This seems to be an embellishing of the story for the song's sake. It certainly sounds more glorious to have Wolfe shot down from his horse, but it wouldn't have been possible. The troops had to scramble up a steep 350 foot cliff trail holding on to roots and branches to make their ascent. While Wolfe may have had a horse, it would have been at the encampment at Pointe Levis on the south shore of the river.

Wolfe was shot three times during the skirmish on the Plains of Abraham. The French fired first and Wolfe's men lay on the ground as instructed, waiting for the enemy to get closer. A first shot shattered his left wrist, yet he pressed on at the head of his men. When Wolfe finally gave the command to "Charge", his men sprang into action, but at the same moment, he was hit in the groin - he staggered, but continued on. The French suffered many casualties, survivors, completely taken aback by this type of attack, fled.

Montcalm was hit by a shot from a cannon that the English managed to drag up the cliff with them. Although he was on horseback, he managed to stay mounted and rode into the city.

Only minutes after Montcalm was shot, General Wolfe was hit by a third bullet in the left breast. As he leaned on the arm of the nearest officer, he asked to be supported so that his brave men would not see him fall. He also recognized that the victory was theirs and admonished them to "Keep it". He overheard arrangements to call for a doctor, and replied, "It is useless - all is over with me" (Dent, p. 226).

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