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Battle commemorations Historical context 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 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. Description 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. Press release -
re-enactments cancelled
Be on the lookout for the time capsules posted every week on our web site, from the book Québec ville assiégée, 1759-1760, par les acteurs et les témoins.
OFFICIAL PROGRAM January and February, 2009 and 2010
ASSOCIATED PROGRAMMING 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. See listing.
JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2009 AND 2010 Québec City treats itself to an Odyssey 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.
More details about the Odyssey multimedia exhibition From 10 am to 5 pm at the
Book Québec ville assiégée, 1759-1760, par les acteurs et les témoins
The National Battlefields Commission and the Éditions du Septentrion invite history buffs to meet the authors of a new book, Québec ville assiégée, 1759-1760, d’après les acteurs et les témoins at the Salon international du livre de Québec held at the Quebec City Convention Centre from April 15 to 19, 2009. Historians Jacques Lacoursière and Hélène Quimper will happily welcome you to the autograph sessions offered at the Salon’s stand number 9: The new book is available year-round at the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham, 835 Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue, level 0, Québec City, at $26.25 tax included.
Historical context 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. Description 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. Launching Contributor
Historical context 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. Description 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. Place Schedule Access Language Reservations required : 418 648-3506
Exhibition The Taking of Québec, 1759-1760
Historical Context 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. Description 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. An exhibition catalogue is also available. Place and access Schedule Language Contributor Information
Exhibition catalogue
The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec designed the exhibition and the National Battlefields Commission produced the exhibition catalogue. Hélène Quimper, Commission historian, wrote the historical essay and Daniel Drouin, the Museum’s curator, the fine arts essay. Published in 1000 copies, this work, with its 136 pages, is available in the gift shop of the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham, 835 Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue, level 0, Quebec City, at the price of $31.50 (tax included). Collaboration:
The 2009 Brown Basin Exhibition prize Inaugurated in 2008 to mark the city’s 400th anniversary, this remarkable site bordering the St. Lawrence River will welcome visitors to its interpretation centre without charge from next June 24 to September 7. For a second year, the Quebec Port Authority has entrusted the Commission with the task of hosting and interpreting this Canadian Government legacy.
Inside the building, the public will discover four history related thematics: - The exhibition Between River and Cliff, on the development of Brown Basin over the years; - The multimedia exhibition Québec 1759-1760, Battlefield Between Two Empires for the 250th anniversary of the battles, including film and scale model; - The Clear the Deck for Action! activity concerning seafaring life in the 18th century.
Place Access Language Collaboration:
Exhibition The Seven Years' War (1756-1763) Historical context 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. Description 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:
Represent the Quebec sieges (1759-1760) throughout the region, showing: For the battle of the Plains of Abraham:
For the battle of Sainte-Foy:
Place Schedule Duration Access Language
Historical context 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. Description 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. Place Schedule Duration Access Language “The colony is lost if peace doesn’t come; I cannot see anything that could save it.” (letter from Montcalm to Lévis, January 4, 1759) Next August 28 and 30, on the Plains of Abraham, the National Battlefields Commission will present two free commemorative events to which the population is invited, within the framework of the 250th anniversary of the battles of Québec: State of War and State of Siege. A look back on the significant and troubled past of the city to help us get a clearer picture of our history.
May God hear our prayers and see to it that the English shatter their ships on the reefs of the river and thus delay their arrival.” (inspired from the Journal du siège de Québec by Aegidius Fauteux ed. and the Journal… by Mr. de Foligné)
The spring of 1759. Québec is about to withstand the onslaughts of the British troops that took Louisbourg the previous summer. The French colony’s inhabitants are already suffering from the repercussions of the war. In addition to the conflict, the harvests are poor and the food supplies are low. But high society still has its balls despite the terrible famine. There is simmering discontent among the population, which lives in an atmosphere of fear and corruption. There are obvious conflicts among certain leaders. Despite the daily problems of survival, some 11,000 Canadians aged 16 to 60 join the militia to defend their colony, that is, approximately 15% of the entire New France population. Description To get a clearer picture of these difficult conditions the public, through animated lectures, will learn what soldiers, leaders, militiamen, courtesans and other players of the period, thought: the Marquis de Montcalm, writing to the Chevalier de Lévis, Intendant Bigot protecting his good name, an exchange between Wampum and the Amerindian allies, a nun telling about the fear of the inhabitants, militiamen fighting for their native land, and artillery drill. Although partial, this historical presentation, which draws its inspiration from sources of the period, is intended as a living, moving testimony of the situation in which the region’s inhabitants found themselves before the official onset of the hostilities in 1756 and June 1759. Two giant maps providing an overview of the conflict will be available for consultation near the bandstand, and Hélène Quimper, one of the Commission’s historians and co-author of the book Québec ville assiégée, 1759-1760, par les acteurs et les témoins, will be on the premises to answer questions from the public. Place Schedule Duration Access Parking Language Congratulations to Mr Jean-Marc Doyon from St-Joseph de Beauce He is the winner of the book Québec ville assiégée, 1759-1760, par les acteurs et les témoins.
«The British report that during the summer of 1759 they shot nearly 18,000 projectiles, including shells, incendiary bombs and cannon balls on the city.” (according to George Williamson, George Williamson Family Fonds, LAC)
Historical context It is 1759, and September is fast upon us. The British have settled themselves outside Québec. Largely destroyed, the besieged city is caught headlong in this ruthless war. Ever since July 12, Québec has been heavily bombarded. The city’s surrounding area is already subjected to the military pressure of the British and to all the horrors that accompany the battles. Raids, skirmishes between the two camps, fire and destruction are the everyday lot of the besieged town and its surroundings. But even then, life goes on although with difficulty, amid the desolation and ruins. Description In order to get a better grasp of the impacts this had on the lives of Québec citizens and the tensions they went through a few days before the onset of the battle of the Plains of Abraham, a historical day is planned to lift the veil on the hidden side of the siege. Interpretation, historical demonstrations and lectures are on the agenda, in order to provide a better grasp on this chapter of our history: defence system, bombardments and weaponry, violence perpetrated on the countryside, desertion, navy, militia, Amerindians, and more. There will be approximately twenty historical stations including instructional interpretation workshops on subjects such as archaeology, cartography and military engineering. Several historical animations will shed light on little-known aspects of the war such as military life, famine, the presence and role of Amerindians, surgery and care of the wounded, fire ships, desertion, defensive works, the Royal Syntax (le coup des écoliers), peasants and the war, destruction and bombings, the Canadian Militia, etc. Finally, a few demonstrations, real and fictitious, of rifle shooting, cannon firing and military drill will be presented. Two renowned lecturers will meet history buffs at 1:30 p.m.: Denys Delâge, author and Université Laval professor, will lecture on La participation des Amérindiens à la guerre de Sept Ans (“The Amerindians’ contribution to the Seven Years’ War”), and at 3:00 p.m., Charles André Nadeau, who has a 33-year career in the Canadian Navy, will discuss L’aspect naval du siège de Québec (“The naval aspect of the siege of Québec”). Place Schedule Access Language Congratulations to Mrs Sophie LeScelleur from Québec. She is the winner of the book Québec ville assiégée, 1759-1760, par les acteurs et les témoins.
Collaboration :
Historical context The National Battlefields Commission wishes to honour the memory of the combatants who participated in the battles of 1759 and 1760. Description A new monument will be erected on the site of the Plains of Abraham confrontation. A solemn, fairly reverential ceremony will be held in the presence of descendants.
Place Unveiling
Book Combattre pour la France en Amérique  On last September 14, the National Battlefields Commission, in conjunction with the Société généalogique canadienne-française, launched the book Combattre pour la France en Amérique – Les soldats de la guerre de Sept Ans en Nouvelle-France 1755-1760, in the presence of Mrs. Hélène Le Gal, Consul General of France in Québec. This unpublished research and compilation work of outstanding magnitude includes information on approximately 7,500 French combatants. It is the result of three years of work researching the Canadian, British and French archives, and its launching marks the 250th anniversary of the great Québec battles (1759-1760).
Hélène Le Gal, Consul General of France in Québec, Gisèle Monarque, chairwoman of the Société généalogique canadienne-française, Marcel Fournier, Director of the Montcalm Project, and André Juneau, chairman of the National Battlefields Commission. The book, which contains 624 pages, includes a historical section on the Seven Years War, the regiments of the Marquis de Montcalm in Acadia and Canada, the participation of the Troupes de la Marine, and the departure of the ships. A biographical section provides biographical notes on some 7,500 officers and soldiers belonging to the land forces who fought in New France between 1755 and 1760. The register helps identify the combatants who came to this country, who were wed and who gave their lives for their country. Numerous illustrations, including portraits of officers, period prints of the soldiers, the battlefields and the country of origin of several officers, complete this reference work.
Collaboration:
Seminar The Seven Years' War in America
Historical context 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. Description 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.
Place
At the chapel of the Musée de l’Amérique française 2 côte de la Fabrique, Québec Schedule Language The proceedings of the symposium will be available in May or June 2010. Collaboration:
Book L'Annedda, l'arbre de vie
For the 250th anniversary of the battle of the Plains of Abraham and the battle of Sainte-Foy, the National Battlefields Commission was eager to remind us of the significant participation of the Amerindian Nations to the Seven Years’ War in America. Launched last September 22, the new book L’Annedda, l’arbre de vie broadens our knowledge of the First Nations’ contribution to our history, and is meant as a tribute to the annedda, the tree of life that helped cure Jacques Cartier’s crew of scurvy in 1536.
Contributors Alain Asselin, ethnobotanist, André Juneau, chairman of the National Battlefields Commission, and Gilles Barbeau, pharmacologist, surround Jacques Mathieu, historian and author. In the sixteenth century, botanical science revealed the existence of a new tree of life originating from Canada and the Amerindians. The infatuation with this tree of life was such that it spread at dazzling speed and rapidly found itself in all Western European countries. However, the reasons behind its name and the species’ identity were quickly lost, although some specimens were offered to King François 1er of France and transplanted in his gardens at Fontainebleau.
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