# La rébellion de 1837 à Saint-Eustache/26

DECLARATION DE JOHN MCGILLIS, ÉCUIER, AVOCAT.
C. A. M. Globensky, Esq., ⁠St. Eustache, P. Q.
Dear Sir,
In compliance with your request I will give you my recollections of the facts and events that happened in the year 1837 at St. Eustache.
I will first state that I belonged to a squadron of volunteer cavalry raised in Montreal several years previously, in one troop of which commanded by Captain Billingham, now the member for Argenteuil, I was Lieutenant.
On the 11th of December 1837, I was ordered with all the men who had not already proceeded to join the main body of the troops to march to St-Martin, the head quarters of the forces. On our arrival I found there one company of Her Majesty’s 32nd Regiment, one gun and a few artillerymen.
On the 18th, Her Majesty’s Royal Regiment the 83rd and the balance of the 32nd, as also two companies of volunteer Rifles with the commander of the Forces and Staff, arrived at St-Martin in the evening, also a Battery or demi-Battery of Royal Artillery : accompanying these were two more Troops of Cavalry, and one company of St-Eustache volunteers under the command of M. Globensky.
On the 14th about 5 A. M. the réveil was sounded and orders given to fall in.
The whole force then started for St-Eustache ; all the Regulars, Horse, Foot, and Artillery marched straight to St-Elzéar, and after following the Côte St-Elzéar road, say for two or three miles, turned down towards the River which was crossed on the ice about midway between Porteous Bridge and Moulin a la Dalle, every man leading his horse in indian file about 20 paces apart without any casualty, with the exception of one gun which broke through, but was afterwards recovered.
In the meantime the St-Eustache volunteer company had been ordered to march by the main or ordinary travelled road between St-Martin and St-Eustache on the south side, so as to effect a junction with Her Majesty’s troops on their arrival at St-Eustache.
The bulk of the troops followed after crossing the river, the north bank of the Ottawa towards St-Eustache without seeing the shadow of a single rebel, but when within a mile of St-Eustache a couple of rebel companies were seen crossing the river to the opposite side, their intention being to meet the company of St-Eustache volunteers, whose bayonets they had seen glistening from the St-Eustache church belfry.
The rebels having so far not perceived the advance of the troops on the north bank, orders were given to unlimber one of the guns which was loaded with ball and fixed at them. The rebels seeing the forces advancing took to their heels and fled some up the river not to return, and others were forced to retire in the church.
After the fixing of the gun and the retreat of the rebels, the cavalry was ordered to make a détour and surround the village to prevent the escape of any runaways from the enemy.
We remained at our post until nearly 4 p. m., when we were ordered to quarters, the skirmish then being almost over, Girod, Charretier and others having made their escape early in the day towards the Grand-Brulé (St.-Bénoit).
Being at liberty I, about 4 p. m., walked through the village towards the church. The Dumont house was then in ashes, as well as the presbytère, the church being at the same time on fire.
While looking on I was informed that Chénier had been killed, trying to escape from the church and that his body, having been recognized, had been carried to the Black Bull tavern kept by one Addison.
When I saw him he was stripped and laid out on the bar counter. After looking and examining the body I found that the ball that had killed him had entered either on the left or right side, I cannot remember exactly ; however from appearances I believe he must have been killed by a rifle bullet as the wound or puncture was very small, no blood flowing, the hemorrhage being internal.
Whilst looking at the body as before stated in the Black Bull Tavern, the late Dr McCulloch of Montreal came in and stated he was desirous of making a post mortem examination of deceased to follow the course of the ball and find out where it was lodged.
In the interval the military Surgeons, Doctors Flamden and McGregor and the surgeon of the 83rd arrived and stated to Dr McCulloch that it was their duty to perform the post mortem examination.
I was not present when the examination was made, and never saw Chénier’s body afterwards, as early next morning we were ordered to proceed to St. Benoit, in pursuit of the rebels.
The statement that Chénier’s head had been smashed in by gun stocks, is altogether erroneous, as his head was perfectly sound when I saw his remains in the Black Bull Tavern.
Moreover to say that his heart had been torn out and fixed on a bayonet is simply ridiculous, as the discipline of the troops would not allow such barbarism.
All the prisoners taken where confined in Mr. Ferré’s Granary, and guarded by the St. Eustache volunteers.
Having read a certain article published in the Opinion Publique of Montreal on the 14th February last entitled : « Evenements de 1837 et 1838 » and purporting to be the recital of a person named Payriard, I assert : That the river was fully frozen over, as the ice was strong enough to carry over all Her Majesty’s troops, horses and guns, and to allow the Rebels to cross from behind the Church to the opposite side, and return when fired upon. No troops of any kind crossed on Porteous Bridge and as to the story that the stringers (lambourdes) had been cut, I cannot form an opinion as we did not examine them.
As regards the statement that sixty patriots had killed ten of the cavalry, I beg to inform you that it is an unqualified lie, as no rebels were seen except those on the river and those coming out of the church. With the exception of one soldier killed before the church and two or three artillerymen slightly wounded, no casualties occurred among either the regulars or volunteers.
Again with reference to the statement that the rebels had repulsed the troops seven times, it is the first and only time I have read or heard of such an occurrence.
The troops in fact surrounded the church and square in front from the time of their arrival until the close of the affray, keeping the rebels in the church as in a rat trap.
In conclusion, I may add that his explanation of the way in which the church was set on fire is by our having fired red hot shot upon it, is a most glaring falsehood, since the fire began behind the alter or by sparks from the presbytère.
I must say and add to the praise of capt. Globensky, with whom I was well acquainted, that during the battle of St. Eustache, which took place the 14th december 1837, that his.way of acting was noble and generous towards the rebels. The proof is that after the defeat of these last mentioned (the rebels) Sir John Colborne confided to him the care of the village, and such a proof is a high testimony in his favour, and more I could express it myself.
I am ready to make affidavit to the foregoing whenever requested.
L’on comprendra que la déclaration suivante n’a pu être donnée ou signée par un grand nombre des principaux citoyens de St. Eustache; car la plupart de la notabilité qui existait en 1837, c’est-d-dire il y a 43 ans, et qui était loyale ou opposée a la rébellion, est morte ou disparue.