The Battle of Quebec was one of the decisive clashes of the Seven Years War (1756-63), with British troops under Major-Gen. James Wolfe defeating a French and Canadian force outside the capital of New France.
Wolfe landed his army at Anse du Foulon just before dawn, hoping to take advantage of a steep road that would let his troops quickly ascend the cliff and head east towards Quebec.
Upon landing however, Wolfe realised that the tide had carried his boats further downstream than intended. Fearing discovery by the French, three companies of light infantry under Lt. Colonel William Howe were ordered to scale the cliff-face and seize the top of the Foulon road.
Here we see the light infantry begin their ascent of the shale slope. Using tree roots and branches, they made it to the cliff top and found themselves behind a small force of Canadian militia. With the element of surprise, they were able to clear the way for Wolfe’s main body of troops to move up the Foulon road and confront the French army on the Plains of Abraham.
By Ibrahim Zamir
Empire of History 