North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-04-16
l6)

retarded his march very much. Genera
Bfown had cent small deiachmeris 10 har
ass the ,roops on their march down TO ST
Charles from ST. Hiiaire dc Rousille, bu
,his order was not executed as il sioux
have been. A few random shots were oc
sssinnally Cred from sosae harms on the
ROAD aud from the opposite side of III,
RicheIieu. To rrtaliasr, The infurialet
and savage British Lieutenant Coione
gave orders to sc; FIRE TO the barns anc
houses OF the Canadians. II appears ths
General Brown went himself in person or
horseback 10 one oi the advanced posts "a
give some orders. The road was rough
and frozen, his horse having stumbled, the
General fell 10 the ground and undoubtedly
was badly inIsred. This is the last which
was seen Of him on duty shortly after he
uas me, at the upper end Of the villages
having entirely deserted the camp where
his few brave men had congrega,ed 10 con-
tend with the invaders. The excuse he
gave 10 those he met on his way going TO
The camp, was that he was seeking new
reinforcements 10 the village. But alas ,
il was base pretence for his deseriion of
The devoted patriots who had rallied under
his banner.
Ifreport Is true, il would appear that
they had traitor in the camp OF S.. Cha's
on The night previous 10 the engagement.
This Infamous character, who is reported
TO be man named L'Heureux, baild by
profession, whilst on duty 10 the camp,
poured water into the fuse hole OF the
cannon, which having frozen through the
intensity OF The cold, rendered the guns
quite useless when the British approached
the stockade. If such villain really ex-
listed among The Canadians, how much he
mus, feel the sore pnngs Of guilty and
tormenling conscience, for having for the
sake OF few pieces OF silver and gold,
sold bis native country's rights 10 the op.
pressors Of Canadian liberty
AS soon as the British troops appeared
in sight OF the Canadian camp, they were
saluied by the patriots who were behind
the entertainments, with loud cheer. Al
llis saluiation Lieutenant Colonel Weth-
ersll, who was well informed OF the fate
which Colonel Gore had met at The hands
Of the brave people Of ST. Denis, halted to
reeonnoi,re. Having ascertained that the
breastwork at the left hand on entering
The village OF ST. Charles, was well sup
piled with men, and that il would be rather
difficult job to render himself master o.
thar part Of the patriot entertainments,
with the FIRE OF his soldiers alone, he di-
rrcled six-pourder TO play upon il with |
grape shot. The British Commander or
dered the other six FOUNDER TO be brought
10 bear upon house with loop holes.
which was on the right side Of the road
and from which the patriots poured well
directed fire upon the British troops. The
patriots on their side, although cowardly
abandoned by their military CHIEF, showed
that they were willing toexpose and even
20 sacrifice their lives for lherty's sake
In the absence Of General Brown who, as
we have seen, had trusted more to the
swifinrss OF his horse than TO his own
physical courage, the command devolved
nron Captain Simeon Marehesseaut, who,
during the engagement, proved himself
10 be more worthy Of military title than
the individual who, through mere chance
ADD blind confidence, had been appointed
Comma nder of force, which he hasely
deserted in the hour OF danger.
The contest could not last long the
combat was too unequal. The British
troops were superior in number and in dis
cipline TO the small hand against which
they had been seat. Ye, to the credit OF
the fearless souls who had so zealoasly es-
poused The sacred cause of democracy all
gsinst British monarchy, the battle was
not ended until the patriots found il was
useless longer to contend. The horses of
Lieutenant Colonel Wetherall, Major
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