Misplaced Pages

#45954

84-544: Fencibles were military units raised on the same terms as regular troops, but liable for service only in North America. This regiment was raised in 1803. Although established as Fencibles, the regiment volunteered for general service, and became the 104th (New Brunswick) Regiment of Foot in the British Army in 1810. Nevertheless, they served in North America only. Their red uniforms had buff facings. The unit

168-495: A council of war . This unanimously concluded that a renewed advance stood no chance of success. Furthermore, the roads were becoming impassable under the autumn rains, and Hampton's supplies would soon be exhausted. Hampton ordered a withdrawal to Four Corners and sent Colonel Atkinson to Wilkinson with a report of his situation. Wilkinson's own force had reached a settlement named Hoags, on the Saint Lawrence River

252-427: A ruse de guerre . The unnerved Americans thought themselves outnumbered and about to be outflanked and fell back 3 miles (4.8 km). Hampton's four guns did not come into action. Purdy first fell back to the river bank opposite De Salaberry's front line, expecting to find Izard still in action, so that he could ferry his wounded across the river. Instead, he once again found himself under fire from De Salaberry and

336-401: A few miles upstream from Ogdensburg , when they received this news. Wilkinson replied with orders for Hampton to advance to Cornwall , bringing sufficient supplies for both his own and Wilkinson's divisions. When he received these orders, Hampton was convinced that they could not be executed and declined to comply, retreating instead to Plattsburgh. Before Hampton's reply could reach Wilkinson,

420-514: A major part in the victories of General Isaac Brock . It was expanded during the war, and its officers and sailors played valiant parts in the Battle of Lake Erie and the Battle of Plattsburgh . Various full-time units were formed from members of the Canadian militia . Although usually intended for garrison duty only, several units saw action. All such Militia units were disbanded very soon after

504-557: A reconnaissance in force towards Odelltown on the direct route north from Lake Champlain. He decided that the British forces were too strong in this sector. The garrison of Ile aux Noix , where the British sloops and gunboats were based, numbered about 900 and there were other outposts and light troops in the area. Also, water on this route was short after a summer drought had caused the wells and streams to dry up, though this excuse caused some amusement among Hampton's officers as Hampton

588-543: A regular unit during the war. They were formed from volunteers from the militia by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles de Salaberry in 1812. The Voltigeurs were trained to a high standard and fought in several actions including the Battle of Châteauguay . The unit had a grey uniform (rifle green for officers), with black facings and equipment. Though their unit contained French-speaking Canadians for the majority, their orders were given in English. Les Voltigeurs de Québec perpetuate

672-480: A uniform of red coats with black facings, but given the distance from regular supply sources and the hard conditions in which it served, it is unlikely that they ever presented a uniform appearance. Two militarized bodies were in existence before any of the Canadian land units that participated in the war were raised. This consisted of about 100 officers, whose purpose was to act as agents, envoys or interpreters to

756-468: A year's full-time service. De Salaberry had been so confident of victory that he had not informed his superiors of his actions. De Watteville and Sir George Prevost rode forward and "approved" de Salaberry's dispositions, even as the fighting started. Hampton knew of the existence of the ford and, late on 25 October, he decided to send 1,500 men of his first brigade (including most, if not all, of his light infantry) under Colonel Robert Purdy, to cross to

840-581: The Battle of Queenston Heights and other actions on the Niagara peninsula. Known as Caldwell's Rangers , after their commander, noted Loyalist and Indian trader William Caldwell . The unit was a rather small one, probably not more than fifty men. Nominally organised as two companies, they often worked in conjunction with the Indian Department and fought dispersed alongside the Indians (chiefly

924-761: The Rebellion of 1798 where they fought in some pitched battles. The 3rd Argyllshire Regiment , who like some other fencible regiments had terms of service that extended to any part of Europe, garrisoned Gibraltar (as did Banffshire Fencibles , 2nd Argyllshire Fencibles , and the Prince of Wales Own Fencibles ) The Dumbarton Fencibles Regiment was raised in Scotland, garrisoned Guernsey , fought in Ireland, and detachment escorted prisoners to Prussia. The Ancient Irish Fencibles were sent to Egypt where they took part in

SECTION 10

#1732772065046

1008-676: The Royal 22 Régiment . A modern re-enactment unit is the re-created Regiment of the Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry, operating across Canada and the United States. Formed by order of Lieutenant-General Sir George Prévost in 1812, recruited from settlements of discharged Scottish soldiers (and some evicted Scottish highlanders) in Glengarry district. Originally intended to wear highlander uniforms (kilts, etc.), they wore

1092-854: The Royal 22nd Regiment ), the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles (perpetuated by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment ), and the New Brunswick Regiment of Fencible Infantry (perpetuated by the Royal New Brunswick Regiment ). The Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles (perpetuated by the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders ) was formed in February 1812, several months prior to the war. In addition to these Canadian units,

1176-642: The Royal Malta Fencible Artillery until 1881. The term 'Fencible' was dropped in 1889 and it became the Royal Malta Artillery . In 1847 the Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps were raised and sent to New Zealand for the defence of the early settlers there. They were settled in four new outlying villages around Auckland, (then the capital), at Onehunga , Otahuhu , Panmure , and Howick ,

1260-626: The Royal Manx Fencibles (third corps, 1803–1811) no more fencible regiments were raised for home defence. In the early years of the 19th Century, regiments of Fencibles were raised in the Canadas , New Brunswick , Newfoundland , and Nova Scotia. The regiments were liable for service in North America only (although the New Brunswick Fencibles volunteered for general service and became the 104th Regiment of Foot in

1344-719: The Sea Fencibles (raised in 1798 and disbanded in 1810). By the Peace of Amiens in 1802, all Fencible Regiments had been disbanded and those members willing to continue serving had been transferred to regular army regiments. When the Napoleonic Wars resumed the British used alternative methods to defend the Home Nations (see for example the Additional Forces Acts 1803 ) and with the exception of

1428-784: The Seven Years' War , the American War of Independence , the French Revolutionary Wars , the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Usually temporary units, composed of local recruits and commanded by Regular Army officers, they were most often confined to garrison and patrol duties, freeing Regular Army units to perform offensive operations. Most fencible regiments had no liability for overseas service. They included naval forces known as "River Fencibles", made up of sailors on

1512-455: The Thames and other southern English towns and cities, as well as Sea Fencibles , who, among their other duties, crewed small commercial vessels converted to coastal defence. The first regiments were raised in Scotland in 1759. In England county militia regiments were raised for internal defence in the absence of the regular army; but it was not deemed prudent to extend the system to Scotland,

1596-580: The 6th Select Embodied Militia battalion. Formed partly from volunteers, and partly from conscripted men chosen by lot, who served for one year only. (Late in the war, there was some trouble when Prévost refused to exempt men who had already served for a year from the ballot.) Four battalions were initially formed early in 1812, followed by a fifth after war was declared, and a sixth in 1813. The seventh and eighth battalions of Sedentary Embodied Militia were formed in Montreal in late 1813 when an American attack

1680-472: The American naval commander on the lake, Lieutenant Thomas Macdonough , was unable to construct a flotilla of sloops and gunboats to counter the British vessels until August. Hampton, a wealthy southern plantation owner, despised Major General James Wilkinson who commanded the division from Sackett's Harbor and who had a reputation for corruption and treacherous dealings with Spain . The two men, who were

1764-549: The Canadian Army is assigned to the following regiments: Most militia units in Upper Canada formed flank companies , who served on a more regular or full-time basis than the ordinary members of the militia, and were sometimes termed Volunteers . They drilled every weekend, as opposed to the bulk of the militia who were required to turn out for training only twice a year in peacetime. Such flank companies took part in

SECTION 20

#1732772065046

1848-469: The Canadian right, the light company of the Fencibles were outflanked and fell back, but either on de Salaberry's orders or on their own initiative, MacDonnell and several companies from the reserve were already making their way forward. They did so with bugle calls, cheers and Indian war whoops. De Salaberry is also credited in several accounts with sending buglers into the woods to sound the "Advance" as

1932-571: The Canadians. The defenders replied with accurate individual fire. Lieutenant Pinguet of the Canadian Fencibles later related "All our men fired from thirty-five to forty rounds so well aimed that the prisoners told us next day that every shot seem to pass at about the height of a man's breast or head. Our company was engaged for about three-quarters of an hour before reinforcements came up." Surprisingly few Americans were hit however. On

2016-573: The Chateauguay River. A brigade of 1,400 New York militia refused to cross the frontier into Canada, leaving Hampton with two brigades of regulars numbering about 2,600 in total, 200 mounted troops and 10 field guns. Large numbers of loaded wagons accompanied the force. Hampton's advance was slowed because the bridges across every stream had been destroyed and trees had been felled across the roads (which themselves were little more than tracks). The Swiss-born Major-General Louis de Watteville

2100-806: The Eastern townships, unlike the French-speaking main body of the Voltigeurs. They operated alongside a group of Mohawk warriors at Lacolle , engaging in running firefights with the Americans during the latter's advance to the mill. The history and heritage of the Frontier Light Infantry is perpetuated within the Canadian Army by the Sherbrooke Hussars . A small (50 men) volunteer unit, which may have been merged into

2184-468: The Fencibles were to be raised by the ordinary mode of recruiting, and like the regiments of the line, the officers were to be appointed, and their commissions signed by the king. Most fencible regiments had no liability for overseas service however there were exceptions. Ireland while not united with the Kingdom of Great Britain until 1801 was the destination for several British fencible regiments during

2268-463: The Great Lakes. They fought as such throughout the war, serving at the siege of Detroit , the battle of York , the siege of Fort Meigs and other engagements. A detachment from the regiment suffered heavy casualties at the Battle of Lake Erie . When not serving aboard ships, the regiment was split up into garrisons and detached companies throughout Upper Canada. A detachment of ninety men from

2352-528: The Michigan Fencibles, a small unit of 45 troops, was raised at Fort Mackinac in 1813. The Bombay Fencibles were raised in 1799 by the following order of the Bombay Army: "A regiment consisting of two battalions of natives to be, under the denomination of the 'Bombay fencibles,' raised from the inhabitants of Bombay, Salsette, and Caranjah, on condition of not being liable to serve out of

2436-524: The Ojibwe, Wyandotte and Pottowottomi). The unit, or parts of it, fought at the Battle of Moraviantown , the Battle of Longwoods , the Battle of Lundy's Lane and in several actions on the Niagara peninsula. There is little authenticated documentation as to the clothing and equipment carried by the Rangers. It is known that the rangers were issued a "bucket cap" (probably a cut down infantry shako without

2520-520: The Park and regional re-enactments. There is also a Modern Re-enacting unit that recreates the Rangers; they are based out of Amherstburg , Ontario and work in conjunction with Fort Malden . Fencibles The Fencibles (from the word defencible ) were British regiments raised in the United Kingdom , Isle of Man and in the colonies for defence against the threat of invasion during

2604-466: The Royal Artillery. Its personnel may also have been paid for providing their own draught animals. A volunteer horsed unit perpetuated in the modern Canadian Army by Le Régiment de la Chaudière . A small unit, two companies strong, which were listed as the ninth and tenth companies of the Voltigeurs, but which were administered separately. Most of its men were English-speaking volunteers from

Canadian units of the War of 1812 - Misplaced Pages Continue

2688-633: The absence without leave of several of its officers), it was reorganised and reformed as a light infantry unit, the Canadian Chasseurs . Several of the flank companies of other Select Embodied Militia battalions which had already seen much service with the Light Battalions were consolidated into the Chasseurs, while the existing personnel of the 5th battalion were dispersed among the other battalions. The Chasseurs wore substantially

2772-543: The battle becoming legendary in Canadian folklore. Forward Positions (Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Charles de Salaberry ) Rearward Positions (Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel George Macdonell ) Wade Hampton's Division, US Army (Commanding General: Major General Wade Hampton ) Eight currently active regular battalions of the United States Army (1- 3 Inf , 2-3 Inf, 4-3 Inf, 1-5 Inf, 2- 5 Inf , 1- 6 Inf , 2-6 Inf and 4-6 Inf) perpetuate

2856-615: The battle was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1920. A list of Warriors receiving medals entitled: "August 25, 1847 A list of soldier and Native Warriors was provided for the Military General Service Medals for the Battle of Detroit, 11 August 1812, the Battle of Chateauguay on 26 October 1813, the Battle of Crysler Farm, 11 November 1813." All the warriors from Kanesatake and Kahnawake mentioned who received medals at Chateauguay can be found in

2940-665: The brass plate or hackle ), grey woollen trousers and a green woollen tunic, and a black leather bayonet belt and cartridge box. This equipment was issued only once; after that, they were told to re-supply themselves from the enemy. In summer, they would wear white cotton instead of woollen trousers. It is not known with which model musket they were issued, although some scholars have suggested that they would have been captured American Springfield Model 1795 Musket (British forces under Isaac Brock captured over 1200 Muskets and over 200 Rifles at Detroit ) while some others contend they may have used trade muskets instead. The Rangers found that

3024-503: The conquest of all Upper Canada . Two divisions were involved. One would descend the St. Lawrence River from Sackett's Harbor on Lake Ontario , while the other would advance north from Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain . The two divisions would unite in front of the city for the final assault. The Americans around Lake Champlain were led by Major General Wade Hampton , who had taken command on 4 July 1813. Hampton had several misgivings about

3108-495: The correct trail, but inexperienced or unwilling guides first led them about mid-morning to a point on the river opposite de Salaberry's forward defences. Some time after noon, Purdy's brigade encountered the detachment de Salaberry had posted to guard the ford. Captain Daly, leading the light company of the 3rd Select Embodied Militia, launched an immediate attack against the Americans, while other Canadian troops engaged them from across

3192-477: The dark green uniform with black facings of the Rifle Brigade instead, although they were armed with muskets rather than rifles. Companies and detachments fought in several actions in Upper Canada in 1813, and the whole unit fought at the Battle of Lundy's Lane . The unit specialized in British light infantry tactics and thus was well-trained in duties such as skirmishing and concealed sentry duty. While

3276-705: The farmers in the area who provided accurate information about the strength of Hampton's force and its movements, while Hampton had very poor intelligence about De Salaberry's force. De Salaberry commanded the front line in person, while the reserves were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel MacDonnell. All of de Salaberry's forces were raised in Lower Canada . The Canadian Fencibles were raised as regulars, though liable for service in North America only. The Voltigeurs were volunteers and were treated as regulars for most purposes. The Select Embodied Militia contained some volunteers but consisted mainly of men drafted by ballot for

3360-613: The field too late to take part in the fighting but in time to submit their own dispatches claiming the victory for themselves. He considered resigning his commission but was later officially thanked by the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada . He and Lieutenant Colonel MacDonnell were made Companions of the Bath after the war for their parts in the battle. Sir George Prevost's dispatch, which claimed that 300 Canadians had put 7,500 Americans to flight nevertheless contributed to

3444-406: The first to fourth battalions were detached to form (with detached light companies of British regular battalions) two ad hoc light infantry battalions during much of 1813. Part at least of the 1st Light Battalion under Lieutenant-Colonel George MacDonnell , which included the light company of the Canadian Fencibles and the light companies of the 2nd and 3rd battalions of Select Embodied Militia, and

Canadian units of the War of 1812 - Misplaced Pages Continue

3528-601: The front south of Montreal with his 1st Light Battalion of mixed regular and militia companies. Already though, the commander of the outposts, Lieutenant Colonel Charles de Salaberry , had been organising his defences. In addition to his own corps (the Canadian Voltigeurs ) and George MacDonnell's 1st Light Battalion, he had called in several units of the Select Embodied Militia and local militia units. De Salaberry had many informants among

3612-483: The grenadier company at the Battle of Lacolle Mills (1814) . A small detachment fought at the Battle of Crysler's Farm and some of the battalion companies served as marines with the squadron on Lake Champlain , in several raids in 1813. The unit was disbanded in 1816. Its red uniforms had yellow facings. The history and heritage of the Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry is carried on in the Canadian Army by

3696-577: The history and heritage of the Canadian Voltigeurs within the Canadian Army . A small company of volunteer cavalry. Originally raised by William McKay from among the boatmen of the North West Fur Company , to move military supplies west from Quebec and Montreal. The Corps numbered about 400, and was involved in several skirmishes with American raiders during the winter of 1812–1813. In 1813, responsibility for transport

3780-558: The inhabitants of which, it was supposed, could not yet be safely entrusted with arms because of The 'Fifteen' and The 'Forty-Five' rebellions . Groundless as the reasons for this caution undoubtedly were in regard to the Lowlands, it would certainly have been hazardous at a time when the Stuarts and their adherents were still plotting a restoration to have armed the clans . Unlike the militia regiments which were raised by ballot,

3864-659: The largest of the four. About 75 fencibles and their sons took part as militia in the 1860s New Zealand Wars . Attribution: Battle of Ch%C3%A2teauguay 23 killed 33 wounded 16 captured 13 missing The Battle of the Chateauguay was an engagement of the War of 1812 . On 26 October 1813, a combined British and Canadian force consisting of 1,530 regulars, volunteers, militia and Mohawk warriors from Lower Canada , commanded by Charles de Salaberry , repelled an American force of about 2,600 regulars which

3948-434: The latter's own force was defeated at the Battle of Crysler's Farm on 11 November. Wilkinson nevertheless used Hampton's refusal to move on Cornwall (which he received by letter on 12 November) as a pretext to abandon his own advance, and the campaign to capture Montreal was called off. Hampton had already submitted his resignation the day before the battle of Chateauguay, in his reply to Armstrong's letter of 16 October. He

4032-764: The lineages of several of American infantry regiments (the old 1st , 4th , 25th and 29th Infantry Regiments ) that took part in the Battle of the Chateauguay. Six regiments of the Canadian Army carry the Battle Honour CHATEAUGUAY to commemorate the history and heritage of units that fought at the Battle. They are: The Royal 22 Régiment , the Canadian Grenadier Guards , the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada , Les Voltigeurs de Québec , Les Fusiliers du S -Laurent and Le Régiment de la Chaudière . The site of

4116-562: The main body of the 2nd Battalion of the Select Embodied Militia, also fought at the Battle of Châteauguay . The light battalions were broken up late in 1813 or in early 1814. Except for the 6th battalion, which garrisoned the citadel of Quebec city, detachments of all the Select Embodied Militia units saw action in the Montreal or Lake Champlain sectors. Perpetuation of battalions of the Select Embodied Militia within

4200-496: The operations against the French in 1801. Fencible regiments tended to be less effective than regular troops for military duties; with problems of lack of education and vulnerability to disease. In Ireland, fencibles would take part in inter-regimental brawls and attacks on regular army soldiers. Some regiments of fencibles, however, were noted for exceptional service. The Scottish Highlands supplied fencible regiments for most of

4284-463: The plan. His own troops, encamped at Burlington, Vermont , were raw and badly trained, and his junior officers themselves lacked training and experience. There were insufficient supplies at his forward base at Plattsburgh as the British had controlled the lake since 3 June. On that day, two American sloops pursued British gunboats into the Richelieu River and were forced to surrender after

SECTION 50

#1732772065046

4368-477: The ravine facing de Salaberry's defences and deployed into line. Legend has it that at this point, an American officer rode forward to demand the Canadians' surrender. As he had omitted to do so under a flag of truce, he was shot down by de Salaberry himself. Izard's troops began steady, rolling volleys into the abatis and trees. These conventional tactics, better suited to pitched battles between regular forces in open terrain, were almost entirely ineffective against

4452-600: The regiment as the Royal Nova Scotia Regiment , which had, however, been disbanded some years earlier. Although units had been raised in Newfoundland as early as 1795, the regiment which fought in the War of 1812 was officially formed in 1803. Its authorised establishment was 1,000, but it numbered 556 when the war broke out. Many of the regiment's soldiers were expert boatmen, and five companies were sent to Upper Canada in 1812 to serve as marines on

4536-458: The regiment did not see action and was disbanded in 1816. Half the unit, some 210 officers and other ranks, together with 48 wives and children, were on board Archduke Charles when she wrecked on 29 May 1816 near Green Island in the Saint Lawrence River . The regiment had marched from Kingston to Quebec and had embarked there for Nova Scotia. Four soldiers, two wives, and two children died; all others were saved. Contemporary accounts referred to

4620-511: The regiment fought at the Battle of Sackett's Harbor and in the various campaigns on the Niagara peninsula. The flank companies suffered heavy casualties in a failed storming attempt during the Siege of Fort Erie . The unit was disbanded in 1817. The regiment is commemorated within the Canadian Army by the Royal New Brunswick Regiment which also carries the Niagara battle honour awarded to

4704-517: The regiment in the aftermath of the conflict for its contribution on the Niagara peninsula, particularly at the Battle of Lundy's Lane . Another unit, also known as the New Brunswick Fencibles, was formed in 1813 to garrison various posts in the Maritime Provinces, and was disbanded in 1816. The Nova Scotia Fencibles was raised in 1803. The unit had red uniforms with yellow facings. Although posted to Kingston in Upper Canada in 1814,

4788-464: The regiment was re-raised amongst the Canadiens of Lower Canada , who became the majority of the men in the unit, however, the majority of the officers and non-commissioned officers were still Scotsmen. This heritage was reflected on the regimental insignia, which included a thistle (along with an acorn in the adjacent position of the crest). The light company fought at the Battle of Châteauguay and

4872-583: The regiment, with thirty officers and men from the Royal Artillery and twenty-one sailors of the Royal Navy , opened a trail (using old trapper and fur trader routes) from York , the provincial capital of Upper Canada, to the Nottawasaga River during the early month of 1814. The detachment subsequently took part in the Battle of Mackinac Island and the Engagement on Lake Huron . The unit

4956-416: The regular army). All but one of these regiments saw action in the War of 1812 . The regiments were disbanded in 1816 and 1817, after the War of 1812. Although the units were disbanded, several regiments in Canada continue to perpetuate their historic lineage. Most of the Fencible regiments were formed in 1803, including the Nova Scotia Fencibles , the Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry (perpetuated by

5040-422: The river. The Americans were thrown into confusion and driven back. Captain Daly and Captain Brugière were severely wounded and their men withdrew, but when the Americans tried to pursue they once again came under fire from the north bank of the Chateauguay and were again thrown into disarray. After Purdy's force had been in action for some time with no obvious signs of American success, Izard's force marched into

5124-420: The said bounds; at the * pay to each private of 5 rupees 2 quarters per month, besides clothing: which last they will receive from the honorable company ". The 5th battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry was raised in December 1800 from the Bombay Fencibles as the 1st Battalion, the 9th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry. The Royal Malta Fencible Regiment was in existence from 1815 to 1861 when it became

SECTION 60

#1732772065046

5208-461: The same uniform as the Voltigeurs and were brigaded with them in the campaign in 1814 which ended with the Battle of Plattsburgh . The unit is perpetuated within the Canadian Army by Les Fusiliers du S-Laurent . This unit should not be confused with the Independent Companies of Foreigners , which were raised from among French prisoners of war and served in Chesapeake Bay in 1813, being responsible for several acts of looting and rape, and were given

5292-463: The second half of the 18th century. The first regiment raised was the Argyle Fencibles in 1759 and the last was the MacLeod Fencibles in 1779. In all over 20 regiments were created, although they were not all in existence at the same time. Some Highland fencibles regiments saw action in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 , while other performed garrison and policing duties in Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. The Royal Fencible Americans

5376-421: The south bank of the Chateauguay, circle round the British position and outflank it by capturing the ford at dawn, while the remainder under Brigadier General George Izard attacked from the front. After Purdy set off, Hampton received a letter from Armstrong, dated 16 October, informing him that Armstrong himself was relinquishing overall command of the combined American forces, leaving Wilkinson in charge. Hampton

5460-406: The standard infantry bayonet was too cumbersome for bush fighting and often used hatchets (tomahawks) instead. The Rangers were recruited locally from Essex County and enrolled into the militia, but not permitted to quit the British service at their leisure as sedentary Militia could. Fort Malden National Historic Site (Canada) has in recent years employed summer students for the re-created unit at

5544-429: The title "Canadian Chasseurs" by Major-General Sidney Beckwith without authorisation. A mounted unit, also known as Coleman's Troop after its commander. It saw much action in Upper Canada, though mainly as picquets and despatch riders rather than cavalry. The Canadian Voltigeurs had a slightly anomalous position, in that they were supposedly militia and subject to the militia laws and ordinances, but were listed as

5628-513: The two senior generals in the United States Army after the effective retirement of Major General Henry Dearborn on 6 July 1813, had been feuding with each other since 1808. Hampton at first refused to accept orders from Wilkinson, until Armstrong (who had himself moved to Sackett's Harbor) arranged that all correspondence regarding the expedition was to pass through the War Department. On 19 September, Hampton moved by water from Burlington to Plattsburgh, escorted by Macdonough's gunboats, and made

5712-430: The unit was disbanded in 1816, its modern descendant within the Canadian Army is The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders . A modern reenactment unit is based in Fort Erie Ontario, on the opposite side of the river from Buffalo, New York . A small unit of 45 men raised at Fort Mackinac in 1813. They served in the west, including at the Siege of Prairie du Chien , and disbanded in 1815. The unit supposedly had

5796-621: The various Native tribes and nations (nowadays referred to in Canada as First Nations ). Many of its personnel took part in actions in which the peoples to whom they were attached participated. They were supposed to wear full dress in action, to prevent them being mistaken for Americans by excited warriors (or being taken for "blue-eyed Indians", renegades and rogue fur traders, by American soldiers). Indian Department officers were indeed often of mixed Native and European ancestry. Some claimed to speak little or no English. The most well known victory won by Natives fighting directly under British command

5880-466: The war ended, and their men returned to their former occupations. Particularly in Upper Canada, ordinary Militia contingents could not be kept in the field for long, especially around harvest time or the planting season when many militia would want to return to work on their farms. This was one reason for the formation of some of the full-time units. After the 5th battalion of Select Embodied Militia attracted unfavourable reports in 1814 (mainly because of

5964-401: The wind dropped and they were trapped by gunboats and artillery firing from the river banks. The British took over the sloops and used them in a raid against a number of settlements around Lake Champlain. In particular, they captured or destroyed quantities of supplies in and around Plattsburgh. Although the British crews and troops involved in the raid were subsequently returned to other duties,

6048-591: Was a Loyalist unit raised by the British in Nova Scotia in 1775, that successfully withstood an attack by Patriot forces under Jonathan Eddy at the Battle of Fort Cumberland . Fencibles were raised for the entirety of the Irish Rebellion . Fencible units were raised in the United Kingdom and Isle of Man during the early years of the war. This included not only land regiments but also

6132-532: Was also ordered to construct winter quarters for 10,000 men on the Saint Lawrence. Hampton interpreted this instruction to mean that there would be no attack on Montreal that year and the entire campaign was pointless. He would probably have retreated immediately, except that Purdy would then have been left isolated. Purdy's men spent a miserable night marching through swampy woods in pouring rain, becoming quite lost. As dawn broke on 26 October, they located

6216-613: Was appointed commander of the Montreal District on 17 September. In response to reports of the American advance, he ordered several units of militia called up. Reinforcements (two battalions of the Royal Marines ) were also moving up the St. Lawrence from Quebec . The Governor-General of Canada , Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost , ordered Lieutenant Colonel George MacDonnell to move from Kingston on Lake Ontario to

6300-502: Was attempting to invade Lower Canada and ultimately attack Montreal . The Battle of the Chateauguay was one of the two battles (the other being the Battle of Crysler's Farm ) which caused the Americans to abandon the Saint Lawrence Campaign, their major strategic effort in the autumn of 1813. Late in 1813, United States Secretary of War John Armstrong devised a plan to capture Montreal , which might have led to

6384-602: Was disbanded in 1816 though its history and heritage is carried on by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, which carries the battle honours Detroit, 1812 , and Maumee, 1813 . As a "royal" unit, it had blue facings to its red coats. First recruited in Scotland in 1803. The Scottish recruits feared that they were about to be "crimped" for service in India or other unhealthy posts, and mutinied. Afterwards,

6468-675: Was forced to retreat through the woods to his starting-place. Once Purdy had extricated himself after another dismal night in the woods, the American army withdrew in good order. De Salaberry did not pursue. De Salaberry reported 5 killed, 16 wounded and 4 missing but 3 of the men who had been returned as "killed" later rejoined the ranks unharmed, giving a revised Canadian loss of 2 killed, 16 wounded and 4 missing. The American losses were officially reported by Hampton's Adjutant-General (Colonel Henry Atkinson ) as 23 killed, 33 wounded and 29 missing. De Salaberry reported that 16 American prisoners were taken. Having reunited his forces, Hampton held

6552-505: Was known to be fond of drink. Hampton's force marched west instead to Four Corners , on the Chateauguay River . As Wilkinson's expedition was not ready, Hampton's force waited at Four Corners until 18 October. Hampton was concerned that the delay was depleting his supplies and giving the British time to muster forces against him. Hearing from Armstrong that Wilkinson's force was "almost" ready to set out, he began advancing down

6636-414: Was not employed again in the field. On the British side, the victorious troops at Chateauguay held their existing positions and endured much discomfort for several days before Indians reported that the Americans were retreating, which allowed them to retire to more comfortable billets. The hot-tempered de Salaberry was furious that Major General de Watteville and especially Sir George Prevost had arrived on

6720-475: Was the Battle of Beaver Dams in 1813. This had been responsible since the late 18th century for military transport and police duties on the Great Lakes. When war broke out, they possessed: In 1812, the efficiency of the Provincial Marine was described as low, not least because its senior officer was over eighty years old. Nevertheless, the Americans initially had nothing to match it, and it played

6804-464: Was threatened, but were disbanded as soon as the crisis was over. When the Select Embodied Militia units were first formed, they were forced by a shortage of official pattern uniforms to adopt a variety of dress. Some elements of the 1st battalion served in the skirmish at Lacolle Mills in November 1812. By late 1813 at the latest, all battalions had been issued red uniforms. The flank companies of

6888-444: Was trained in light infantry tactics with the intention of being formally converted to light infantry. Like light infantry units, they used bugles instead of drums to pass commands on the battlefield. There were many skilled axe-men and boatmen in the regiment. Their pre-war training also emphasized winter manoeuvres and amphibious operations. They made an epic winter march from Fredericton to Kingston in early 1813. Detachments from

6972-738: Was transferred to the Commissariat , and the Corps was disbanded and reformed as the Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs . During the war, members of this corps took part in actions on the Saint Lawrence River , and journeyed far up the Ottawa River to reach Lake Huron . They had no recognised uniform and wore practical clothing as the season required. They also determinedly resisted any attempt to make them conform to any standard of parade ground drill. So vital

7056-401: Was transportation that in 1814, when large numbers of British troops were sent to Canada, Sir George Prévost suggested converting all his Select Embodied Militia to boatmen and voyageurs. This plan met with disapproval from every Canadian officer. The Corps of Canadian Voyageurs are perpetuated in the Canadian Army by the Canadian Grenadier Guards . Volunteers who served as drivers for units of

#45954