Face to Face: We fought
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Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm , 1712-1759 James Wolfe, 1727-1759 Soldiers - Biography
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Portrait of Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm, 19th century

Portrait of Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm, 19th century
Unknown artist
Library and Archives Canada
1991-209-1, C-27665

Signature of Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm
Library and Archives Canada
e004666191

Portrait of James Wolfe, circa 1745

Portrait of James Wolfe circa 1745
Joseph Highmore
Library and Archives Canada
1995-134-1, C-003916

Signature of James Wolfe
Detail from Portrait of General James Wolfe, 1759 George Townshend
McCord Museum, Montreal
M245

The battle for Canada

On September 13, 1759, two men were mortally wounded during a battle
that reshaped the destiny of Canada. James Wolfe was commander of
the British forces at Quebec City. The Marquis de Montcalm led the French defence.

The battle delivered Canada - French territory for 150 years - to the British.
Both generals are remembered as heroes. Both have been blamed for the way
they fought that decisive battle. During five years of conflict, it was the first battle that Montcalm had ever lost; for Wolfe, it was the supreme moment in a distinguished
career. For both, it was the end.

quoteThe Marquis de Montcalm is at the head of a great number of
bad soldiers, and I am at the head of a small number of good ones,
that wish for nothing so much as to fight him — but the wary old fellow
avoids an action doubtful of the behaviour of his army. quote

James Wolfe, 1759

Signature of James Wolfe

quoteThe colony is lost if peace doesn’t come soon; I don’t see anything that can save it. quote

Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm , 1759

Signature of Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm

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