The Battle of the Plains of Abraham

September 13, 1759

Quebec

BackgroundSeven Year’s War – both Europe and North America (1756-1763)In Canada, early French success, more manpower and fortsLater (1758-1759), British success – more money, men are allotted, power of Royal NavyBy 1759, New France faced odds of nearly 3 to 1 in terms of ships, 4 to 1 in terms of regular soldiers, and 10 to 1 in money

Main Players

James Wolfe – commander of British invasion fleet sent to take Quebec

Invasion force = 13,500 men, 4000 in strike force (mostly regular soldiers)

Main Players

France – Marquis de Montcalm

Approximately 4500 men (mostly militiamen)

Problems with French DefenseWest side of city walls facing the Plains of Abraham had no gun reinforcementsLeft undefended the south bank of the river opposite the city and shortly after their arrival, the British established batteries there and were able to launch attacksUnder cover of fire, Royal Navy could transport its ships up the river without counterattack

Summer 1759

All summer British took garrisons all around modern day provinces of Quebec and OntarioDevastated the parishes around Quebec city. On the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, the British destroyed 1000 buildings as well as the Canadians’ harvest

Battle Preparations

Wolfe wanted to force Montcalm into an open, European-style battle, but was running out of time – the Navy had to go back to Britain for the winter

However, he found a small cove called Anse au Foulon from which a narrow path led up the steps of the cliff to Quebec garrison

French believed no force could climb the narrow path so left it undefended

French Mistakes

French failed to establish a password for a French convoy expected to bring supplies on the night of September 12

The British attack was a complete surprise – French sentries on the shore thought that the boats gliding past them were part of the French convoy (was actually cancelled) and Wolfe had those soldiers who could speak French answer the French sentries in their own language

Ready for AttackIn total, 3 landing ships reached the shore

The advance force of Scottish Highlanders walked up the steep path, two by two, and, without detection, gained the summit of the cliffs and overpowered the French post there

Wolfe’s Luck

Wolfe’s risks paid off

The sentries did not recognize the British in time because the convoy had been expected

His difficult landing was successful and without problems

The Plains of AbrahamWolfe deployed 4500 troops on the Plains of Abraham, the grassy field near the unarmed western walls of the fortMontcalm makes a fatal error- Instead of waiting for Colonel de Bougainville to arrive with 3000 regulars stationed at Cap Rouge, 15 km upstream, he impulsively attacks

The Battle UnfoldsBritish strategies – Three quarters of men deployed in one line in a concentration of firepower

When the French army was only 40m away, the command to fire was given and the French were devastated, their lines in chaos

One volley later, they retreated up the St. Lawrence River

Battle lasted less than 30 minutes

The two forces were numerically equal, however, the British force was composed of regulars and the French, poorly trained militiamen

British Casualties

Approximately 650 men

Wolfe was shot and killed on the battlefield

French Casualties

Approximately 650 men

Montcalm was also wounded in battle and died from his wounds the next morning

By September 18, the fort at Quebec, short of provisions and soldiers and weakly fortified on its west side, was surrendered

RepercussionsThe battle was a serious blow to the French, but all was not lost on September 13

France still controlled the rest of the St. Lawrence valley and its army was still in tact

Contrary to popular belief, the Battle of the Plains of Abraham did not determine New France’s fate. It was a naval battle fought at Quiberon Bay off the coast of France during which the British navy’s destruction of the French fleet later prevented France from sending a rescue force to save Canada, that sealed its fate

Repercussions cont’d

During an attempt to recapture Quebec, the French army ran short of ammunitions and supplies and no ship was available to come from France to its aid

Almost one year later, September 18, 1760 – the French surrendered all of New France and the British took the final French stronghold at Montreal

“The Death of General Wolfe”

“The Death of General Wolfe”

By British painter, Benjamin West (1738-1820)Unveiled in London in 1771Has been called “absolutely valueless as a historic representation”Why might historians caution that this painting is an inaccurate depiction of both the battle and Wolfe’s death?