On the Way to Seventh Heaven, 1934

June 7, 1759

Quebec City.
"Gentlemen, i would rather have written that poem than take Quebec tomorrow."

Commander Montcalm

            Early in the year, my troops and I made our way down the Saint Lawrence River which leads east of Quebec City in Canada. Our enemy was Louis Joseph de Montcalm, commander of the French forces defending Quebec. The voyage up the Saint Lawrence River was harsh and treacherous in the cold conditions of Canada. The River eventually began the freeze, but I was ambitious to start the assault, thus I stationed part of my troops at the River and carried on with the others.

            The British forces continued to assault Quebec for three months. I realized that Commander Montcalm had securely prepared an army to defend Quebec as its defense increased and my other forces made little progress. To help British forces, I issued my own manifesto that came to be known as Wolfe’s Manifesto. In this written document, I attempted to enforce intimidation to the Canadians. Instead, it aroused more opposition to the British oppression and increased the size of Quebec’s army. This was ultimately depressing, but I continued to fight. After a failed attack on Beauport in north Quebec, I began to grow restless and had doubts of the actual victory we could receive.

            It is now September, and the weather grows colder. I lay here thinking of my family once more. Oh, how I wish I were home in London. Sadly this is my last post. I simply do not have sufficient time to update my life, although I do enjoy this freedom of expression. Even though the situation in Quebec is not prospering at the moment, I am proud to achieve such high rank in military status. I do hope my name will stay throughout history and leave Britain with a few successes. It is time to sleep, as the daybreak soon rises and I must arouse the troops. Once more, I pray that my troops and I shall be safe in the battles that follow at dawn.

           J.W.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wolfe

April 17, 1758

Seven Years’ War. 

William Pitt the Elder

            Two years back, June 1756, my regiment was called to Wiltshire for action, although there were still minor interruptions in the war. Despite the delay, I trained my troops night and day, preparing them for any type of combat. They learned quickly as I slowed my pace when the treacherous illness in my body returned. Nevertheless, I worked on regaining my health and wrote to my family. I told them my fears; an early and fatal death.

            Later that year, the Seven Years’ War broke out and once again, our main enemy was France. A year passes by and I was assigned to serve in an assault on a seaport in the French Atlantic Coast, called Rochefort. I served as Quartermaster General, Colonel of my regiment, and fought alongside with my Commander and dear friend, Sir John Mordaunt. Our attempt to capture the city failed as the British troops made no effort to land on the mainland, which was of the utmost disappointment. I immediately went abroad to inspect the terrain and urged Commander Mordaunt to seize the city as a surprised. Instead, the British troops sailed home and I was left in distress. Luckily, my actions in Rochefort had caught the attention of Prime minister, William Pitt the Elder who had been plotting an attack on French Canada, where France appeared to be susceptible.  William Pitt the Elder gave me the honor of promoting into a higher position, surpassing senior officers. Within a year, on January 1758, I was selected as a Brigadier General.

Map of Louisbourg

            During this year I was sent on an assignment to siege the fortress of Louisbourg with Major General Jeffrey Amherst. William Pitt the Elder had sent us a mass of soldiers to ensure success after the past failures to capture the city.  The attempt to confine the city was a triumph as the French surrendered quickly in June of the same year. I told my men, "I congratulate you, my brave countrymen and fellow soldiers, on the spirit and success with which you have executed this important part of our enterprise." As British plans were denied and postponed, I eventually returned to England, where I realized that the public had taken notice of my victory in the Siege of Louisbourg.

            Present Time.

1758. I am leading a British assault on Quebec City. Winning the favor of William Pitt the Elder, I am able to lead this siege. I wait for my troops to prepare for the journey down the Saint Lawrence River toward the east side of Quebec.

           J.W. 
Source: http://www.uppercanadahistory.ca/pp/pp1.html 
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/james_wolfe.html 

October 15, 1756

My previous travels.

Two years later I am moved to Canterbury assigned to guard Kent with my regiment, against the threat of the French invasion. I do not have much time to write but I do intend to keep note of my travels during my peacetime service. 

The Tuileries Garden in Paris as I recall.  It is such a magnificent and beautiful sight. It is quiet and still, free of war. The roses are incredible; kept in perfect shape and color. Here I was able to freely think about everything in my life and about my brother whom I would love to bring there. I can still recall the astonishing smell of the flowers and the sweetness they brought. I had also made my way to the Palace of Versailles. A grand building indeed full of life, laughter, and power. Here, King Louis XV rules over France and demonstrates his vast amount of wealth.While in France, I had the opportunity to rejoin my comrade, Earl of Albermarle, a British Ambassador. He often entertained me and even acquired an audience with King Louis XV. I was grateful for his amusement. Taking advantage of France’s great skill in fencing, I decided to learn this technique as well as improve my French. French is an intriguing language but a beautiful one; spoken by lovers and companions. I was able to be fluent in French and practice my language skills while speaking to Albermarle.

            Present time.

French troops progress everyday. It is time for me to wake my troops and sound the alarm for their training. War is coming. 

J.W.

           

July 3, 1754
Peacetime.

29 years of age, I am stationed at Glasgow. Eight years ago I was posted in Stirling and made Lieutenant Colonel of my regiment. These past eight years of my life I trained and trained physically and mentally. I took lessons that would improve my swordsman ship and attended leadership sessions that would advance my skills. I pushed my body harder than I ever had despite my suffering illness. To keep my metal state enact, I taught myself Latin and the education of mathematics.

My illness was a great thing to overcome. It slowed me down physically and mentally, but I refused to stop training. I was always coughing for long periods of time and tired easily after my training. I had difficulty breathing and often coughed blood. It was grotesque and painful yet I dealt with it and continued my learning. 

1752, I was allowed an extended leave. My first choice was to travel to Ireland in which I resided with my uncle. I visited the site of the Battle of Boyne and made a journey to Greenwich to see my childhood home where my parents dwelled. It was great to see my mother again and honored to hear that my father was promoted to general. After seeing my parents, the Duke of Cumberland granted me the freedom to go aboard into France. I quickly made my way to Paris and journeyed to the great Palace of Versailles. I came upon the Tuileries Garden and became proficient in my French while accommodating fencing skills. Finally gaining peace in my life, I requested for a longer leave but was denied when I as called back to my regiment in Glasgow, where I write this post. I am unsure of my orders by my commander but I feel another war is approaching. More blood and violence, but this is what I trained for. I pray, God keep me safe in the upcoming war.

J.W.

May 12, 1748

War; finally over…for now.

           I am 21 years old. The last time I wrote was six years ago, yet it feels like yesterday. Back in 1740, the War of Austrian Succession erupted and I was called for duty. The war was initiated when Frederick II of Prussia took Silesia from the Austrians. Austria allied with the Dutch republic and Britain, while France supported Prussia. In Ghent, where the British military took position near the start of the war, I was promoted to Lieutenant and a major to my military unit. A year later my brother, Edward, joined me in Ghent as he was assigned to the same unit. Our troops were led by King George II of Britain but as the unit deviated from the original plan, we suffered severe casualties. Instead of marching southward as planned, King George led of eastward where a fierce French army waited for our arrival. This attack resulted as an immense mistake as we found ourselves trapped against the River of Main. Avoiding surrender, King George led us toward the French who took position in the village of Dettingen. This became known as the Battle of Dettingen. My military unit suffered the most damage and I lost my horse as it was shot while riding me into heavy battle. Although France had the advantage, we were able to drive them out the village and occupy our victorious territory.

The Jacobite Rising

           In 1744, I was promoted by the Duke of Cumberland to captain of the 45^th Regiment of Foot. After our success in Dettingen, we did not make much progress and failed to capture Lille, a city in northern France. Later this year, my brother pasted away from pulmonary tuberculosis. I was distraught but had to continue in war as Duke of Cumberland took command and our regiment was sent to reinforce them. I was made a brigade major after we left from Ghent as the vicious French troops seized the city.
In October of 1745, the Jacobite Rising broke out. The Jacobite rebellion aimed to replace George II with James III as king if England. I was ordered to defend Newcastle and prevent the rebellion from spreading eastward. Having a lack of English support for the rebellion, the Jacobites returned to Scotland. A year later, I fought in Scotland under General Henry Hawley to end the Jacobite army. Our forces fought in the Battle of Falkirk and the Battle of Culloden. In the Battle of Falkirk, we had a greater number of casualties then the Jacobites had, but that would be their last successful battle. The Battle of Culloden proved a success for our troops as we defeated the Jacobite army and ended the rebellion. During this battle, I experienced a strange encounter with my commander, the Duke of Cumberland. He had ordered me to shoot a wounded highlander. Immediately, I refused this command but commander Cumberland had already shot him down. 
1746, I returned to the Continent to serve in the War of Austrian Succession which ended in 1748 with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. Present day, I am posting in Stirling, Scotland. Currently I stand as a major in command of the 20^th regiment. I have much free time to write now. I serve my garrison duty here in Stirling. I think much about my brother. I miss him dearly and long for his company during my battles, but he is at peace now. This post has been the last 6 years of my life. It is late and I must retire to my bed. Till next time. 

 J.W.

Source: http://www.militaryheritage.com/wolfe.htm 

September 19, 1742

My first post.

Me!

            My name is James Wolfe. I do not know of what importance these posts will be but I have decided that somehow I will make my life worth remembering. As a soldier, I am not accustomed to keeping track of my life and its events. Maybe this will be my first and last post, or maybe in time, I shall write more.

 I was born in January 2, 1727 in Westernham, Kent in England. I am the oldest son and I have a brother named Edward. My father is Colonel Edward Wolfe, married to my mother, Henrietta Thompson. Brother to my mother is my uncle named Edward Thomson. This is the five of my family of whom I love and show great respect to. My father serves as a veteran soldier with Irish origins, and my uncle is a politician. I spent my childhood years at my home in Westernham, but in 1738, my family moved to Greenwich, located in London. Here, my family and I converted from Catholicism to Protestantism.

My father Edward Wolfe is a respectable man serving as a Brigade Major in the Flanders campaign of the Duke of Marlborough. In our earliest years, my brother and I knew we were destined for future military service because of my father’s ambition and occupation. At age thirteen, I joined my father’s first marine regiment as a volunteer. Just last year, in 1740, the Battle of Cartagena arrived and I was taken beside my father to South America. The expedition held by Great Britain was intended to be a follow up of their victory at Porto Bello. By accompanying my father on this expedition, I had hoped to obtain the valuable military experience and skill of a well-grown soldier. This goal failed me when I fell ill on the journey and my father was forced to send me home. Although I was shamed and embarrassed in front of the troops, my illness seemed to have saved my life. The expedition proved to be disastrous as the British attacked during the rainy season, giving them the disadvantage. I was fortunate to have returned home during the siege of Cartagena, although I worried greatly for my father. Luckily, God allowed the expedition to return home.After my humility during the Cartagena, I was determined to regain my respect and live up to my father’s name.

 In 1740, the War of Austrian Succession broke out and I was offered an opportunity to serve Great Britain’s military. I transferred to a British infantry, the 12^th Regiment of Foot. Six months later, we set sail for Flanders and took position in Ghent. Here I write this entry. It is late at night; all troops are asleep, but I think about my family and my father. I miss them as every other soldier misses their family. Hopefully he will get the chance to join me in this war. It would be awfully good to see him and fight beside him. I have this chance to make my father proud and I will seize the opportunity with great ambition…but for now, I pray, God give me a peaceful sleep and safety for me and my men in the upcoming battle.

J.W.