The Passing of New France | Page 3

of his father in 1735 made him the head of the family of
Montcalm. The next year he married Angelique Talon du Boulay, a
member of a military family, and grand-daughter of Denis Talon; a
kinsman of Jean Talon, the best intendant who ever served New France.
For the next twenty years, from 1736 to 1756, he spent in his ancestral
castle of Candiac as much of his time as he could spare from the army.
There he had been born, and there he always hoped he could live and

die among his own people after his wars were over. How often he was
to sigh for one look at his pleasant olive groves when he was far away,
upholding the honour of France against great British odds and, far
worse, against secret enemies on the French side in the dying colony
across the sea! But for the present all this was far off. Meanwhile,
Candiac was a very happy home; and Montcalm's wife and his mother
made it the happier by living together under the same roof. In course of
time ten children were born, all in the family chateau.
Montcalm's second war was the War of the Austrian Succession, a war
in which his younger opponent Wolfe saw active service for the first
time. The two future opponents in Canada never met, however, on the
same battlefields in Europe. In 1741, the year in which Wolfe received
his first commission, Montcalm fought so well in Bohemia that he was
made a Knight of St Louis. Two years later, at the age of thirty-one, he
was promoted to the command of a regiment which he led through
three severe campaigns in Italy. During the third campaign, in 1746,
there was a terrific fight against the Austrians under the walls of
Placentia. So furious was the Austrian attack that the French army was
almost destroyed. Twice was Montcalm's regiment broken by sheer
weight of numbers. But twice he rallied it and turned to face the enemy
again. The third attack was the worst of all. Montcalm still fought on,
though already he had three bullet wounds, when the Austrian cavalry
made a dashing charge and swept the French off the field altogether. He
met them, sword in hand, as dauntless as ever; but he was caught in a
whirlwind of sabre-cuts and was felled to the ground with two great
gashes in his head. He was taken prisoner; but was soon allowed to go
home, on giving his word of honour, or 'parole,' that he would take no
further part in the war until some Austrian prisoner, of the same rank as
his own, was given back by the French in exchange. While still on
parole he was promoted to be a brigadier, so that he could command
more than a single regiment. In due time, when proper exchange of
prisoners was made, Montcalm went back to Italy, again fought
splendidly, and again was badly wounded. The year 1748 closed with
the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle; and seven years of peace followed
before the renewed tumult of the Seven Years' War.

Life went very well with Montcalm at Candiac. He was there as much
as possible, and spent his time between his castle and his olive groves,
his study and his family circle. His eldest son was a young man of
much promise, growing immensely tall, devoted to the army, and
engaged to be married. His wife and her mother-in-law were as happy
as ever with him and with each other. Nothing seemed more peaceful
than that quiet corner in the pleasant land of southern France.
But the age-long rivalry of French and British could not long be stilled.
Even in 1754 there were rumours of war from the Far East in India and
from the Far West in Canada. Next year, though peace was outwardly
kept in Europe, both the great rivals sent fleets and armies to America,
where the clash of arms had already been heard. There were losses on
both sides. And, when the French general, Baron Dieskau, was made
prisoner, the minister of War, knowing the worth of Montcalm, asked
him to think over the proposal that he should take command in New
France.
On January 26, 1756, the formal offer came in a letter approved by the
king. 'The king has chosen you to command his troops in North
America, and will honour you on your departure with the rank of
major-general. But what will please you still more is that His Majesty
will put your son in your place at the head of your present regiment.
The applause of the public will add to your satisfaction.'
On the very day Montcalm received this letter he made up his mind,
accepted the command, bade good-bye to Candiac, and