Montmorency.

Major-General James Wolfe: Battle of Quebec 13th September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War The musket of the period was a cumbersome and inaccurate weapon. Each round of ammunition comprised a charge of gunpowder and a lead ball wrapped in “cartridge paper”. When ordered to load the soldier took a cartridge and ripped it open, often with his teeth. He poured sufficient powder into the pan of the firing mechanism to fill it. He poured the main portion of powder down the barrel, folded the paper and pushed it into the barrel and dropped the ball on top. He used the ramrod carried under the barrel of the musket to push the whole charge to the bottom of the barrel next to the hole leading to the firing pan. He then cocked the firing mechanism which comprised a hammer holding a wedge of flint and the weapon was ready to fire. Pulling the trigger caused the flint held by the hammer to strike against the pan lid, flicking it open as it did so. The spark from the flint ignited the powder in the pan which fired the charge in the barrel. With a significant number of shots the musket would fail to fire, particularly in wet weather.

If the musket did fire it gave out a gout of flame and smoke with the discharged ball and if the target was large and within 50 yards it might be hit. An experienced user of the musket might be able to load and fire three or four times in a minute. After ten rounds or so the musket began to foul from the powder residue and loading became slower and more difficult. The soldier would use a “picker” to keep the hole from the pan through the barrel clear. After each shot he would blow down the barrel. Sparks from each shot might fly into his eye or onto his hair. His face and hands would become blackened with soot. Officers carried short pikes and swords. In America they too quickly adapted their equipment and dress to local usage. Pikes were abandoned and many officers carried muskets and pistols. The French foot wore similar uniforms to the British but of white. They also quickly adapted their dress to local conditions. The French musket fired a smaller ball than the English. The Rangers and Militia wore whatever they chose. In addition to their muskets these troops being largely hunters carried tomahawks, knives and other implements.

Map of the Battle of Quebec 13th September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War: map by John Fawkes Account: Following the capture of Louisburg in 1758, Wolfe took sick leave in England. In February 1759 he returned to America to command the attack on the St Lawrence and Quebec. The British force assembled at Louisburg as three brigades under Monckton, Townsend and Murray. The grenadier companies were formed into one battalion and other picked men into a battalion of Light Infantry. British landing barge: Battle of Quebec 13th September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War In the first week of June 1759 the force set sail for the St Lawrence. The French had been expecting attacks from Lake Ontario in the West and Lake Champlain in the South and the descent on the St Lawrence took them by surprise. Montcalm assembled five regular French battalions, militia and a thousand Indians to Quebec. On 31st July 1759 Wolfe attempted an attack on Montcalm’s riverside fortifications. The disorganised assault was repulsed with heavy loss.

The grenadiers and 60th losing around 500 casualties. Over the following weeks British ships managed to pass the batteries into the area of the river above the city. This move prevented supplies from reaching the French garrison and population. On his recovery Wolfe determined to attempt a landing on the steep northern bank of the St Lawrence to the West of the city. On the night of 4th September 1759 the troops encamped on the Montmorency were disembarked. On 12th September Wolfe was informed that French supply ships were expected to venture down the St Lawrence that night. A feint attack was made on Montcalm’s fortifications east of the city to draw French troops away from the proposed landing site. General Wolfe and his troops climbing the Heights of Abraham at the Battle of Quebec 13th September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War: picture by Richard Caton Woodville: click here to buy this picture That night Wolfe’s flotilla rowed from the West down the river to the Anse du Foulon, the point Wolfe had chosen for the landing on the north bank.

A French sentry challenged the boats but was answered by a highland officer in French. The force landed and scaled the cliff. By dawn 4,500 British and American troops were assembled on the cliff top. The situation of this British force was precarious as Bougainville and a French force lay to the West in their rear. About a mile to their front was the area of wide open country called the Plains of Abraham extending to the walls of the city. Battle of Quebec 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War: picture by John Fawkes Wolfe formed his army on the plains in a single line of battalions, the right resting on the edge of the heights above the St Lawrence. From the right his regiments were: the 35th Foot, the grenadier companies of the 22nd, 40th and the 45th Foot, the 28th, 43rd, 47th Foot, Fraser’s Highlanders and the 58th Foot. One light gun had been dragged up the cliff and stood between the 47th and the Highlanders.

The 15th Foot was formed at a right angel to the line on the left to protect the flank. Two battalions formed a reserve, the 3rd/60th and the 48th Foot. Two companies of the 58th guarded the access up the cliff and 3rd/60th guarded the rear against any incursion by Bougainville. Of the brigadiers, Monckton and Murray commanded the line and Townsend the reserves. Wolfe positioned himself with the 28th on the right of the line. Montcalm did not become aware of the British incursion until the morning, when he saw the line formed outside Quebec. French, Canadian and Indians streamed through the city towards the Plains of Abraham. Montcalm applied to the governor of the city for some of the guns from the ramparts, but the governor agreed to release only three. Nevertheless Montcalm decided to attack the British line. Montcalm formed his army; from the right a battalion of Canadian militia, then the regiments of Bearn, La Sarre, Guienne, Languedoc, Rousillon and another battalion of militia. Skirmishing Canadians and Indians formed on the flanks.

General Wolfe and his troops: Battle of Quebec 13th September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War: picture by Richard Caton Woodville: click here to buy this picture A savage fight developed on Wolfe’s left between the skirmishers and the British Light Infantry and the reserve regiments under Townsend. The three French guns and the single British gun fired at the opposing lines. The French regular battalions advanced to the attack and the British regiments, who had been lying down to avoid the fire, rose up. The French fired ineffectually at too great a distance and came on. The British foot withheld its fire until the range was 35 yards, it is said. Two volleys were sufficient to destroy the French line. The British infantry then advanced and drove the French from the field. Wolfe, who had been wounded in the hand, advanced with the 28th Foot until he was shot in the groin and then in the chest. A group of soldiers carried him to the rear. Canadian skirmishers continued to fire on the British until they were driven back. The French army retreated into the city in confusion.

Montcalm, who had been shot, was carried with the retreating throng until he was taken from his horse iinto a house nearby, where he died. Wolfe rejected medical attention and was laid on the ground. Someone called “See them run”. Wolfe said “Who?” He was answered, “The French.” Wolfe directed the 28th to march to the bridge across the St Charles River to cut off the retreat and then died. In addition to the two generals, Montcalm’s deputy was killed and Brigadier Monckton wounded. Townsend took command and immediately had to fight off an attack from Bougainville to his rear. City of Quebec during the battle: Battle of Quebec 13th September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War Casualties (killed and wounded): Total: 1,412 The French casualties are unknown. Death of General Wolfe at the Battle of Quebec 13th September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War: picture by Benjamin West: click here to buy this picture Follow-up: After the battle the French civil governor of Canada, M.

Vaudreuil left Quebec taking the majority of his surviving force and on 18th September 1759 the governor of Quebec surrendered the city to Townsend. The taking of Quebec was the beginning of the end of French rule in Canada although the British troops had to endure a severe winter in the ruined city. Regimental anecdotes and traditions: The 47th Foot took to wearing a black line in their lace to commemorate the death of Wolfe. The 35th Foot took the plumes from the hats of the Rousillon Regiment and adopted them as the regimental badge. The Rousillon Regiment held the same number in the French line of 35th.

City of Quebec after the fighting: Battle of Quebec 13th September 1759 in the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War References: History of the British Army by Fortescue Montcalm and Wolfe by Parkman Wolfe of Quebec by Robin Reilly The previous battle of the French and Indian War is the Capture of Louisburg Battle of Quebec (1759) - Facts & Summary - HISTORY.com Battle of Quebec (1759) A+E Networks Introduction On September 13, 1759, during the Seven Years’ War (1756-63), a worldwide conflict known in the United States as the French and Indian War, the British under General James Wolfe (1727-59) achieved a dramatic victory when they scaled the cliffs over the city of Quebec, defeating the French forces under Louis-Joseph de Montcalm (1712-59) on the Plains of Abraham. Wolfe was fatally wounded during the battle, but his victory ensured British supremacy in Canada. Google Seven Years’ War: Background In the early 1750s, French expansion into the Ohio River valley repeatedly brought France into armed conflict with the British colonies.

In 1756, the first official year of fighting in the Seven Years’ War, the British suffered a series of defeats against the French and their broad network of Native American alliances. However, in 1757, British Prime Minister William Pitt (1708–1778), often called William Pitt the Elder, recognized the potential of imperial expansion that would come out of victory against the French and borrowed heavily to fund an expanded war effort. Pitt financed Prussia’s struggle against France and its allies in Europe and reimbursed the colonies for the raising of armies in North America. Did You Know? Quebec is the largest Canadian province by area, and the only one whose sole official language is French. Battle of Quebec: September 13, 1759 On September 13, 1759, the British under General James Wolfe (1727-59) achieved a dramatic victory when they scaled the cliffs over the city of Quebec to defeat French forces under Louis-Joseph de Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham (an area named for the farmer who owned the land). During the battle, which lasted less than an hour, Wolfe was fatally wounded.

Montcalm also was wounded and died the next day. By 1760, the French had been expelled from Canada, and by 1763 all of France’s allies in Europe had either made a separate peace with Prussia or had been defeated. In addition, Spanish attempts to aid France in the Americas had failed, and France also suffered defeats against British forces in India. Treaty of Paris: 1763 The Seven Years’ War ended with the signing of the treaties of Hubertusburg and Paris in February 1763. In the Treaty of Paris , France lost all claims to Canada and gave Louisiana to Spain, while Britain received Spanish Florida , Upper Canada and various French holdings overseas. The treaty ensured the colonial and maritime supremacy of Britain and strengthened the 13 American colonies by removing their European rivals to the north and the south. Fifteen years later, French bitterness over the loss of most of their colonial empire contributed to their intervention in the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) on the side of the Patriots.

Tags The British Capture of Quebec (1759) The British Capture of Quebec (1759) by Captain John Knox [Excerpted from American History Told by Contemporaries, Vol. II: Building of the Republic, Albert Bushnell Hart, ed. (New York, MacMillan, 1899), pp. 369-372] Knox was an officer in the English navy, a trustworthy eye-witness of the events which he describes. This is the best of several contemporary narratives. . . . Great preparations are making, throughout the fleet and army, to surprise the enemy, and compel them to decide the fate of Quebec by a battle: all the long-boats below the town are to be filled with seamen, marines, and such detachments as can be spared from Points Levi and Orleans, in order to make a feint off Beauport and the Point de Lest, and endeavour to engross the attention of the Sieur de Montcalm, while the army are to force a descent on this side of the town.

The Officer of our regiment, who commanded the escort yesterday on the reconnoitring party, being asked, in the General's hearing, after the health of one of the gentlemen who was reported to be ill, replied,Ñ'he was in a very low indifferent state; ' which the other lamented, saying, 'he has but a puny, delicate constitution.'ÑThis struck his Excellency, it being his own case, who interrupted, ' Don't tell me of constitution, that Officer has good spirits, and good spirits will carry a man through every thing.' . . . The Brigadiers Monckton and Murray, with the troops under their command, reimbarked this day, from the parish of St. Nicholas, and returned to their ships. This evening all the boats of the fleet below the town were filled with marines, &c. &c..

covered by frigates and 2 sloops of war, worked up, and lay half-channel over, opposite to Beauport, as if intending to land in the morning, and thereby fix the enemy's whole attention to that quarter; the ships attending them are to edge over, at break of day, as near as possible without grounding, and cannonade the French intrenchments. At nine o'clock this night, our army in high spirits, the first division of them put into the flat-bottomed boats, and, in a short time after, the whole squadron moved up the river with the tide of flood, and, about an hour before day-light next morning, we fell down with the ebb. Weather favourable, a star-light night. Thursday, September 13, 1759. Before day-break this morning we made a descent upon the north shore, about half a quarter of a mile to the eastward of Sillery; and the light troops were fortunately, by the rapidity of the current, carried lower down, between us and Cape Diamond; we had, in this debarkation, thirty flat-bottomed boats, containing about sixteen hundred men.

This was a great surprise on the enemy, who, from the natural strength of the place, did not suspect, and consequently were not prepared against, so bold an attempt. The chain of centries, which they had posted along the summit of the heights, galled us a little, and picked off several men, and some Officers, before our light infantry got up to dislodge them. This grand enterprise was conducted, and executed with great good order and discretion; as fast as we landed, the boats put off for reinforcements, and the troops formed with much regularity: the General, with Brigadiers Monckton and Murray, were a-shore with the first division. We lost no time here, but clambered up one of the steepest precipices that can be conceived, being almost a perpendicular, and of an incredible height. As soon as we gained the summit, all was quiet, and not a shot was heard, owing to the excellent conduct of the light infantry under Colonel Howe; it was by this time clear day-light. Here we formed again, the river and the south country in our rear, our right extending to the town, our left to Sillery, and halted a few minutes.

The General then detached the light troops to our left to route the enemy from their battery, and to disable their guns, except they could be rendered serviceable to the party who were to remain there; and this service was soon performed. We then faced to the right, and marched towards the town by files, till we came to the plains of Abraham, an even piece of ground which Mr. Wolfe had made choice of, while we stood forming upon the hill. Weather showery: about six o'clock the enemy first made their appearance upon the heights, between us and the town; whereupon we halted and wheeled to the right, thereby forming the line of battle....

the enemy had now likewise formed the line of battle, and got some cannon to play on us with round and canister-shot; but what galled us most was a body of Indians and other marksmen they had concealed in the corn opposite to the front of our right wing, and a coppice that stood opposite to our center, inclining towards our left; but the Colonel Hale, by Brigadier Monckton's orders, advanced some platoons, alternately, from the forty-seventh regiment, which, after a few rounds, obliged these sculkers to retire: we were now ordered to lie down, and remained some time in this position. About eight o'clock we had two pieces of short brass six-pounders playing on the enemy, which threw them into some confusion, and obliged them to alter their disposition, and Montcalm formed them into three large columns; about nine the two armies moved a little nearer each other.

The light cavalry made a faint attempt upon our parties at the battery of Sillery, but were soon beat off, and Monsieur de Bougainville, with his troops from Cape Rouge, came down to attack the flank of our second line, hoping to penetrate there; but, by a masterly disposition of Brigadier Townshend, they were forced to desist, and the third battalion of Royal Americans was then detached to the first ground we had formed on after we gained the heights, to preserve the communication with the beach and our boats.

About ten o'clock the enemy began to advance briskly in three columns, with loud shouts and recovered arms, two of them inclining to the left of our army, anal the third towards our right, firing obliquely at the two extremities of our line, from the distance of one hundred and thirtyÑ, until they came within forty yards; which our troops withstood with the greatest intrepidity and firmness, still reserving their fire, and paying the strictest obedience to their Officers: this uncommon steadiness, together with the havoc which the grape-shot from our field-pieces made among them, threw them into some disorder, and was most critically maintained by a well-timed, regular, and heavy discharge of our small arms, such as they could no longer oppose; hereupon they gave way, and fled with precipitation, so that, by the time the cloud of smoke was vanished, our men were again loaded, and, profiting by the advantage we had over them, pursued them almost to the gates of the town, and the bridge over the little river, redoubling our fire with great eagerness, making many Officers an(l men prisoners.

The weather cleared up, with a comfortably warm sun-shine: the Highlanders chased them vigorously towards Charles's river, and the fifty-eighth to the suburb close to John's gate, until they were checked by the cannon from the two hulks; at the same time a gun, which the town had brought to bear upon us with grape-shot, galled the progress of the regiments to the right, who were likewise pursuing with equal ardour, while Colonel Hunt Walsh, by a very judicious movement, wheeled the battalions of Bragg and Kennedy to the left, and flanked the coppice where a body of the enemy made a stand, as if willing to renew the action; but a few platoons from these corps completed our victory. Then it was that Brigadier Townshend came up, called off the pursuers, ordered the whole line to dress, and recover their former ground. Our joy at this success is inexpressibly damped by the loss we sustained of one of the greatest heroes which this or any other age can boast of,ÑGENERAL JAMES WOLFE, who received his mortal wound, as he was exerting himself at the head of the grenadiers of Louisbourg.... . . .

The Sieur de Montcalm died late last night; when his wound was dressed, and he settled in bed, the Surgeons who attended him were desired to acquaint him ingenuously with their sentiments of him, and, being answered that his wound was mortal, he calmly replied, ' he was glad of it: ' his Excellency then demanded,Ñ' whether he could survive it long, and how long?' He was told, 'about a dozen hours, perhaps more, peradventure less.' ' So much the better,' rejoined this eminent warrior; ' I am happy I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec.' . . . After our late worthy General, of renowned memory, was carried off wounded, to the rear of the front line, he desired those who were about him to lay him down; being asked if he would have a Surgeon? he replied, 'it is needless; it is all over with me.' One of them then cried out, 'they run, see how they run.' 'Who runs !' demanded our hero, with great earnestness, like a person roused from sleep?

The Officer answered, 'The enemy, Sir; Egad they give way every-where.' Whereupon the General rejoined, 'Go one of you, my lads, to Colonel BurtonÑ; tell him to march Webb's regiment with all speed down to Charles's river, to cut off the retreat of the fugitives from the bridge.'Then, turning on his side, he added, ' Now, God be praised, I will die in peace:' and thus expired. [Captain John Knox, An Historical Journal of the Campaigns in North-America [1757-l760],(London, 1769), 11, 65-79 passim.] Battle of Quebec | North America [1759] | Britannica.com North America [1759] Alternative Title: Battle of the Plains of Abraham Related Topics list of prime ministers of Great Britain and the United Kingdom Battle of Quebec, also called Battle of the Plains of Abraham, (September 13, 1759), in the French and Indian War , decisive defeat of the French under the marquis de Montcalm by a British force led by Maj. Gen. James Wolfe .

Both commanding officers died from wounds sustained during the battle, and within a year French Canada had capitulated to British forces. With the end of hostilities in 1763, France surrendered virtually all of its colonial possessions in North America . British troops scaling the heights of the Plains of Abraham and engaging the French at the Battle … Hulton Archive/Getty Images The Seven Years’ War The French and Indian War was the North American phase of the Seven Years’ War (1756–63), which was also fought in Europe and India. On one side was the alliance of France , Austria , Sweden , Saxony , Russia , and Spain ; on the other, the alliance of Britain , Prussia , and Hanover . While France was occupied by Frederick the Great and his Prussian armies in Europe, Britain attacked the French navy and merchant fleet in the hope of destroying France as a commercial rival. The British took command of the French and Indian War at the Battle of Quebec. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. The early years of the conflict were characterized by French victories, as French regular troops demonstrated their superiority to the British and their American colonial allies.

In July 1755 British commander Edward Braddock was mortally wounded near Fort Duquesne, and in early July 1758 Motcalm repulsed a significantly larger British force at Fort Carillon (later Fort Ticonderoga ). Within weeks of the latter event, however, the British began to make significant gains. On July 26, 1758, they captured the fortress of Louisbourg on Île Royale (now Cape Breton Island ), which led to the seizure of other French positions in Atlantic Canada. New France was left exposed to British ships, which could now sail up the Saint Lawrence River . One of the brigadiers of the Louisbourg expedition was Wolfe, who was praised in Britain and its American colonies for his role in taking the fortress. Lithograph depicting the mortally wounded Edward Braddock being carried from the field after a … The Granger Collection, New York Expedition to Quebec Battle of Waterloo Wolfe, supported by a naval force under Vice-Admiral Charles Saunders, was appointed commanding officer of the British assault against the fortress city of Quebec . On June 27, 1759, Wolfe and his men landed on the Île d’Orléans.

By the middle of July, the British had occupied positions on the southern bank of the Saint Lawrence River at Point Lévis (directly across from Quebec) and on the northern shore about 8 miles (13 km) from the city, opposing a French army encampment at Beauport, near Montmorency Falls . The French camp was protected by the Montmorency River, and any attempts against the city of Quebec would have to face the fort’s battery of guns as well as the strong currents of the Saint Lawrence . An initial British assault on the French position at Beauport on July 31 was rebuffed after meeting with fierce resistance. In 1759, during the French and Indian War, British troops landed upstream from Quebec and defeated … Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. At this point, Wolfe sent Brigadier James Murray to target French stores and shipping about 40 miles (65 km) upriver from Quebec. While this reduced the supplies available to the French defenders, it did not lure Montcalm into open battle. Hoping to draw Montcalm outside the walls of the city, Wolfe resorted to the systematic destruction of the buildings and countryside around Quebec, but Montcalm still refused to attack.

However, in late August a number of British ships managed to navigate the difficult currents of the Saint Lawrence and sail past the Quebec batteries, establishing a strong British naval presence upriver of the city. The British command therefore decided to try landing an invasion force upriver from Quebec, cutting the city off from Montreal and thus compelling Montcalm and the French army to fight. The British landing and Montcalm’s attack Britannica Stories Ringling Bros. Folds Its Tent Wolfe decided on an amphibious landing at L’Anse-au-Foulon, about 2 miles (3 km) upstream from Quebec, at the base of a cliff some 170 feet (50 metres) high. While historians have debated the logic and merits of this decision, the British were fortunate, as the area was only lightly defended. Operating in darkness and silence, the British boats fought the strong currents of the Saint Lawrence and landed an advance force at just after 4:00 am on September 13, 1759. Three companies of light infantrymen led by Col. William Howe (who would later command British forces during the American Revolution ) scrambled up the cliff and subdued a French outpost.

By the time the sun rose, Wolfe and the first division were on the plateau , and by 8:00 am the entire force of 4,500 men had assembled. The British stretched across the Plains of Abraham in a shallow horseshoe formation about half a mile (1 km) long and two ranks deep. James Wolfe. British Culture and Politics When Montcalm heard about the British landing and ascent, he decided to attack quickly before the British had the chance to establish themselves. Historians have criticized his response, suggesting that he should have waited for reinforcements to arrive from French detachments in the area. The French force consisted of about 4,500 men from the army at Beauport, many of whom were militia . Wolfe’s army was very close in size, but was composed almost entirely of regular soldiers, highly disciplined and trained for the field battle to come. Montcalm’s men advanced and began firing at the outermost limit of their muskets ’ effective range. However, Wolfe’s soldiers stood firm until the French were less than 130 feet (40 metres) away, when they opened fire to devastating effect.

Coordinated volleys of British musketry quickly halted and then reversed the French advance. Wolfe was shot three times, with the third wound proving to be fatal. After hearing that the French force was retreating, Wolfe reportedly stated, “Now, God be praised, I will die in peace.” Several other high-ranking British officers were killed as well, and the British charge lost some of its direction. Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest Brig. Gen. George Townshend assumed command and organized two battalions to counter a French relief force under Col. Louis-Antoine de Bougainville . Bougainville decided to pull back, and the British consolidated their position on the heights. While this allowed Montcalm’s army to escape, Montcalm himself was wounded during the retreat and died the next morning in Quebec. Townshend’s decision to entrench the British position instead of aggressively pursuing the French army had significant consequences; the French marched that night and bypassed their enemy on the way to Pointe-aux-Trembles, leaving only a small force in the town. The British laid siege to Quebec, and on September 18, the French commander surrendered the city to the British.

French military leader the marquis de Montcalm dying during the Battle of Quebec, in the French and … Bettmann/Corbis Aftermath The British position was not secure. Soon after the battle, the British navy was forced to leave the Saint Lawrence before ice closed the mouth of the river. The British at Quebec were therefore isolated over the winter, and many suffered from scurvy . On November 20, 1759, British admiral Edward Hawke destroyed the French fleet at Quiberon Bay, just off the French coast, ensuring that there would be no reinforcements for New France. In April 1760 Montcalm’s successor, François Gaston de Lévis , marched about 7,000 troops to Quebec, outnumbering the defending British by about 3,000 men. On April 28 Lévis’s force defeated the British at the Battle of Sainte-Foy, just west of the city. In a reversal of events from the previous year, the British retreated to Quebec, and the French laid siege. However, in mid-May the British navy returned, and Lévis retreated to Montreal.

On September 8, 1760, Montreal surrendered to the British, and with the Treaty of Paris in 1763 New France was officially ceded to Britain. The Battle of Quebec marked a turning point in the history of New France and what would eventually become Canada . By defeating and securing the French stronghold at Quebec, the British established a strong presence in New France, foreshadowing the eventual defeat of the French and the beginning of British hegemony in North America. However, the removal of France as a North American power increased the confidence of British colonies such as New York , Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, which subsequently agitated for greater independence from Great Britain. The Battle of Quebec therefore led not only to the British control of Canada but also indirectly to the American Revolution, the creation of the United States , and the migration of Loyalists northwards. French and Indian War: Battle of Quebec (1759) French and Indian War: Battle of Quebec (1759) French and Indian War: Battle of Quebec (1759) Death of Wolfe by Benjamin West.

Photograph Source: Public Domain Battle of Quebec Conflict & Date: The Battle of Quebec was fought September 13, 1759, during the French & Indian War (1754-1763). Armies & Commanders: 4,400 men engaged, 8,000 around Quebec French 4,500 engaged, 3,500 in Quebec Battle of Quebec (1759) Overview: Following the successful capture of Louisbourg in 1758, British leaders began planning for a strike against Quebec the next year. After assembling a force at Louisbourg under Major General James Wolfe and Admiral Sir Charles Saunders, the expedition arrived off Quebec in early June 1759. The direction of the attack caught the French commander, the Marquis de Montcalm, by surprise as he had anticipated a British thrust from the west or south. Assembling his forces, Montcalm began building a system of fortifications along the north shore of the St. Lawrence and placed bulk of his army east of the city at Beauport.

Establishing his army on the Ile d'Orléans and the south shore at Point Levis, Wolfe began a bombardment of the city and ran ships past its batteries to reconnoiter for landing places upstream. On July 31, Wolfe attacked Montcalm at Beauport but was repulsed with heavy losses. Stymied, Wolfe began to focus on landing to west of the city. While British ships raided upstream and threatened Montcalm's supply lines to Montreal, the French leader was forced to disperse his army along the north shore to prevent Wolfe from crossing. The largest detachment, 3,000 men under Colonel Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, was sent upstream to Cap Rouge with orders to watch the river east back towards the city. Not believing that another assault at Beauport would be successful, Wolfe began planning a landing just beyond Pointe-aux-Trembles. This was cancelled due to poor weather and on September 10 he informed his commanders that he intended to cross at Anse-au-Foulon.

A small cove southwest of the city, the landing beach at Anse-au-Foulon required British troops to come ashore and ascend a slope and small road to reach the Plains of Abraham above. The approach at Anse-au-Foulon was guarded by a militia detachment led Captain Louis Du Pont Duchambon de Vergor and numbered between 40-100 men. Though the Governor of Quebec, the Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal, was concerned about a landing in the area, Montcalm dismissed these fears believing that due to the severity of the slope a small detachment would be able to hold until help arrived. On the night of September 12, British warships moved to positions opposite Cap Rouge and Beauport to give the impression that Wolfe would be landing at two places. Around midnight, Wolfe's men embarked for Anse-au-Foulon. Their approach was aided by the fact that the French were expecting boats bringing provisions from Trois-Rivières. Nearing the landing beach, the British were challenged by a French sentry. A French-speaking Highland officer replied in flawless French and the alarm was not raised.

Going ashore with forty men, Brigadier General James Murray signaled to Wolfe that it was clear to land the army. A detachment under Colonel William Howe (of future American Revolution fame) moved up the slope and captured Vergor's camp. As the British were landing, a runner from Vergor's camp reached Montcalm. Distracted by Saunders' diversion off Beauport, Montcalm ignored this initial report. Finally coming to grips with the situation, Montcalm gathered his available forces and began moving west. While a more prudent course may have been to wait for Bougainville's men to rejoin the army or least be in position to attack simultaneously, Montcalm wished to engage the British immediately before they could fortify and become established above Anse-au-Foulon. Forming in an open area known as the Plains of Abraham, Wolfe's men turned towards the city with their right anchored on the river and their left on a wooded bluff overlooking the St. Charles River. Due to the length of his line, Wolfe was forced to deploy in two-deep ranks rather than the traditional three. Holding their position, units under Brigadier General George Townshend engaged in skirmishing with French militia and captured a gristmill.

Under sporadic fire from the French, Wolfe ordered his men to lay down for protection. As Montcalm's men formed for the attack, his three guns and Wolfe's lone gun exchanged shots. Advancing to attack in columns, Montcalm's lines became somewhat disorganized as they crossed the uneven terrain of the plain. Under strict orders to hold their fire until the French were within 30-35 yards, the British had double-charged their muskets with two balls. After absorbing two volleys from the French, the front rank opened fire in a volley that was compared to a cannon shot. Advancing a few paces, the second British line unleashed a similar volley shattering the French lines. Early in the battle, Wolfe was struck in the wrist. Bandaging the injury he continued, but was soon hit in the stomach and chest. Issuing his final orders, he died on the field. With the army retreating towards the city and the St. Charles River, the French militia continued to fire from the woods with the support of floating battery near the St. Charles River bridge. During the retreat, Montcalm was hit in the lower abdomen and thigh. Taken into the city, he died the next day.

With the battle won, Townshend took command and gathered sufficient forces to block Bougainville's approach from the west. Rather than attack with his fresh troops, the French colonel elected to retreat from the area. Aftermath: The Battle of Quebec cost the British one of their best leaders as well as 58 killed, 596 wounded, and three missing. For the French, the losses included their leader and were around 200 killed and 1,200 wounded. With the battle won, the British quickly moved to lay siege to Quebec. On September 18 the commander of the Quebec garrison, Jean-Baptiste-Nicolas-Roch de Ramezay, surrendered the city to Townshend and Saunders. The following April, the Chevalier de Lévis, Montcalm's replacement, defeated Murray outside the city at the Battle of Sainte-Foy. Lacking siege guns, the French were unable to retake the city. A hollow victory, the fate of New France had been sealed the previous November when a British fleet crushed the French at the Battle of Quiberon Bay .

With the Royal Navy controlling the sea lanes, the French were unable to reinforce and re-supply their forces in North America. Cut off and facing growing numbers, Lévis was forced to surrender in September 1760, ceding Canada to Britain. Selected Sources Battle of the Plains of Abraham - The Canadian Encyclopedia History Battle of the Plains of Abraham The Battle of the Plains of Abraham (13 September 1759) was a pivotal moment in the Seven Years’ War and in the history of Canada. A British invasion force led by General James Wolfe defeated French troops under the Marquis de Montcalm, leading to the surrender of Québec to the British. The Battle of the Plains of Abraham (13 September 1759) was a pivotal moment in the Seven Years’ War and in the history of Canada. A British invasion force led by General James Wolfe defeated French troops under the Marquis de Montcalm , leading to the surrender of Québec to the British. Both commanding officers died from wounds sustained during the battle. The French never recaptured Québec and effectively lost control of New France in 1760.

At the end of the war in 1763 France surrendered many of its colonial possessions — including Canada — to the British. Seven Years War The battle was a key moment in the Seven Years’ War (1756–63), which was fought in Europe, India and North America (American history books refer to the conflict in North America as the French and Indian War). On one side was the alliance of France, Austria, Sweden, Saxony, Russia and Spain; on the other, the alliance of Britain, Prussia and Hanover. While France was preoccupied by the hostilities in Europe, Britain targeted French colonies overseas and attacked the French navy and merchant fleet, in the hope of destroying France as a commercial rival. Although the French repulsed several British attacks in North America — including the successful defence of Fort Carillon by Montcalm — the British had made significant gains by 1759. On 26 July 1758, they captured the fortress of Louisbourg on Île Royale ( Cape Breton Island ), which led to the seizure of other French positions in Atlantic Canada, and left New France exposed to British ships, which could now sail up the St. Lawrence River .

One of the brigadiers of the Louisbourg expedition was James Wolfe , who was praised in Britain and its American colonies for his role in taking the fortress. Expedition to Québec Wolfe, supported by a naval force under Vice-Admiral Charles Saunders, was appointed commanding officer of the British assault against the fortress city of Québec in 1759. On 27 June 1759, Wolfe and his men landed on the Île d’Orléans ; by the middle of July, the British also occupied positions on the southern bank of the St. Lawrence River at Point Lévis (directly across from Québec), and on the northern shore about 13 km from the city, close to the Montmorency Falls and a French army encampment at Beauport . However, the French forces at Beauport were protected by the Montmorency River, and any attempts against the city of Québec would have to face the fort’s battery of guns as well as the strong currents of the St. Lawrence. The French would be difficult to dislodge. The British attacked the French position at Beauport on 31 July, but were met by fierce resistance and had to retreat.

At this point, Wolfe sent Brigadier James Murray to target French stores and shipping about 65 km upriver from Québec. While this reduced the supplies available to the French defenders, it did not lure Montcalm into open battle. In desperation, Wolfe resorted to the systematic destruction of the buildings and countryside around Québec, but Montcalm still refused to attack. However, in late August a number of British ships managed to navigate the difficult currents of the St. Lawrence River and sail past the Québec batteries, establishing a strong British naval presence upriver of the city. The British command therefore decided to try landing an invasion force upriver from Québec, cutting the city off from Montréal and thus compelling Montcalm and the French army to fight. The British Attack Wolfe decided to land at L’Anse-au-Foulon, about three km upstream from Québec City, at the base of a cliff 53 m high. While historians have debated the logic and merits of this decision, the British were fortunate, as the area was only lightly defended. Operating in darkness and silence, the naval boats fought the strong currents of the St. Lawrence and landed the advance force at just after 4 a.m.

on 13 September 1759. A British force of light infantrymen led by Colonel William Howe (who would later command British forces during the American Revolution ) scrambled up the cliff and subdued the French picket (advance guard). By the time the sun rose, Wolfe and the first division were on the plateau, and by 8 a.m. the entire force of 4,500 men had assembled. The British force stretched across the Plains of Abraham (named for 17th-century fisherman Abraham Martin) in a shallow horseshoe formation about 1 km long and two ranks deep. The Battle When Montcalm heard about the British landing and ascent, he decided to attack quickly before the British had the chance to establish themselves. Historians have criticized his response, suggesting that he should have waited for reinforcements to arrive from French detachments in the area. The French force consisted of about 4,500 men from the army at Beauport, many of whom were militia or Aboriginal warriors (see Aboriginal-French Relations ). Wolfe’s army was very close in size, but was composed almost entirely of regular soldiers, highly disciplined and trained for the field battle to come.

Montcalm’s men advanced and began firing once they were about 120 metres from the British line. However, Wolfe’s soldiers stood firm until the French were about 40 metres away, when they started the rolling volleys which quickly halted and then reversed their enemy’s advance. General Wolfe died soon after the firing commenced, shot three times in the first few minutes of the engagement. After hearing that the French force was retreating, Wolfe reportedly stated, “Now, God be praised, I will die in peace.” Several other high-ranking British officers were killed as well, and the British charge lost some of its direction. Brigadier-General George Townshend assumed command and organized two battalions to counter a French relief force under Colonel Bougainville that was approaching from behind; Bougainville decided to pull back, and the British consolidated their position on the heights. While this allowed Montcalm’s army to escape, Montcalm himself was wounded during the retreat and died the next morning in Québec.

Townshend’s decision to entrench the British position instead of aggressively pursuing the French army had significant consequences; the French marched that night and bypassed their enemy on the way to Pointe-aux-Trembles, leaving only a small force in the town. The British laid siege to Québec, and on 18 September, the French commander signed the Articles of Capitulation and turned the city over to the British. However, the war for New France would continue. Aftermath The British position at Québec was not secure. Soon after the battle, the British navy was forced to leave the St. Lawrence River before ice closed the mouth of the river. The British at Québec were therefore isolated over the winter, and many suffered from scurvy. In April 1760, the Chevalier de Lévis (Montcalm’s successor) marched about 7,000 troops to Québec, outnumbering the defending British by about 3,000 men. On 28 April, Lévis’s force defeated the British at the Battle of Sainte-Foy , just west of the city. In a reversal of events from the previous year, the British retreated to Québec, and the French laid siege.

However, in mid-May the British navy returned, and Lévis retreated to Montréal. On 20 November 1759, the French fleet was destroyed at the battle at Quiberon Bay, just off the French coast; there would be no reinforcements for New France . On 8 September 1760, Montréal surrendered to the British and with the 1763 Treaty of Paris , New France was officially ceded to Britain. Legacy The Battle of the Plains of Abraham marked a turning point in the history of New France and what would eventually become Canada. By defeating and securing the French stronghold at Québec, the British established a strong presence in New France, foreshadowing the eventual defeat of the French and the beginning of British hegemony in North America. However, the removal of France as a North American power increased the confidence of British colonies such as New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, which subsequently agitated for greater independence from Great Britain. The Battle of the Plains of Abraham therefore led not only to the British control of Canada, but also indirectly to the American Revolution , the creation of the United States and the migration of Loyalists northwards.

The British victory at Québec in 1759 (and in the Seven Years’ War more generally) had a long legacy, affecting the borders, culture and identity of Canada.

Question: Which British general captured Quebec in 1759, but lost his life in the battle?
Answer: WOLFE