The Fall of Generals

 

Benjamin West's The Death of Wolfe

 The Fun Fact today returns us to the French and Indian War and Wolfe's attempt to take Quebec.

In September 1759, Wolfe was moving forces up river, but Montcalm believed that was a diversion and that the British attack on the French stronghold would once again be directed at Beauport. In fact, that was what Wolfe had wanted to do. His brigadiers, however, said, "Don't" to that plan--thus extending the conflict (drama) and creating tension, for those of you interested in story techniques. Therefore, Wolfe, like a true literary hero, pointed out the cliffs at Anse au Foulon west of Quebec to Monckton as the place were that general would lead his troops in an assault. Monckton reacted with "Suspicion" to the idea, not knowing the overall scheme of attack and what Murray and Townsend might be assigned.

September 12, the brigadiers told Wolfe, "Don't Be Cruel" and demanded some details on his plan. Wolfe was not forthcoming with specifics, letting them know that he would be with Monckton's troops, and that Murray and Townsend would follow with their troops if the assault proved successful. Wolfe prepared his will and dressed in his best uniform. At midnight he determined "It's Now or Never" and gave the word to execute the transport of troops to the landing site. 

His plan, which did not seem the best option at the time, required moving his soldier in a flotilla of boats down the swift Saint Lawrence River to on a rocky shore in the dark, to scale a steep cliff, and form up on the plain above without being spotted and driven away before they could so assemble. Understandably, the generals were not filled with "Burnin' Love."

By way of distraction, British guns bombarded the defenses at Beauport where the French continued to expect the assault. French sentries noted the passing of boats in the darkness and cried out. However, someone on the British boats replied in French, and the sentries did not raise an alarm. By four in the morning the advance force of 1800 men, among whom was Lt. Col. William Howe leading a detachment of light infantry. Howe would command the British forces for a time during the American War for Independence.

A detachment of Canadian militia opened fire on Howe's light infantry, and Wolfe halted the landing. However, Wolfe's adjutant, Major Isaac Barré (who would be wounded in the cheek and lose his right eye in the coming battle) ignored Wolfe's command and continued sending troops up the cliff. If there is a hero of the battle, perhaps it's Barré rather than Wolfe.

Montcalm heard the shooting, but continued to believe it was a diversion from the true point of attack at Beauport. Nevertheless, he did order a battalion back to a position west of Quebec. When the sound of battle became more convincing, the French General rode with 4500 regulars and militia to the Plains of Abraham to confront Wolfe and the 4,000 British of Monckton's and Townsend's commands who had climbed into position.

Montcalm had sent orders for Bougainville and his troops to come and attack Wolfe from the west, trapping him between the two French forces. Unfortunately, the hammer refused to wait for the anvil, and simply cast itself into the flames. Montcalm sent his line of troops against Wolfe's red line in a frontal assault.

When the French had closed to within 150 yards, the first rank of French attackers dropped to one knee and fired a volley into the British line. A ball struck General Wolfe in the wrist, shattering the bones. The French reloaded and continued the advance. At 60 yards, the British flanks began to fire. At 40 yards, the British center unleashed a blast that halted the French advance and sent into a precipitate charge to the rear.

Wolfe, before falling with mortal wounds in the intestines and chest, ordered a bayonet charge to destroy the running French. Montcalm fell with wounds to his leg and stomach, to die the next morning. Wolfe died on the field.

Command fell to Townsend, who ordered the British forces to regroup. Bougainville withdrew.

The garrison of 2,200 soldier, sailors, and militia had rations for three days to defend Quebec and its 6,000 inhabitants from the British invasion. The garrison chose to "Surrender" on September 17 with a relief force of 5,000 only a dozen miles away. The English granted the French troops safe passage to France and the militiamen were permitted to join their families.

Just in time for winter, the British had made themselves masters of the ruins. The British fleet left. Townsend said, "I'm Leavin'," and returned to England, and Monckton went to New York to recover from his wounds. James Murray was left in charge of a starving city with a French army to the west and no hope of immediate aide.

--I've consulted my highlights from The French and Indian Wars: Deciding the Fate of North America by Walter R. Borneman, Chapter 13 for this fun fact episode.

*"Don't," "Suspicion," "Don't Be Cruel," "It's Now or Never," "Burnin' Love," "I'm Leavin'," and "Surrender" were hits by what great American performer? 

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I've just started reading Dan Snow's Crusaders, and I'm listening to Alan Dean Foster's To The Vanishing Point. 

In the writing war, I'm down to the final 10-15K words on the bugmageddon novel. I've also had an interesting idea that will put a twist on a couple characters in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series.