Battle of Sainte-Foy
Sainte-Foy, Quebec City, Canada
What happened
French and Canadian troops under François Gaston de Lévis fought the British garrison of Quebec under James Murray. The British had captured Quebec the year before. In spring Lévis marched about 7,000 men back to retake it, and Murray came out to meet him. The British advance stuck in mud and melting snow, the French turned their flanks, and Murray withdrew behind the city walls.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a French victory, and one of the bloodiest battles fought on Canadian soil. But Lévis could not take the city itself.
What came next
British ships arrived in May, and no French fleet came. Lévis retreated to Montreal and surrendered there in September 1760.
Did you know?
The 'Monument des Braves' in Quebec, built in 1863, commemorates the battle.
Timeline
- 1759The British capture Quebec.
- 28 April 1760Battle of Sainte-Foy.
- May 1760British ships reach Quebec.
- 8 September 1760The French surrender at Montreal.