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55-625: As war with the United States threatened, on 15 April 1812 Sir George Prevost , the Governor General of Canada , authorised the enlistment of a Provincial Corps of Light Infantry under Lieutenant Colonel Charles de Salaberry , to serve during war or the "apprehension of war". The unit was officially part of the militia, and its enlisted personnel were subject to the Militia laws and ordinances, but for all practical purposes, it

110-531: A captain . He then returned to the 60th Foot on 18 November 1790 with the rank of major , at the age of 23. Prevost's maternal grandfather was a wealthy banker in Amsterdam , and his money is considered to have certainly been responsible for his grandson's quick advancement up the chain of command in the British Army, as promotion could then be obtained "by purchase" . While serving in the 60th, Prevost

165-668: A grant of 50 acres (200,000 m) of land on discharge. Almost all the soldiers and most of the officers were French-speaking, which led to the unit being widely known as the Voltigeurs , a French word meaning "vaulter" or "leaper", and given to certain elite light infantry units in the French Army . However, all formal orders on the parade ground or in battle were given in English. The Voltigeurs wore grey uniforms, with black facings and accoutrements. The coats were fitted with

220-591: A monument to his memory, sculpted by Francis Chantrey , was erected in Winchester Cathedral . In 2016, Prevost was named a National Historic Person by the Canadian government. Chateaugay (town), New York Chateaugay ( / ˈ ʃ æ t ə ɡ eɪ / SHAT -ə-gay ; French : Châteaugay ) is a town in Franklin County , New York , United States. As of the 2020 census,

275-605: A peaceful relationship between the House of Assembly and the executive body as Prevost’s replacement during his absence, Alexander Croke, fought with the Assembly over a supply bill. Eventually, Croke rejected the bill on the basis that it did not fit in with royal prerogatives, and then could not reach an agreement with the Legislative Council over how to settle the dispute between himself and the Assembly. Martinique

330-595: A report to the Colonial Office, Prevost said that he wanted to create a Legislative Council "possessed of the consideration of the country, from a majority of its members being independent of the government", in order to transfer to it "the political altercations which have been hitherto carried on by the governor in person." For most of the War, Prevost's strategy was defensive and cautious. Learning in August 1812 that

385-498: A sword for Prevost as a sign of their approval for Prevost's conduct during the expedition against Martinique. Prevost believed he had successfully maintained the crown's prerogative. In 1809, using his good relationship with the Assembly, he was able to secure a tax on distilled liquors, with the proceeds of which he could pay the cost of equipment for the provincial militia. For the rest of his term as lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia, Prevost ensured he did not make an executive act that

440-513: A week before it was due to convene. His widow declined the offer of a peerage in honour of her husband, as she did not consider herself and her family to have sufficient means to support the dignity. Later historians judge Prevost's preparations for defending the Canadas with limited means to be energetic, well conceived, and comprehensive, and against the odds he had achieved the primary objective of preventing an American conquest. For although he

495-509: Is the border of Clinton County . U.S. Route 11 is an east-west highway crossing the central part of the town. New York State Route 374 is a north-south highway intersecting US-11 at Chateaugay village. The Chateaugay River , a tributary of the Saint Lawrence River , flows northward through the town from Lower Chateaugay Lake. As of the census of 2000, there were 2,036 people, 714 households, and 477 families residing in

550-573: The British Army stationed in Canada, in the hope that they would gain rank or seniority by the transfer. Most of these officers remained with the Voltigeurs even when these ambitions were not fulfilled. The ".. men to be enrolled in this corps to be between the age of 17 and 35 years and not below 5 feet 3 inches." Recruiting was brisk; in addition to a bounty of £4, the recruits were promised

605-652: The QMJHL from Drummondville , Quebec , the Drummondville Voltigeurs , takes their name from the unit. George Prevost Sir George Prevost, 1st Baronet (19 May 1767 – 5 January 1816) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator who is most well known as the "Defender of Canada" during the War of 1812 . Born in New Jersey , the eldest son of Genevan Augustine Prévost , he joined

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660-612: The Treaty of Ghent , which ended the war, arrived in Quebec. Prevost felt himself publicly humiliated by the manner and timing of his succession. After ordering hostilities to cease and disbanding the militia, he left Quebec on 3 April. He was given a hasty vote of thanks by the Assembly in Quebec. On his return to England, the Government and Army authorities at first accepted Prevost's explanations for his conduct at Plattsburgh and during

715-633: The West Indies . Prevost could do little to improve the sub-standard fortifications in Nova Scotia, but was able to secure the approval of the legislature in Nova Scotia to amend a militia law, which led to Prevost's ability to mobilize a small, effective militia force to work with the regular garrison during an emergency. The amendment of the law is considered to be a good achievement by Prevost, because his predecessor as lieutenant governor, John Wentworth , had been responsible for relations between

770-529: The Anglican ownership of land and their influence over the education of children, and placed an Anglican bishop in the Legislative Council. On the condition that the bishop resided in Halifax, Prevost was able to increase the salary of the bishop. In an effort to appease other religious groups, he appointed a number of Roman Catholic and Presbyterian clergy to be magistrates, and he authorized a grant of money for

825-640: The Assembly would oppose to a great degree. Prevost had become a popular lieutenant governor, but this was threatened by his attempts, beginning in 1810, to strengthen the Church of England in Nova Scotia, since that might alienate other religious groups. He persuaded the British government to allow him to use surplus arms funds to develop Anglican churches, and to enlarge King's College in Windsor . He also appointed Anglican clergy to be civil magistrates, protected

880-550: The British Army as a youth and became a captain in 1784. Prevost served in the West Indies during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars , and was commander of St. Vincent from 1794 to 1796. He became Lieutenant-Governor of Saint Lucia from 1798 to 1802 and Governor of Dominica from 1802 to 1805. He is best known to history for serving as both the civilian Governor General and

935-525: The British government had repealed some of the Orders in Council (1807) which the United States regarded as a cause of war, he negotiated an armistice with commanding General Henry Dearborn , but President James Madison soon repudiated Dearborn's agreement and the war resumed. During the early months of 1813, Prevost twice visited Upper Canada where the military and civil situation was unsatisfactory after

990-650: The Chateauguay , Hampton was repulsed. Early in 1814, the entire unit concentrated at Montreal, and was built back up to strength. De Salaberry had been appointed Inspecting Field Officer of Militia, and Major Heriot became the Voltigeurs' acting Commanding Officer. A company of the Voltigeurs played a large part in repulsing an American army under Major General James Wilkinson at the Second Battle of Lacolle Mills in March 1814. The Voltigeurs were brigaded with

1045-520: The Church of Scotland. During May 1811, when Prevost was preparing to oppose the Assembly over its policy of compensating its members for their expenses, feeling that it was irregular, open to abuse, and "an evil highly dangerous to the prerogative of the Crown", he was ordered to move to Lower Canada to replace Governor Craig. On 4 July 1811, Prvost became a lieutenant-general outside of Nova Scotia, and

1100-608: The Command of Lieutenant-General Sir John Coape Sherbrooke . Below Sherbrooke, the Bermuda Garrison was under the immediate control of the Governor of Bermuda , Major-General George Horsford ). As commander-in-chief, he took over the presidency and administration of Lower Canada from Thomas Dunn on 14 September. He would remain the president of Lower Canada until 15 July 1812. During his time as commander-in-chief, he

1155-642: The Eastern Townships of the Montreal district, and officially listed as the ninth and tenth companies, but they formed a separate corps, the Frontier Light Infantry , throughout the War of 1812. When the unit was formed, "... An additional Company formed of Indians will be allowed to be attached to this corps, consisting of six Chiefs and sixty Warriors. This Company will be armed, clothed (after their own manner) & victualled at

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1210-554: The French in an effort to reclaim St Lucia. On 1 January 1805, at the age of 37, Prevost was promoted to major-general , and soon after he was granted leave to return to England, where he became Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth and General Officer Commanding South-West District in December 1805, and where he was appointed to be a baronet . In 1806, Prevost became a colonel commandant of his regiment. On 15 January 1808, Prevost

1265-660: The Frontier Light Infantry, and another militia light infantry unit, the Canadian Chasseurs for Governor General Prévost's advance into New York State in September 1814. The combined light infantry force formed part of a brigade under Major General Thomas Brisbane during the Battle of Plattsburgh , where the British army retreated after its supporting naval squadron was destroyed. At the end of

1320-753: The Governor and Commander there (Major General Isaac Brock ) had been killed in action. As a result, he was present in Kingston in May, and took personal charge of an attack on the main American naval base on Lake Ontario . A victory here could have been decisive but the expedition was hastily mounted and at the Battle of Sackett's Harbor both Prevost and the naval commander, Commodore James Lucas Yeo , attacked hesitantly. After meeting stiff resistance, they withdrew. In 1814, large reinforcements became available after

1375-462: The United States of America in 1808, Thomas Jefferson , had placed an embargo on American trading with Britain. From 1808, to the beginning of the War of 1812 , Prevost tried to encourage New England to trade with Britain by setting up "free ports" in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick , where American goods could be landed without a need to pay customs duties. This led to a substantial increase in Nova Scotia's trade not only with New England, but also with

1430-468: The War generally. Soon afterwards, the official naval despatch on the Battle of Plattsburgh was published, together with Yeo's complaints. Both these accounts blamed Prevost for the defeat at Plattsburgh. Prevost requested a court martial to clear his name. The trial was set for 12 January 1816, the delay being necessary to allow witnesses to travel from Canada, but Prevost was already in ill health and died

1485-418: The age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97. In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.9% under

1540-462: The age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 35.8% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 126.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 134.0 males. The median income for a household in the town was $ 32,609, and the median income for a family was $ 37,639. Males had a median income of $ 29,716 versus $ 21,125 for females. The per capita income for

1595-586: The defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte . Prevost was appointed Colonel of the 16th, Bedfordshire Regiment in April. He planned an attack along Lake Champlain and the Hudson River , but the army which he led personally was driven back at the Battle of Plattsburgh after the British naval squadron on Lake Champlain was defeated. Commodore Yeo considered that the British ships under Captain George Downie (who

1650-519: The executive and legislative bodies of Nova Scotia weakening. Wentworth had tried to increase his own executive power at the expense of the legislative House of Assembly. When Prevost arrived, the House of Assembly, led by William Cottnam Tonge, was struggling to control government expenditures. In an effort to appease Tonge, Prevost appointed him to be his second-in-command during an expedition against Martinique . They departed from Halifax on 6 December 1808. Unfortunately, Tonge’s departure did not lead to

1705-515: The expence of Government; they will receive presents as a reward instead of Pay." Some of the Voltigeurs were in action at the Battle of Lacolle Mills (1812) , in which a half-hearted invasion of Canada by the American General Henry Dearborn was turned back. Early in 1813 three companies were detached under the unit's second-in-command, Major Frederick Heriot , and moved up the Saint Lawrence River to form part of

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1760-407: The garrison of Kingston , the main British base on Lake Ontario . On 29 May, two of these companies took part in the Second Battle of Sacket's Harbor . Later in the year, the detachment moved to Fort Wellington at Prescott , and subsequently played an important part in the Battle of Crysler's Farm . The main body of the unit formed part of a light corps stationed to the south of Montreal, which

1815-448: The lieutenant governor of St Lucia , where his fluency in French and conciliatory administration won him the respect of the French planters living there. In 1802, he returned to Britain as a result of ill health. On 27 September 1802, soon after fighting against France resumed, Prevost was chosen to be the Governor of Dominica . In 1803, the French attempted to seize the island, and Prevost fought against them. He would also fight against

1870-791: The military Commander in Chief in British North America (now part of Canada ) during the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States . George Prevost was born on 19 May 1767, in New Barbadoes Township (now Hackensack ), New Jersey . His father was Augustin Prévost (1723–1786), a French-speaking Protestant from the Republic of Geneva , and a lieutenant-colonel in the British Army . His mother

1925-591: The padded "wings" worn by grenadier and light infantry units of the British Army. The headgear was a small black bearskin cap. Officers wore a hussar -type uniform, in bottle-green (or " rifle green ", as it was becoming known). The weapon carried was the light infantry pattern of the British India Pattern Musket , though there may have been some rifles. The new unit mustered at Chambly . It had eight companies of light infantry. Two further companies were recruited from Sedentary militia of

1980-498: The rivalry. In 1812, Bédard, losing his motivation for continuing as leader, was given a judgeship in an area of British North America from which he could not have a major influence over the general political system. Prevost worked with the moderate Louis-Joseph Papineau, treating him as the leader. Prevost also nominated five Canadians to be appointed to the Legislative Council between 1811 and 1815, an unusual move as Canadians had usually been excluded from being appointed since 1798. In

2035-600: The said Provinces of Lower-Canada and Upper-Canada, Nova Scotia and New-Brunswick, and their several Dependencies, and in the islands of Newfoundland, Prince Edward, Cape Breton and the Bermudas , &c. &c. &c. Beneath Prevost, the staff of the British Army in the Provinces of Nova-Scotia, New-Brunswick, and their Dependencies, including the Islands of Newfoundland, Cape Breton, Prince Edward and Bermuda were under

2090-626: The town population was 1,743, down from 2,155 in 2010. The name is derived from a location in France , which was applied to a local land grant. Within the town is a village also named Chateaugay . The town is located in the northeastern corner of the county. The first settlement took place in 1796. The town was formed in 1799 before Franklin County was established, from parts of the towns of Champlain and Plattsburgh . By 1802, Chateaugay comprised most of Franklin County. Subsequently, its territory

2145-486: The town. The population density was 40.9 inhabitants per square mile (15.8/km ). There were 865 housing units at an average density of 17.4 per square mile (6.7/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 89.69% White , 6.39% Black or African American , 0.34% Native American , 0.10% Asian , 2.95% from other races , and 0.54% from two or more races. 6.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 714 households, out of which 30.7% had children under

2200-459: The usual fairness of the public be attributed to it. In December, Wellington's former Quartermaster General, Sir George Murray , was sent to Canada with the local rank of Lieutenant General specifically to order Prevost to return to London to explain his conduct of the Plattsburg campaign. He delivered the order on 2 March 1815, by coincidence only a day or so after news of the ratification of

2255-593: The war, the unit was disbanded on 24 May 1815. The current Voltigeurs de Québec today perpetuate the history and traditions of the Canadian Voltigeurs within the Canadian Army . They also share a common link by the name, the province in which they are located and family ties since the founding commanding officer, Charles-René-Léonidas d'Irumberry de Salaberry is Charles de Salaberry 's grandson, and named after him. A junior ice hockey team in

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2310-544: Was Anne Francoise Marguerite "Nanette" Grand. George Prevost was educated at schools in England and in the North American continent. On 3 May 1779, Prevost was commissioned at the age of eleven, as an ensign in the 60th Regiment of Foot , in which his father was a senior officer. In 1782, he transferred to the 47th Regiment of Foot , as a lieutenant , followed in 1784 by a move to the 25th Regiment of Foot as

2365-552: Was administered on the same basis as the Fencible units, also raised in Canada as regular soldiers but liable for service in North America only. De Salaberry selected members of the leading families of Lower Canada as officers, but their commissions were not confirmed until they had recruited their quota of volunteers (for example, 36 men for Captains, 14 for Lieutenants). Several other officers transferred from units of

2420-409: Was appointed as commander-in-chief of British forces in North America. On 21 October, he was appointed to be the governor-in-chief of British North America ( Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over the Provinces of Upper-Canada, Lower-Canada, Nova Scotia, and New-Brunswick, and their several Dependencies, Vice-Admiral of the same, Lieutenant-General and Commander of all His Majesty’s Forces in

2475-641: Was appointed to become the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia , and he was also promoted to lieutenant-general , although this was a rank that he held only in Nova Scotia. He was tasked with improving the military defences of the Atlantic colonies. He arrived at Halifax on 7 April 1808 and by the end of April he had taken steps to increase opposition in New England to the American government's hostile attitude towards Britain. The President of

2530-438: Was captured, and Prevost returned to Halifax on 15 April 1809. Tonge did not return, as he decided to stay in the West Indies . Prevost opposed Croke’s actions, restored "good understanding" with the Legislative Council, and then calmed the Assembly by deciding not to follow the constitution of Nova Scotia down to the letter. On 10 June 1808, the House of Assembly passed the supply bill, and also voted to use 200 guineas to purchase

2585-536: Was commanded by de Salaberry in person. Learning that an American division under Major General Wade Hampton was advancing from Four Corners in New York state, de Salaberry's force entrenched themselves by the River Chateauguay. On 26 October, Hampton attacked. Two companies of the Voltigeurs formed part of de Salaberry's front line, and five companies were part of his reserve. At the resulting Battle of

2640-461: Was focused on ensuring the military security of the Atlantic colonies. Prevost was worried about the disposition of Canadians if a war started involving British North America and tried to conciliate Canadian political leaders, who had been disappointed by the partisan alliance between Craig and the British oligarchy. The leader of the Canadian party, Pierre-Stanislas Bédard, was opposed by several people trying to gain his position, and Prevost exploited

2695-813: Was killed in the action) had been ordered into action prematurely by Prevost, and that Prevost had failed to order an attack by his own troops until it was too late to avert the defeat of Downie's squadron. Prevost had also made himself unpopular among some of the Army officers under his command who were veterans of the Peninsular War (such as Manley Power , Thomas Brisbane , and Frederick Philipse Robinson ) by his perceived over-caution, and his niggling insistence on correct dress and uniform. He had also alienated several successful Canadian officers (such as Charles de Salaberry ) by seeming to claim their successes for himself and failing to reward them properly. However, it

2750-547: Was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014 as the U.S Inspection Station–Chateaugay, New York. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 49.8 square miles (129.0 km ), of which 0.01 square miles (0.03 km ), or 0.02%, is water. The northern town line is the international border with Canada ( Quebec ), and the eastern town line

2805-466: Was promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 6 August 1794. He was stationed in St Vincent from 1794–1795. During fighting on 20 January 1796, he was wounded twice, and he returned to England shortly after, where he was appointed to become an inspecting field officer. On 1 January 1798, Prevost became a colonel , and on 8 March he became a brigadier-general , at the age of 30. In May he was appointed to be

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2860-653: Was reduced to form other towns. The town of Malone was set off from Chateaugay in 1805. When Franklin County was established from Clinton County , part of Chateaugay remained in Clinton County. The town of St. Armand was taken off in 1822 and placed in Essex County . The remaining three towns derived from Chateaugay remained in Franklin County: Bellmont (1833) and Franklin (taken from Bellmont in 1834), and Burke (1844). Chateaugay

2915-479: Was strategically inflexible and proved a hopeless field commander, as commander-in-chief facing overwhelming odds in the early years of the war he performed well; his sound political and administrative abilities formed the basis of success. Prevost is buried in the church of St Mary the Virgin, East Barnet , North London , England. A schooner HMS  Sir George Prevost was named in his honour in 1813. In 1819

2970-598: Was the complaints by the Navy and Peninsular veterans which prompted his recall. Although the Duke of Wellington accepted that Prevost's strategy was correct, he wrote on 30 October 1814, It is very obvious to me that you must remove Sir George Prevost. I see he has gone to war about trifles with the general officers I sent him, which are certainly the best of their rank in the army; and his subsequent failure and distresses will be aggravated by that circumstance; and will probably with

3025-517: Was the hometown of Orville H. Gibson , who founded the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1902. He died on August 21, 1918, in St. Lawrence State Hospital, a psychiatric center in Ogdensburg, New York . In 1856, a tornado demolished more than one hundred structures in the town. In 1868, the community of Chateaugay in the center of the town incorporated as a village. Since 1934, the McCadam Cheese Cooperative (founded in 1876) has made cheddar cheese in Chateaugay. The Chateaugay–Herdman Border Crossing

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