The French general Louis Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm de Saint-Véran (1712-1759), commanded the French troops in Canada during the French and Indian War and died a hero on the battlefield of Quebec.

Born in Nîmes on Feb. 29, 1712, Louis Joseph Montcalm received a solid classical education. He entered the army at the age of 15 and fought bravely during the War of the Polish Succession. He reached the rank of colonel in the War of the Austrian Succession, and at the battle at Piacenza in 1746 he distinguished himself, was wounded five times, and was taken prisoner. In the following year he became a brigadier general.

Ten years later, as a major general, Montcalm was sent to be commander of the regular military forces in Canada. Specifically subordinated to the civilian governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, Montcalm was hampered by a lack of cooperation on the part...