North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-05-26
Original.
HISTORY OF LOWER CANADA.
STIsuED.)


On the I4th OF December, the alarm
was sgain given Of the approach OF The
British, this time, unfortunately, it was
but too sad a reality. The patriots, by
very culpable negligence. had allowed the
greater part Of their men to return to their
homes, and when they perceived on the
other side Of the river. the glstening bay
one.s Of the British, they could number
but from 200 10 $50 men, many OF whom
were badly armed and wholly unable to
cope with sush formidable force as that
sni against them. Sir John Cohorne
had left St. Martin on Isle Jesus, in the
morning at hall past six O'Clock, hut fear
ing that the patriots might lay an ambush
10 very long wood between ST. Martin
and ST. Eustache, he took long. circuit
ous route by concession called petit Sic.
Rose, and crossed the river at about hall
way between Ste. Rose and ST. Eustache.
In crossing the river at this place, where
il is very wide, the British army was in a
very perilons situation, as the ice wa
quite thin, several horses and carriages fell
through, but after much labor, they were
all rescued IL required great precautlon
10 effect their march over the ice, but they
finally succeeded in getting 10 the other
side OF the river, whence, after having
formed themselves into regular bodies, they
pursued their route towards the devoted
village. Captain Giobenski, renegade
Canadian Of German descent, at the head
NJ sompany of Canadian volunteers, had
taken the shortest route from St. Martin
10 ST. Eustache and arrived on the other
side Of The river, opposite the patriot
eamp, some time before The main body oil
the British troops, under Sir john Col
borne, had made their appearance. II was
this body OF volunteers, the patriots first
Uncovered. AT this sight, the military
ardor OF the Sons OF the North was
excited and DR.. Chenier, at the head oil q
smali detachment, crossed the river 10 GO
and attack them. Some time elapsed be-
fore the men could be mustered and those
who had been sent 10 reconnoltre, had re.
porled to the General. Meanwhile the
British troops were hastily advancing TO-
wards the village, and when Dr. Cheniel
was in the act oil crossing the river tc
-. -. ..aocoJa ,ounsrvmen the Rnva
Artillery under Colborne was then in sight
although upperceived by the patriots
whose whole attention was attracted by
Captain Globenski's men. On their way
across the ice, DR.. Chenier's soldiers wer'
fred at by voey of grape shot from th'
artillery. This unexpected movement OF
the part OF the royalists, threw the patriots
into confusion, who Immediately retreatet
to the village and abandoned their prolec
of attacking Captain Globenski's company
I, was only at this late period that the pa
trots could see the vast force sent against
them. The British army covered space
of nearly Two miles with their men, bag.
gage and artillery.
The military commander OF the patriots
Immediately divided his men into squads
and s,aliouiag them in the several build
ings which have been already mentioned
remarkable for their strength and solidi-
Nv, he left Aiih them all necessary orders
and instructions 10 50 novel and startling
an emergency, ADD procuring good, spec
dy horse, he eowardly abandoned them TO
their fate, Without loss Of time, he bed
TO ST. Benoit and from thence, siier having
several times lhrGsgh his sdr0itness and