And the River Richelieu 75 



moderate. In the spring and fall of the year there is good 

 duck shooting, and woodcock are abundant in their season. 

 Passing on we reach Stottsville, a small station, near which, 

 in the middle of the Richelieu River, is an island, containing 

 about two hundred acres, and occupied solely by military, 

 no civilian residents being allowed. This is Isle aux Noix, 

 the British frontier military post, strongly defended by a fort 

 called Fort Lennox, garrisoned by some of the R. C. Rifles 

 and Royal Artillery. This was a British naval station and 

 garrison in 1812; and the hulks of ships and gunboats used 

 there at that time are still lying there, and can be seen by 

 the visitor. It was from this station that two American 

 armed vessels were gallantly captured on Lake Champlain 

 23rd June, 1 812. Four miles further on we come to Lacolle, 

 five miles distant from the boundary line, and lying about 

 two miles from Lake Champlain itself. Here may be 

 obtained sturgeon, maskinongd, pickerel, pike, black and 

 rock bass, eels, shad, mullet, catfish of large size, chub, ling, 

 perch, etc. It is an excellent spot for still fishing, but trout 

 and salmon are not found here. The shooting is good, in- 

 cluding duck, woodcock, snipe, plover and partridge. Close 

 to the station is the battle-ground of Lacolle Mill, where 

 the American army, commanded by General Wilkinson, in 

 the spring of 18 14, numbering upwards of 3000, attacked 

 and completely invested Lacolle Mill, which was defended 

 by Major Handcock with about 180 men, who finally repulsed 

 and drove them back within their own territory. Here 

 also is the Odelltown Chapel, celebrated in our local 

 history as the spot where a small band of loyal volunteers 

 defeated four times their number of rebels in 1838, which 

 happened somewhat as follows: — About 4000 insurgents 

 were concentrated at Napierville, a small village, four or 

 five miles distant, whence they opened communication with 

 the sympathizers in the United States. A number of their 

 body, however, being captured en masse by this mere hand- 



