Battle of Beauport | |||||||
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Part of the Seven Years' War French and Indian War |
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A 1777 map depicting the military positions of the French and British during the Siege of Quebec |
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Belligerents | |||||||
Great Britain |
France Colony of Canada |
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
James Wolfe | Marquis de Montcalm | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
4,000 regulars | ~10,000 regulars and militia | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
210 killed 233 wounded |
60 dead or wounded |
The Battle of Beauport, also known as the Battle of Montmorency, fought on 31 July 1759, was an important confrontation between the British and French Armed Forces during the Seven Years' War (also known as the French and Indian War and the War of Conquest) of the French province of Canada. The attack conducted by the British against the French defense line of Beauport, some five kilometres (3.1 mi) east of Quebec was checked, and the British soldiers of General James Wolfe retreated with 443 casualties and losses.
The French and Indian War campaigns of 1758 were successful for the British, who had sent more than 40,000 men against New France and made key gains by capturing Louisbourg and destroying Fort Frontenac, although their primary thrust was stopped by French general Louis-Joseph de Montcalm in the Battle of Carillon. William Pitt continued the aggressive policy in 1759, again organizing large campaigns aimed at the heartland of New France, the Canadien communities of Quebec and Montreal on the St. Lawrence River. For the campaign against Quebec, General James Wolfe was given command of an army of about 7,000 men.