North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-05-26


presence OF mind esesppd The vengeance
oI the people, who were 80 enraged at his
ireachery as to want TO shoot him, he final
" reached Pointe aux Trembles, below
Moniresl, bot being closely pursued, he
made his way 10 giviere des Prairies,
where The volunteers overlook him, when
he drew pistol and blew out his own
brains.
But TO return to the patriot camp at st.
Erstache. Abandoned by their General
yet the main body did not despair, and
they resolved 10 sell their lives dearly.
Sir John Colborne had placed his artillery
Oh bin which commanded the whole vii
lage and began cannonade on its primer
pal buildings. Whilst the artillery was
thus playing on the strong holds oil the
patriots, the infantry aud cavalry under
their cover, extended their lines, so as
completely 20 encircle the village and there
by prevent the escape o.: the unfortunate
beings, who were thus entirely surrounded.
The brave DR.. Chenier, at the head of 60
or 80 men, threw himselel into the
church, the doors Of which were strongly
barricaded with pews and pieces OF stoves,
whilst their commander ordered the glass
in the windows 10 be broken, TO enable the
soldiers to fire upon the British. The
priests house, the manor-house, the con-
vent and Mr.. Scott's house were also oc-
cupied BY the patriots, and from these diff
lerent places they poured as deadly IRE
on the invaders as could be expected from
men badly armed and possessed of very
scanty supply Of powder. When It was
ascertained that the cavalry and infantry
had surrounded the village SO as to cut OF
all escape for the fighting patriots, The
British commander ordered cannon 10 bt
brought nearer the village, which was
placed opposite Mr.. Scouts house TO batter
down the walls of the church, from which
the brave Chenier was maintaining such
calling FIRE as 10 keep the British troops a
respectful distance. This cannon was
very soon however withdrawn lroa It's pc
silion, for DR.. Chenier's men would spliei
none Of the gunners TO approach II, with
out furnishing them with passports io
/" kingdom come Seeing that the pain
OTIS, from their position, could commant
the gun, Cotborne ordered its removal TO
greater distance from the church. But
this moment several other pieces OF arulle
nv were brought from another direction Il
bear upon the church and their effect wa
SO Powerful, that its walls soon began {
crumbe. The patriots had been forced {
abandon Mr. Scoti's house, where the iir'
was TOO hot for them, and the building ha'
been consigned to the flames. They ha'
also been obliged 10 vacate suscessIvell
the manor house, the convent and th'
priests house, all Of which bad been act o.
| fire by the red coats. The only place
which still held out against the invaders
was the church, from which the courageou
and valiant Dir. Chenier was constant.
pouring well sustained FIRE upon III
deadly foes Of his country. After III
combat had ceased from the different quar-
tiers which we have just mentioned, IL
British troops had neated the church, s
as 10 prevent the escape OF a single solita
, ~ soul from within. Cavalry and inlanu
) were both engaged in besieging this nooi
building and exerting themselves TO inyo!v
J in irreirievable ruin The unfortunate wet
/ inns. who still continued the desperat
struggle. 1t was too unequa! however, {
las, long. Over g, 1000 men had surrounde
this little band, some Of whom were badi
wounded, and Others, without arms or am
m 9ni,ion. The church was soon fired, am
as the patriots were in the galleries. tn
stairs leading there were cot down or mu
.ilsted so much as 10 prevent the deseen
Of any of their destined victims. The hF'
began to rage with fury, and the woundeS
the able.bodied, the weak and the strong
rel, the absolute necessity OF abandoning