The Fortress-town of Louisbourg on Cape Breton island was the Key to any intended operations against French held Canada in particular Quebec and had already withstood one attempt to take it by the British in 1757. This time the British Prime Minister William Pitt intended no mistakes and duly appointed the able Colonel J Amherst as over all commander. Pitt also added three new brigadiers, amongst whom was a 30 year old war experienced (Dettingen, Fontenoy and Culloden were just three of his previous engagements) and unusually for the day wholly professional officer---Colonel James Wolfe.

The invasion fleet sailed from Halifax on 28th May and made landfall on Cape Breton Island on the 2nd June but because of storms and fog no actual landing could be made. However by the 8th June the storms had subsided enough for an assault to be made. The now Major General James Wolfe was to lead the landings with a brigade of Grenadiers (which included those from the 35th Foot) light infantry and Highlanders.

The initial landings were due to be made at Freshwater cove some four miles from the town, unfortunately unknown to the British, commanding the beach lay some 1000 French soldiers in well fortified positions. Nature was also taking a hand with a heavy and somewhat dangerous swell upsetting several boats amongst the rocks and drowning a number of soldiers but this same swell  also made it difficult for the French batteries to aim their pieces.

As the French opened up a never the less devastating fire on the approaching boats Wolfe signalled for the attack to be cancelled. This order was only seen by a few of the boats and several of them managed to land their loads in a more sheltered part of the beach (The first ashore is contested by several Regiments, with the 35th Foot claiming their Lieutenant Brown). Wolfe seeing that some of his force were landing, quickly countermanded his withdrawal order and reinforced the position with the rest of his command.

Calmly setting ashore Wolfe quickly organised his men and charged the nearest French gun position at bayonet point. Amherst fed more of his command onto the beach, and the French gunners abandoned their fortified positions and retreated into the fortress proper.

The rest of the army was soon ashore and Louisbourg invested. The siege was carried forward with much activity of both the 35th and General Wolfe. With the burning of three French warships (thanks to a lucky shot from a Marine battery) on the 21st July and the "cutting out" of the remaining two ships shortly after, any hopes of either relief or defence the  French  had, disappeared. On 26th July after a 52 day siege the French commander, governor General Drucour asked for terms. The uncompromising demand from the British was for an unconditional surrender, which Drucour had little choice but to accept. Some five thousand French prisoners came into British hands at the fall of Louisbourg along with two hundred and thirty one guns and mortars, fifteen thousand muskets and eleven colours (The later deposited in St Paul's Cathedral London).

Meanwhile the 35th were soon ordered, along with a battalion of the 60th Foot (royal Americans) to rebuild the old French Fort on the St John river--- Fort Frederick. This done the Regiment was dispersed into winter quarters.

April 1759 saw the 35th reassembled at Halifax and then to Louisbourg as part of the Army under Major-General James Wolfe with the final goal as the capture of Quebec.