88 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



and recross it by fording. When he arrived at the place thus indicated 

 about sunset, a message was sent to General Hampton, asking that 

 a regiment should be ordered to cover the passage from the other side 

 but he learned with great surprise and dismay that the whole of 

 Izard's force had already returned to the camp. The wounded were 

 ferried over on rafts and, as the water seemed too deep for fording, a 

 floating bridge of logs was hastily constructed. Major Snelling crossed 

 with one hundred picked men but this party was immediately assailed 

 by musketry from the flank and lost several killed or wounded. 

 Darkness had set in and the attempt to cross at this point was aban- 

 doned to avoid disaster. Snelling was ordered to make his way to the 

 camp while Purdy retired with the remainder of his force two or three 

 miles farther up the river and halted for the night nearly opposite to 

 it. His troops were completely worn out and discouraged. They were 

 unprovided with food or blankets and did not dare to light fires for 

 fear of provoking an attack. A very heavy rain added to their misery. 

 They lay down on their arms and about midnight were roused by the 

 sound of firing at the outposts. They were then kept under arms until 

 daybreak. Occasional shots from the woods kept them in a constant 

 apprehension while the rain had rendered their own firearms wholly 

 useless. Many of them were so thoroughly exhausted that they fell 

 asleep standing. This firing was distinctly heard at the camp and 

 Purdy is responsible for the statement that Hampton was so much 

 affected by it that he said "he should be willing to compound with the 

 first brigade for five hundred men." The river was recrossed during 

 the morning without further loss or molestation. 



These desultory attacks on Purdy's force were made by Captain 

 Lamothe with the Indians and a few Voltigeurs. De Salaberry re- 

 ported that he advanced his piquets two miles beyond the abatis. 



While the action was still in progress, Sir George Prévost arrived 

 on the field accompanied by Major General de Watteville and witnessed 

 the retreat of Izard's brigade. The troops in advance were soon 

 afterwards assembled and he made an inspiriting address, thanking 

 de Watteville for his judicious arrangements and de Salaberry for his 

 good judgment in the selection of a position and skill and courage in 

 its defence. Several other officers were personally commended and all 

 ranks warmly praised for their bravery and steadiness. They were 

 encouraged to persevere in the patient endurance of hardships and 

 privations until they could be relieved by the troops advancing to their 

 support. Another attack might reasonably be expected which could 

 only be repelled by their good conduct and disciplined valour. De 

 Watteville returned to Neil Morrison's farm at St. Martine while Pré- 

 vost established his headquarters at La Fourche, some distance in rear. 



