[cruikshank] from ISLE AUX NOIX TO CHATEAUGUAY 147 



The militia of the Eastern District in Upper Canada continued to 

 show much zeal in the performance of their duties on the frontier and 

 voluntarily built a large blockhouse on a commanding point in the town- 

 ship of Osnabruck, twelve miles above Cornwall, as a general rallying 

 post on the line of communication. 



On August 25, the troops stationed in the vicinity of Blairfindie, 

 consisting of a division of field artillery, the battalion of flank companies 

 of regulars, the Canadian Voltigeurs and three battalions of Embodied 

 Militia were reviewed by the Governor-General who expressed much 

 satisfaction at their appearance.* 



Late on the evening of August 30, a formal notification from 

 General Dearborn, dated four days before, was received at Montreal, 

 stating his intention to terminate the armistice on the fourth day after 

 delivery as the President had not received any information from London 

 which would justify its continuance.! 



Meanwhile the fortifications on Isle aux Noix had made satisfactory 

 progress and three gunboats had been brought up from the St. Lawrence 

 to assist in their defence. A corps of voyageurs had been organized for 

 service on the line of communication, chiefly composed of engagés of the 

 Northwest Fur Company, officered by agents and factors, under the 

 command of Lieut. Colonel William McGillivray, the senior partner. 

 Lieut. Colonel Deschambault undertook the organization of a company 

 of Guides. The Iroquois of the Sault St. Louis and St. Regis, generally 

 known as the Seven Nations of Canada, offered then- services, which 

 were accepted, and their warriors were ordered to join the cordon of 

 troops on the right bank or the St. Lawi'ence, thrown forward for the 

 defence of Montreal. Instructions were given to General de Rotten- 

 burg, that they should not be allowed to enter the territory of the 

 United States under any circumstances, nor employed offensively unless 

 the province was actually invaded. One hundred and twenty of their 

 warriors under the supervision of Captain G. Lamotte and Interpreters 

 Chenier, de Lorimier and Vassal arrived at St. Philippe on September 

 16, and were at once attached to the corps of Voltigeurs under Major 

 de Salaberry, who was directed to employ them as piquets and patrols 

 in front and on the flanks of the abatis by which his position was pro- 

 tected, t 



The roads leading to the frontier were obstructed and the bridges 

 destroyed. While de Salaberry's command was thus engaged, it was 

 learned that the enemy's advanced troops were equally busy in taking 



*Quebec Mercury. 

 fBaynes to Brock, August 31. 



$De Rottenburg to Prévost, Sept. 7; Prévost to de Rottenburg, Sept. 9; de 

 Rottenburg to Prévost, Sept. 16; Prévost to de Rottenburg, Sept. 11. 



