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Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm (February 28, 1712 – September 14, 1759) was the commander of the French forces in North America during the Seven Years' War (the North American phase of which is called the French and Indian War in the United States). He is most remembered for his role in the Fall of Quebec, and remains a controversial figure. This very able soldier is highly regarded by the French and Anglophone Canadians, yet has been vilified in American fiction and history.
Early Life
Louis Joseph was the son of Louis-Daniel de Montcalm and Marie-Thérèse de Lauris and was born at their Chateau de Candiac in southern France, near Nîmes. He joined the French Army in 1727 as an ensign in the Régiment d'Hainault. On the death of his father in 1735, he became the Marquis de Montcalm, inheriting the honors, rights, and debts of that position. But his finances were improved soon after by his marriage to Angelique Louise Talon du Boulay. Despite a marriage arranged for money and influence, they were a devoted couple. They made their home at Candiac and had 10 children, of which 5 survived him.
Continental Military career
His father purchased a captaincy for him in 1729 and he served in the War of Polish Succession and the War of Austrian Succession, reaching the rank of Colonel of the Régiment d'Auxerrois in 1743. He took part in Marshal de Maillebois Italian campaign, were he was taken prisoner in the Battle of Piacenza after receiving five sabre wounds while rallying his men. He was released on parole after several months imprisonment, and promoted to Brigadier for his actions during the campaign. He was wounded again by a musket ball before the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle ended the war in 1748.
Colonial Military career
Montcalm was sent to Quebec in 1756 as the commander of French troops in North America during the French and Indian War. His early campaigns against the British were major successes. He expanded the defenses at Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain. He captured and destroyed Fort Oswego on Lake Ontario in 1756. His victory at Fort William Henry in 1757 was a military and personal victory, but the conduct of his Indian allies made this a political loss. These actions were immortalized in James Fenimore Cooper's novel, The Last of the Mohicans.
Regardless, he led the French forces to victory at the Battle of Carillon, facing and defeating an British army five times his size. It was considered his greatest victory, but the battle's outcome was due partly to the fact that the British commander, James Abercrombie, failed to adapt his tactics when the initial frontal attacks proved insufficient to dislodge the defenders. Before and throughout the battle, Montcalm displayed a high level of military competence and leadership in all affairs regarding the fort itself and leading his men.
Later actions at Quebec were less successful and his army was defeated on the Plains of Abraham (near Quebec City) by the British under James Wolfe, but only after repelling the initial British landing at Montmorency Falls several days before. Montcalm died the day after the battle of his wounds, on September 14, 1759, four days before the British entered Quebec. He was buried in the convent of the Ursuline nuns in Quebec, supposedly in a hole caused by the British shelling. Today, his skull is on display at the convent.
Facts and Figures
- Four vessels of the French Navy have been named in his honour:
- An armoured corvette (1865-1891).
- An armoured cruiser (1898-1926)
- A cruiser (1933-1969, served in the Free French Naval Forces).
- A first-rank frigate (1975-present)
See also
External links
1712 births | 1759 deaths | People of New France | French and Indian War people | French generals | French nobility | History of Quebec | Canadian historical figures
Louis-Joseph de Montcalm | Louis-Joseph de Montcalm | Louis-Joseph de Montcalm | Louis-Joseph de Montcalm
"Louis-Joseph de Montcalm"