James Wolfe

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James Wolfe (January 2, 1727–September 13, 1759) was a British general, remembered mainly for his role in establishing British rule over Canada. He was killed in the course of leading victorious British troops at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.

Wolfe was born in Westerham, Kent, England, himself the son of general, Edward Wolfe. From his earliest years he was destined for a military career, entering his father's regiment at the age of 14. Wolfe later transferred to the infantry where he became a junior officer in 1742 and fought at the Battle of Dettingen in the following year. He participated in the campaign to defeat the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie, taking part in the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and by 1758 Wolfe was a colonel. His success in Cape Breton and the capture of Fortress Louisbourg on June 12, 1758 led to his being given a command in the New World.

Now a brigadier general, Wolfe was assigned to command a British offensive against French Canadian holdings in Quebec. The British army placed the city under seige for three months. During that time, he issued a written document, known as Wolfe's Manifesto, to the civilians of the Canadien community, as a part of his strategy of psychological intimidation.

Wolfe then led his command in an amphibious landing above Quebec on the St. Lawrence River. Wolfe's army then scaled the cliffs. On September 13, 1759, to the surprise of the French forces under Montcalm, British forces attacked on the Plains of Abraham. Both Montcalm and Wolfe himself died in the subsequent battle, the outcome of which was victory for the British. Legend has it that he lived to hear the cry "They run," and eagerly asked "Who run?" Being told it was the French, he exclaimed, "I thank God, and die contented."

Wolfe's victory at Quebec enabled an assault on French holdings in Montreal the following year. William Johnson and his Mohawk warriors led this successful effort.

When George II once expressed his admiration of Wolfe, someone observed that the general was mad. "Oh! He is mad, is he?" said the king with great quickness. "Then I wish he would bite some other of my generals."[1]. He is mentioned in Canada's former unofficial national anthem, "The Maple Leaf Forever":

In days of yore, from Britain's shore,

Wolfe, the dauntless hero came,

And planted firm Britannia's flag,

On Canada's fair domain.

Here may it wave, our boast, our pride,

And joined in love together,

The thistle, shamrock, rose entwined,

The Maple Leaf forever!

The classic Anglo-American folk ballad "Brave Wolfe"[2] (sometimes known as "Bold Wolfe") gives a romanticized version of Wolfe, Montcalm and the Battle of the Plains of Abraham:

Come all ye young men all let this delight you

Come all ye young men all let nothing fright you

Never let your courage fail when you're brought to trial

Nor let your fancy move at the first denial

This brave undaunted youth have crossed the ocean

To free America was his intention

He landed at Quebec with all his party

The city to attack being brave and hearty

Brave Wolfe drew up his men in a line so pretty

On the Plains of Abraham before the city

The French came marching down in hopes to meet them

With a double number round resolved to beat him

Montcalm and this brave youth together walked

Between two armies they like brothers talked

Till each one to his post then did retire

Twas then those numerous hosts commenced their fire

The drums did loudly beat and the colours flying

The purple dawn did stream and men lay dying

And shot from off his horse fell that brave hero

We'll long lament his loss in tears of sorrow

He lifted up his head when the guns did rattle

And to his army said, How goes the battle?

Quebec is all our own none can prevent it

Oh then, replies bold Wolfe, I die contented

Wolfe lived in McCartney House in Croom's Hill, Greenwich, London. His body was buried in St Alfege's Church nearby, a statue of the general overlooks Greenwich Park from a site by the Royal Greenwich Observatory, and there is a memorial to him in Westminster Abbey (by Joseph Wilton).

External links

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online