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 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 British Victory in the French and Indian War, 1763, Colonial Response, Benjamin West: Death of General Wolfe, American Revolution, Primary Sources for Teachers, America in Class, National Humanities Center Benjamin West, The Death of General Wolfe (1759), oil on canvas, 1770. A key victory in the war was the defeat of the French in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham (Battle of Quebec) in September 1759. Not only did that triumph enable the British to take control of all of Canada and eventually all of North America east of the Mississippi River, it also produced the event that the painter Benjamin West would later turn into an iconic image of imperial glory.

The revered British commander, General James Wolfe, died in the battle just as the word of victory was delivered to him. West captures this moment in a work that was controversial in its day, for it violated the conventions of traditional history painting. Instead of togas, the figures wear late-eighteenth-century dress, and instead of swords they carry muskets. Under a sky from which storm clouds are clearing and against a background of massed troops, light falls on three groups of men. At the center is the dying Wolfe, reclining Christ-like in the arms of his officers. On the right are two soldiers wringing their hands over the demise of their commander, and on the left a group of officers peer down on Wolfe as an American scout announces the victory and an Indian ponders Wolfe's passing. Benjamin West (1738-1820) was the tenth child of a Pennsylvania Quaker family. Proud, ambitious, and artistically talented, he could find no suitable art teacher in America and went to Italy as a young man to study Renaissance art.

He traveled to London in 1763 to continue his studies just in time for the forming of the Royal Academy, which blessed the visual arts in Great Britain with the prestige of the crown. West became a favorite of George III and a mentor for American artists in London before, during, and after the Revolution. He mastered history painting, a genre that teaches civic virtue through the depiction of stories already known to the viewer, usually stories from classical Greece and Rome. Working within this genre, he elevated General James Wolfe into the pantheon of British and colonial heroes. Consider the questions on the painting (below) as you view this work. (National Gallery of Canada, 1 p.) Discussion Questions In these documents, how did Americans display loyalty to Britain as well as pride in their contributions to the war effort? To Americans in 1763, what did it mean to be loyal English subjects? citizens of the empire? Compare the expressions of loyalty in these texts with those in the later petitions and declarations of rights and grievances sent to the king (especially in 1765 and 1773-75). What changes do you detect?

In what ways did the French and Indian War address American colonial goals as well as British imperial goals? In what ways could these goals clash in the future? In what ways could Americans, who would later divide into Patriots and Loyalists, view the British victory differently? Follow Benjamin Franklin's commentary in this Theme CRISIS. How did his opinion that the "future Grandeur and Stability of the British Empire lie in America" change over the next twelve years? Follow the commentary of Patriot David Ramsay in his 1789 History of the American Revolution. How do his views, written after the war, compare with those of Franklin? What perspective do these men provide us of the prerevolutionary period? Painting Questions How does West use light and shadow in this painting? How has West structured the painting to direct the viewer's eye to General Wolfe? What elements in the painting establish General Wolfe as a hero? Why did West include a Native American in this painting? Compare his posture and dress with that of the other figures. What is his function in the painting? West includes an American scout in the painting. Why is his coat green? What function does he play in the painting? Why is he positioned next to the Native American?

How does this painting represent the new redrawn map of empire? In what ways is this an "American" painting? James Wolfe became a hero both in Great Britain and the colonies. From the evidence in this painting, what did he represent to the British? to the colonists? Framing Questions Between 1763 and 1775, what changed many Americans from loyal British subjects to rebellious Patriots? Why did many Americans remain loyal to Great Britain and oppose rebellion? How did Patriots and Loyalists convey their views through the media outlets of the time? Was the American Revolution inevitable? If so, was there a "point of no return"? Printing Québec surrenders > Battle of the Plaines of Abraham > The national Battlefields Commission BATTLE OF THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM Québec Surrenders Following the defeat of the Plains of Abraham, Governor Vaudreuil wondered how he should react. What should be the next move? His first reflex was to send a message to the dying Montcalm . Montcalm 's answer was to suggest three options: immediately re-attack the enemy, regroup the troops upstream at the Jacques-Cartier River, or capitulate on behalf of the entire colony.

Although he favoured the first option, the Governor was persuaded by his officers assembled at a council of war that it was best to regroup the troops around the Jacques-Cartier River. Vaudreuil sounded the retreat at 6:00 p.m. However, before doing so, he sent to the town commander Jean-Baptiste-Nicolas-Roch de Ramezay , the terms of the surrender that would have to be negotiated with the British127. In the meantime, the Chevalier de Lévis learned the news and immediately left Montreal to rejoin the troops. The new commander of the French forces arrived at the Jacques-Cartier River on September 17. He then took control of the army in disarray. In his opinion, it had been a mistake to leave Québec, and he thought they should go back in order to avoid the worst: the capture of Québec by the British. If it turned out to be impossible to defend Québec, the town should be destroyed to prevent the enemy from spending the winter there. It was thus decided, and on September 18, the army began marching towards Québec. However, Lévis was too late.

On September 15, two days after the British had won a victory at the Plains of Abraham, and while they were preparing to lay siege to Québec, the Chevalier de Ramezay , commander of the town's garrison, convened his officers at a council of war. The pressure from residents to surrender the town was enormous. They had sustained heavy losses during the summer bombardments and they were morally and physically spent. Furthermore, this time the shellings would not come from the other side of the river but from the Plains, which was much closer. Finally, provisions were scarce and no one could see how the fortifications could withstand the siege128. At the council of war, 13 of the 14 participants were in favour of surrendering the city. On September 17, around 3:00 p.m., de Ramezay therefore sent a messenger to the British with a capitulation proposal. It was signed on the morning of September 18. Articles of the capitulation of Québec: Mr.

de Ramsay demands the honours of war for his garrison, and that it shall be sent back to the army in safety, and by the shortest route, with arms, baggage, six pieces of brass cannon, two mortars or howitzers, and twelve rounds for each of them; That the inhabitants shall be preserved in the possession of their houses, goods, effects, and privileges, upon their laying down their arms; That the inhabitants shall not be accountable for having carried arms in the defence of the town, for as much as they were compelled to it, and that the inhabitants of the colonies, of both crowns, equally serve as Militia; That the effects of the absent officers and citizens shall not be touched; That the inhabitants shall not be removed, nor obliged to quit their houses, until their condition shall be settled by their Britannic, and most Christian, Majesties; That the exercise of the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman religion shall be maintained; and that safeguards shall be granted to the houses of the clergy, and to the monasteries, particularly to his Lordship the Bishop of Québec, who, animated with zeal for religion, and charity for the people of his diocese, desires to reside in it constantly, to exercise

, freely and with that decency which his character and the sacred offices of the Roman religion require, his episcopal authority in the town of Québec, whenever he shall think proper, until the possession of Canada shall be decided by a treaty between their most Christian and Britannic Majesties; That the artillery and warlike stores shall be faithfully given up, and that an inventory of them shall be made out; That the sick and wounded, the commissaries, Chaplains, Physicians, Surgeons, Apothecaries, and other people employed in the service of the hospitals, shall be treated conformably to the cartel of the 6th of February, 1759, settled between their most Christian and Britannic Majesties; That before delivering up the gate and the entrance of the town to the English troops, their General will be pleased to send some soldiers to be posted as safeguards upon the churches, convents, and principal habitations; That the King's Lieutenant, commanding in Québec, shall be permitted to send information to the Marquis de Vaudreuil, Governor-General, of the reduction of the place, as also that the General may send advice thereof to the French Ministry; That the present capitulation shall be executed according to its form

 and tenor, without being subject, to non-execution under pretence of reprisals, or for the non-execution of any preceding capitulation129.

It was while marching towards Québec that Lévis learned of the town's surrender. He had to turn back and return to the Jacques-Cartier River. Vaudreuil , for his part, continued on to Montreal where he spent the winter. British Conquest & Royal Proclamation of 1763 Wars and Political Decisions that Changed North America The Seven Years War & the British Conquest The Seven Years War from 1756 to 1763 involved all of the major Euopean powers of the period. In North America, it involved a struggle between Britain and France for supremacy over their colonial lands and regions of fur trade control. New France was a huge area extending through the St Lawrence River and Great Lakes and down the Mississippi River. (See blue section on map). In 1759 Britain defeated France at Quebec in a famous battle on the Plains of Abraham. General Wolfe led the British, and General Montcalm led the French. Both generals were killed during th battle. The Treaty of Paris in 1763 ended the Seven Years War. It was signed by Great Britain, France, Spain and Portugal settling claims over colonial lands in various parts of the world.

In North America, New France was turned over to British control. Blue shows territory controlled by France in 1750. Red is British. In the blue area, First Nations people were allies and trading partners of the French. In the red areas, they were allies and trading partners of the British. A famous, if fanciful, painting of "The Death of Wolfe" by Benjamin West is in the National Gallery of Canada The Battle at Quebec on the Plains of Abraham, 1759 . The British defeated the French. Both Generals Wolfe & Montcalm were killed. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 Under the Royal Proclamation of 1763, King George III claimed all the former French lands for Britain. The British now claimed control over all of North America east of the Mississippi River. Britain wanted to peacefully consolidate its gains from the Seven Year's War, without having to deal with angry First Nations. American settlers were trying to move west, and were harrassing the Indians and threatening their lands. Britain wanted to avoid Indian wars.

Therefore, the Royal Proclamation also reserved for the "Indian Nations" (the term used) as their "hunting grounds", those territories west of the lands drained by rivers flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. The King referred to "the several Nations or Tribes of Indians with whom We are connected, and who live under Our Protection." All the lands outside the settled colonies (the land west of the Appalachian Mountains) were reserved as Indian hunting grounds, and white settlement here was strictly forbidden. The Proclamation forbade individual colonists from entering land negotiations with First Nations, because of "great Frauds and Abuses" in the past. It stipulated that only properly authorized officials acting exclusively on behalf of the British monarch could make purchases of Indian land. Thus, the Crown became the only agency with the right to negotiate land transfers from First Nations to the government, and then to the colonists. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 clearly recognized Aboriginal Peoples as Nations, and acknowledged Indian title to their lands. It recognized First Nations people as rightful occupiers of their hunting grounds until such times as these were ceded to a government authority through negotiation with the Crown.

All future treaties were to be officiated in the presence of British Crown representatives, and recorded in written treaties. This set up the basis for future treaty making. 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. The British laid siege to Quebec in 1759. They devastated the - HIS - 1101 View Full Document This is the end of the preview. Sign up to access the rest of the document. Unformatted text preview: The British laid siege to Quebec in 1759. They devastated the region's countryside, by burning down farms etc. The militia had heard of what happened to the Acadians, and decide to fight. The effort by the British does not work. He decides to launch his final assault on Quebec. The British defeat the French on the plains of Abraham. Both Wolf and Montcalm are killed Quebec City is surrendered by the French a few days after the battle. However, the War is not yet over. Eventually Wolf is bombarding Quebec, and he must decide if he wants to take Quebec and settle there for the Winter, or move out. With the British fleet dominating the Atlantic, there was no hope of reinforcement. We besiege the British, and let them starve to death.

Montreal was now faced with an all-out assault by the British, from the East, West, and South. Montreal was not a fortress, and Vaudreuil knew he cannot survive a siege. Veudreuil surrendered Montreal in September 1760. The first shipped sighted during the spring was British, making the French retreat to Montreal Governor Vaudreuil rallied the remaining French Forces in Canada and mounted a counter-siege of Quebec-City, in early 1760. General Amherst issued a proclamation establishing a temporary military administration for New- France. French laws and customs are not going to be recognized by the British. In practice, there tacitly perpetuated. The catholic church was allowed to operate under certain conditions. Resistance to the British occupation was minimal by the Canadians. The overwhelming proportion of the Canadian population decide to stay in Quebec. Quebec City is in ruins, the main economic center of the region The British had ravaged the south farms around the shores, which led to food shortages. After the surrender of Montreal, the French government no longer accepts French banknotes. The British Conquest seriously disrupted the Canadian economy.

After the 1760 surrender, the war was not finished in Europe The fur trade collapses after the French surrender Privateering is going to destroy the French and English fisheries. By 1758 , the war's momentum had shifted to the British.- The war in Europe ended in an overall stalemate, while it did not in Canada. Britain now emerges as the most powerful nation in Europe. Increasingly in France, it is viewed as a source of problems, while the islands are viewed profitable. France chooses to keep 2 Islands in the West Indies instead of getting back Canada. Also chooses to cede Louisiana to Spain, as a thank you. In the 1763 Treaty of Paris, France ceded Canada to Britain.- The Conquest and the Royal Proclamation September 25, 2013 4:33 PM Week 4 Page 23 It still wants to be involved in the fishery. France only chooses to keep a bit of land, and certain fishing rights The profits generated by the fishery and by the sugar trade, this dwarfed the profits of the fur trade.The profits generated by the fishery and by the sugar trade, this dwarfed the profits of the fur trade....

Question: On which plateau in 1759 did the British defeat the French and take control of Quebec?
Answer: The Plains of Abraham