Francis Parkman’s detailed account of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham and the deaths of Generals James Wolfe and Louis-Joseph de Montcalm in 1759: The Deaths of Wolfe and Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham, September 19 stands as one of the most important historical writings about the event that decided the fate of New France. The Battle of the Plains of Abraham, fought outside the walls of Quebec on September 13, 1759, was one of the most pivotal moments in North American history, determining the future of the continent by bringing New France under British control. Parkman’s work, published more than a century later, is a detailed and dramatic retelling of the battle, focusing on the heroism, tragedy, and contrasting leadership of Wolfe and Montcalm. Both men, mortally wounded during the conflict, became symbols of their respective nations' struggles. Parkman’s account not only immortalizes the events of that fateful day but also delves into the broader implications of the battle, which fundamentally reshaped the political, cultural, and social landscape of Canada and North America as a whole.
In The Deaths of Wolfe and Montcalm, Parkman sets the stage by describing the geopolitical context of the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), a global conflict in which France and Britain fought for dominance in North America. The war was a clash not only of military power but also of two competing visions for the continent: British settlers expanding from the east and French fur traders and military outposts extending from the St. Lawrence River down into the heart of the continent. Quebec, perched on the cliffs overlooking the St. Lawrence, was the linchpin of French defenses in North America, and both sides knew that the fate of New France would be decided there. Parkman’s account vividly captures the sense of urgency and the high stakes that surrounded the siege of Quebec in 1759, culminating in the decisive battle on the Plains of Abraham.
The deaths of Wolfe and Montcalm during the battle became symbolic of the larger struggle between Britain and France for control of North America. Parkman’s description of Wolfe, the ambitious young British general, is that of a determined and brilliant, if somewhat flawed, leader whose daring strategy won the day but cost him his life. Wolfe’s decision to launch a surprise assault by scaling the cliffs beneath Quebec in the dead of night is presented as a masterstroke of military genius. Parkman details Wolfe’s steady resolve in the face of physical illness and his deep sense of duty to his soldiers and his country. The image of Wolfe, fatally wounded yet learning of his victory before he died, became a potent symbol of British courage and sacrifice. Wolfe’s death on the battlefield transformed him into a national hero, whose legacy would inspire future generations of British soldiers and citizens.
In contrast, Parkman portrays Montcalm as a seasoned and valiant commander who, despite his best efforts, was ultimately overwhelmed by circumstances beyond his control. Montcalm had been faced with a difficult position from the outset: his forces were stretched thin, and the French military infrastructure in New France was under-resourced and poorly supplied. Despite these challenges, Montcalm managed to defend Quebec for months against the British siege. His decision to meet Wolfe in open battle on the Plains of Abraham, rather than waiting for reinforcements, has been the subject of much historical debate, and Parkman explores the weight of Montcalm’s choices with nuance. Like Wolfe, Montcalm was mortally wounded during the battle, dying the next day. His death symbolized the fall of New France and the end of an era for French colonial ambitions in North America. For the French, Montcalm became a tragic figure, one whose bravery and leadership were not enough to save the colony from the inevitable tide of British victory.
Parkman’s work highlights not only the personal sacrifices of Wolfe and Montcalm but also the broader implications of the battle for the future of Canada. The British victory on the Plains of Abraham marked the beginning of the end for French colonial rule in North America. With the fall of Quebec, New France was effectively cut off from reinforcements and supplies from Europe, and the French position in North America became untenable. The Treaty of Paris in 1763 formally ceded control of New France to Britain, making Canada a British colony and dramatically shifting the balance of power on the continent. This transfer of power would have far-reaching consequences for the development of Canada, both in terms of its political structure and its cultural identity.
One of the key themes that emerges from Parkman’s account is the impact of the British victory on the French-speaking population of Canada. The conquest of New France by the British did not spell the end of French culture and language in Canada, but it did create a new dynamic between the French-speaking Canadiens and their British rulers. The British victory ushered in a new political order, but it also raised questions about how the French population would be governed and what rights they would retain under British rule. Parkman’s narrative explores the complexities of this transition, noting that while the British sought to integrate Canada into their empire, they also had to contend with the realities of governing a large, predominantly French-speaking population. The British decision to allow the French to retain their language, religion, and legal system under the Quebec Act of 1774 was a key moment in Canadian history, one that laid the foundations for the cultural duality that continues to define Canada today.
In many ways, the deaths of Wolfe and Montcalm, as portrayed by Parkman, serve as symbols of the larger clash between two empires and two cultures on North American soil. The British and French fought not only for territory but also for influence, and their differing approaches to colonization and governance shaped the future of the continent. For the French, the defeat on the Plains of Abraham marked the end of their dream of a vast empire stretching from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi. For the British, it represented the culmination of decades of struggle to establish dominance in North America, a victory that would pave the way for further expansion into the interior. Yet, as Parkman astutely observes, the victory also set in motion a new set of challenges, particularly in managing the diverse populations that now fell under British rule.
Parkman’s work also underscores the international dimensions of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. The conflict between Britain and France in North America was part of a larger global struggle between the two powers, fought across Europe, India, the Caribbean, and beyond. The outcome of the battle had ramifications far beyond the boundaries of New France, influencing the course of the Seven Years' War and reshaping the geopolitical landscape. The British victory at Quebec was a critical moment in Britain’s rise as a global imperial power, and it demonstrated the ability of European conflicts to reshape entire continents.
Perhaps one of the most enduring legacies of The Deaths of Wolfe and Montcalm is its contribution to the mythology of Canadian history. Parkman’s account of the battle and the deaths of the two generals became part of the national narrative, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when Canada was seeking to define itself as a distinct nation within the British Empire. Wolfe, in particular, was celebrated as a national hero in English Canada, his death seen as a sacrifice that ensured the survival of British rule and the eventual formation of modern Canada. Montcalm, meanwhile, became a symbol of French Canada’s endurance and resistance, embodying the strength and determination of the French-speaking population even in the face of defeat. Parkman’s portrayal of these two figures helped shape their lasting legacies in Canadian culture and memory.
In conclusion, Francis Parkman’s 1759: The Deaths of Wolfe and Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham, September 19 is more than a mere historical recounting of a battle—it is a profound exploration of the clash of empires, cultures, and individuals that shaped the future of North America. The deaths of Wolfe and Montcalm, as depicted by Parkman, became symbolic of the larger struggle between Britain and France for control of the continent, and their legacy continues to resonate in Canadian history. The Battle of the Plains of Abraham marked the beginning of a new era for Canada, one in which French and British influences would coexist and shape the country’s development. Parkman’s work captures the drama, tragedy, and significance of this pivotal moment, offering a deep and enduring insight into the events that would define Canada’s future.
Wolfe was everywhere. How cool he was, and why his followers loved him, is shown by an incident that happened in the course of the morning. One of his captains was shot through the lungs; and on recovering consciousness he saw the general standing at his side. Wolfe pressed his hand, told him not to despair, praised his services, promised him an early promotion, and sent an aide-de-camp to Monckton to beg that officer to keep the promise if he himself should fall.
It was towards ten o'clock when, from the high ground on the right of the line, Wolfe saw that the crisis was near. The French on the ridge had formed themselves into three bodies, regulars in the centre, regulars and Canadians on the right and left. Two field-pieces, which had been dragged up the heights at Anse du Foulon, fired on them with grape-shot, and the troops, rising from the ground, prepared to receive them. In a few moments more they were in motion. They came on rapidly, uttering loud shouts, and firing as soon as they were within range. Their ranks, ill ordered at the best, were further confused by a number of Canadians who had been mixed among the regulars, and who, after hastily firing, threw themselves on the ground to reload. The British advanced a few rods; then halted and stood still. When the French were within forty paces the word of command rang out, and a crash of musketry answered all along the line. The volley was delivered with remarkable precision. In the battalions of the centre, which had suffered least from the enemy's bullets, the simultaneous explosion was afterwards said by French officers to have sounded like a cannon-shot. Another volley followed, and then a furious clattering fire that lasted but a minute or two. When the smoke rose, a miserable sight was revealed: the ground cumbered with dead and wounded, the advancing masses stopped short and turned into a frantic mob, shouting, cursing, gesticulating. The order was given to charge. Then over the field rose the British cheer, mixed with the fierce yell of the Highland slogan.
Some of the corps pushed forward with the bayonet; some advanced firing. The clansmen drew their broadswords and dashed on, keen and swift as bloodhounds. At the English right, though the attacking column was broken to pieces, a fire was still kept up, chiefly, it seems, by sharpshooters from the bushes and cornfields, where they had lain for an hour or more. Here Wolfe himself led the charge, at the head of the Louisbourg grenadiers. A shot shattered his wrist. He wrapped his handkerchief about it and kept on. Another shot struck him, and he still advanced, when a third lodged in his breast. He staggered, and sat on the ground. Lieutenant Brown, of the grenadiers, one Henderson, a volunteer in the same company, and a private soldier, aided by an officer of artillery who ran to join them, carried him in their arms to the rear.
He begged them to lay him down. They did so, and asked if he would have a surgeon. "There's no need," he answered; "it's all over with me." A moment after, one of them cried out: "They run; see how they run. Who run?" Wolfe demanded, like a man roused from sleep. "The enemy, sir. Egad, they give way everywhere Go, one of you, to Colonel Burton," returned the dying man; "tell him to march Webb's regiment down to Charles River, to cut off their retreat from the bridge." Then, turning on his side, he murmured, "Now, God be praised, I will die in peace!" and in a few moments his gallant soul had fled.
Montcalm, still on horseback, was borne with the tide of fugitives towards the town. As he approached the walls a shot passed through his body. He kept his seat; two soldiers supported him, one on each side, and led his horse through the St. Louis Gate. On the open space within, among the excited crowd, were several women, drawn, no doubt, by eagerness to know the result of the fight. One of them recognized him, saw the streaming blood, and shrieked, "O mon Dieu! mon Dieu! le Marquis est tué!"
"It's nothing, it's nothing," replied the dead stricken man; "don't be troubled for me, my friends. "("Ce n'est rien; ne vous affligez pas pour mes bonnes amies.")
Cite Article : www.canadahistory.com/sections/documents
Source: Francis Parkman, Montcalm and Wolfe (1884)