[cruikshank] FROM ISLE AUX NOIX TO CHATEAUGUAY 89 



Fearing that a second attack might be more successful, the inhabi- 

 tants on the parish of St. Martine were warned to vacate their dwell- 

 ings, leaving a few trusty men behind to set them on fire when the 

 enemy approached. 



Sixteen prisoners had been taken and a few deserters also came 

 in. The Voltigeurs, Pelletier, Vervais, Dubois and Caron, distin- 

 guished themselves by swimming the river to receive the surrender of 

 some of these men. Useful information was obtained from them and 

 further evidence of panic among the enemy was supplied by the number 

 of arms and accoutrements thrown away by them in their retreat. 

 Six drums and one hundred and fifty stand of arms were collected. 



The light company of the Canadian Fencibles which had been 

 engaged in advance of the works lost three men killed and four wounded. 

 Each man had expended between thirty-five and forty rounds of am- 

 munition. No loss was sustained by any other corps on that side of 

 the river. This is the strongest possible proof of the ineffectual 

 character of the attack. The two militia companies actually engaged 

 on the right bank had two men killed, two officers and six men wounded, 

 and four men were reported as missing. 



Hampton stated that his entire loss did not exceed fifty. De 

 Salaberry conjectured that seventy were killed and a greater number 

 wounded. This estimate is probably too large. An unofficial return, 

 which may be accepted as approximately correct was published a few 

 weeks later. It reported a total loss of twenty-one killed, thirty- 

 three wounded and twenty-nine missing. Major Baker of the New 

 York militia was named as the only officer wounded. 



During the evening General Hampton received a message by 

 express from his staff officer at Ogdensburg saying that he had not 

 yet received any information of the movement of General Wilkinson. 

 Four deserters came in who agreed in reporting that Sir George 

 Prévost with three other generals had arrived at the advanced line 

 of defence and that he was bringing forward his whole force. This 

 information completely disheartened him. Next morning the com- 

 manding officers of brigades and corps and senior staff officers were 

 assembled as a council of war to which the following questions were 

 submitted: "Is it advisable under existing circumstances to renew 

 the attack on the enemy's position, and if not, what position is it 

 advisable for the army to take until it can receive advices of the ad- 

 vance of the grand army down the St. Lawrence?" 



After considerable deliberation, this reply was adopted: "It 

 is the unanimous opinion of this council that it is necessary for the 

 preservation of this army and the fulfilment of the ostensible views 

 of the Government that we immediately return by orderly marches 



