Battle of the Chateauguay
Part of the War of 1812
Bataille de la Chateauguay by Henri Julien. Lithograph from Le Journal de Dimanche, 1884.
Date October 25, 1813 Location Allan's Corners (Near Ormstown, Quebec) Result Decisive British victory
Combatants
United Kingdom	United States
Commanders
Charles de Salaberry	Wade Hampton
Strength
400 French Canadian militia 170 natives	4,000 regulars
Casualties
2 killed 15 wounded 3 captured 2 deserted	23 dead 33 wounded 29 missing

The Battle of the Chateauguay was a battle of the War of 1812. On October 25, 1813, a force consisting almost entirely of French Canadians and Mohawks repulsed a much larger American force attempting to invade Canada. Combatants United States Great Britain Canada Bermuda Eastern Woodland Indians Commanders James Madison Henry Dearborn Jacob Brown Winfield Scott Andrew Jackson George Prevost Isaac Brock† Tecumseh† Strength •U.S. Regular Army: 35,800 •Rangers: 3,049 •Militia: 458,463* •US Navy & US Marines: (at start of war): •Frigates:6 •Other... Image File history File links Battle_of_Chateauguay. ... Lithography is a method for printing on a smooth surface, as well as a method of manufacturing semiconductor and MEMS devices. ... Year 1884 (MDCCCLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... October 25 is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... Ormstown is a town in Quebec, Canada, which is situated on the Chateauguay River in the heart of the Chateauguay Valley. ... Motto: Je me souviens (French: I remember) Capital Quebec City Largest city Montreal Official languages French Government - Lieutenant-Governor Lise Thibault - Premier Jean Charest (PLQ) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 75 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area Ranked 2nd - Total 1,542,056 km² - Water... Charles-Michel dIrumberry de Salaberry Lieutenant Colonel Charles-Michel dIrumberry de Salaberry (1778 - 1829) was a French-Canadian nobleman who served as an officer of the British army in Lower Canada (now Quebec) and won distinction for repelling the American advance on Montreal during the War of 1812. ... Wade Hampton (1752-February 4, 1835) served in the American Revolution and was a member of Congress from 1795-1797 and from 1803-1805, and a presidential elector in 1801. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Strength Casualties The First Battle of Sacketts Harbor was fought on July 19, 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. ... In this relatively short and fast battle a very small garrison of British troops and Canadian volunteers, with the assistance of Kahnawake Mohawk warriors, defended a blockhouse of Lacolle Mills near the village of Champlain. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders James Lucas Yeo Isaac Chauncey Strength 1 first rate ship of the line 2 frigates 6 sloops and brigs 4 schooners and gunboats 2 frigates 6 sloops and brigs 12 schooners and gunboats Casualties 1 sloop destroyed 2 brigs destroyed 1 brig captured 5 schooners... Combatants Great Britain United States Commanders George MacDonnell Benjamin Forsyth Strength 520 about 250 Casualties 55 90 The Battle of Ogdensburg was a battle of the War of 1812. ... The Battle of York was a battle of the War of 1812 on April 27, 1813, at York, Upper Canada, which was later to become Toronto, Ontario. ... The Battle of Sacketts Harbor was fought in northwestern New York on May 29, 1813 during the War of 1812. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Charles de Salaberry Wade Hampton Strength 500 militia and natives 4,000 regulars and militia Casualties 5 dead 16 wounded 50 dead 200 wounded or missing The Battle of Chateauguay was a battle of the War of 1812 on October 25, 1813. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders William Mulcaster Joseph Morrison James Wilkinson John P. Boyd Strength 800 regulars and militia 8,000 regulars and militia (2500 present) Casualties 22 dead 148 wounded 102 dead 237 wounded 150 missing The Battle of Cryslers Farm was a battle of the War of... In this battle, Major-General James Wilkonson planned another invasion of Canada to make up his huge loss to the British in the Battle of Cryslers Farm. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The Battle of Big Sandy was fought in northwestern New York on May 29 –30, 1814 during the War of 1812. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders George Prevost George Downie † Thomas Macdonough Alexander Macomb Strength 11,000 1,500 regulars 1,900 milita Casualties 300 200 {{{notes}}} The Battle of Plattsburgh also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain ended the final invasion of the Northern states during the War of... Combatants United States Great Britain Canada Bermuda Eastern Woodland Indians Commanders James Madison Henry Dearborn Jacob Brown Winfield Scott Andrew Jackson George Prevost Isaac Brock† Tecumseh† Strength •U.S. Regular Army: 35,800 •Rangers: 3,049 •Militia: 458,463* •US Navy & US Marines: (at start of war): •Frigates:6 •Other... October 25 is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... French Canadian is a term that has several different connotations. ... The Mohawk (Kanienkeh or Kanienkehaka meaning People of the Flint) are an indigenous people of North America who live around Lake Ontario and the St. ...

The American plan and movements

Late in 1813, United States Secretary of War John Armstrong devised a plan to capture Montreal, which would have led to the capture of all Upper Canada. Two divisions, one from Sackett's Harbor and the other from Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain would unite in front of the city. The Secretary of War was a member of the United States Presidents Cabinet, beginning with George Washingtons administration. ... John Armstrong, Jr. ... Nickname: Motto: Concordia Salus (in unity, prosperity) Coordinates: Country Canada Province Quebec Founded 1642 Established 1832 Government  - Mayor Gérald Tremblay Area [1][2][3]  - City 365. ... Flag Map of Upper Canada (orange) Capital Newark 1792 - 1797 York 1797 - 1841 Language(s) English Religion Anglican Government Constitutional monarchy Sovereign  - 1791-1820 George III  - 1837-1841 Victoria Lieutenant-Governor See list of Lieutenant-Governors Legislature Parliament of Upper Canada  - Upper house Legislative Council  - Lower house Legislative Assembly Historical... Sackets Harbor is a village located in Jefferson County, New York. ... Plattsburgh, New York refers to two locations in Clinton County, New York: City of Plattsburgh Town of Plattsburgh This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Landsat photo Lake Champlain (French: lac Champlain) is a large lake in North America, mostly within the borders of the United States (states of Vermont and New York) but partially situated across the US-Canada border in the province of Quebec. ...

The Americans on the Lake Champlain front were led by Major General Wade Hampton, who had taken command on July 4. Hampton had several misgivings about the plan. His own troops, encamped at Burlington, Vermont, were badly trained, and his junior officers themselves lacked training and experience. His forward base at Plattsburgh was difficult to supply, because British ships controlled Lake Champlain. Finally, Hampton, a wealthy southern plantation owner, despised James Wilkinson who was to lead the division from Sackett's Harbor. Hampton at first refused to cooperate with Wilkinson, but was eventually persuaded to take part in the joint expedition as Armstrong proposed to lead it personally. Wade Hampton (1752-February 4, 1835) served in the American Revolution and was a member of Congress from 1795-1797 and from 1803-1805, and a presidential elector in 1801. ... For the United States holiday, the Fourth of July, see Independence Day (United States). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... General James Wilkinson James Wilkinson (1757 – December 28, 1825) was a U.S. soldier and statesman, who was associated with several scandals and controversies. ...

On September 19, Hampton moved by water from Burlington to Plattsburgh, and made a reconnaissance in force towards Odelltown on the direct route north from Lake Champlain. He decided that the British forces were too strong in this sector, and marched west instead to Four Corners, on the Chateauguay River. September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... Chateaugay is a town located in Franklin County, New York. ...

As Wilkinson's expedition was not ready, Hampton's force waited here until October 18. Hampton was concerned that the delay was depleting his supplies and giving the British time to muster forces against him. Hearing from Armstrong that Wilkinson's force was "almost" ready to set out, he began advancing down the Chateauguay River. A brigade of 1,400 New York militia refused to cross the frontier into Canada, leaving Hampton with two brigades of regulars, 200 mounted troops and 10 field guns. October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years). ...

Canadian counter-moves

The Swiss-born Major-General Louis de Watteville was appointed commander of the Montreal District only on September 17. In response to the rumours of an American advance, he ordered several units of militia to be called up. Already though, the commander of the outposts, Lieutenant Colonel Charles de Salaberry had been organising his defences. De Salaberry had many informants among the farmers in the area, and had accurate information about Hampton's size and movements, while Hampton had very poor intelligence about Salaberry's force. September 17 is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years). ... Charles-Michel dIrumberry de Salaberry Lieutenant Colonel Charles-Michel dIrumberry de Salaberry (1778 - 1829) was a French-Canadian nobleman who served as an officer of the British army in Lower Canada (now Quebec) and won distinction for repelling the American advance on Montreal during the War of 1812. ...

In addition to his own corps, the Canadian Voltigeurs, de Salaberry had called in several units of the Select Embodied Militia and local militia units. Facing a clearing where the Chateauguay river made a sharp bend, de Salaberry ordered his leading troops to construct abatis, obstacles made of felled trees. Behind them he posted the light company of the Canadian Fencibles, two companies of the Voltigeurs, an elite militia company from Beauharnois and perhaps two dozen Mohawks. To guard a ford a mile behind the abatis he posted the light companies of the 2nd and 3rd battalions of Select Embodied Militia and another company of militia. In successive reserve positions stretching a mile and a half along the river were another three companies of the Voltigeurs, the 2nd Select Embodied Militia and another 150 Indians, all under Lieutenant Colonel George MacDonnell. The Canadian Voltigeurs were a Select Embodied Militia unit raised in Lower Canada in 1812, and which fought in the War of 1812. ... When the United States and Great Britain went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which was then divided for administrative purposes into Upper Canada (broadly the present day province of Ontario), Lower Canada (roughly present day Quebec) and the Atlantic Provinces... This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. ... When the United States and Great Britain went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which was then divided for administrative purposes into Upper Canada (broadly the present day province of Ontario), Lower Canada (roughly present day Quebec) and the Atlantic Provinces... The Mohawk (Kanienkeh or Kanienkehaka meaning People of the Flint) are an indigenous people of North America who live around Lake Ontario and the St. ... George Richard John MacDonnell, August 15, 1780 - May 16, 1870, commonly known as Red George, was a British Army officer, who played a conspicuous part in the War of 1812. ...

De Salaberry had been so confident of victory that he had not informed his superiors of his actions. De Watteville rode forward and "approved" de Salaberry's dispositions, even as the fighting started.

The Battle

Hampton knew of the existence of the ford, and decided to send 1,000 men of one of his two brigades, under Colonel Robert Purdy, to cross to the south bank of the Chateauguay, circle round the British position and outflank them by capturing the ford, while 1,000 men of his other brigade under Brigadier General George Izard attacked them in front. Another 1,000 men were either sick or were left to guard the baggage and artillery. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

After Purdy set off, Hampton received a letter from Armstrong, informing him that Armstrong himself was no longer to be in overall command of the combined American forces and Wilkinson was to be in charge; and that Hampton was to construct winter quarters for 10,000 men on the Saint Lawrence. The disgusted Hampton interpreted this second instruction to mean that there would be no attack on Montreal that year and the entire campaign was pointless. He would probably have retreated immediately, except that Purdy would then be left isolated.

Purdy's men spent a miserable night marching through cypress swamps in pouring rain. As dawn broke on October 26, they encountered the detachment de Salaberry had left to guard the ford. Captain Daly, leading the light company of the 3rd Select Embodied Militia, launched an immediate attack against the Americans, while other Canadian troops engaged them from across the river. October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 66 days remaining. ...

Hearing the firing break out, Izard's force marched into the clearing and deployed. Legend has it that at this point, an American officer rode forward to demand the Canadians' surrender. As he had omitted to do so under a flag of truce, he was shot down by de Salaberry himself.

Izard's troops began steady, rolling volleys into the abatis and trees. These parade-ground tactics were almost entirely ineffective. The defenders replied with accurate individual fire, though surprisingly few Americans were hit. On the Canadian right, the light company of the Fencibles were outflanked and fell back, but either on de Salaberry's orders or on their own initiative, several companies from the reserve were already making their way forward. They did so with bugle calls, cheers and Indian war whoops. The unnerved Americans thought themselves outnumbered and fell back. Hampton did not order any guns to be brought forward to destroy the abatis. Once Purdy had extricated himself after another dismal night in the swamps, the Americans withdrew in good order. De Salaberry did not pursue. Military bugle in Bâ™­ A French marine bugler at a ceremony in Kuwait City celebrating the success of Operation Desert Storm in 1991 Bugler redirects here. ...

Salaberry's initial casualty report gave 5 Canadians killed: but it was soon discovered that 3 of the "dead" men had been captured by the Americans.

The American losses were officially reported by the Adjutant-General as 23 killed, 33 wounded and 29 missing. Salaberry reported that 16 American prisoners were taken. 6 of these were severely wounded men who went to hospital, while the other 10 were transported to prison in Quebec. The average ratio of dead men in relation to wounded men in American casualty returns for battles during the War of 1812 was 3.5 wounded per 1 killed. Since only about 40 Americans seem to have been wounded, it seems unlikely that more than a dozen of the 23 men officially reported as killed were actually dead. The rest were probably deserters or stragglers who had not yet rejoined the army by the time the Adjutant-General's casualty report was made. Still, even a dozen is a lot more than the 2 Canadians who were killed.

Aftermath

Hampton retreated to Four Corners, and held a council of war. This unanimously concluded that a renewed advance stood no chance of success. Furthermore, the roads were becoming impassable under the autumn rains, and Hampton's supplies would soon be exhausted. Hampton ordered a retreat to Plattsburgh, and sent a staff officer to Wilkinson, with a report of his situation. A council of war is a term in military science that describes a meeting held to decide on a course of action, usually in the midst of a battle. ...

Wilkinson's own force had reached a settlement named Hoags, just upstream from Ogdensburg, when they received this news. Wilkinson replied with orders to Hampton to advance to Cornwall on the Saint Lawrence River, bringing sufficient supplies for both his own and Wilkinson's division. Hampton was convinced that these orders were futile and impossible to comply with, and declined to follow them. Before his reply could reach Wilkinson, Wilkinson's force was defeated at Crysler's Farm on November 11. Wilkinson nevertheless used Hampton's refusal to move to Cornwall as pretext to abandon his own advance, and the projected attack on Montreal came to an inglorious end. Hampton had already submitted his resignation. He was not employed again in the field. Ogdensburg is a city located in St. ... Cornwall. ... TheSaint Lawrence River (In French: fleuve Saint-Laurent) is a large west-to-east flowing river in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders William Mulcaster Joseph Morrison James Wilkinson John P. Boyd Strength 800 regulars and militia 8,000 regulars and militia (2500 present) Casualties 22 dead 148 wounded 102 dead 237 wounded 150 missing The Battle of Cryslers Farm was a battle of the War of... November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 50 days remaining. ...

On the British side, the victorious troops at Chateauguay held their existing positions and endured much discomfort for several days before Indians reported that the Americans were retreating, and they could retire to more comfortable billets.

The hot-tempered de Salaberry was furious that both General de Watteville and the Governor General, Sir George Prevost, had arrived on the field just in time to submit their own despatches claiming the victory for themselves. He considered resigning his commission, but was later officially thanked by the Assembly in Quebec. George Prevost Sir George Prévost (Hackensack May 19, 1767 – January 5, 1816 London) was a British soldier and colonial administrator. ...

Sources

• John R. Elting, Amateurs to Arms, Da Capo Press, New York, ISBN 0-306-80653-3
• J. Mackay Hitsman & Donald E. Graves, The Incredible War of 1812, Robin Brass Studio, Toronto, ISBN 1-896941-13-3
• Ernest Cruikshank, The Documentary History of Campaign upon the Niagara Frontier in the Year 1812, Reprint Edition, Arno Press Inc., 1971, ISBN 0-405-02838-5

External links

• The Battle of the Chateauguay at The War of 1812 Website
• An Account of the Battle of the Chateauguay by William D. Lighthall, 1889, from Project Gutenberg
• Parc Canada's website on the Battle of the Chateauguay
• Map of the Battle
• Quebec Heritage Web site of the area