print, General Wolfe
Report a Mistake- Object Number 20070143-014
- Event 1754-1763 Seven Years' War
- Affiliation --
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Artist / Maker / Manufacturer
Schaak, J. S. C.
Audinet, Philipp
Harrison & Co. - Date Made 1795/02/02
- Place of Use Continent - Europe, Country - United Kingdom
- Category Communication artifacts
- Sub-category Art
- Department Art and Memorials
- Museum CWM
- Earliest 1795/02/02
- Latest 1795/02/02
- Inscription (recto): J.S.C. Schaak print Audinet Sculpt Published by Harrison & Co Feb.2. 1795; GENERAL WOLFE MAJOR General James Wolfe, one of our most heroick country-men, in the fields of military renown, was the son of Lieutenant General Edward Wolfe of Westerham, in Kent; where this illustrious warrior was born in January 1726, who appears to have received, from nature, all the requisites of a great military character. His comprehension was amazingly quick and clear, his judgment deep and penetrating, and his memory retentive. His constitutional courage was not only uniform and daring to excess; but he possessed that higher order of magnanimity, distinguished by a fortitude, perseverance, and activity of mind, which no danger could deter, and no difficulties obstruct. In temper, though remarkably lively, he was not passionate; and, with a spirit of truest independence, he was free from pride. He was profusely generous, benevolent, and charitable, and nobly disdainful of every little art that leads to the accumulation of riches. With him, the deserving soldier was sure to be rewarded, the unfortunate one to relieved. His attachments were warm and constant; his deportment was manly and unreserved; and his manners were gentle, conciliating and kind. Having early embraced the profession of arms, at the battle of La Feldt, when scarcely twenty, he exerted himself, in so masterly a manner, as to obtain the highest encomiums; and, during the whole of that war, was present at every engagement, and never passed undistinguished. In 1759, when he had just returned from his brilliant atchievements at Louisbourg, the late Earl of Chatham wisely selected him to command the important expedition against Quebec. With skill and valour that nothing could surpass, he formed and executed that great and dangerous plan, which drew out the French to their defeat, and rendered him the conqueror of Canada. Within the grasp of victory, however, he received a ball though his wrist, which he immediately wrapped up, and continued to animate his troops as if nothing had happened; but, a few minutes afterwards, a second ball, passing through his body, obliged him to be carried off a small distance in the rear. There, fainting in the last agonies, he was suddenly called back to life, by the sound of "They run!" When, anxiously enquiring "Who run?" and being answered - "The French." - "Thank God!" he fervently cried; "I die contented!" and almost instantly expired. Never fella n officer more beloved! His loss was lamented not only by the army, but by a nation; and, being brought to England, he was interred with all military honours at Westminster Abbey; where a magnificent monument was gratefully erected to his memory.
- Medium ink
- Support paper
- Materials Not applicable
- Service Component British Army
- Person / Institution Subject, Wolfe, General James
- Measurements Height 19.6 cm, Width 12.1 cm