| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| travelkev |
Posted - January 24 2005 : 11:54:35 AM
Dear All
I am trying to track down any commentaries about Montcalm's strategy at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, especially source material in french (I am writing an essay for my french exam).
Thanks in advance for anything you know of either in print or on the web.
Kevin |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - January 24 2005 : 7:18:42 PM
quote:
CT Ranger stated: ...and the British line charged with the bayonet, driving the French before them to the walls of Quebec.
Not to mention the 78th Highlanders performing one of the last traditional 'Highland Charges' in British military history. After firing their volleys, they grounded their firelocks and drew broadswords and pistols for the pursuit. As effective as this vicious charge was initially, the men of the 78th regretted leaving their firelocks 500 yards behind them, when the French regrouped near the entrenchments...
Your Most Humble Servant,
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| CT•Ranger |
Posted - January 24 2005 : 5:53:07 PM
Montcalm had good reason to believe he could break the British line on the Plains of Abraham. He outnumbered the British about 4 to 1. Plus the Brits were stretched out in a thin line only two ranks deep, when the norm of the day was 3. If Montcalm had waited, the British numbers on the plain would only increase. Where his attack failed was in discipline. The French fired too early, then broke in a disorganized charge, after the light bobs feigned a brilliant panic stricken retreat, drawing the Frech in for the kill. At about 40 yards the British fired a perfect volley, followed quickly by a second, the French staggered, and the British line charged with the bayonet, driving the French before them to the walls of Quebec. |
| Fitz Williams |
Posted - January 24 2005 : 4:30:55 PM
I agree. There was no strategy. He just attacked in hopes that the British were not yet ready. They were. |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - January 24 2005 : 3:20:02 PM
Hi Kevin,
As for French accounts of the battle, they are somewhat limited (History is always written by the victors, seldom by the vanquished). The best French accounts can be found in Hamilton's translation of the journal of Louis Antoine de Bougainville, titled Adventure In The Wilderness. These cover not just Quebec, but Ticonderoga and other major engagements as well. Gallup's translation of Bonin's memoirs is also fairly good, but alot of what he has is 'second-hand' information. Cardy's translation of Pouchot's Memoirs On The Late War In North America Between France And England gives a good view as to the author's own contribution to the Siege of Quebec.
As to my own view on the French command strategy of the battle, it can be put into one word... 'Panic'. Montcalm realized too late that he had 'left the back door open' (Failing to secure all paths up to the Plains of Abraham), and hurried to rectify his error. Unfortunately for him, General Wolfe was no 'Abercromby', and he possessed the dash and brillance to take advantage of Montcalm's mistake. I hope this helps, and good luck on your research project.
Your Most Humble Servant,
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