Remembering Montcalm and Wolfe

On this day in 1759, British General James Wolfe and French General the Marquis de Montcalm met outside Quebec City in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.  Both commanders died in the ensuing battle; Wolfe before the battle had even ended, Montcalm early the next morning.  These two pictures (with quotes) are a tribute to them.

On Wolfe's picture, his men are ascending to the plains of Abraham.  The quote "The Paths of glory lead but to the grave" is from Gray's Elegy in a Country Churchyard.  Wolfe reportedly claimed he would rather have written those lines than capture Quebec.  Wolfe's last words were "Now, God be praised, I will die in peace."

Montcalm's picture shows the wounded general replying to the concerned inquiries of Quebec's citizens: "The Marquis is killed!"  "It is nothing, do not weep for me, my good friends."  Montcalm spent his last hours writing to Brigadier-General Townshend asking him to treat the Canadians kindly, and praying.

 

Montcalm's Army from "Troupes Du Roi 1757"

These plates are from a book called "Troupes du Roi, Infanterie française et étrangère, année 1757."  This book, written in 1757, has provided a priceless window into the uniforms of French infantry during the Seven Years War.  The plates selected depict French regiments who fought with Montcalm to defend New France (Canada) from 1755 to 1760.


All photographs are courtesy of the Reunion des Musees Nationaux at http://www.photo.rmn.fr/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2CO5PC7S6ADBL&PN=6

These regiments are arranged in order of seniority, that is, from oldest raised to newest raised.  Clicking on a picture will enlarge it.

First is the Regiment La Reine, the queen's own regiment.  This regiment fought at Lake George (1755), Fort William-Henry (1757), Fort Carillon (1758) and Sainte-Foy (1760).  Read more about Regiment La Reine at http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=La_Reine_Infanterie

Next is the Regiment La Sarre.  In the picture, the soldier is fighting an enemy with his sword.  This regiment fought at Fort Oswego (1756), Fort William-Henry (1757), Fort Carillon (1758), the Plains of Abraham (1759) and Sainte-Foy (1760).  Read more about Regiment La Sarre at http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=La_Sarre_Infanterie 

This flagbearer is from Regiment Royal-Roussillon, raised in the Roussillon province with King Louis XV as its colonel.  This regiment fought at Fort William-Henry (1757), Fort Carillon (1758), the Plains of Abraham (1759) and Sainte-Foy (1760).  Read more about Regiment Royal-Roussillon at

http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Royal_Roussillon_Infanterie

 

Regiment Languedoc was raised in the Languedoc province where General Montcalm was born.  This regiment fought at Lake George (1755), Fort William-Henry (1757), Fort Carillon (1758), the Plains of Abraham (1759) and Sainte-Foy (1760).  Read more about Regiment Languedoc at http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Languedoc_Infanterie

This reclining soldier is from Regiment Guyenne which was raised in the Guyenne province.  This regiment fought at Fort William-Henry (1757), Fort Carillon (1758), the Plains of Abraham (1759) and Sainte-Foy (1760).  Read more about Regiment Guyenne at http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Guyenne_Infanterie

This soldier holding a pipe is from Regiment Berry.  Regiment Berry was originally supposed to sail to India, but was sent to Canada instead.  This regiment fought at Fort Carillon (1758) and Sainte-Foy (1760). Read more about Regiment Berry at http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Berry_Infanterie

The last of Montcalm's regular regiments is Regiment Bearn.  This illustration shows a grenadier, distinguished by his mustache.  This regiment fought at Fort Oswego (1756), Fort William-Henry (1757), Fort Carillon (1758), the Plains of Abraham (1759) and Sainte-Foy (1760).  Read more about Regiment Bearn at http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=B%C3%A9arn_Infanterie

The Mystery of Oswego's Three Flags.

The 1756 Siege of Fort Oswego was a French victory in the French and Indian War, as the Marquis de Montcalm captured the fort and secured French control of Lake Ontario.   After his defeat of the British, Montcalm took the flags of Shirley's 50th and Pepperell's 51st.  The two flags were then hung in Quebec's cathedral Notre-Dame-des-Victoires.  When Montreal surrendered in 1760, those flags were recovered (apparently they were moved from Quebec to Montreal).

After the death of General Montcalm, his wife and mother wrote a Memorial, to answer the reproaches of Canada's Intendant, M. Bigot.  In that, they enumerate what the late marquis left them during his service in Canada: his unpaid salary, some bills of exchange, some herds and "savage clothing", along with "un drapeau dechire qu'il arracha des mains d'un Anglois a la victoire de Choueguen."  "A flag torn and snatched from the hands of an Englishman at the victory of Choueguen," is my rough translation (with the help of translate.google.com)

The captured flag of the 51st

The captured flag of the 50th

So, there were three flags at Oswego.  But what is the "torn flag?"  Could it be a Union Jack, flying above the fort?  Or perhaps the standard of the Jersey Blues?  A mystery indeed.

The Cross at Carillon

On July 8, 1758, the British army of General James Abercromby--16,000 strong--attacked the French defenses outside Fort Carillon during the French and Indian War (1754-62).  For the entire day, the British infantry struggled through the dense abbatis (sharpened logs) which the French had hurriedly constructed.  Every time, however, they were thrown back by General Montcalm's 3,000 French regulars.  Near the end of the day, the 42nd "Black Watch" Highlanders attacked.  A few penetrated the abbatis, climbed the wall, and fought hand-to-hand with the French until being bayoneted.  At c. 6:00, the British attempted one more attack, but were thrown back.  The rangers and provincial (colonial) troops covered the retreat of the British army.

This battle was Montcalm's greatest victory, and he knew who had given it to him.  When it became clear that the British had retreated, he erected a cross with this inscription:

"Quid dux? Quid miles?
Quid strata ingentia ligna?
En signum! En victor! Deus hic,
Deus ipse, truimphat!"

In 1911, William Charles Wood translated the Latin into English, while keeping the poetry:

"General, soldier, and
Ramparts are as naught!
Behold the conquering Cross!
'Tis God the triumph wrought!"

Oh, for more Christians and historians to see all of life as this general saw it!

Marquis de Montcalm

One of my heroes is Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm. Montcalm was born exactly 300 years ago, on February 29, 1712. When he was 12, he joined the French army and served in the War of the Polish Succession (1733-36). On October 3, 1736, Montcalm married Louise-Angelique Talon de Boulay. They had 10 children, but only 6 survived to adulthood. Throughout his life, Montcalm's heart was always with his family, even when he was absent.

Montcalm fought in the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48). When the war was over, he was allowed to raise a cavalry regiment, the Regiment de Montcalm. In 1756, France and England declared war on each other, beginning the Seven Years' War. Montcalm was sent to New France (Canada) as commander of French regular troops. Montcalm besieged and took Fort Oswego (1756) and Fort William-Henry (1757). He also shattered a British army attacking Fort Carillon (1758).

But the British were not Montcalm's chief enemies. The French-Canadian leaders made life difficult for Montcalm. Governor Vaudreuil was a man with, it seems, little character and a big ego. He was not a bad man per se, but was surrounded by evil counsellors like Intendant Bigot and M. Pean. Bigot and Pean were bureaucrats who stole money from the King. They did not like Montcalm's candor in exposing their official stealing.

1759 saw Montcalm defending Quebec against James Wolfe. Both were killed in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.

Montcalm held the line against not only the British, but also the corrupt Canadian bureaucrats. He held to principles of Biblical warfare. But a characteristic that is not often seen in other generals was his modesty. Louis XV awarded him the Cross of Saint-Louis. He wrote to his wife about this honour, adding, "But I think I am better pleased with what you tell me of the success of my oil-mill."

Montcalm's priorities were his family and his church, and he never forgot them, even in the heat of campaigning or the battles with the Canadian bureaucrats.

Recommended reading: The Passing of New France: A Chronicle of Montcalm by William C. H. Wood. This is an excellent study of Montcalm and the French & Indian War.