WOLFE, JAMES
\wˈʊlf], \wˈʊlf], \w_ˈʊ_l_f]\
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(1727-1759), one of the chief heroes in the" expansion of England," entered the army at an early age and fought in the war of the Austrian Succession and against the rising of the Young Pretender in 1745. He was a brigadier-general and commander of a division under General Amherst in the siege and taking of Louisbourg in 1758, and displayed great gallantry. He was promoted to be major-general and selected by Pitt for the great stroke of 1759, the capture of Quebec. In June with eight thousand troops Wolfe appeared near the city. Strongly fortified by nature and art, and under command of the ablest French general of the time, Montcalm, the Gibraltar of the New World resisted all attempts, direct and otherwise. Wolfe and the English became discouraged. A steep but practicable path from the river gave Wolfe his opportunity to surprise his enemy. On the heights of Abraham the French were completely defeated, September 13, 1759, and the surrender of Quebec soon followed. But 'Wolfe was killed in the moment of victory. See Parkman's "Montcalm and Wolfe."
By John Franklin Jameson