Montcalm was born in the southwest of France, at Candiac, Gard, into the noble Montcalm family.
In April 1743, Montcalm landed at Quebec, having been raised to the brevet rank of colonel of infantry. Two years later, he embarked with a battalion to join the French forces in Italy, then involved in the War of the Austrian Succession. He saw action at the battles of Parma and Piacenza and the sieges of Alessandria and Asti.
In February 1756, the Marquis De Montcalm was awarded the rank of major-general and given command of the French land forces in Canada. On June 28, 1756, Montcalm sailed from Brest to Quebec with 3,000 troops. He was accompanied by the Chevalier de Lévis as second in command.
Montcalm's Military Career
- Capture of Oswego: In August 1756, Montcalm arrived in Quebec and quickly organized an expedition against the British fort of Oswego. He gathered a force of more than 3,100 men, of whom only 1,750 were regulars, and advanced up Lake Ontario. After encountering difficulties in transport, Montcalm landed at Oswego on August 11, and began cannonading the fort the next day. The next day, the garrison of 1,500 men agreed to surrender. It was also agreed that French troops would be allowed to occupy Oswego and all captured supplies.
- Battle of Fort William Henry: In August 1757, Montcalm laid siege to Fort William Henry, a British fortification on the southern shores of Lake George. With Fort Oswego secured, Montcalm had free reign on the lake and was able to sail his gunboats and batteaux almost unhindered.
Montcalm sent a group of Abenaki Indians to Fort William Henry to convince the garrison to surrender, however they agreed to honorable surrender provided that the British could march back safely to Fort Edward which was 15 miles away.
Montcalm agreed to the conditions but many Abenaki disregarded the agreement and attacked British soldiers as they evacuated. It is believed that at least 200 to 300 soldiers and camp followers were killed.
- Battle of Carillon: In July 1758, Montcalm commanded a force of French and Canadian regulars and militia at the Battle of Carillon (also called Ticonderoga) against the British forces. The British general James Abercrombie had the advantage of numbers and cannons however he failed to take Fort Ticonderoga or the French camp by storm. His frontal attack was too easily repelled and he lost almost 2,000 men.
Montcalm, however, was unable to prevent the British advance on Quebec, which he defended in 1759 at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. He held the British forces off for more than a month before being defeated. Mortally wounded, he died the next day. His final words were "I die happy because I know that my country will avenge my death."