to do battle, but the accuracy of English musketry de-
stroyed them. Nevertheless, Wolfe was fatally injured.
Historian Robert Wright writes:
Before the smoke cleared away the English had
reloaded, when Wolfe, placing himself at the
head of the Louisbourg Grenadiers and the 28th,
led them on so far as to make the enemy feel bul-
lets and bayonets almost at the same moment.
He had already been shot in the wrist but, wrap-
ping his handkerchief round the wound, contin-
ued to lead on and cheer his followers. His bright
uniform rendering him the more conspicuous
while he exposed himself in front of the Grena-
diers, some Canadian marksmen on the enemy’s
left singled him out for destruction. He had
just given the order for the whole British line to
charge, when he was again dangerously wounded;
but, acting up to his own words—‘while a man
is able to do his duty, and can stand and hold
his arms, it is infamous to retire’—in spite of
pain and weakness, he still persevered.... Not
long after Wolfe had received a third and mor-
tal wound in the breast. When no longer able to
stand, his only concern was lest his men should
be disheartened by his fall. “Support me,” he
whispered to an officer near him, “let not my
brave soldiers see me drop. The day is ours...
keep it!” He was then carried to the rear.Wolfe succumbed to his wounds soon after this
happened. Told that the battle had been won by the Brit-
ish, his last words, according to witnesses, were, “Now
God be praised... I die in peace!” He was only 32.
(Montcalm was also fatally wounded and died the next
day.) Wolfe’s body was returned to England and given a
funeral with full military honors. An impressive monu-
ment to his life and service was erected in Westminster
Abbey in London.
James Wolfe gave his life to secure British control
over Canada and end French power in North America.
His death, captured on canvas by famed artist Benjamin
West, has become one of the most famous battle scenes
in history.References: J. P., The Life of General James Wolfe, The
Conqueror of Canada: Or, the Elogium of that Renowned
Here, Attempted According to the Rules of Eloquence....
(London: Printed for G. Kearsley, 1760); Wright, Rob-
ert, The Life of Major-General James Wolfe, Founded on
Original Documents and Illustrated by His Correspondence,
Including Numerous Unpublished Letters contributed from
the Family papers of Noblemen and Gentlemen, Descendants
of his Companions (London: Chapman and Hall, 1864); A
Short and Authentic Account of the Expedition against Que-
bec, in the Year 1759, under Command of Major-General
James Wolfe. By a Volunteer Upon the Expedition (Québec:
Printed by Middleton & Dawson, 1872); Warner, Oliver,
With Wolfe to Quebec (Toronto: Collins, 1972). wolFe, JAmeS