Muskets and Mayhem
For the first, but not the last time, in 1776 war raged back and forth across the U.S.-Canadian border. The breakaway American colonists were battling the armies of Britain's King George III in the American War of Independence.
The eight-year war had left the North American continent in turmoil. The army of the 13 colonies had turned their guns on Upper Canada, which remained loyal to the king. Now it had arrived at the doorstep of Quebec City, the oldest fortress city on the continent.

The American militia numbered almost 1,000 strong. Inside the garrison, a meagre force of 263 British soldiers waited to repel the attack. The British forces' only real hope was that the citizens of Quebec City would answer their desperate plea for help. The call was taken up. Every willing, able-bodied man, woman and child was needed to help swell the thin red line of the British regular soldiers.

The Battle on the Plains of Abraham should have been an easy victory for the invading Americans. Instead it turned into a devastating rout. The rag-tag force of British line soldiers backed by Americans loyal to the King, native Canadians and the people of Quebec City humiliated the colonists. So humiliating in fact that the Battle was not mentioned in American history books for many years.
But 220 years later, that memorable day in Canadian history is re-enacted by 1,700 men, women and children drawn from right across Canada and, yes, the United States.

The 125 acres of woods and hills that make up the Plains of Abraham are now a national historic site. But for three days, the area is alive with the sound of cannon and musket fire. The re-enactors are all dressed in authentic period costume and military uniforms which they have made by copying original documents.

This is their glorious opportunity to relive history and experience the terrifying spectre of an 18th century battlefield without risking life and limb.