A British defeat near Quebec in 1759, demonstrating the strength of French defensive positions along the Beauport shore during the Seven Years' War.
Key Facts
- Date
- 31 July 1759
- British casualties
- 443 men
- Distance from Quebec
- 5 km
- Conflict
- Seven Years' War (French and Indian War)
- Outcome
- French victory; British retreat
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the 1759 campaign for Quebec, British General James Wolfe sought to break the French defensive line along the Beauport shore east of the city. The French had fortified this stretch of coastline as a critical shield for Quebec, compelling Wolfe to attempt a direct assault to dislodge them.
On 31 July 1759, British forces attacked the French defensive positions at Beauport, roughly 5 kilometres east of Quebec. The assault was repulsed by the French defenders, and Wolfe's army was compelled to withdraw from the engagement having failed to breach the line.
The British suffered 443 casualties in the failed assault, and Wolfe was forced to reconsider his strategy for capturing Quebec. The setback prolonged the siege and ultimately contributed to his decision to seek an alternative landing point, leading to the later and decisive Battle of the Plains of Abraham.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
James Wolfe.
Side B
1 belligerent