Louis-Joseph de Montcalm was born February 28, 1712 in Nimes, France. He joined the military at an early age, and took part in the War of the Polish Succession and the War of the Austrian Succession. Due to his service in these wars, he was promoted to brigadier general. He was sent over to New France in 1756 by King Louis XV to lead the French against the British in the French and Indian War. He found great success in the early stages of the war but later on in 1758 and 1759 he began losing battles leading up to his death in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759.
The year before his death, though, he had his greatest victory at the Battle of Charillon in 1758. In this battle, his French army was outnumbered by nearly 15,000 troops but he overcame the obstacles and won. After his victory at this battle, he earned himself a promotion to lieutenant general, which is the second highest rank in the French army.
He died during the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759 ironically because he did not know that the British general, General Wolfe. had been killed. He began to retreat with his troops because he thought the British general was still alive and that they would lose that battle. During the retreat, he was hit in the abdomen by a British musket ball. When surgeons told him he would not recover he said "I am glad of it".
The year before his death, though, he had his greatest victory at the Battle of Charillon in 1758. In this battle, his French army was outnumbered by nearly 15,000 troops but he overcame the obstacles and won. After his victory at this battle, he earned himself a promotion to lieutenant general, which is the second highest rank in the French army.
He died during the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759 ironically because he did not know that the British general, General Wolfe. had been killed. He began to retreat with his troops because he thought the British general was still alive and that they would lose that battle. During the retreat, he was hit in the abdomen by a British musket ball. When surgeons told him he would not recover he said "I am glad of it".