| Louis-joseph De Montcalm |
Article Index for Louis-joseph |
Website Links For Montcalm |
Information About ™Louis-joseph De Montcalm |
|
trying to stop Native Americans from attacking British soldiers and civilians as they leave Fort William Henry . Wood Engraving by Alfred Bobbett after a painting of Felix Octavius Carr Darley. Published between 1870 and 1880.]] 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. 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 became an ensign in the French Army at the age of 15. 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 over the years. MILITARY CAREER His father purchased a Captain cy 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 Auxerrois Regiment in 1743 . He was wounded and captured during an Italian campaign of 1745 . He was released on parole after several months imprisonment, and promoted to Brigadier for his actions during the campaign. 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. 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
SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|