Louis-Joseph de Montcalm (Paperback)

Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Gozon, Marquis de Saint-Veran (February 28, 1712 O.S. February 17, 1712] - September 14, 1759) was the commander of the French forces in North America during the Seven Years' War (whose North American theater is called the French and Indian War in the United States). Montcalm was born near Nimes in France to a noble family, and entered military service early in life. He saw service in the War of the Polish Succession and the War of the Austrian Succession, where his distinguished service led to promotion to brigadier general. In 1756 King Louis XV sent him to New France to lead its defense against the British in the Seven Years' War. Montcalm met with notable successes in 1756 and 1757, but British mobilization of large numbers of troops against New France led to military setbacks in 1758 and 1759, culminating in Montcalm's defeat and death at Quebec, and then the 1760 surrender of New France at Montreal. Montcalm is a controversial figure, whose decisions at Quebec have been criticised by military historians. He is much memorialized, especially in France, Quebec and parts of New York.