[cruikshank] FROM ISLE AUX NOIX TO CHATEAUGUAY 93 



the afternoon of November 14, the entire division, then reduced to 

 less than 3,300 effectives, was again concentrated at Champlain. 

 Fassett's brigade of Vermont militia, which had been called out for 

 twenty days, was ordered from Plattsburg, with all the waggons at 

 that place. A body of axemen was again assembled to clear the roads 

 and the frontier was closely guarded to prevent the passage of spies. 

 Macdonough's squadron advanced to the mouth of Chazy river to 

 co-operate in the proposed demonstration. 



These preparations were reported to de Watteville within forty- 

 eight hours and Lieut. John W. Powell of the Canadian Chasseurs, 

 who had an intimate knowledge of the country, was sent forward 

 to reconnoitre. He ascertained beyond doubt that the camp at the 

 Four Corners was occupied only by a guard left for the protection of 

 the sick and wounded and burned the advanced blockhouse which 

 was found entirely deserted. 



On the evening of November 7, a disturbing report reached 

 the Governor General at Montreal, that the American expedition 

 coming down the St. Lawrence had succeeded in running past the 

 batteries at Prescott during the night before. Orders were instantly 

 sent off for the rapid mobilization and concentration of all the troops 

 in the district for the defence of that city. The field artillery and 

 dragoons stationed at Laprairie were directed to cross to the island 

 of Montreal while the remainder of the force at that place advanced to 

 Caughnawaga. The battalion of flank companies of the line, the Cana- 

 dian Fencibles, four companies of the 1st Battalion of Embodied 

 Militia and four companies of the 5th Battalion with two guns were 

 withdrawn from their stations at L'Acadie, St. Pierre, and St. Philippe 

 to Caughnawaga. The field works at L'Acadie were taken over by 

 the battalion companies of the 13th. Colonel de Boucherville's 

 battalion of militia advanced from Caughnawaga church to the sup- 

 port of Colonel Deschambault on the south side of the Beauharnois 

 channel and all the Caughnawaga Indians were ordered to join him. 



The alarm was spread by the ringing of church bells and firing 

 of beacons through all the neighbouring parishes. Orders were 

 given to complete the ammunition of all regular troops and supply 

 the military with forty rounds for each man. Arrangements were made 

 to provide the whole force with cooked rations for two days and bis- 

 cuit for three, to be carried in haversacks. Colonel Hercules Scott, 

 commanding at Coteau du Lac and Colonel Deschambault at Beau- 

 harnois were ordered to oppose the enemy's progress by every practica- 

 ble means and in the event that the American boats succeeded in 

 passing their posts, they were directed to retire upon Montreal with 

 the regulars and all the militia who would accompany them. A 



