The Battle of Chateauguay

Prevost’s General Order
following the Battle of the Chateauguay

by Rich Barbuto

General Orders

His Excellency the Governor in Chief and Commander of the Forces has received from Major General de Watteville, the report of the affair which took place in front of the advanced positions of his post, at 11 o’clock on Tuesday morning, between the American army, under the command of Major General Hampton, and the advanced piquets of the British, thrown out for the purpose of covering working parties, under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel De Salaberry; the judicious position chosen by that officer, and the excellent disposition of his little band, composed of the Light Company Canadian Fencibles, and two companies Canadian Voltigeurs, repulsed with loss, the advance of the enemy’s principal column, commanded by General Hampton in person, and the American Light Brigade, under Colonel McCarty, was in like manner checked in its progress on the south side of the river, by the gallant and spirited advance of the flank company 3rd Embodied Militia, under Captain Daly, supported by Captain Bruguier’s company of sedentary militia.

Captains Daly and Bruguier, being both wounded, and their companies sustained some loss, their position was immediately taken up by a flank company of the 1st Battalion Embodied Militia. The enemy rallied and repeatedly returned to the attack, which terminated only with the day in his complete disgrace and defeat, being foiled by a handful of men not amounting to a twentieth part of the force opposed to them, but which nevertheless by their determined bravery maintained their position, and screened from insult the working parties, who continued their labors unmolested.

[Prevost goes on to single out various individuals for praise.]

By the report of prisoners, the enemy’s force is stated at 7,500 infantry, 400 cavalry, and 10 field pieces. The British advanced force actually engaged, did not exceed 300. The enemy suffered from our fire, as well as from their own; some detached corps having fired upon each other by mistake in the woods.

Canadian Light Company had 3 rank and file killed: 1 sergeant, 3 rank and file wounded.
Voltigeurs, 4 rank and file wounded.
3rd Battalion Flank Company, 1 captain wounded, 2 rank and file killed, 6 wounded and 4 missing.
Chateauguay Chasseurs, 1 captain wounded.

[signed] Edward Baynes, Adjutant General

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© Copyright 2001 by Rich Barbuto.
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