Exquisite circa 1860s Steel Engraving - Antique Print -

TITLE: DEATH OF GENERAL WOLFE

Engraved by: H. B Hall from a painting by Artist: B. West

Approximate Image Size: 5 1/2 X 7 1/4 inches

Approximate Overall Size With Margins: 7 3/4 X 10 3/4 inches

CONDITION: Suitable age toning. Although you can't tell from the picture, there is a Couple of Mild Smudges and spots on outside margin otherwise in Very Good Condition. Steel engraving is striking and clean. Blank on Reverse side and Printed on heavier weight paper. Image protection stamp in not on the actual print.

A beautiful steel engraving of circa 1860s - James Wolfe (1727 - 1759) "The Hero Of Louisbourg" was commander of the British army at the capture of Quebec from the French in 1759, a victory that led to British supremacy in Canada.

(General Info Only, Not included with print) General James Wolfe, often known as Captain Wolfe (2 January 1727 – 13 September 1759) was a British Army officer, known for his training reforms but remembered chiefly for his victory over the French in Canada and establishing British rule there. Because of this he has been regarded as a hero by many Canadians. Quebec - As Wolfe had comported himself admirably at Louisbourg, William Pitt the Elder chose him to lead the British assault on Quebec City the following year, with the rank of major general. The British army laid siege to the city for three months. During that time, Wolfe issued a written document, known as Wolfe's Manifesto, to the French-Canadian (Québécois) civilians, as a part of his strategy of psychological intimidation. In March 1759, prior to arriving at Quebec, Wolfe had written to Amherst: "If, by accident in the river, by the enemy’s resistance, by sickness or slaughter in the army, or, from any other cause, we find that Quebec is not likely to fall into our hands (persevering however to the last moment), I propose to set the town on fire with shells, to destroy the harvest, houses and cattle, both above and below, to send off as many Canadians as possible to Europe and to leave famine and desolation behind me; but we must teach these scoundrels to make war in a more gentleman like manner." After an extensive yet inconclusive bombardment of the city, Wolfe then led 200 ships with 9,000 soldiers and 18,000 sailors on a very bold and risky amphibious landing at the base of the cliffs west of Quebec along the St. Lawrence River. His army, with two small cannons, scaled the cliffs early on the morning of September 13, 1759, surprising the French under the command of the Marquis de Montcalm, who thought the cliffs would be unclimbable. It must be noted however that Wolfe himself favored an attack on the northern bank of Quebec, an attack that was doomed to failure by the superior concentration of French forces. He reluctantly agreed to an attack via the southern bank after his three brigadiers vehemently opposed the northern route. Faced with the possibility that the British would haul more cannons up the cliffs and knock down the city's remaining walls, the French fought the British on the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. They were defeated after fifteen minutes of battle, but when Wolfe began to move foward, he was shot in the chest twice. He reportedly heard cries of "They run," and thus died content that the victory had been achieved. (Wikipedia source).