You mention that you are uncertain when and where James Wolfe _first_
served. I have experienced the very same difficulty. It seems strange
that his biographers have been so meagre in the details of his life. It
has been said that Wolfe's first effort in arms was as a volunteer under
his father, in the unlucky expedition against Carthagena, in 1740,
commanded by Lord Cathcart. But I cannot find proper authority for this.
You farther state, that Wolfe was ardently attached to Colonel Barré. It
is curious enough that their introduction to each other was chiefly in
consequence of a letter which Barré carried to Wolfe, from the officer
to whom Wolfe's letters in my possession are addressed. In one of these,
dated "Portsmouth, 7th Feb. 1758," Wolfe, after speaking favourably of
Barré, states--
"I did not know that Barré was your friend, nor even your
acquaintance. Now that I do know it, I shall value him the
more.... I trust I shall have good reason to thank the man that
mentioned him. Nay, I am already overpaid, by the little that I
did, by drawing out of his obscurity so worthy a gentleman. I
never saw his face till very lately, nor ever spoke ten words to
him before I ventured to propose him as a Major of Brigade."
And he adds:
"Barré and I have the great apartment of a three-decked ship to
revel in, but, with all this space, and fresh air, I am sick to
death. Time, I suppose, will deliver me from these sufferings
[sea-sickness], though in former trials I never could overcome
it", &c.