The New Student's Reference Work/Abraham, Plains of
Abraham, Plains of. A level tract of land about one mile in width immediately west of the city of Quebec, named after Abraham Martin, who at one time owned it. The scene of the memorable battle, which wrested from the French their supremacy in North America.
The British troops had been besieging the city for some time without success. Autumn was approaching and the admiral in command of the fleet refused to remain longer. Wolfe, the young general in command of the army, resolved on one last desperate venture. Embarking all his available troops on the vessels of the fleet he moved up the St. Lawrence some miles beyond the city. The French were bewildered by the ever-changing tactics of their opponents, and when, on the night of the 12th of September (1759), the British army dropped down the river in boats and scaled its precipitous bank, there was only a small guard at the top to offer ineffectual opposition. Daybreak found Wolfe’s army drawn up in battle array on the plains. The gallant French general, Montcalm, immediately marched from the city with all his available troops and impetuously attacked the British forces. The thin red line of British troops held their fire until the French were within 40 paces and then shattered their ranks with two accurately delivered volleys. The French ranks broke and fled, and Wolfe lived long enough to know that his desperate attempt had been entirely successful. Montcalm died a few hours later. The British loss was some fifty killed and five hundred and ninety-seven wounded, while that of the French was about one thousand five hundred, including two hundred and fifty prisoners.
On the 17th of the same month the city surrendered and (save Montreal) Canada was in the hands of the British. The following spring the French force marched from Montreal over well-nigh impassable roads, and a second and bloodier battle was fought on the plains, resulting in the British force being repulsed and driven within the walls. The timely arrival of some British frigates, however, caused the siege to be raised, and Quebec and all Canada then became part of the British possessions.
The celebration of the coming of the great voyager Champlain to Quebec was held in 1908, and in this connection there was consummated a movement to make the Plains of Abraham a National Park, and erect in its center a monument to Peace.
The federal government of Canada and the governments of the various provinces as well joined in aid of this celebration which proved to be one of the most imposing ever held in Canada. The presence of the Prince of Wales, who came to Canada specially to take part in it, added to the enthusiasm of the occasion.