WOLFE, JAMES (1727-59), A British gen eral, born at Wegterham, in Kent, January 2, 1727. Ile was the son of General Edward Wolfe, an officer of merit and distinction under :Marl borough and Prince Eugene. James at an early age a strong inclination for his father's profession of arms. After a hi-b4 period of study at a school in Greenwich, he obtained Ids father's consent to participation in the Carta gena expedition of 1740, but was prevented by sickness from carrying out his intentions. The following year he received a second lieutenant's commission in Ids father's regiment. Ili; services thereafter were brilliant, and his rise rapid. En sign in 1741, two years' service in Flanders and Germany, during which he was present, at the bat tle of Dettingen (1743), secured for him first an adjutancy, then a first lieutenancy, and finally, in 1744, a captaincy. Ile fought against the Young Pretender in 1745-46, sharing both in the defeat of Falkirk and in the victory at Culloden. Returning to Flanders, he took a notable part in the battle of Laffeld, July 2, 1747. Ile became major in 1749 and lieutenant-colonel in the fol lowing year. In the mismanaged expedition against Rochefort in 1757 Wolfe acted in the capacity of quartermaster-general of the force. The attention of I'itt was now first particularly drawn to him as an officer of whom, in any enter prise intrusted to him, great things might be ex pected. The high opinion thus formed of him was confirmed in the year when he was in trusted with the command of a brigade in the expedition against Louisburg, under General Amherst. On June 8th he effected a landing at Freshwater Cove, in the face of a heavy fire from the enemy. The successful siege of Louisburg followed. Wolfe's skill, holdnei.s, and activity were quite clearly understood, and he became popularly known as 'the hero of Louisburg.' Pitt was now organizing his grand scheme for the ex pulsion of the French from Canada, and the ex pedition which had for its object the capture of Quebec, the enemy's capital, was confided to the care of Wolfe. On February 17, 1750, Wolfe, ad vanced to the rank of major-general, set sail from England, and on June 27th landed on the Isle of Orleans, some four miles below Quebec.
Pi: forces numbered about 9000 men, including six companies of New England troops, while the French strength comprised a garrison of 2000 men in Quebec and 14,000 men, of whom only a small part were regulars, at Beauport, below the town. From the Isle of Orleans and from Point Levi, on the right hank of the Saint Lawrence, which lie occupied on June 30th. Wolfe began the bombardment of Quebec, while part of his forces were sent across to the left bank of the river, where they faced the French across the small stream of the Montmorenci. On July 31st Wolfe delivered a frontal attack on the French intrenchments at Beauport, his grenadiers advancing to the as sault in boats, while the forces on the left bank were ordered to (Toss the Montmorenci and take the enemy in flank. The movement failed and the British were compelled to retire with the loss of 400 men. This setback, combined with his ehronie ill health, brought discouragement to Wolfe; lie determined to strike a decisive blow. It was then that Wolfe decided upon the des perate expedient of crossing the river and sealing the heights above the town. .At 2 o'clock on the morning of September 13th the landing of the British troops began at a point now known as Wolfe's Cove. The French sentinels were sur prised, and before the day broke 4500 men with tun guns hail elimbed the steep heights and were glrawn up on the Plains of Abraham, about a mile from Quebec. About 10 Aar. they were attacked In Montealin, who had at his disposal a force equal to the British, but of inferior training. The French lines were shattered by the British fire and brake; Wolfe, as he led the charge, was struek thrive, the last time in the breast. He Was compelled to lie down, and while the pursuit was still on he flied. Consult: Wright. Life of ,Ilajor-liencrol dames Wolfe (London, 1864), the best biography; Ilradley, Wolfe (London, 1895). in Men of Action Series": Alli• son, .11cmoir of Wolfell.on(lon,ltinnI. in "Twelve English Soldiers Series"; and Parkinon, Monnt eulnr Wolfe (Boston, 1892) .