James Wolfe

(1727 - 1759)

James Wolfe was a national hero in Britain. He rose to acclaim as an officer of the British Army during the conquest of Quebec from the French in 1759, an event that led to British supremacy throughout Canada. He was born on January 2, 1727 at Westerham, Kent. He was the son of renowned general Edward Wolfe and therefore was given his first commission at an early age. Wolfe took part in the suppression of the Jacobite Rebellion while in service in Flanders and in Scotland. His service brought him to the attention of his superiors and advanced his career greatly. Wolfe was stationed in a garrison in the Scottish Highlands for eight years after the peace treaty of 1748.

With the outbreak of the Seven Years War in 1756 Wolfe was promoted to Colonel and stationed in Canterbury to protect Kent county from French invasion. He served as Quartermaster General in the failed 1757 raid on Rochefort, a seaport on the French Atlantic coast, in 1757. The attempted seizure of Rochefort sought to relieve pressure on German allies who were under attack. Though the raid was not successful, Wolfe was recognized for the guidance he provided to commander Sir John Mourdant, urging him into action and facilitating an expedition ashore to scope the terrain.

These impressive acts garnered the attention of British Prime Minister William Pitt the Elder. Wolfe was appointed second in command in the quest to capture the Fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island in 1758. The siege was a success. Wolfe was recognized for his role in the preparations for the attack, including the landing and the assertive development of siege batteries. He was appointed commander of a new force that sought to capture Quebec City. The assault on Quebec City lasted three months. To intimidate French-Canadian civilians, Wolfe released a manifesto, which proved to be counter-productive, as it resulted in more civilian resistance against the British. Wolfe orchestrated an attack on Quebec City in which 4,400 men in small boats landed along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. They scaled the cliffside in the early hours of September 13, 1759 and took the French by surprise. In a major battle on the Plains of Abraham, the French were quickly defeated, but Wolfe was shot three times, including one fatal shot in his chest. Following the successful siege and his death, Wolfe received acclaim for the defeat of the French force under Marquis de Montcalm. His body was transported back to Britain on the HMS Royal William. He was buried in a family vault in St. Alfege Church, Greenwich.

Gustavus Vassa became involved in the Seven Years War after he was sold to Royal Navy lieutenant, Michael Henry Pascal in 1754. On January 27, 1758, Pascal was appointed sixth lieutenant on the HMS Namur, a 90-gun second rate flagship commanded by Admiral Edward Boscawen. Gustavus Vassa accompanied Pascal on the ship and also served as a “powder monkey,” hauling gunpowder from the powder magazine to the gun deck. This position led him to write an eyewitness account of Wolfe’s time on board the Namur. Vassa described the events leading up to the Siege of Louisbourg and the fall of the city to the British. Vassa confirms the popular perception of Wolfe as a well-liked, affable man. In his account, Vassa reported that Wolfe “often honoured me, as well as the other boys, with marks of his notice; and saved me once a flogging for fighting with a young gentleman.” While Vassa did not date this experience, it likely took place on May 28, 1758, when Brigadier General Lawrence, Major General Amherst and Wolfe were on board.

Portrait of James Wolfe by J.S.C Schaak (1767). Primary Collection, National Portrait Gallery, London.