Bienvenue sur les plaines d'Abraham

To make sure we don’t forget these milestone historical facts, activities marking the 250th anniversary of the battles will be held throughout the year: thematic days, an exhibition on the Seven Years’ War, symposiums with the participation of historians, memorials in memory of the combatants, books recalling the writings of the military and civilians who lived through these events, and historic reminders in the Greater Québec City area.

Québec City’s residents will be admitted free to the Odyssey multimedia exhibition on Saturdays and Sundays in January and February.

Starting in July, a temporary commemorative exhibition will be presented for the 250th anniversary of the battles.

Pretend you’re a tourist visiting your own city and get to know this important chapter of your history.

From 10 am to 5 pm at the
Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham
835 Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue, level 0, Québec
(next to the Drill Hall)

Throughout the siege of Quebec, in 1759, and up to the surrender of Montreal in 1760, actors and witnesses of these determining events wrote down on paper a description of the facts, their thoughts, questionings, doubts and hopes. These testimonials make up a corpus of great value.

Publication of a chronology of events related to the Battle of the Plains of Abraham and the Battle of Sainte-Foy: a tale of the unfolding of operations through the writings of soldiers and civilians who lived through these events.

The research done to document the Battle of the Plains of Abraham and the Battle of Sainte-Foy led Hélène Quimper, one of the Commission’s historians, to explore the various available sources by studying in depth correspondences, newspapers and memoirs.

At the same time, the Éditions du Septentrion, a publisher the Commission formerly worked with on a superb work dedicated to the history of the Plains of Abraham, developed a similar project, to publish a chronology done by Jacques Lacoursière. There was therefore a fusion of these two documents. This is how the Lacoursière-Quimper reference file came to be.

This is a wonderful opportunity to put these events into context without interpreting them. In this work, the actors and witnesses of these past events are the ones taking the floor.

Taken from these vignettes, non translated historic capsules (in the language of origin of the actors and witnesses) will be broadcast on the Web site of the Commission every week.

It was on the tip of Cap Diamant that Murray’s Blockhouse was located (1759-1783). It had been built by James Murray, who questioned the invulnerability of Cap Diamant in this spot. The blockhouse’s location would guarantee a certain hold on the strategic points. Later on, the building was integrated into the construction of the temporary citadel. Archaeological digs are now taking place at this location.

Participate in genuine digs on the site of Murray’s Blockhouse. Backed by a team of professionals under the supervision of archaeologist Philippe Picard, volunteers will enjoy a unique experience as they work in an authentic historic site. We should point out that the participants will receive no remuneration, but that the required tools will be put at their disposal. Subsequently, the discoveries made since 2007 will be put on display.

For three centuries, the battle of the Plains of Abraham and the battle of Sainte-Foy prompted artists to express their observations or give free rein to their interpretations. These individuals created works that, assembled in an exhibition, propose a special way of looking at these events.

Presentation of approximately forty works connected with the battle of the Plains of Abraham and the battle of Sainte-Foy. It will be possible to see, among other things, the main protagonists, scenes of the battles, as well as images of the bombarded city.

The National Battlefields Commission has the mandate to prepare the exhibition catalogue. It will contain approximately 100 pages, and a minimum of 1000 copies of the catalogue will be published. Hélène Quimper (Commission) has written the historical essay and Daniel Drouin (Museum), the fine arts essay.

Place and access
Room no. 1, at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec.
Entrance fee.

The Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), or War of the Conquest in Canada, or French and Indian War for the Americans, is a major conflict that is sometimes compared to a world war by the very number of the operations theatres (Europe, North America, India) and the number of countries involved. This conflict mainly pitted together France and Great Britain, and Austria against Prussia, but, by reason of different interests, several Européen courtise and their colonies were also involved in this war. The hostilities officially began in 1756, but the confrontations started earlier in 1754, in the North American colonies, with a series of skirmishes and battles (The Jumonville affair and the attack of Fort Necessity) before degenerating into an all out war in Europe.

Represent geographically the Seven Years’ War over the entire North American territory, from the Ohio Valley to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, showing, for both the French and the British troops:

Access
- Year round: $8/18-64 years old; $7/13-17 years old and 65 or over; free for children 12 years old or under.
- From June 25 to September 7, 2009 (including Abraham’s Bus and Martello Tower 1): $10/18-64 years old; $8/13-17 years old and 65 or over; $3/12 or under.

The Quebec battles are known as genuine European style battles, whereas raids and ambush warfare were typical of the altercations taking place in America. The use of smoothbore weaponry can explain some of the strategies used on the battlefield, as well as the bloody consequences that befell the soldiers.

Two officers from that era will offer you an interactive face-off illustrating the hidden side of the two great Quebec confrontations. This historical activity will give visitors and their families a chance to discover a few aspects of the operation of muskets, and the rudimentary care given to the wounded.

Although the British had not yet reached Quebec’s doors, the city nonetheless experienced a war like situation that greatly affected its citizens, from the fall of 1758 to the spring of 1759. The high society still gave balls despite the existing famine. The conflict between certain leaders were obvious, and discontent was rampant in the population. However, preparations for the defence of the city still needed to be undertaken. Despite problems of survival on a daily basis, the unprecedented mobilization of the militia caused thousands of men to converge upon Quebec to defend their native land. Similarly, the development of loyalty regarding the Amerindian alliances bore fruit. Nearly 2000 Amerindians came, some from afar, to support Orontio, their French father (the King of France who was represented by Montcalm in the colony).

The purpose of this activity is to explain the difficult conditions and the tensions that prevailed in the months preceding the arrival of the British in front of the city. Seven themes will be treated during this presentation, led by Montcalm, Bougainville, Vaudreuil, Bigot and other actors of the period, so that the public may get a glimpse into the climate the city was under and the conditions it had to endure.

Dispute between military leaders
The situation was tense between the two leaders, Vaudreuil and Montcalm. This tension was not without affecting the quality of the defence of the colony.

Famine and rationing
It was difficult to get supplies, and the poor harvests in recent years were causing serious famine problems. The population found this situation difficult to withstand and expressed its dismay to the authorities.

The high society’s corruption, abuse and festivities
Despite the imminent attack, balls and receptions still went on, in a false atmosphere of rejoicing. During these evenings, the high society, whether it was military, aristocratic or bourgeois, had fun, ate and drank as if reality was totally different.

Planning and construction of defensive works
In the spring of 1759, Montcalm planned and built a series of defensive works designed tocounter a British attack.

Preparations and military presence
The military, militiamen and Amerindian allies were present as never before in the vicinity of Quebec. An exceptional situation that increased the difficulties and tensions in the city.

Consolidation of alliances with the Amerindians
Throughout the war, bargaining and negotiations conducted with the Amerindians were continuous. Montcalm and the leaders used all their diplomatic wiles to ensure the presence and loyalty of their allies.

Mobilization of the Canadian Militia
Never had the mobilization of inhabitants taking up arms against the invader been so strong within the colony. Over 12,000 militiamen were ready to fight the enemy in Quebec. These men were from the governments of Montreal, Trois-Rivières and Quebec.

Place
Des Braves Park. Open-air presentation. The public is invited to bring their chairs.

July 12, 1759 was the day the bombardment of Quebec. The city’s surrounding area was already subjected to the British military pressure, and to all the horrors that went with the fighting. Throughout the summer, according to one estimate, the British artillery rained 10,000 incendiary bombs and 40,000 cannonballs on the city. The Amerindian raids, the skirmishes between the tow sides, the burning, the targeted destruction were the everyday lot of the besieged city. However, despite everything, life still went on, with difficulty, amid desolation and ruins.

On this historic thematic day there will be a presentation on the lives of Quebec’s citizens at the time of the siege, in the summer of 1759. Interpretive activities and information will help us gain an understanding of the direct impact of the siege on the population.

Supported by various sources and the actors of the period, there will be close to twenty different subjects, divided into four main themes that will lift the veil on the situation in Quebec City and its surroundings.

What we will find, then, are didactic interpretive workshops on subjects such as archaeology, cartography and military engineering, as well as historical lectures. Several historic activities will provide a glimpse into little-known aspects of life under siege: military life, lack of commercial activities, presence and role of the Amerindians, prayers and religious life, justice in wartime, historical quiz, surgery and diseases, leisure activities in wartime, etc. Finally, a few demonstrations, real or fictional, of gun and cannon firing, military drill, fires and bombardments, will be held. Overall, from 25 to 30 historic terminals will allow visitors to get a good glimpse into the stakes and consequences of the siege of the city in 1759 sustained by the population.

Military actions
Here we refer to the drill, the attack or “coup des écoliers,” the fire ship attacks, the cavalry, discipline in wartime, the Amerindian raids and the recruiting of the militia.

Commerce
The more difficult aspects of economic activity in wartime. We will get a glimpse into rationing and the consumption of horse meat, the supplying of merchants and commercial trade, as well as the importance of harvests in such situations.

Social hardships
The disastrous problems and consequences for the population will be presented under four sub-themes that can be described as follows: the burning of the city, the summary trials and executions, the violent acts perpetrated on the côte de Beaupré and the côte du Sud, and the hospital care provided by Québec nuns.

Spiritual and scientific life
This last theme which combines scientific thought, faith and beliefs lets us get a glimpse into military engineering, religious life and the birth of a legend.

Battle of the Plains of Abraham - September 13, 1759

The British army, under the command of General James Wolfe, had besieged Quebec since 1759. The British partly controlled the river through installations on the south shore, facing the city, on the tip of the Île d’Orléans and on the eastern bank of the Montmorency River. The French army of the marquis de Montcalm had been strengthened at Beauport and was expecting an attack originating from Montmorency. Wolfe gave way to the pressures of his staff, who wanted the landing to occur upstream from the city. Wolfe landed at Anse au Foulon.

During the night of September 12, the British climbed up the cliff and, in the morning of the 13, the troop of 4500 soldiers was arranged in two lines in front of Quebec, across the width of the promontory. Montcalm, who had been alerted, ran in front of the city walls, facing the enemy. Without waiting for reinforcements, Montcalm launched his army, which had the same number of combatants as his opponent, in an attack that turned out to be disorderly. In just a few minutes the battle was over and the French withdrew to the city. Both generals were wounded. Wolfe died on the battlefield and Montcalm managed to stay on his horse to enter the city, where he expired that same night. On September 18, 1759, the capitulation of Quebec was signed.

Battle of Sainte-Foy - April 28, 1760

Following the British occupation of Quebec by General James Murray’s troops at the end of September 1759, the French agreed that they should attempt to recapture Quebec the following spring. The army of the chevalier de Lévis left Montreal to sail towards Quebec. After landing at Pointe aux Trembles (Neuville) on April 24, the French army marched on the capital and reached the Plains of Abraham on the 28.

Murray, when he saw the enemy, came out to meet him. Through skilful manœuvres, Lévis succeeded in enticing Murray outside the city, to the Dumo mill (des Braves Park) occupied by the French army. The battle started, and the French came out victorious. Defeated, Murray retired to the city, and Lévis began the siege of Quebec. At the beginning of May, the arrival of a British fleet forced him to lift the siege and return to Montreal, where he had to capitulate on September 8, 1760.

This activity is especially intended for the descendants of the combatants: guided tour of the battlefields and of the general hospital cemetery, depositing flowers, etc. Also, the unveiling of the alliance memorial and the memorial of the combatants.

The Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), the War of the Conquest for Canadians, or the French and Indian War for Americans, was a major conflict that mainly pitted against each other France and Great Britain and Austria against Prussia, but for various reasons of interest, several European countries and their colonies were involved in the conflict. On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham and of the Battle of Sainte-Foy, which were significant chapters in the history of this war, it is appropriate to reflect on this event and its repercussions.

Historians from Canada, the United States, France and England propose to give lectures on the historical context, the political stakes, the military strategies, the participation of militiamen and Natives, and the world wide repercussions of the Seven Years’ War.

9:00
Opening of the seminar and words of welcome from representatives of the National Battlefields Commission and the Musée de la civilisation. Presentation of the speakers by Marcel Fournier, director of Project Montcalm.

9:15
Presentation of the historical background to the Seven Years War by Colonel Frédéric Guelton, head of the Land Forces section of the National Defence Historical Service (France) and Serge Bernier, Director, History and Heritage, Department of National Defence (Canada).

9:40
Word from Michel Sementery, President of the Fédération française de Généalogie (France).

Presentation of the research project and book entitled Combattre pour la France en Amérique. Les soldats de la guerre de Sept Ans en Nouvelle-France (Fighting for France in America: Soldiers of the Seven Years' War in New France) by Marcel Fournier, Director of Project Montcalm (Quebec).

1. Jean-Pierre Poussou, University of Paris IV (France)
Events in New France and American interests in the Seven Years' War as seen by historians of the 19th and 20th centuries.

2. Luc Lépine, Project Montcalm (Quebec)
French and British military strategy in the Seven Years War in New France, 1755-1760.

3. Bertrand Fonck, Defence Historical Service, Vincennes (France)
Particularities of the French army command’s practice in Canada during the Seven Years War.

4. Nicolas Westbrook, Director, Fort Ticonderoga (United States) American civil and military participation in the Seven Years War.
(in English)

5. René Chartrand, Ottawa (Canada)
The contribution of Canadian militias to the Seven Years War in New France.

6. Olivier Chaline, Sorbonne, Paris (France)
Canada in the Franco-British naval confrontation in the Seven Years War.

7. Peter McLeod, War Museum, Ottawa (Canada)
Aboriginal peoples and the Seven Years War in New France.
(in English)

8. Laurent Veyssière, Heritage Conservator, MDN, Paris (France)
Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, officer under Montcalm in the Seven Years War.

9. Stephen Brumwell (Great Britain)
Global precursors to and consequences of the Seven Years' War.
(in English)

10. Jacques Mathieu, Laval University (Quebec)
Recollections of the Seven Years War in Canada.

11. Desmond Morton, McGill University, Montreal (Québec)
The new conquerors and their relations with the (French) Canadians in the wake of the Conquest.

Place
At the Chapel of the musée de l’Amérique française
2 côte de la Fabrique, Québec

Access
Free, prior registration required.
Registration procedure available soon.

Lecture The Amerindians and the Battle of the Plains of Abraham

Description

In 1759 and 1760, hundreds of Amerindians came to Quebec City to fight. The surrender of Quebec City and Montreal drastically altered relations between the Amerindians and the imperialistic powers. Although the French and Canadians were defeated, the First Nations were not and, under Chief Pontiac, the war continued in the Great Lakes and Louisiana until the end of 1765.

Lecturer: Denys Delâge

Professor emeritus at the Sociology Department of Université Laval, he is working on the history of the Franco- and Anglo-Amerindian alliance networks centered in Montreal. He has published Le pays renversé, Amérindiens et Européens en Amérique du Nord-Est 1600-1664. With Jean Pierre Sawaya, he also published Les Traités des Sept Feux avec les Britanniques, Droits et pièges d’un héritage colonial. He regularly contributes to the journal Recherches Amérindiennes au Québec, namely the following articles: “histoire des Hurons de Lorette (Wendake)”; “la Grande Paix de Montréal en 1701”; “la Fédération des Amérindiens domiciliés dans la basse vallée du Saint-Laurent”; “la justice coloniale et les Amérindiens.” A member of the Société des Dix, he published in these Cahiers, articles on the origins of Quebec and the memory of franco-Amerindian alliances.

Other lectures will also be given on topics related to history.

Place, schedule and entrance fee
To be confirmed

Language
In French

The National Battlefields Commission wishes to honour the memory of the combatants who participated in the battles of 1759 and 1760.

A new monument will be erected, it will bear the names of the various French and British regiments, colonial militiamen (Canadian, Acadian and American), and Amerindian nations. A solemn, fairly reverential ceremony will be held during the gathering of the patronymic descendants.

In May 2008, the National Battlefields Commission plans to evoke the First Nations’ participation in the conflicts that marked the Seven Years’ War in America. The Commission subscribes to the idea of a highly symbolic living monument underscoring the many age-old alliances between the peoples: the annedda, the tree of life which, in 1536, healed Jacques Cartier’s crew members who were ill with scurvy.

This project was submitted to the regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and discussions are under way to put in place a new laying-out in memory of the Amerindian alliances.

James Murray: Colonial officer and administrator, born January 21, 1721/1722 at Ballencrieff (Lothian, Scotland), died June 18, 1794 at Beauport House, near Battle, Sussex, England. He fought under Wolfe’s command at the siege of Louisbourg in 1758. The following year, at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, he commanded the left wing of the army in battle formation. He lost the Battle of Sainte-Foy on April 28, 1760, but fell back inside the city walls until British reinforcements arrived in May.

François-Gaston de Lévis, officer, born August 20, 1719 at château d’Ajac, in France, died November 26, 1787 at Arras, France. In 1756, Lévis was named second in command of the regular French troops, with the rank of brigadier in America. Lévis left Quebec on August 9, 1759 and headed for Lake Ontario, so that he was not present on the Plains of Abraham on September 13 of that same year. On April 20, 1760, before the ice had melted on the St. Lawrence River, Lévis left Montreal with this army of 7,000 men including 3000 militiamen. On the 28th, in a bloody battle, he defeated Murray’s troops and lay siege to the city.

Unveiling of two new monuments, a bust honouring the Chevalier de Lévis and another honouring James Murray, commanders of the armies that confronted each other at the battle of Sainte-Foy.

The confrontation on the Plains of Abraham lasted only a few minutes, but Quebec and the surrounding areas were subjected to the throes of the British siege for nearly three month. Raids, bombardments, destruction, acts of violence, famine, fighting, heroic gesture, etc. deeply affected the life of the population.

Description

Several organizations grouping together municipalities, historical societies, museums and historic sites of Québec City and its surroundings, will participate in the commemorations by holding activities on their respective sites, directly where the 1759-1760 events took place or on the park, at their convenience.

Croisières AML
Stories of an explorer guided sightseeing cruises
Information: 1 800 563-4343

Grande ferme de Saint-Joachim
An evocation of the battle, of the burned church, of the death of the priest and seven parishioners at Saint-Joachim.
Information: 418 827-4608

Municipalité de Beaumont
Guided tour, and the exhibition, L’église de Beaumont témoigne de l’histoire
Information: 418 833-3369

Musée de la mémoire vivante
Philippe Aubert de Gaspé nous l'a raconté, a public lecture of excerpts taken from the novel, “Les Anciens Canadiens”
Information: 418 358-0518

Musée du Fort
Signing of the book, Québec: Là ou le fleuve se rétrécit
Information: 418 692-2175

Parks Canada
Guided tour, Randonnée Québec, Ville fortifiée
Information: 418 648-7016

Société d’art et d’histoire de Beauport
Historic exhibition, L’été 1759
Information: 418 641-6471

Details
Schedules and entrance fees according to the proposed activities.

*** The National Battlefields Commission is not responsible for the contents and thematics of any of these activities.