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J: • V i' % ' I 1 m Mi'Mer h'ffi . ,>. fff/f7^it ZettiUmJehlirHinntr P" ^f ^fi .f^rr,^,! A NARRATIVE OF THE REBELLION IN THE CANADAS, BY A RESIDENT CANADIAN. WITH COPIOUS EXTRACTS FROM THE DESPATCHES OF SIR JOHN COLBORNE, SIR FRANCIS HEAD, &c. &c., AND OTHER OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. WITH A MAP OF BOTH THB OANADAS. |« 1 LONDON : PUBLISHED BY ACKERMANN AND CO., 96, STRAND. 1838. .,»t:?»,ii;ES: *fv TTiiiia (Ci^STA]r MiflrUy h>fi ,">. fiifhniftvn ST.nranfl. iri3 (C^WABiiS. ,1.' Wi'A 7 (I K>( (irt'vtiwwU ti") '/ ^ S I. A N 1> LJ JyJr/Y'ff Tffty V ■ ■ ■ / MURs, a pole inscription, rns between 1 for several ntial person, 1 the people in the same gle in their pose of fra- the Govern - ' Montreal," )rts, and in- lized clubs, )ctober, an containing )ject in the liese illegal ency to the itiments at bjects, and papers were and other med bands paraded the streets of Montreal in the night time, bearing the tri-colour and other banners of a revolutionary description j and the most peaceable of the citizens were afraid to venture out after nightfall, without being well armed. On the 23rd of October, 1837, a "Grand meeting of the confederation of the six counties" was held at St. Charles, which was remarkable for having given occasion to the most unreserved declaration of the sentiments of the revolutionary party that had hitherto taken place. In the proceedings and demeanour of this meeting, the first overt act of the late rebellion was discovered. The cap of liberty was raised, and a solemn oath taken under it to be faithful to the revolutionary principles of which it was emblematical. It was resolved, that all men were created equal ; that the authority of Great Britain over the Canadas, could not, and should not, continue, except by the good will of the inhabitants ; that the people had a right to demand and maintain, as a condition of their voluntary allegiance, such changes and im- provements in the form of their government, as their wants, the progress of their country since 1791, and their condition, rendered necessary for their contentment and well-being ; that all the parishes of the six counties .hould simultaneously elect Justices of the Peace and Officers of Militia, in the room of those who had lately been dismissed by the Executive Government; that they should systematically oppose such officers as should be named by Government, and subscribe funds to prosecute and punish them ; that the people of the six counties would throw no obstacles in the way of the men belOHging to the regiments stationed in this district, should they desire to im- prove their condition by emigrating to the United States ; and that the meeting approved of the organization of "The Sons of Liberty," and recommended similar associations throughout the six counties, and to maintain active cor- respondence and frequent communication with " The Sons of Liberty." This meeting was attended by the Speaker and twelve members of the House of Assembly ; and no time was lost by themselves and their associates, in carrying the treasonable part of the resolutions into effect. Bands of armed ruffians marched forth, spreading fear and consternation among the peace- able inhabitants of the country, threatening them with the loss of life and property, if they did not immediately acquiesce in the views and projects of the insurgents; for so they miglit now be denominated. Justices of the Peace and Officers of Militia were, by these means, compelled to resign their commissions; and such was the general system of coercion and terrorism enforced, that many officers, civil and military, were under the necessity of hiding themselves, and of flying to Montreal for refuge and protection. Others had written to the Governor-in-Chief, requesting an acceptance of NARRATIVE OF THE their resignations, as the only means of saving their lives and property from destruction. In oruor to counteract, if possible, these seditious practices and treasonable designs, as well as to overawe the violence of the revolutionary party in Montreal, a numerous meeting of the loyal and constitutional inhabitants was held in the Place d'Anncs, on the same day, the 23rd of October, having especially for its object, " the maintenance of good order, the protection of life and property, and the connexion now happily existing between this Colony and the United Kingdom, at present put in jeopardy by the machina- tions of a disorganizing and revolutionary faction within this Province, pro- fessedly bent on their destruction." Both the Governor-in-Chief, and the Commander of the Forces, had written to Sir Colin Campbell, the Lieu- tenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, for a reinforcement of troops from that quarter, the latter strongly urging that two regiments should immediately be sent up. Sir John Colborne also took the precaution to write to Sir Francis Head, the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, intimating, that as he had made arrangements for assembling troops at certain points in Lower Canada, to aid the civil authorities, and encourage the loyal, he would be compelled to withdraw from Upper Canada as many of the troops as could be spared. In reply to this communication. Sir Francis Head stated, that, except a small detachment at Bytown, he considered that the whole of the troops might be withdrawn from that Province. Indeed, His Excellency expressed it as his wish that they might all be drafted off as soon as possible; and, accordingly, the whole of the troops were withdrawn from Upper Canada. On the 4th of November, the Attorney-General of the Province, was directed by the Governor-in-Chief to proceed from Quebec to Montreal, with instructions to use his utmost exertions to maintain good order, to execute the laws against those who were openly infringing them, and to organize an efficient police force. He was also armed with authority to deal according to law with foreign military officers, who, as the Governor-in-Chief was informed, had shortly before then been introduced into the Province from France and the United States, for the purpose of lending assistance to the insurgents. O 1 Sunday, the 5th of November, a Proclamation, by the Magistrates of Montreal, appeared posted in differen' places in the city, setting forth that depositions had been laid before them to the effect, that numerous bodies of men, assuming distinctive badges and denominations, and influenced by adverse poli- tical opinions, intended, on the succeeding day, to parade the streets of the city; from which processions there was reason to apprehend tliat riots and tumults would ensue. All parties were, therefore, called on to refrain from joining or forming part of such processions, which were only calculated to disturb the public' peac 1 the \ anxi to til vere( ■^ Sons '.r; Jam whei stree C lead( woul 4 and 1 1 a few " Th 1 strci i % repoi REBELL'ON IN THE CANADAtS. 5 peace, and endanger the persons and property of Her Mai' 's subjects. During the whole of tiie forenoon of Monday, the streets wci' iwded with persons anxiously waiting the issue of some important event, and eagerly inquiring as to the motions and intentions of the contending parties. It was at last disco- vered, that about two o'clock in the afternoon, a considerable number of '• The Sons of Liberty," had assembled together in an enclosed yard, olf Great St. James-street, belonging to Bonacina's tavern, in Notre Dame-street; and where, it was said, they were duly marshalled with the view of parading the streets and attacking the opposite party, notwithstanding that three of their leaders had previously pledged themselves to tiie Magistrates that no procession would take place This meeting naturally excited the curiosity of the public, and among others attracted to the vicinity of the yard where it was held, were a few Constitutionalists, anxious, no doubt, to ascertain the real intentions of " The Sons of Liberty ;" but the whole of the persons assembled in St. James- street, at this time, did not exceed thirty, including a few boys, who are reported to have amused themselves by throwing some stones over the inclosure where the meeting was held. Between three and four o'clock, about three hundred of " The Sons of Liberty," who were armed with bludgeons, pistols, and other weapons, suddenly sallied into the street, and made a furious and indiscriminate attack upon all who fell in their way. One or two persons were shot at J several personal conflicts took place; many were wounded and knocked down on both sides ; but the great numerical force cf the assailants enabled them for a time to triumpli, and clear the street before them, breaking many windows as they went along, and penetrating through the Place d'Armes into Notre Datne-strcef, By this time the alarm was spread among the Consti- tutionalists, who, without any other arms than their walking sticks, hurried to the scene of action, and soon convinced "The Sons of Liberty," that, whatever might be their numbers, they were not to assail with impunity the peace of society, and the lives and property of her Majesty's loyal subjects. The Patriotes were soon routed, and chased through the St. Lawrence suburbs, where they once or twice attempted to rally, but in vam. Nothing could resist the impetuosity of the Constitutionalists; and "The Sons of Liberty" were dispersed, never to meet again. It was now about six o clock, and the muuicipal authorities deemed it necessary to read the Riot Act, and call out the military. A party of tiie Constitutionalists was encountered by the royal regiment, in front of PAPiNEAtj's house; but, instead of offering any resistance, they heartily cheered the gallant regiment, and accompanied it to tlic Champ de Mars, where it was ordered to take post. Tlie Constitutionalists then marched through some of the principal streets of the town, and the St. haxi'rnir( su/>urbs, in pursuit of "The Sons of Liberty,'' a small party of i mmn 6 NARRATIVE OF THE v\ vvlioin liad collected near the Bishop's church, with the intention, it was supposed, of injuring that property. To prevent any further collision at that point, a company of the Royals was posted near the church, to the officer in command of which the loyalists delivered a seven-barrelled gun, two other guns, a sword, and a banner of '• The Sons of Liberty," which they had taken from a house in Dorc/iestcr-strect, where the patriots were in the habit of meeting for drill. After this, all became quiet, and the Magistrates ordered the troops to their barracks. In proceeding thither, the Royals found a party attempting some injury to Papineau's house ; but they desisted the moment the troops came up to them. That regiment had scarcely arrived at their quarters, when they were called upon for assistance to protect the office of the y^ indicator newspaper. A company was sent, but the property was destroyed before they arrived, and the mob had dispersed. " I was placed," says Colonel Wktherall, in a private letter to Lord Gosford, from which many of the above particulars are borrowed, " on duty with three companies during the night, and patrol!' d the streets till day-light. All was still as death ; no lives were lost ; and no opposition offered to the military. General Brown and his myrmidons were decidedly the aggressors, and will not, I think, repeat an experiment in which they will always fail. The English Magistrates have been grossly attacked by those of the opposite party, for not firing upon the English mob, and for allowing the destruction of the Vindicator press ; but it was impossible for them to foresee that event, their attention being directed to Papineau's house, for which the mob were in full march. Having saved that, and the mob having, to all appearance, dispersed, they had no alternative but to dismiss the military." It is here proper to mention, -that, on the 10th of November, Lieutenant- General Sir John Colborne removed his head quarters from Sorel to Mon- • treal, where His Excellency fixed his own and his family's residence for the winter. In consequence of the system of disorganization which was carried on in the neighbourhood of St. John's, and the disturbed state of that vicinity, a detachment of the Montreal Volunteer Cavalry, marched thither on the 10th, under the command of Captain Glasgow, of the Royal Artillery, as a corps of observation. Upon arriving at St. John's, he found a large body of armed hahitans posted on the opposite or right bank of the Richelieu river. He approached them, attended by two of his men, and demanded to know the cause of their being met together at that place. They merely answered, that, if he did not immediately retire, they would fire upon him. Captain Glasgow upon this, ordered the cavalry to take possesbion of the bridge of St. John's, with the view of preventing this armed body from crossing over to that village, and n on, it was lion at that e officer in two other had taken he habit of )rdered the id a party e moment ed at their ffice of the destroyed ys Colonel lich many companies II as death j al Brown ink, repeat trates have ■ upon the 'or press ; lion being l Having iy had no ■ieutenant- t to MON- • ice for the tied on in vicinity, a the 10th, a corps of of armed iver. He know the d, that, if jLASGOW in's, with lage, and I REBELLION IN THE CANADAS. 7 carrying on, as they said they were resolved to do, their treasonable practices of intimidation and coercion. The state of affairs, both in the city and district, now became truly alarming ; and it was evident that a spirit of disaffection, and contempt of the laws, had spread itself far and wide among the people. As far as possible, it became necessary to check the increasing evil. On the 16th of this month, waiTants were issued for the apprehension of twenty-six individuals charged with high treason.* Eight of these were committed to prison at the time j but all the others who resided in town had made their escape. The warrants against Demaray and Davignon, who resided at St. John's, and against Lionna is, who lived at St. Athanase, were, at the same time, entrusted to a peace- officer, who, accompanied by a body of about sixteen of the Royal Montreal Volunteer Cavalry, under the command of Lieutenant Ermatinger, proceeded to execute them by way of Longueuil and Chambly. The party succeeded in arresting Demaray and Davignon, and returned to Montreal with them by the same route. In the meantime, two companies of the 32nd regiment, under the command of Major Reid, had been stationed at Longueuil, for the purpose of maintaining a communication with the apprehending party, who, in the event of being attacked between the latter place and Chambly, were instructed to fall back upon that post, or to make an effort to join Major Reid's detachment. At eleven o'clock in the forenoon of the 17th,when within about two miles of Longueuil, the cavalry, and the peace-officer in charge of ♦ The following are their names : — J. F. B. Lionnais,* P. P. Demaray, Jos. F. Davignon, C. H. 0. Cote, M. P. P. J. Gagnon, L. M. Viger, M. P. P.* P. Amiot, M. P. P.* Jos.T. Drolet, M. P. P.f Chas. A. Leblanc,* F. Tavernier,* L. J. Papineau, M. P. P. Amury Girod, Louis Perrault, Thomas S. Brown, J. Dubuc,* Ed. E. Rodier, M. P. P. E. B.O'Callaghan.M.P. P. A. Simard,* A. Gauvin,t L, Gauthier, R. Desriviers.t J. Girouard, M.P. P. A. Ouimet,* G. De Bouclierville.* W. Nelson.t Those marked with an (♦) were apprehended, and imprisoned within the next three days. Those with a (f) were subsequently committed to gaol. A. Girod committed suicide when about to be apprehended by a party of Long Point Volunteers. NARRATIVi; (II THE li the prisoners, were intercepted by a large body of armed peasantry, who fired upon them from their liouses, from l)ehind the fences, and from a barn which bordered the road, and compelled them to abandon their prisoners j the cavalry not being able to assail the position of the insurgents, and seeing the road in advance lined in a similar manner with arnmd hahitans, evidently determined to rescue the prisoners. After discharging t leir pistols among the insurgents, and, it is believed, with some elfect, the ca\alry wheeled about, and escaped by a circuitous route to town, several of them having been less or more wounded — their horses having also sutiered from the fire of the insurgents. Major Reid having orders not to abandon his post at Loxoueuil, could afford no assistance to the cavalry during their short engagement with the peasantry. The whole circumstances attending this rescue having been reported, by means of depositions, to the civil authorities, and by them laid before His E.xcellency the Commander of the Forces, it was deemed advisable to reinforce the garrison at Ch.vmbly. Accordingly, ordi?rs were communicated to Lieu- tenant-Colonel Wf.thekall, to march, on thi? morning of the 18th, with the battalion under his command, to Ch.vmbly, by way of Longueuil; Major Jackson, of the Artillery, being directed to cietach two light six-pounders to accompany the Royals. They were also accompanied by a detachment of the Montreal Cavalry, under Captain David, and the Deputy Sheriff, two Magistrates, and a Constable, under instruct! .)ns to re-capture the prisoners Demaray and Davignon, and to arrest iny individuals who might be identified as having aided or abetted the treason ible rescue of the 17th. Colonel Wether.^ll was furnished with orders to assist the civil powers in arresting the offenders, and, should they offer resistance , or fire on the troops, to fire on the rebels, and also to destroy any house frcm which they might fire. On arriving at Chambly, on the evening of the 18th, Colonel Wetherall reported that, at Longl'euil, they found all the houses closed, but the inhabitants at home. For seven miles beyond that place, every house was closed or barricaded, and not a man, woman, or child to be seen. The houses from whicli the Cavalry were fired at, on the ITth, were entered and searched, but no arms or ammunition were found. The lemale inhabitants and children were concealed in the woods, and the men were reported to have gone to BoccHERviLLE. One man, who had concealed himself in a hay-loft at a tavern, within six miles of Chambly, was arreiited ; and, owing to the activity and zeal of Captain David and his party, several armed bands, who had apparently assembled for the purpose of intercepting the march of the troops, were discovered: but they fled on a nearer approach. Six individuals were apprehended— two of them in a wood, in which a party who had abandoned their houses took refuge. Captain Br-.LL's company was detached to scour the KEnF.LI.ION 1\ THE CANADAS. woods, and several shots were exchanged, but no injury was sustained by either party. The prisoners were taken with arms in their hands, ammunition having been distributed to them and others on the previous night by Dr. KiMBBR, of Chambly, at a large meeting held near his house. About 300 men took up a position near the bridge over the small stream at Booth's tavern, about a mile from Chambly, for the purpose of resisting the Cavalry ; and shewed such a good front, that it was imagined they would carry their deter- mination into effect. But, at the approach of the advanced guard of the Royals, they fled in all directions, and the Cavalry succeeded in capturing some of them. In making these captures, the troops diverged from their route on some occasions, and discovered that the houses off the highroad were deserted ; and that, in fact, the whole country was in arms, though evidently panic-struck. The prisoners were retained at Chambly, where the Royals, Artillery, and Cavalry, remained in quarters. Two days after this, intelligence was received by the civil authorities in this city, tliat T. S. Brown, who led, and was wounded in, the riot of the 6th of November, had, since his escape from town, collected a large force of insur- gents at the village of St. Charles, on the river J?/c//e//fM, which he was endeavouring to fortify; and that Papineau, O'Callaghan, and Wolfred Nelson, were concerned in these treasonable measures of proposed resistance. Against all these leaders, as before stated, warrants for high treason had been issued ; and an application was now made by the civil authorities to Sir John Colborne, the Commander of the Forces, for military to assist them in the apprehension of the delinquents. Accordingly, at three o'clock in the afternoon of the 22nd, Colonel Gore, in obedience to the instructions of the Lieutenant-General Commanding, left Montreal with the flank companies (Captains Harris's and Maitland's) of the 24th Regiment, under the com- mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes, the Light Company of the 32nd Regi- ment, commanded by Captain Markham ; one howitzer, twelve-pounder, under Lieutenant Newcomen, Royal Artillery ; and a party of the Montreal Cavalry, under Cornet Sweeney, on board the St, George steamer, on route to Sorel, where he disembarked at six o'clock, p. m., and placed the men in the barrack square. Colonel Gore, in his despatch of the 25th of November, then goes on to report, that he directed Captain Crompton, who had been stationed at Sorel, to be prepared, with two companies of the 66th Regiment, to march at ten o'clock, when, according to instructions, the whole division proceeded on the road to St. Denis, which Colonel Gore had been directed to carry, and then move on rapidly to assist Lieutenant- Colonel Wetherall, of the Royal Regiment, in his attack upon St. Charles, Colonel Gore was accompanied by tlie Deputy Sheriff, and 10 NAHKATlVi: or THE I I other civil officers, charged with warrants for tlie apprehension of the lea ^ers before mentioned. The distance of St. Denis from Sohel is only about eighteen miles j but the march was a severe one. It rained violently during the night, the mud and water reaching to the knees; and the troops did not reach the small but rapid river, which crosses the road, four miles and a half from St. Denis, until some time after daylight. In order to arrive at his destination with as little delay as possible. Colonel Gore took the back road, to avoid the village of St. Ouhs, and to pass the small river by a bridge higher up than the one by the main road, and also for the purpose of taking on an intelligent guide, who had volunteered to lead the way. After passing the bridge. Colonel Gore observed an armed party that had been sent to oppose the crossing of the troops, at the lower bridge, and who flanked their line of march ; but it was deemed unnecessary to waste any time in dispersing them — the Colonel moving on to his point, which was now frequently impeded by the breaking down of the bridges. Several, however, were saved from demolition by Cornet Sweeny's detachment of Cavalry, who took two armed peasants, but could gain no information as to the in- tention of the insurgents. On approaching St. Denis, a strong body of armed men, moving along a wood, skirted the left flank of the troops. All the houses on the line of road were deserted ; and, on nearing St. Denis, they were attacked by skirmishers, occupying the houses and barns on the road, and along the banks of the river Richelieu. These were rapidly driven in by Captain Markham to the main entrance. St. Denis was found to be strongly occupied, and the entrance defended by a large fortified stone house, and a barricade crossing the road, and flanked by a building and houses, from which a severe fire was commenced. The advance was immediately reinforced with the companies of Captains Crompton, Maitland, and Harris. The howitzer was placed in a position off" the right of the road, at a range of three hundred and fifty yards. Lieutenant Newcomen being directed to fire round- shot into the stone building, and batter it down, if possible. On examining this house. Colonel Gore found it to be well secured and flanked, and the in- cessant firing, kept up from it, shewed it to be fully occupied. From the best information that could be obtained, the armed force of the rebels in St. Denis was 1500 men. During these operations, the rebels were crossing the Richelieu^ in batteaux, from St. Antoine; but no shot could be spared from the fortified house to obstruct their passage. Captain Markham got possession of a house immediately opposite to the fortified one, driving out the occupants at the point of the bayonet ; but, after this achievement, he was, almost instantane- ously, wounded in three places. The day was now advancing ; it was evident REBELLION IN T'lE CANAPAS. 11 that the whole country was in arms, and, a;, yet, no important impression was made on the fortified building, though sixty round shot had been expended, six only remaining. The ground occupied could not be maintained during the night. It was, therefore, necessary to come to some decision ; either to assault the house so well defended and flanked by other houses loop holed, or to fall back before the bridges in riar could be broken down. The hazard of a failure under such circumstances, and the jaded condition of the men, (frost having succeeded the rain and snow, and their clothes freezing on them,) determined Colonel Gore to fall back. Having collected the wounded, and placed them in carts, the howitzer being in the centre, Lieu- tenant-Colonel Hughes was ordered to take the direction of the rear guard, and to fall back. The troops were immediately followed by strong bodies of the rebels, in rear and on their right flank ; but they were checked by the rear guard. Colonel Gore having observed that a strong force of the insurgents had been detached in the direction of the upper bridge, by which he had passed in the morning, turned to his left, on arriving where the road branched off to the two bridges, and directed his march to the lower bridge, having ascertained that St. Ours had not been fortified ; thus ridding himself of the rebels who were skirting his right flank. On crossing the bridge, the Artillery horses were completely knocked up, and two of them fell. The Infantry immediately went to the gun, and every exertion was made to get it on. The horses of the officers, and those of the ammunition waggon, were, also, put lo it, but without effect. The wheels, clogged with mud, were now frozen ; and, after seven hours of severe toil, during which Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes never left the gun, the medical officer declared that, in half an hour more, the men would be frozen. The gun was spiked and abandoned. Colonel Gore then moved on to St. Ours, where he had hoped to find the steam boat, Varennex, which was ordered to meet him with provisions ; but she had been attacked by two hundred armed peasants, and forced to cut her cable, and return to Sorel. After passing through the village of St. Ours, the expedition halted at some farm houses, about a mile onwards, where the men were refreshed. In the morning, at daylight, they proceeded to Sorel, where they arrived at eleven o'clock in the forenoon of the 24th. " My loss, in killed and wounded," adds Colonel Gore, " by the accompanying returns,* is one officer severely wounded (Captain Mahk- * KnxED. — 24th Regiment, one sergeant, two rank and file; 32nd Regiment, two rank and lile; 66th Regiment, one rank and file. WovNDED. — 24th Regiment, two rank and file, severely ; two rank and file, slightly; 32nd Regiment, Captain Markham, severely, but not dangerously ; three rank and file, severely ; two rank and file, slightly. w. 1/v NAKUATIVi; OF THi: HAM»), and ninettt'ii killed and wounded, and four missing; the loss ol tlio rebels must have been about one hundred, which has since been confirmed. 1 have not received a correct return of the two companies of th« 66th Regiment, but I do not think they lost more than one or two. I enclose a detailed report of the loss of the howitzer, from Lieutenant Newcomen, who deserves much praise for his conduct. In this arduous march, and during the whole of the operation, the officers and men displayed the highest courage and steadiness, although exposed to extreme suffering. I am much indebted to Lieutenant- Colonel Hughes, of the 24th Regiment, for the advice and assistance 1 received from him, and his exertions to extricate the gun; and, also, to Lieutenant Lysons, of the Royal Regiment, attached to the Quarter-Master- General's department, for his zealous and active conduct. In Captain Makk- iiAM, of the 32nd Regiment, who led the advance with great judgment, and was severely wounded, the service will be deprived, for some time, of a most valuable offii r. Surgeon Faknden, Royal Regiment, and Assistant-Surgeon Macgiugok, .2nd Regiment, rendered every assistance in their power, and made the best arrangements for the wounded." On the same day that Colonel Gore's division had left Montreal, orders were communicated from head quarters to Lieutenant-Colonel Wetherall, at Chambly, to march that night towards St. Charles, with five companies, two pieces of artillery, and a detachment of the Montreal Cavalry ; the plan of operations requiring that he should arrive at St. Charles and attack it at the same time that Colonel Gore should invest St. Denis. At seven o'clock at night. Colonel Wetherall, with four companies of the Royal Regiment, a company of the 66th, under Lieutenant Johnson, two six pounders, under Captain Glasgow, and a detachment of the Volunteer Cavalry, under Captain David, left Chambly, and crossed the Richelieu at the upper ferry. The night was stormy, the rain fell in torrents, and the roads were so bad, that, at four o'clock in the morning of the 23rd, the division had only been able to reach St. Math i as, a distance of not more than four miles from the ferry. Here the division halted for a few hours, refreshments having been served to II Missing. — 24th Regiment, one rank and file ; 32iid Regiment four rank and file (one wounded). Total. — Killed, one sergeant, five rank and file ; wounded, one Captain, nine rank and file ; missing, six rank and file. * One wound was through the right leg, and two on the left side of the neck. One of the balls making the wounds on the neck, was cut out behind the right shoulder ; but the other was not extracted, in consequence of its course, or seat, not having been discovered. Besides these, Captain M. received a wound, probably from a splinter, on the inside of the right knee. I* : I KEBKILION IN THE CANADAS. 13 the men. At break of day the inarch was resumed ; but the bad state of the roads impeded it so much, that Colonel Wetiierall was prevented from proceeding further than St. Hilaire de Rouville, where he halted during the night, as well as on the following day, and ordered Major Warde, and the Grenadier Company of the Royals, to join him from Ciiamdly. Thus reinforced, he proceeded on the morning of the 25th, on his route to St. Charles, before which he arrived that day at noon. The march was commenced at ten o'clock in the forenoon. Ail the houses on the road were deserted, and all the bridges, five in number, had been broken down. Others, however, were constructed by Colonel Wetherall, higher up the streams, by means of the timbers of the bridges destroyed, and rails from the fences. The last bridge crossed a deep ravine, with well-wooded banks; the opposite one being barricaded, and presenting a strong position from resistance. It had been occupied immediately before the arrival of the troops, and the men's dinners were found on the fire. Half a mile further on, the road was again found to be judiciously barricaded; but the spot was deserted. Half a mile from St. Charles, the column was fired at from the opposite bank of the Richelieu, and one man severely wounded. The advanced guard were also attacked from some barns in front. The fire was quickly returned, the rebels driven back, and two of the barns were set on fire. A prisoner was taken in one of them, who was sent into the lines of the rebels, with a message to the effect, that, if they would give up their chiefs, the place should be spared. Colonel Wetiierall here halted to reconnoitre; and observing that two guns commanded the road, he resolved to attack by deploying well to the right. In doing so, the troops were saluted with a loud cheer from the stockade. A constant fire was kept up from the opposite bank of the river. The breastwork to the left of the road, or entrance into the village, was well lined with men. Colonel Wetiierall directed one of the six-pounders to open upon them with canister, and kept their attention engaged by extending the Light Company of the Royals in their front. The other six-pounder was c'irected against a loop-holed house, to the right of the high road, from which a warm and well-directed fire was kept up; but the line being well protected by a rail fence and ditch, no casualty occurred among the troops. After half an hour's work, Colonel Wetiierall advanced to another rail fence and ditch, within a hundred yards of the stockade, A party of about sixty or seventy of the rebels made a sortie from the buildings, and attempted to turn the right of the troops, but they were driven back with some loss by the Grenadier Company of the Royals. The horse of every mounted officer was here either killed or wounded. Colonel Wetherall, ordering one company to support the guns, now directed the others to advance and assault that part of thu position to w 14 NAIIRATIVE OK TllK S| which the abovr party had retum^J- ' ''*t '^'ajor W \nnr., with the Light Company, carried tiie in vvork to i ■* v ^ nearest tfn nyr, where the Artillery Imd committed great I . The grwui '• on the right v.3^ v^ry rough; and although the field was rapidly passed over, ycii twenty of the soldiers were brought down. Every hir' '■ was loop-holed, and obstin if'ly defended, th< troops being actually oli'i tire into the loop-holes to dislodge the rebels. After twenty minutes' sharp i le;, and (he buildings com lining corn, hay, &c., had caught fire, it was "ni'*'^f rini peuf" with the unfortunate f^hcls. Such of them as had been killed or wouaJt/J' in the buildings were unavoui '>ly burnt. Here twenty-five prisoners were taken. Mr. Dkdautzcii's house was also on fire, but the fire was extinguished by the troops; and Captain Br,i.i.'s company was left in the house. Colonel Wetiikuall then passed on to the church and presbytere, which are strongly situated, and placed one company in the former, and three in the latter. A company of the GGth was posted in two store-houses at the entrance of the village, as the advance picquct, beyond which no man was allowed to go. It was now half-past two in the afternoon. No inhabitants were found in the village. At night, Mr. Blanchette, the Cure of St. Ciiaules, with three attendants, arrived at Colonel Wetiierall's quarters, when he obtained permission to visit his house and the church. He was allowed to take from the former what he pleased, for which he expressed his gratitude, especially upon finding that none of the church ornaments had been injured. By a journal found in the Curb's house, it appeared that the rebels had been under arms all the preceding night, in consequence of a r?tsc of Col. Wetiierall at St. Hilaire. At seven o'clock in the evening, he ordered the troops to march upon St. Charles. They did so for two miles, but returned with the utmost secrecy. By this means the rebels were kept on the alert, and their signals discovered. The prisoners informed Colonel Wetherall, that General Brown com- manded them ; and that soon after the firing commenced, lie galloped to the rear, on pretence of bringing up reinforcements, but was no more seen. Papineau, Drolet, and others, crossed the river to St. Marc on the arrival of the troops before St. Charles. The two pieces of ordnance of the rebels were spiked and dismantled. The breast-work was set fire to. It was composed of trees laid lengthwise, the interstices being filled up with mud, and the branches projecting. It w; five feet high, six feet thick at the base, and two feet thick at the top. The logs were supported at intervals by cross staves. The following quotation is from Colonel Wetherall's second ofllicial despatch, the first having been interccp '.and never recovered : — " On arriving at two hundred and fi''tv ;, "' f- .xn the rebels' works, I took up a position, hoping that a display of my i •■(^i -"uid in iv-ce some defection among until (Ciii KIDKM.IUN IN Till: ('AN\DAS, 15 tlioge infatiialcd people; they, however, opi-ned u luuvy fire, which was returned. I then advanced to another position, a hundred yard* from the works; but, tind.iig the defenders obstinate, I stormed and carried them, burnin(f every buiidinfj m the stocliade, except tliat of the Hon. Mr. Deiiaktzcii, wlijdi, liowever, is much injured. Tiie affair occupied about one hour. Tlie slauuliter on tiie side of tlic rebels was great ; only sixt(;r a prisoners were then made. I have counted fifty-six bodies, and many more were killed in the buildings, and tlieir bodies burnt. "My killed and wounded are as follows; — The Royal Regiment, one sergeant, one rank and file, killed ; eight rank and file severely wounded; seven rank and file slightly wounded. 6Gth Regiment, one rank and file killed ; two rank and file severely wounded ; one rank and file slightly wounded. Total, one sergeant, two rank and file killed; ten rank and file severely wounded; eight rank and file slightly wounded. "Every man and officer behaved i.uii > v. ntc '->y. Major Warde carried the right of the position in good sty!', and Capiai.i Glasgow's Artillery did good execution; he is a most zealous ottic , C^'ifainDAViO's troop of Montreal Cavalry rendered essential service diw'iip the maii h, and I regret that more are not attached to my force. My horse wo ^Im under me, and the chargers of Major Warde and Captain David severely wounded — since dead." Colonel Wetuerall having thus captured St. Ciiaules, and dispersed the insurg'nts, whu are said to have amounted at this place to fifteen hundred fighting men, learned, on the succeeding night, that a consideiable body of the rebels had assembled noar Point Olivier, under Sanger, for the purpose of cutting off his retreat from St. Charles to Ciiambly. In preference, therefore, to marching onwards to St. Dems, he retraced his steps, resolved to attack them. His march, however, was so much retarded by the difficulty of procuring conveyance for the wounded men, that it was too late to proceed when he arrived at St. Hilaire. But on the morning of the 28th he continued his march, leaving the sick and wounded at St. Hilaire, in the house of Colonel De Rouville, and a guard of one sergeant and fifteen men, in charge of Dr. Sewell, of the Montreal Volunteers, where it was intended they should remain until the ice on the rivet would admit of their being transported in sleighs. "About a mile from Point Olivier," says Colonel Wether all in his despatch of the 28th of November, " the rebels were discovered in a position well adapted to check my progress. They had protected themselves with an abntt!?, and two contemptible guns mounted on carts. They fled as soon as I forL' yl t > ittack, relinouishing tl/ ir guns, which are in my possession. A '■ " ,. • ; exchange^, uy which two men of the rebels were killed. 1 burnt a house from which they fired in their retreat. With the exception of a few straggling shots, from the opposite side of the Ric u lieu, I reached this station (Chambly) without further opposition. I have brought in twenty-five prisoners, and propose marching them to Montreal, via St, Johns and the railway, the day after to-morrow, should I not receive counter orders." 16 NAUKATIVr. 01' THK On the 30th November, the whole of the troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Wetherall, including two companies of the 32d Regiment, which had been despatched toCiiAMuiY, two days previous, were landed in town, about eleven, by the steam-boat, Princess Victoria, from Laprairie. They brought along with them the prisoners taken on the march to Chambly and at St. Charles, and the pole and cap of liberty which had been raised at that place. The troops, upon landing, were heartily and enthusiastically cheered by the people on the wharf, who escorted them to their quarters, cheering as they went along. During these operations on the Richelieu, and in the absence of any authentic intelligence regarding them, the slate of the public mind in this city was such as no one can describe. Every countenance was marked with emotions of the deepest anxiety ; and the only subject of conversation was the hope that favourable accounts might be received of Colonel Wetherall and his brave fellows. The last intelligence that had been received in town from that gallant officer, was from St. Hilaire de Rouville, dated early on the morning of the 23d of November, two days previous to the attack upon St. Charles, and after it was known, even to himself, that the division under Colonel Gore had failed in an attempt to take St. Denis. Colonel Wether- all's despatch, from St. Hilaire, was brought to town by Dr. Jones, on Friday the 23rd, the day on which it was written ; no further intelligence was received of him, or from him, until the afternoon of Sunday the 26th, when a messenger arrived with his report of the taking of St. Charles, every other despatch having been intercepted by the rebels, who were openly in arms in every part of the country. The joy which pervaded Montreal, and glistened in every eye, when the news of the defeat of the rebels at St. Charles was brought in, was great indeed. It was well known that the fate of the Province, and the lives and fortunes of many thousands of the loyal inhabitants, depended upon the success or failure of this solitary expedition. From Sunday the 26th to Tuesday the 28th, no intelligence having been received of the further pro- ceedings of Colonel Wetherall, and it being understood that a large body of rebels, who had assembled at Point Olivier, would attempt to intercept the march of the troops from St. Charles to Chambly, the Lieutenant-General Commanding ordered one company of the 83rd regiment, under Major Trydell, two companies of 32nd Regiment, under Captain Uirtwiiistle, a detachment of Artillery, under Lieutenant Wilkins, with a field-piece, and about twelve of the Montreal Cavalry, under Cornet Sweeny, to proceed to Chambly, and thence in the direction of Rouville, for the purpose of supporting Colonel Wetherall. But, as we have already mentioned, Colonel Wetherall had himself dispersed the rebels at Point Olivier, and arrived at Chamdi.y at seven o'clock in the evening of the 28th of November, where he met the reinforce- ments sent to his assistance; and tiuis tlic rebellion in that quarter was so far REBELLION IN THE CANADAS. 17 crushed, as to set the minds of the loyal inhabitants at ease upon the subject for the present, and restore their confidence in the final establishment of peace and good order. In concluding this portion of the narrative, it may be deemed proper to make the following extract from a despatch from Sir John CoLBORNE,to Major- General Lord Fitzroy Somerset, dated the 29th of November : — "The advanced period of the season, and the constant expectation of the navigation becoming impracti'^able, the passage of the river being interrupted, it became necessary to use the utmost exertion with a view of restoring order in the revolted district. The troops having been called upon to act in the disturbed districts, and to put down this sudden and extensively combined revolt, have had to contend with great difficulties ; their communications with head quarters having been completely interrupted by the armed peasantry assembled on the line of march. " I am much indebted to Lieutenant-Colonel Wetherall, for his active zeal and judicious conduct, on many occasions in which he has been employed at this critical period. I forward reports of Colonel Gore and Lieutenant-Colonel Wetherall, which will afford the General Commanding-in-Chief, full information of the pro- ceedings of the detachments under their command, and returns of killed and wounded. " Captain Markham, an intelligent and zealous officer, has received severe wounds. " I cannot close my deBoatch without mentioning the exertions of Captain David and the Montreal Volunteer Corps of Cavalry, who accompanied the troops in the services in which they have been engaged." While the military operations which are here narrated were in progress on the banks of the Richelieu, a most laudable spirit of zeal and activity was displayed by the loyal citizens of Quebec and Montreal, as well as by the inhabitants of the Townships and other parts of the Province, in coming forward to embody themselves in Volunteer Corps, of various denominations, for the purpose of putting down the rebellious attempts which had been made to overturn the Government. At Quebec, several corps of Infantry and Artillery were formed and completely organized, amounting to several thou- sand men. At Montreal, three Volunteer Brigades were also formed, and thoroughly organized. The first, already in existence, was increased, and now consisted of the Royal Montreal Cavalry, having two troops within the city, and one at Lachine, a company of Artillery, and three companies of Rifles ; the second consisted of three Battalions of Ward Associations ; and the third, of the Montreal Light Infantry, and the Queen's troop of Light Dragoons ; amounting, in all, to about 4000 rank and file. The embodying of these volunteers, which commenced the day after the rescue near Longueuil, and the excellent state of discipline to which they very soon attained, ren- dered them most valuable auxiliaries to the regular troops, not only in the D 18 NARRATIVE OF THE performance of garrison duties, but in the maintenance of tranquillity, and the suppression of revolt. In other parts of this District, and that of St. Francis, upwards of fifty corps, of one description or another, were • )rmed, some of which rendered good and essential service to the cause of peace and good order. In accepting the services of all these loyal Volunteers, and embodying them as a defensive force, in aid of the regular troops, the Lieutenant-General commanding, had well anticipated the instructions of the Colonial Minister, which, in a despatch of the 6th of December, were conveyed to His Excellency in these terms : — " If, however, your strength should be inadequate to these objects, you will, of course, avail yourself of the voluntary zeal of such of Her Majesty's loyal subjects, as may be willing to serve under your authority, and to submit themselves entirely to your orders." On the 30th of November, the day on which Lieutenant-Colonel Wether- all arrived at Montreal, with the division under his command, and the prisoners taken at St. Charles, Colonel Gore left that city for Sorel, on board the John Bull steamer, with one company of the 24th Regiment, four companies of the 32nd, two companies of the 66th, one company of the 83rd, and a detachment of Artillery, and arrived at Sorel the same evening, his orders being to move a second time on St. Denis, and to attack the rebels occupying that village. It was intended that this expedition should proceed up the Richelieu river, in the steam boat, as far as the navigation was prac- ticable ; and, on the morning of the 1st of December, an attempt was made to break through the ice with the John Bull, but, after proceeding for about a mile, it was found impracticable. The troops were, therefore, landed, and marched to St. Ours, when they halted during the night Next morning, they entered St. Denis without opposition, that place having been abandoned the preceding night. In course of that and the next day, the property of the rebel, Wolfred Nelson, the fortified house from which the troops had been fired on in the attack of the 23rd of November, and all the defences, were destroyed. On the morning of the 4th, the expedition marched on to St. Charles, where Colonel Gore arrived at noon, with five companies and two guns, having left three companies and one gun at St. Denis, under the command of Major Reid, of the 32nd Regiment. At St. Charles, Colonel Gore received information that some of the rebel chiefs had fled to St. Hya- cinthe, where, it was probable, they had established themselves. Agreeably to the orders which he had received. Colonel Gore immediately proceeded with his force to that place, which he entered in the evening. He surrounded the house where Papineau usually resided, when at that village; but, though strictly sought for, the rebel was not found. Colonel Gore was accompanied by Messire Crevier, the Cure of the parish, from whom every necessary information was obtained. # REBELLION IN THE CANADAS. 19 Colonel Gore returned to St. Charles on the evening of the 4th, leaving orders with the force ar St. Hyacinthe, to follow him thither the next day, which they did. He then directed two companies of the 83rd to occupy St. Charles, with one gun ; three companies, with one gun, to occupy St. Denis, having a detachment at St. Ours; and taking the remainder of the force under his command, which consisted of four companies of the 32nd, and a howitzer, Colonel Gore returned to Sorel, and thence to Montreal, where he arrived in the afternoon of the 7th of December. The howitzer, which was abandoned on the road in returning from St. Denis, on the 23rd ultimo, was recovered. An iron gun, and a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition, were found at St. Denis, and destroyed. In what direction the leaders of the rebels had fled, or where they had hid themselves, no one could tell at the time. If a statement, afterwards published in the United States by one of themselves, may be believed, it would appear, that Brown and Nelson, with five others whose names did not transpire, had left St. Denis on the evening of the 1st of December, travelling the whole night in carts, and directing their course towards St. Cesaire, where they arrived in the morning. Heie they were informed, that every pass was guarded, and that they must proceed through the woods, their informant offering to guide them. They then crossed to the right bank of the Yamaska river, and con- tinued walking until night, when they were overtaken by a tremendous hurri- cane, the trees falling in every direction around them. The succeeding night they also passed in the woods, having kindled a fire, and slept on beds made of hemlock branches. Their only food during the day, consisted of a few small frozen turnips, " which," to use the words of the narrator, " the owner appeared to have left on the field for the gleaners, after the precept of the Levitical law." Next day, they approached the village of Granby, in the Township of Sheffokd, where a guard was stationed. They again retired into the woods, and discovered another branch of the Yamaska, which Nelson, though a tall and powerful man, crossed with dithculty. This deterred his companions from following him ; and they here lost sight of him — perhaps^ for ever. After undergoing the greatest privations, he was, some time after- wards, discovered, and brought to Montreal, a prisoner of state. Here, also, his six companions were deserted by their guide, and five of them, being tired of wandering in the woods, determined to return to the French settle- ments. Whether they did so or not was never clearly ascertained. J. T. Drolet, M.P.P., who was supposed to have been one of them, afterwards surrendered himself, and was placed in confinement in the gaol of the city. Brown, alone, persisted in as direct a course as his safety would admit of, to the State of Vermont, where he at last arrived, after a patient endurance of unparalleled hardships. zo NARRATIVK OF THE i )■ \ I All allusion to one of the most lamentable and tragical events that attended the unnatural rebellion of which this narrative presents a faint outline has been hitherto refrained from, in order to take one opportunity for representing the whole melancholy circumstance in consecutive detail. — We mean the cruel and barbarous murder of Lieutenant Weir, of the 32nd Regiment. Early in the morning of the 22nd of November, being the day in coufse of which the first expedition, under Colonel Gore, left Montreal for St. Denis^ by way of Sorel, he was sent by land to the latter place, with despatches to the officer in command, directing him to have two companies of the 66th Regi- ment in readiness, to join the forces under Colonel Gore, which would leave Montreal in the afternoon by steam-boat. Lieutenant Weir travelled in a caleche; but the roads were so bad that he did not arrive at Sorel until after the landing at that place of Colonel Gore, and half an hour after that officer, with his division, had marched on his route to St. Denis. "Finding this to be the case," says Lieutenant Griffin, of the 32nd Regiment, from whose report the particulars of this unfortunate occurence are borrowed, " Lieu- tenant Weir hired a fresh caleche at Sorel, with a driver named La Vallee, (whose deposition has since been received), and started to join the troops. There are two parallel roads to St. Denis which converge four miles from St. Ours. By mistake, Lieutenant Weir took the lower road (the troops having marched by the upper) ; thus he passed beyond the troops on their line of march, without seeing them, and arrived at St. Denis about seven, a.m. His expression of surprise at not seeing any soldiers on his arrival at the vil- lage, was, I was told, the first intimation Dr. Nelson had, that any were on the march in that direction. Preparations were then made to oppose their entrance into the village of St. Denis (where, in fact, no opposition had been expected), — the result is known. Lieutenant Weir was made a prisoner, and closely pinioned. When the attack was commenced, he was ordered under a guaid, consisting of Captain Jalbert, two men named Migneault, one named Lecour, and a driver, a lad named Gustin, in Dr. Nelson's waggon, to i:,> taken to St. Charles. On arriving opposite Madame Nyott's house (already mentioned), in the outskirts of the village, the bonds with which Lieu- tenant Weir was fastened, became so painful, and his hands so much swollen therefrom, that he insisted, as much as lay in his power, on their being loosened. This irritated his brutal guardians, and he jumped out of the wag- gon, and sought refuge under it : he was then shot twice with pistols, which took effect in his back and groin, and stabbed with a sabre through the wheels of the waggon, in various parts of the body ; he was then dragged from beneath the waggon, by the straps which confined his arms, and finally butchered." For many days no correct information could be obtained, with respect to Lieutenant Weir, although it was at once suspected, and, indeed, reported i REBELLION IN THE CANADAS. 21 A.M. one abroad in all directions, that he had not only been made a prisoner, but also slaughtered in cold blood by the rebels ; and the greatest anxiety prevailed among his companions in arms, as well as among the loyal portion of the com- munity in general, with respect to the fate of this amiable young man and ex- cellent officer. The second expedition to St. Denis disclosed the whole truth. The following harrowing details of the discovery of Lieutenant Weir's body, are copied from Lieutenant Griffin's interesting statement: — *' At St. Denis, on Monday morning, Dec. 4th, a letter was given to me, received by the officer commanding, from a Monsieur Joseph Hubert, of St. Denis, written from the opposite village of St. Antoine, in which the writer stated, that, from what information he had been enabled to gather from the inhabitants of St. Denis, pre- vious to his departure, the body of the murdered officer. Lieutenant Weir, 32nd Regiment, would most likely be found on the shoreof the river JRicAe/Zea, behind the house of a Madame Nyott, where there was a small tannery. I read the letter to several of the villagers of St. Denis, who at once led me to the spot described in Monsieur Hubert's letter ; and there, in the water of the Richelieu, at a depth of about two feet, I discovered a black mass, covered with large stones, which kept it down ; the stones being removed, a body, which was lying on its face, rose to the surface, and I immediately recognised it to be that of my murdered brother officer, poor Weir. Assistant-Surgeon, A. M'Grigor, 32nd Regiment, who was with me, then took charge of the body, and had it conveyed to a house, where a coffin was made for it, in order to remove it to Montreal for interment. Dr. M'Grigor's statement of the injuries inflicted on the body of Lieutenant Weir is annexed." " On the forehead, there was a sabre wound, about four inches in length, running perpendicularly, which penetrated deep into the bone, and surrounding which, there were several small wounds, as if done by a sharp-pointed instrument. " The back of the head was completely laid open — the scalp and bones reduced to a mass of small particles — the substance of the brain was beat into a mash, and pieces of skull and scalp were mingled with it ; and on the sides of this opening were several wounds. " On the left side of the neck, immediately below the bone of the ear, there were several sabre wounds about an inch in depth, which laid open the great blood- vessels and the side of the wind-pipe: the wounds might be about four and a half inches in length. About the middle of the ear, there was a sabre wound, about an inch in depth and four inches in length, which divided the ear, and laid the whole of that side of the neck open. "There were two wounds on the left side of the back, a little above the shoulder blade, about an inch in depth, — also a gun shot wound about two inches below these wounds ; the ball penetrated about half an inch below the surface. " The fingers of both hands were hacked and split to pieces, as if done by an axe. Some of the fingers, more particularly those of the left hand, were so hacked, that, on taking the body out of the water, pieces of them dropped off; and in the left groin, there was a gun-shot wound — the ball lodged in the belly. " A. M'Grigor, Assistant-Surgeon, 32nd Regiment." } I i ; in 5 <\ % ■', ■ fi2 NARRATIVE OF THE Tlie funeral of Lieutenant Weir took place in this city on the 8th December, at two o'clock in the afternoon, with military honours ; and we may say that Montreal never witnessed so solemn and imposing a spectacle, there being at least eight thousand persons present to pay the last sad tribute of respect to a gallant and deserving officer. At one o'clock every shop and public office in town were closed, in melancholy compliment to the occasion, and as a mark of the detestation in which the manner of Lieutenant Weir's death was held by every loyal and well-disposed mind. From that hour till two, crowds were seen in every street, proceeding, in funereal pace, to the late quarters of the deceased, near the Barracks ; while the different Volunteer Companies and Regiments met at their respective places of rendezvous, in order to march to the house where the body lay, to take up their station in the procession. This gave a truly military aspect to the town; and a stranger might have been induced to believe, what, indeed, is nearly the fact, that Montreal was a city of soldiers. The lane leading to the late residence of the deceased, from St. Paul-street, was lined on either side by a large party of the 32nd Regiment, resting on their arms reversed — that most solemn of all military positions. Through this party the procession moved off in nearly the following order : — A firing party proceeded in advance, having their arras reversed. The bands of the 32nd Regiment and of the Royals then followed, playing the usual mournful music on such occasions. Next proceeded the hearse; the cap, sword, sash, and belt of the deceased being on the coffin, the sight of which excited throughout the spectators emotions of the most melancholy description. The hearse was preceded by the Rev. Mr. IJ^ssoN, the officiating clergyman, in his robes, and followed by Sir John Colboiine, the Commander of the Forces ; by Colonel Maitland, Colonel Eden, Colonel Gore, and the other Staff Offi- cers of His Excellency. These were followed by the Legislative Councillors in town, the Magistrates, and an immense concourse of such of the inhabitants as did not bear arms. After the civilians, the various military corps of the city moved. The first was the Volunteer Brigade, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel M'Cord, consisting of the Rifles, under Major Griffin, and the Artillery, under Major Boston. The Volunteer Cavalry under Major David, belonging to the same brigade, were preceded by the Queen's Light Dragoons, under Captain W. Jones — a new and highly efficient body of men. Both bodies of cavalry were on foot. The Montreal Light Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Lsnjamin Holmes, who succeeded Colonel Guy, now Major of the Volunteer BTilitia, followed. Then came the troops in garrison not on duty. The whole procession proceeded down the Quebec suburbs, between the opened ranks of the Volunteer Companies of the wards, which, after it had passed, followed in the rear. An idea may be formed of the con- course of persons assembled on this mournful occasion, by stating, that the REBELLION IN THE CANADAS. 23 road from the Quebec suburbs to the burying-ground, which is half a mile in length, was occupied by one living mass of men; and no one could get admittance to the burying-ground except those who immediately followed the hearse. Mr. Esson performed the funeral service in very solemn and affecting language, appropriate to the occasion ; and the firing party having performed their duty to the remains of their lamented officer, the procession returned home with sad reflections at the fate of a young man, who, a few days before, was full of military zeal and ardour. Soon afterwards, public meetings were held both at Quebec and at Mon- treal, for the purpose of considering the propriety of erecting a monument to the memory of Lieutenant Weir; and in addition to the subscriptions of the officers of the 32nd Regiment, a handsome sum was collected for this praiseworthy object. On the 29th of November the Governor-in-Chief issued a monitory Proclamation to the insurgents, inviting them to return to their allegiance, and offering them, in such case, forgetfulness and immunity for the past, and a continuance of that paternal protection which they had hitherto enjoyed under British sway. Proclamations were also issued, offering rewards for the apprehension of the leaders of the insurrection, and their delivery into the hand of any Justice of the Peace in Quebec or Montreal.* On the 5th of December another another Proclamation was issued, declaring Martial Law in the District of Montreal, and a Commission issued, investing Lieutenant- General Sir John Colborne with the necessary authority to execute it. * £1000 were offered for the apprehension of Louis Joseph Papineau. £500 each for Dr. Wolfred Nelson, of St. Denis. Thomas Storrow Brown, of Montreal. Edmund B. O'Callaghan.of ditto, M.P.P. Joseph T. Drolet, of St. Marc, M.P.P. Jean J. Girouard, of St. Benoit, M.P.P. William H. Scott, of St. Eustache, M.P.P. Edward E. Rodier, of Montreal, M.P.P. Amury Girod, an alien. Jean O. Chenier, of Two Mountains. And £100 each for Pierre Paul Demaray, of St. Johns. Joseph Fran9ois Davignon, of ditto. Julien Gagnon, of L'Acadie. Pierre Amiot, of Vercheres, M.P.P. Louis Perrault, of Montreal. Alphonse Gauvin, of ditto. Louis Gauthier, of ditto. Rodolphe Desrivieres. f ^ ii I 24 NARRATIVE OF THE 1 {! if i "^ 11 i' M £xtreme as this measure wns, no one can deny the necessity of it, considering the disturbed and insurrectionary state of this distric t at the time — a strong armed force being maintained on foot in the Courty of the Lake of Two Mountains, and who had been making preparations for open war. The measure was confirmed and approved of by the Imperial Government; and the Court of King's Bench of this District, upon an application for a writ of habeas corpus in behalf of some of the State prisoners, vindicated, by a solemn and unanimous decision, the legality of the proceeding. About this time a report gained currency in the Counties of Stanstead and MissisKoui, which border the United States, that preparations had been made by a band of refugee rebels to invade Canada from some place in the neighbouring State of Vermont. Measures were therefore taken to organize the volunteers in those parts, and arms and ammunition were sent to them from Montreal. While engaged in conveying some of these arms from Isle aux Noix to Brome, in the county of Shefford, through the county of MissisKoui, Captain Kemp, who was escorting the waggons with a body of about fifty volunteers, armed with such guns as could be collected among themselves, was informed by an express from Philipsburqh, who met him on the way, that a considerable body of rebels had passed through that village early in the morning, to the State of Vermont, and were expected back that night, when it was intended to bum the village. Captain Kemp immediately despatched messengers in various directions for raising men, armed or unarmed, who were to march to Philipsburqh, where he had the leave of Colonel Knowlton, of Brome, to deal out the arms intended for his battalion, should necessity require it. In consequence of the information which he had received. Captain Kemp left the empty waggons four miles east of Philipsburgh, and struck through the woods, so as to meet the loaded waggons at the head of MissisKoui Bay, in order to strengthen the escort from Caldwell's Manor and St. Armand west. They then proceeded in company to Philipsburgh, where they arrived at four o'clock in the afternoon of the 6th December, and where they found volunteers assembling from different points. Captain Kemp learned that scouts have come in from Swanton, in the State of Vermont, bringing information that a large body of men, well equipped, and having with them two pieces of cannon, had taken up their line of march for the Province. The volunteers were instantly supplied with muskets and ammu- nition from the waggons ; and, at six o'clock, a position was taken up a mile to the south of the village of Philipsburgh, on the west road leading to Swanton. After occupying this position for nearly two hours, positive information was received by Captain Kemp that the insurgents had taken the east road leading to Swanton. He therefore left a strong guard on the west road, and marched with the rest uf his men to a position two miles and a half east of Philips- ri;bi£Llion in tmi: canauas. BUKuii, where lie drew up liis men on a height to the left, conuuunding the higliway at the intersection of tlie Swanton roarl, leading north and south, with the St. Armand's road, leading east and west. The Volunteer Pickets had retired upon this spot unperceived by the invaders, whose numbers were ascertained to be upwards of two hundred. The total force under Captain Kemp was about two huudied, but tiiey were not all present when the engage- ment commenced, many of them having been detached in various directions. The moment that the van of the volunteers perceived the enemy, they com- menced firing upon them, without any orders from their commander ; but Captain Kemp very properly observes in his despatch, " I need hardly apologise for the impetuosity of an undiscipliiud body, hastily taken away from their farming occupations, and placed in sight of an enemy only a few hours after arms had been placed in their hands." The fire was, however, instantly returned by the rebels ; and the firing was kept up, on both sides, for about a quarter of an hour, when the enemy retreated towards the State of Vermont, leaving behind one dead, two wounded, three prisoners, two pieces of cannon, about fifty stand of arms, five kegs of gunpowder, six boxes of ball-cartridge, and two flags. This brilliant affair took place near the residence of Mr. Hiram Moohe, and popularly called Moore's Corner, in consequence of the Swanton and St. Arm a no's road intersecting one another in the immediate neighbourhood. It would appear, that when the volunteers attacked the rebels, a party of the latter had obtained possession of Mr. Moore's house, which they were in the act of pillaging, when the fire of the assailants called off their attention to more serious operations. Among the wounded prisoners, were Robert Shore MiLNES Bouchette, of Qucbcc, Advocate, who led the advanced guard of the rebels, and a nephew of Julien Gagnon, of St. Valentine, in L'Acadie, who was reported to have been the leader of the party. The prisoners were detained at Moore's Corner all night, preparatory to being brought into Montreal. Their wounds were dressed, and every other attention paid to them which humanity dictated. The day after this engagement, the rebel leaders, Kimber, Desrivieres, and Marchesseault, along with Jalbert, the supposed murderer of Lieute- nant Weir, were found wandering about the neighborrhood of Bedford, in MissiSQuoi, apprehended, and conveyed to Montreal, as prisoners. We cannot conclude this branch of our narrative better than by republishing the following general orders : — Head-Quarters, Montreal, Dec. 12, 1837. The active service in which the troops have been suddenly engaged, since the outbreak of an organized and extensive revolt in this Province, has hitherto prevented 1, ^ NAItrtATIVK or TIIK f: the Lieutpnant-General Commanding, from expressing his satisfaction at tliu conduct and zealous exertions of the troops in the Montreal District under liis command, but His Excellency is persuaded, that at no period has the energy and activity of the British Army been more conspicuous than in the series of marches which have been lately accomplished. Although the unfavourable state of the weather, and the almost impracticable state of the roads, prevented the Force under the command of the Hon. Colonel Goue from entering the village of St. Denis on the first appearance of the revolt, the success which has since attended the exertions of that Officer and the Force under his comrr.and, and the capture of arms and ammunition, have had the eflfect of restoring order and tranquillity to that section of the country. The zeal and energy evinced by Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes, 24th Regiment, under whose immediate command the Force proceeded to St. Denis has been brought under the notice of the Lieutenant-General Commanding, as well as the gallantry displayed by Captain Markham, 32nd Regiment, who was severely wounded in the attack upon the enemies' fortified positions at St, Charles, so ably conducted by Colonel Wetherall, and so gallantly executed by himself and the Force under his command, consisting of the Royal Regiment, a detachment of the Royal Artillery and 6fith Regiment, and the Montreal Cavalry, led to the complete defeat of the enemy, and has essentially contributed to put down revolt on the Richelieu. Lieutenant Colonel Wetherall speaks most favourably of the conduct of Major Warde, of the Royal Regiment, Captain Glasgow, Royal Artillery, and Captain David, Montreal Cavalry, upon this occasion. The service upon which the troops have lately been engaged, has been greatly facilitated by the spirited and unparalleled exertions of the Volunteer Corps of Mon- treal, some of which had only been embodied within the last fortnight, and His Excellency trusts tiiat the same energy, forbearance, and discipline, which has hitherto characterised the troops in general, will speedily put an end to the deplo- rable warfare in which they are engaged. John Eoen, Deputy Adjutant General. Deputy Adjutant-General's Office, Montreal, Feb. 8, 1838. Sir, — With respect to the communication with you this morning, it aflPords me much satisfaction to have received the commands of the Lieutenant-General Com- manding, to assure you, that, although your name did not appear in the General Order of the 12th December last. His Excellency is not the less sensible of the gal- lantry which Lieutenant-Colonel Wetherall reports to be displayed by yourself, and the detachiuent of the 66th Regiment under your command, in the attack of the rebel position at St. Charles, f have the honour to be, &c. John Eden, Lieutenant-Colovel, Deputy Adjutant General. To Lieut. Johnston, 66th Regiment. Tlie system ot" terrorism and coercion, by which u considerable number ol' Ma'^istnites and Otiicers ot" Militia, in the District of Montreal, were com- RKHKLLION IN THE CANADAS. ill pellcd to surrender their commissions has been niready alluded to ; and by which the loyal an;ht Dra- goons, resting with the expedition during the night at St. Martin. Thus, the whole disposable force, under the command of Ilis Excellency, were as- sembled at this village, on their route to St. Eustache, the principal post of the rebels ; instructions having been previously forwarded to Major Towns- hen d, to inarch on the following day from Carrillon, on the Ottawa river, with a detachment of the 24th Regiment, and the volunteers of St. Andrews, towards St. Benoit. During the absence of the expedition, the garrison duty of Montreal was entrusted to the companies of the 24th Regiment remaining in town, and the different volunteer corps of the city. About ten o'clock at night, of the 13th, intelligence had reached the city, that a large body of rebels were marching upon Lachine, with the view, it was supposed, of seizing the arras deposited at that place for the Beauharnois volunteers, and then proceeding with them to atfack Montreal, in the absence of the regular troops. The report gaining ground, an alarum was sounded through the city, and, in an incredibly short space of time, the whole volunteer force mustered in arms, and proceeded to meet the rebels in the direction whence they were expected (Colonel Mait- land's battalion of volunteers marching to the Tanneries, three miles out of town), every man being resolved to do his duty, and give a good account of the enemy. But, to the great disappointment of the volunteers, the alarm provpd to h;\ve been a false one ; and they were reluctantly compelled, after REUtLLlUN IN THE (ANADAi*. 89 bfiiin under uiins clurin^ the most ut' tlie nijjlit, to retire into quBrt^rs, with out being ^rutified with the sight of a rehel. Thrir lonluct, however, wa» such as to reflect the j;rciitest credit upon their oftii ors and themselves, nil of whom evinced the best possible disposition, and, by their zeni, courage, nnd activity, afforded ample evidence that tho city had been |)erfectly safe in their keeping. At eight o'clock in the morning of Thursday, the ' ith, the commander of the Forces left his quarters at St. Martin, and crossed the northern branch of the Ottawa river, on the ice, about three miles below St. Eustacue, with two brigades, six field pieces, and the Montreal Volunteer Cavalry, and the Rifle Corps; while Captain Globensky's company of volunteers attracted the attention of the rebels by marching in the direct route to St. Eustache, dislodging from the neighbouring woods, as they went along, some pickets of the rebels, nnd driving them in, or dispersing them. In marching up to St. Eustache, which is situated on the left bank of the river, the Light Company of the 32nd Regiment, with two guns, covered the advance of the troops. On a nearer approach, the rebels were seen crossing the ice in divisions, to an Island opposite the village, when orders were given by the Commander of the Forces that two guns should open a fire upon them, which had the effect of compelling them to retire into the village. The troops having again advanced in the same order to within six or seven hundred yards of the village, the guns took up a position, and opened a fire upon the church and the adjacent build- ings, the former appearing to be occupied by the insurgents in considerable force. Shortly afterwards, agreeably to the directions of His Excellency, Colonel Maitlanp changed the direction of the first brigade under his com- mand, to the right, the 32nd Regiment leading, covered by its Light Company, and followed by the 83rd Regiment, with the view of securing the roads and bridges on the opposite side of the village, leading to the St. Benoit road, where it was supposed the rebels would eventually make a stand. By this movement the troops, forming this division, were placed within musket shot of the village, and found great ditttculty in advancing, owing to the ruggedness of the ploughed fields, the depth of the snow, and the strong fences which tliey had to break through. They, however, exerted themselves to the utmost, and, having taken possession of the roads and bridges, succeeded in capturing a number of prisoners, who were running in groat confusion from the villajjje. The object of Colonel Maitland having been so far accomplished, he left a detachment of the 83rd Regiment to secure the passes, and pushed in advance with the whole of the 32nd Regiment towards the church, and occupied some houses close to it, on the south-west side of the village. After remaining in this position for some time, firing on the rebels in the church. Colonel Mait- land found it necessarv to wiihdiaw from his advaurtd situation, in consc- iiO NARRATIVE OF THE \ I li, > I qupnce of his Regiment liaving been unavoidably exposed lo the fire ot the Artillery from the opposite side of the village, as well as to that of the rebels. But he detached the Grenadiers, and the first and second companies, to a favourable position, for the purpose of intercepting any of the rebels who might attempt to escape from the church ; and in the performance of this duty they proved eminently successful, as, upon the taking of the church, a number of the rebels fell under the fire of part of these companies. Meanwhile, the second brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Wetherali., in following the first, in their detour of the village, for the purpose of cutting off the retreat of the rebels by the St. Benoit road, and on arriving opposite to the centre of the village, were directed by the Commander of the Forces to enter at this point. They did so, and having advanced up the main street, leading to the front of the church, occupying the most defensible houses, and meeting with no opposition, Colonel Wethekall reported the circumstance to the Lieutenant-General, who desired him to detach an officer to bring up the Artillery. In endeavouring to execute this duty, the officer was driven back by the fire from the church. The Artillery entered the village by the rear, and, at a distance of two hundred and eighty yards, opened a fire on the church door, while some companies of the Royal Regiment, and the Rifles, occupied the houses near the church. After about an hour's firing, and the church-door still remaining unforced, a party of the Royal Regiment assaulted the Presby- t^rc, killed some of the defenders, and set it on fire. The smoke soon enve- loped the church, and the remainder of the battalion advanced. A straggling fire was opened on them from the Seigneur's house (Mr. Dumont's), forming one face of the square in which the church stood. Colonel Wetherall directed the Grenadiers to carry this liouse, which they immediately did ; kill- ing several of the rebels, taking many prisoners, and setting it on fire. At the same time, another party of the Royals, commanded by Major Warde, and led by Mr. Guoy as a volunteer, entered the church by the rear, and captured and dislodged its garrison, setting the church itself on fire, and in these assaults one hundred and eighteen prisoners were taken. The cl 'uct of Lieutenant Ormsby, of the Royals, who narrowly escaped from being killed as he entered the building, a pistol having been discharged at him by a rebel staiiding within a few feet of him, was very conspicuous, and deserving of the report made with respect to it by his commanding officer. Mr. Gugy was severely wounded ; and the Royal Regiment had one man killed and four wounded ; but no other casualty occurred in the second brigade. Tl:e 32nd Regiment had only one private wounded. Of the Royal Artillery, one corporal and two privates were wounded. It is agreed, on all hands, that the soldiers conducted themselves with steadiness and coolness, and shewed great forbearance tf) the raptured rebels. The services tif the Volunteer ('avalry, Queen's Light Dragoons, and REBELLION IN THE CANAUAS. ai Volunteer llilles, ull of Montreal, and Globenski's X'ulunteers (mostly com- posed ot loyalists driven from St. Eustache and its neij;libourhood, by the rebels), were found particularly useful. The actual loss of the rebels on this occasion it has been impossible to ascertain; but it is supposed to have been very great, and that nearly two hun- dred of them fell victims to their folly, from the fire and charges of the troops, or were suffocated in the flames of the different buiidin<;s which had been fired, and from which they had defended themselves. Upwards of twenty bodies were found in the churchyard, and in the garden attached to the nunnery; and forty were killed in attempting; to make their escape into the woods. Dr. J. O. Chenier, one of their leaders, was killed near the church ; and Girod, Peltier, and other leaders, are reported to have made their escape imme- diately after the first fire from the troops, on pretence of going to the rear to bring up reinforcements. The number of the houses destroyed by the confla- gration, exclusive of the church and Presbyteie, which were reduced to ashes, is said to amount to i 'out sixty ; the blaze was distinctly seen on high ground in the neighbourhood of Montreal, a distance of twenty-one miles from St. Eustache. The houses left uninjured were taken possession of by the troops for their quarters during the night. On the evening of the 15th, Globensky's corps having been left at St. Eustache in charge of the prisoners, the whole of the remainder of the Force, under the orders of His Excellency the Lieutenant-General, marched to St. Benoit, which is twelve miles distant from the late scene of action, and where they arrived about twelve o'clock. During the march, the Commander of the Forces was met by delegates, bearing a flag of truce from the rebels, and stating that they were prepared to lay down their arms unconditionally. On the line of march, similar tokens were exhibited in rags of something white from almost every house, and none of the inhabitants were the least molested. When the expedition arrived at St. Benoit, the Lieutenant-General fixed his head quarters at the house of Girouard, one of the insurgent chiefs, and opposite to which His Excellency found about two hundred and fifty of the rebels drawn up in line, suing for pardon, and stating that t'leir leaders had deserted them. Their request was readily complied with, and they were dismissed to their homes and occupations. Girouard had made his escape the preceding night; but he was seized a few days afterwards, or rather surrendered himself, in the neighbourlu)i)d -f Cotuau du Lac, while attempting to cross over to the Uniteu Siates, and was conveyed a prisoner to Montreal. The in- trenchments of the rebels at St. Benoit were destroyed, as well as the houses of the insurgents. On the lOth, His Excellency ordered Colonel Maitlakd to proceed to St. Scholastique, with the 3'2nd Regiment, two field pieces, under the conunand of Captain Howell, Royal Artillery, and a detachment II 32 NARRAllVi; OF THE . : ! Ill- i of the Queen'i Lif^lit Dragoons ; while the remainder of the troops were ordered to march by St. Eustache to Montreal; the Commander of the Forces also returning to that city in the afternoon of the same day, escorted by the Montreal Cavalry, and the Queen's Light Dragoons. It is but simple justice to His Excellency to state, in this place, that, during his absence on this arduous and important expedition, he directed constant communication to be kept up with Lieut.-Colonel Hughes, the officer com- manding at Montreal, detailing the operations of the troops, and which were immediately communicated to the public. In short, during the whole rebellion, Ilis Excellency, in the spirit of his characteristic attention to the feelings of the ommunity, never failed to make known throughout the City and Province wharever important intelligence reached him as Commander of the Forces. On the same day, the I6th, the Montreal Rifles returned to town. Next day, at noon, the Royal Artillery, under Major Jackson, came in. At two o'clock in the afternoon, the Royal Regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Wetherall marched in, amidst the acclamations of the citizens, bringing 105 prisoners along with them, among whom were Dumoucuelle, of St. Benoit, and two leaders of the name of Major; and a few hours afterwards, the 83rd Regiment, under the command of the Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas, marched into town, greeted, in a similar manner, with the cheers of the inhabitants, who went out of town to meet the whole of their brave countrymen, and thus thank them for the services they had performed in putting down the rebellion. Meanwhile, Colonel Maitland, as we noticed, marched to St. Scholas- tique; and, on approaching the village, was met by about three hundred men with white flags, desiring to be permitted to surrender themselves uncondi- tionally, and to deposit with Colonel Maitland about fifty stand of arms and some ammunition. On entering the village. Colonel Maitland saw several groups of habilans from difierent parts of the parish, amounting to about five or six hundred persons. They all appeared to be very humble, and received the truops with frequent cheers for the Queen. Colonel Maitland remained in this village during the night, and marched the following morning to St. Therese, where he halted on the night of the 17th ; at which place, also, a number of arms were surrendered to him by tlie inhabitants. In the course of the evening he received information that W. H. Scott, M.P.P., a rebel chief, for whose apprehension a reward of J^oOO had been offered, was con- cealed in a farm house about five miles from the village. He immediately despatched five of the Queen's Light Dragoons, who were attached to the division, in search of Scott, and they succeeded in taking him prisoner. In his despatch reporting this circumstance, Colonel Maitland stated that the UKBKLIJON IN TJIR CANADAS. SS march of the troops under liis command from St. Scholastique to St. Tiie- RESE had been attended with the best effect. Their appearance had struck terror among tlie ill-disposed, wiiilst it gave security to the loyal inhabitants, who had been pillaged and driven away from their property, and who were met, returning with joy, tVom all directions, to the possession of their houses. Colonel Maitland also, observed that he found the Dragoons extremely zealous and useful, and hoped that the Lieutenant-General would reconnnend them to the Governor-in-Ciiief for the reward offered for the apprehension of Scott. He had much pleasure in adding, that the troops had conducted them- selves well, not having committed the smallest depredation upon any of the inhabitants. Colonel Maitland marched from St. Tiierese to St. Marti\, and arrived at head-quarters amidst the cheers of the inhabitants, who lined the streets, at half-past one o'clock in the afternoon of Tuesday, the 19th of December. Major TowxsEND returned to his quarters at Carillon on the night of the 16th. In his despatch announcing his return, he says : — " Prior to my leaving Grand Britle, almost every house in the town was set fire to, as well as the church, priest's house, &c. No exertion on my part was spared to save as much as possible, but the irregular troops employed were not to be con- trolled, and were, in every case, I believe, the instruments of the infliction. Two houses were burnt on the line of march by the same hands, both belonging to individuals who have taken a lead in the rebel ranks — the one belonging to a man of the name of Tique, the other Chenier." Our narrative may best conclude with the following extracts from Sir John Colborne's despatch to Major-General Lord Fiizkoy Somi;rseT; dated the 22d of December : — " The good results of these movements hiive been proved by the return of the peasantry to their useful occupations, and the disappearance of armed parties of the rebels. " It is scarcely possible to suppose that the loyal and peaceable subjects, whose property had been pillaged, and who had so recently suffered from the outrages comnitted by the rebels of Grano Brule and the river du Chene, a population of the worst character, could be prevented, on being liberated from their oppressors, from committing acts of violence at St. Benoit. " The several departments under my orders, have, at this critical period, by their great exertions, enabled me to assemble the troops promptly. " I have to assure the General Commanding in Chief, that from the time that the rebels appeared in position, no opportunity has been lost in attacking them constantly, as soon as a sutficient force could be collected to march against them, without exposing or leaving unprotected the important stations of Montreal, Chambly, St. John's, and SoRtL. "T have received, on every occasion, a zealous assistance from tlie Deputy Adjutant-General, Lieutenant-Colonel Eden, and the Deputy Quartermaster K I 'li if* I si Ir. a4 NAUKATIVK OF Till: Geueral, Colonel Goke, and thu Officers of my personal Staff, and IVom Captain Foster, Royal Engineers ; and Majors Jackson and Macbean, Royal Artillery, and the respective officers. " The Commissary-General has, by his able arrangements, greatly facilitated the movement of the troops in this district, and of the reinforcement on the march from New Brunswick. " On my return from the County of the Lake of Two Mountains, I ordered part of the 24th Regiment to proceed in sleighs to Kingston and Toronto. I find, however, from my reports from Toronto, that the loyal Upper Canadians are fully prepared to defend their institutions, and to ensure the preservation of public peace, without the aid of Her Majesty's troops. " I cannot close this despatch without mentioning that all the corps of volun- teers of Montreal have occasionally taken the duties of the garrison, and thus enabled me to leave the town under their protection, " From the reports and communications from every district, order has been restored." Extract of a Despatch from Lieutenant-Governor Siu F. B. Head, Bart,, to Loud Glenelg, datedf Toronto, Dec. 19, 1837. "I have the honour to inform your Lordship, that on Monday, the 4th instant, this city was, in a moment of profound peace, suddenly invested by a band of armed rebels, amounting, according to report, to three thousand men (but in actual fact, about five hundred), and commanded by Mr. M'Kenzie, the Editor of a Republican newspaper; Mr. Van Egmont, an officer who had served under Napoleon; Mr. Gihson, a land surveyor ; Mr. Lount, a blacksmith; Mr. Lloyd, and some other notorious characters. Having, as I informed your Lordship in my despatch, No. 119, dated 3rd ult., purposely effected the withdrawal of Her Majesty's troops from this Province, and having delivered over to the civil authorities the whole of the arms and accoutrements I possessed, I, of course, found myself without any defence whatever, excepting that which the loyalty and fidelity of the Province might think proper to afford me. The crisis, important as it was, was one I had long earnestly anticipated, and, accordingly, 1 no sooner received the intelligence that the rebels were within four miles of the city, than, abandoning the Government House, I at once proceeded to the City Hall, in which about four thousand stand of arms and accoutrements had been deposited. One of the first individuals I met there, with a musket on his shoulder, was the Chief Justice of the Province ; and, in a few minutes, I found myself surrounded by a band of brave men, who were, of course, unorganized and, generally speaking, unarmed. As the foregoing statement is an unqualified admission, on my part, that I was completely surprised by the rebels, I think it proper to remind rather than explain to your Lordship, the course of policy I have been pursuing. In a former despatch, I respectfully stated to your Lordship, as my opinion, that a civil war must hence- forward everywhere be a moral one ; and that, in this hemisphere in particular, victory must eventually declare itself in favour of moral and not of physical pre- ponderance. Entertaining these sentiments, I observed, with satisfaction, that Mr. M'Kenzie was pursuing a la -'less course of conduct, which I felt it would be impolitic for me to arrest. For a long time he had endeavoured to force me to buoy him up by a Government prosecution ; but he sunk in proportion as I UEBKLTMON IN THK CAN ADAS. 35 \ Captain llery, and itated the arch from lered part I, I find, are fully blic peace, of volun- , and thus r has been , Bart., to Ith instant, ' a band of )utin actual Editor of a rved under Mr. Lloyd, iship in my wal of Her the civil urse, found and fidelity it as it was, eceived the ndoning- the about four of the first if Justice of md of brave ed. As the completely ain to your despatch, I must hence- particular, liysical pre- action, that it would be force me to lortion as 1 neglected him, until, becoming desperate, lie was eventually driven to reckless behaviour, which 1 felt confident would very soon create its own punishment. The traitorous arrangements he made were of that very minute nature, that it would have been difficult, even if I had desired it, to have suppressed them ; for instance, he began by establishing union lists (in number not exceeding forty) of persons desirous of political reform, and who, by an appointed Secretary, were recom- mended to communicate regularly with himself, for the purpose of establishing a meeting of Delegates. As soon as, by most wicked misrepresentations, he had succeeded in seducing a number of well-meaning people to join these squads, his next step was to prevail upon a few of them to attend their meetings armed, for the alleged purpose of firing at a mark. While these meetings were in continu- ance, Mr. M'Kenzie, by means of his newspaper, and by constant personal attend- ance, succeeded in inducing his adherents to believe that he was everywhere strongly supported, and that his means, as well as his forces, would prove invinci- ble. 1 was not ignorant of these proceedings, and, in proportion as Mr. M'Kenzie's paper became more and more seditious, and in proportion as these armed meetings excited more and more alarm, I was strongly and repeatedly called upon by the peaceable portion of the community, forcibly to suppress both the one and the other. I considered it better, however, under all circumstances, to await the outbreak, which I was confident would be impotent inversely as it was previously opposed ; in short, I considered that as an attack by the rebels was inevitable, the more 1 encouraged them to consider me defenceless, the better. Mr. M'Kexzie, under these favourable circumstances, having been freely permitted to make every preparation in his power, a concentration of his deluded adherents, and an attack upon the city of Toronto, were secretly settled to take place on the night of the 19th instant; however, in consequence of a Militia General Order which I issued, it was deemed advisable that these arrangements should be hurried, and, accord- ingly, Mr. M'Kenzie's deluded victims, travelling through the forest by cross roads, found themselves assembled, at four o'clock in the evcnino' of Monday, the 4th instant, as rebels, at Montgomery's Tavern, which is on the Yonge-street Mac- adamized road, about four miles from the city. As soon as they had obtained this position, Mr. M'Kenzie and a few others, with pistols in their hands, arrested every person on the road, in order to prevent information reaching the town. Colonel MooniE, a distinguished veteran officer, residing in Yonge-street, accom- panied by three gentlemen on horseback, on passing Montgomery's Tavern, was fired at by the rebels, and I deeply regret to say, that the Colonel, wounded in two places, was taken prisoner into the tavern, where, in tliree hours, he died, leaving a widow and family unprovided for. As soon as this gallant meritorious officer, who had honourably fought in this Province, fell, I am informed that Mr. M'Kenzie exultingly observed to his followers, " that as blood had now been spilled, they were in for it, and nothing left but to advance." Accordingly, at about ten o'clock at night, they did advance ; and I was in bed and asleep, when Mr. Alder- man Powell awakened me to state, that, in riding out of the city towards Montgomery's Tavern, he had been arrested by Mr. M'Kenzie and another prin- cipal leader ; that the former had snapped a pistol at his breast ; that his (Mr. Powell's) pistol also snapped, but that he fired a second, which, causing the death of Mr. M'Kenzie's companion, had enabled him to escape. As soon as Mr. Powell reached Toronto, the alarm-bell was rung, and -is Mr. M'Kenzik reared wo might be nrepared for him, he forbore to proceed with his attack. On ;i() NARRATIVE Ol' TlIK 'I i I •■ I- arriving at the City Hall, I appointed Mr. Justice Jones, Mr. Henry Sherwood, Ciiptain Stbaciian, and Mr. John Robinson, my Aides-de-Cdmp. 1 then ordered the anns to be unpacked, and, manning all the windows of the building, as well as those of the opposite houses which flanlfed it, we awaited the rebels, who, as I have stated, did not deem it advisable to advance. Besides these arrangements, I despatched a messenger to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Colonel the Hon. Allan M'Nab, of the Gore District, and to the Colonels of the militia regiments in the Midland and Newcastle Districts. An advanced piquet of thirty volun- teers, commanded by my Aide-de-Camp, Mr. Justice Jones, was placed within a short distance of the rebels. By the following morning (Tuesday) we mustered about three hundred men, and in the course of the day, the numbers increaserl. to about five hundred. In the night an advanced piquet, commanded by Mr. Sheriff Jarvis, was attacked within the precincts of the city, by the rebels, who were driven back, one of their party being killed and several wounded. On Wednesday morning we were sufficiently strong to have ventured on an attack; but being sensible of the strength of our positions ; being also aware how much depended upon the contest in which we weie about to be engaged, and feeling the greatest possible reluctance at the idea of entering upon the civil war, I despatched two gentlemen to the rebel leaders, to tell them that before any conflict should take place, T parentally called upon them, as their Governor, to avoid the effusion of human blood. In the meanwhile, however, Mr. M'Kenzie had committed every description of enormity ; he had robbed the mail — with his own hands had set fire to Dr. Horne's house — had plundered many inoffensive individuals of their money — had stolen several horses, had made a number of respectable persons prisoners, and, having thus succeeded in embarking his misguided adherents in guilt, he replied to my admonition by a message, that he would only consent that his demands should be settled by a national convention, and he insolently added, that he would wait till two o'clock for my answer, which, in one word, was— ' Never.' In the course of Tuesday, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Colonel the Hon. Allan M'Nab, arrived from the Gore District, at the head of about sixty men, which he had assembled at half an hour's notice ; and other brave men flocking in to me from various directions, I was enabled by strong piquets to prevent Mr. M'Kenzie from carrying into eU'ect his diabolical intention to burn the city of Toronto, in order to plunder the Banks; and having effected this object, I determined that, on the following day, I would make the attack. Accordingly, on Thursday morning, I assembled our forces under the direction of the Adjutant- General of Militia, Colonel Fitzgibbon, Clerk of the House of Assembly. The principal body was headed by the Hon. the Speaker, Colonel Allan M'Nab, the right wing being commanded by Colonel Samuel Jarvis, and the left hy Colonel William Chisholm, assisted by the Hon. Mr. Juvice M'Lean, late Speaker of the House of Assembly; the two guns by Major Carfbae, of the Militia Artillery. The command of the Militia left in the city remained under Mr. Justice Macaulay and the protection of the city with Mr. Gurnett, the Mayor. I might, also, have most advantageously availed myself in the field of the military services of Colonel Foster, the; Commander of the Forces in Upper Canada; of Captain Baddeley, of the corps of Royal Engineers ; and of a detachment of eight artillerymen, who form the only regular force in this Province ; but, having deliberately determined that this important contest iu which I was about to be engaged, should be decided solely by the Upper Canada Militia, or, in other words, the inhabitants of this. REUELLION IN THE CANADAS. 37 IHERWOOU, en ordered ag, as well , who, as I gements, I el the Hon. I regiments irty volun- !d within a e mustered ncreasc'' to Mr. Sheriff , who were Wednesday ; but being h depended the greatest patched two should take ! effusion of litted every 5 had set fire lis of their ible persons idherents in consent that ently added, word, was — if Assembly, the head of other brave g piquets to to burn the this object, Accordingly, e Adjutant- mbly. The M'Nab, the Sy Colonel eaker of the ia Artillery. Macaulay it, also, have IS of Colonel Baddeley, ;rymen who determined be decided ants of this, noble Province, 1 was resolved that no consideration whatever should induce me to avail myself of any other assistance than that upon which, as the Representative of our Gracious Sovereign, I had firmly and implicitly relied. At twelve o'clock, the Militia force marched out of the town with an enthusiasm which it would be impossible to describe, and in about an hour we came in sight of the rebels, who occupied an elevated position near Gallows-hill, in front of Montgomery's Tavern, which had been the rendezvous of Mr. M'Kenzie's men. They were principally armed with rifles; and for a short time, favoured by buildings, they endeavoured to maintain their ground ; however, the brave and loyal Militia of Upper Canada, steadily advancing with a determination which was irresistible, drove them fuom their position, completely routed Mr. M'Kexzie, who, in a state of the greatest agitation, ran away ; and, in a few minutes, Montgomery's Tavern, which was first entered by Mr. Justice Jones, was burned to the ground. Being on the spot merely as civil Governor, and in no way in command of the troops, I was happy to have an opportunity of demonstrating to the rebels the i. ildness and benevolence of Her Majesty's Government; and knowing that the laws of the country would have ample opportunity of making examples of the guilty, 1 deemed it advisable to save the prisoners who were taken, and extend to most of these misguided men the Royal mercy, by ordering their immediate release. These measures having been effected, and the rebels having been deprived of their flag, OK which was inscribed, in large letters, ' Biowell, and the glorious minority,'— ' 1837, and a good beginning !' tlie Militia advanced in pursuit of the rebels about four miles, till they reached the house of one of the principal ringleaders, Mr. Gib- son, which residence it would have been impossible to have saved, and it was, consequently, burned to the ground. The infatuated followers of Mr. M'Kenzie were now completely dispersed. Deceived and deserted by their leader, they sought for refuge in all directions, ashamed and disgusted with the murder, arson, highway and mail robbery which he had committed before their eyes, and detesting him for his overbearing tyranny of conduct to' /ards them, they sincerely repented that they had ever joined him ; and I have been credibly informed, that their wives and children now look upon Mr. M'Kenzie as their most malignant enemy. Mr. M'Kenzie has fled to the United States. Mr. John Rolph has absconded. Mr. Bidwell, who took no part in the affray, has amicably agreed with me to quit, and has quitted this Province for ever. Dr. Morrison, and the Captain Van Egmont, are our prisoners. Mr. Lount and Mr. Gibson have fled, and, I under- stand, are making for the United States. As Mr. M'Kenzie had been particularly active in disseminating his principles throughout the London District, and as Dr. Duncombe was reported to be there with a body of armed rebels, I deemed it advisable, as soon as the Militia returned to Toronto, from driving Mr. M'Kenzie from Gallows-hill, to order a body of 500 men to proceed immediately to the London District. I placed this corps under the command of the Hon. the Speaker of the House of Ass>~mbly, Colonel Allan M'Nab, who, with great promptitude, marched with it to ti>e point of its destination. On the day of Mr. M'Kenzie's defeat, as well as on vhe following .norning, bands of Militiamen, from all di- rections, poured in upon me in numbers, which honourably proved that I had not placed confidence in thtm in vain. From the Newcastle District alone, 2600 men, with nothing but tlie clothes in which they stood, marched, in the depth of winter, towards the capitil, although near)> one hundred miles from their homes. From Gore, Niagara, Lake Simcoe, and from various other places, brave men, m m^ KlH ss NAHHATIVK Ol' Till; KUHKI.IJON IN TI!K (ANAOAS. armed as well as unarmed, rushed forward unsolicited, and, according to the best reports I could collect, from 10,000 to 12,000 men simultaneously marched towards the capital, to support me in ni«intaining, for the people of Upper Canada, the British Constitution. The numbers which were advancing towards mo were so great, that the day after Mr. M'Kenzie's defeat, I found it absolutely necessary to print and circulate a public notice, announcing "that there existed no further occasion for the resort of the Militia to Toronto; " and the following day 1 was further enabled to issue a general order, authorizing the whole of the Militia of the Bathurst, Johnstown, Oi iavva, and Eastern Districts, to go and lend their assistance to Lower Canada. 1 have now completed a plain statement of the events which have occurred in this noble Province during the last week, and have done so at some length, as the moral they offer is most important. Your Lordship knows that at the last election, Mr. M'Kenzie and his party in va. . appealed to the farmers and yeomen of this country to support them, instead of supporting me. Driven by the voice of the people from their seats in the House of Assembly, thej- declared that they had only been defeated by the influence of a corrupt Govern- ment. However, the moment the charges made against me in the House of Commons reached this country, the House of Assembly deliberately investigated the whole affair, which they proved and pronounced to be, a series of wilful and premeditated falsehoods. Mr. M'Kenzie and his party, finding that, at every point, they were defeated in the moral attack wl ich they had made upon the British Constitution, next determined to excite the'.r deluded adherents to have recourse to physical strength. Being as ready to meet them on that ground, as I had been ready to meet them in a moral struggle, I gave them every possible advantage; I in no way availed myself of the immense resources of the British Empire; on the contrary, I purposely dismissed from the Province the whole of our troops. I allowed Mr, M'Kenzie to write what he chose, say what he chose, and do what he chose; and, without taking any notice of his traitorous proceedings, I waited, with folded arms, until he had collected his rebel forces, and had actually commenced his attack. I then, as a solitary individual, called upon the Militia of Upper Canada to defend me ; and the result has been, as I have stated ; namely, that the people of Upper Canada came to me when I called them ; that they completely defeated Mr. M'Kenzie's adherents, and drove him and his rebel ringleaders fiom the land. It now only remains for me to inform your Lordship, that Mr. M'Kenzie, who has escaped to Buffalo, in the United States, has, by falsehoods and mis- representations, almost succeeded in exciting a large body of labourers, out of work, to invade Upper Canada, for the purpose of plundering the banks, and of gaining possession of the Crown lands. This is, at this moment, causing great excitement throughout the. Province, and I must say that, for the sake of humanity, I earnestly trust and hope the attempt will not be made. I entertain the utmost reliance, that the Government of the United States will nobly prevent any such invasion. I am persuaded that all Americans of intelligence and property will feel that the character of their country requires them to discountenance a lawless and unprincipled aggression. Should, however, any of the inhabitants of Buf- falo, or other front-^r towns, regardless of these sentiments, for the sake of plunder, invade the free and independent people of Upper Canada, I feel confi- dent that every man in the Province, Indians and black population included, will assemble together in one band, to exterminate the invaders, or to perish in the attempt." ..: Whitohcad & Co. I'rimiTS, "6, Fleet Strict, Loiiiloii. s*-. I AS. ;o the best ly marched of Upper iiig towards t absolutely e existed no illowing day f the Militia d lend their Tient of the k, and have ur Lordship appealed to •porting me. ?mbly, they jpt Govern- le House of investigated wilful and every point, the British ! recourse to I had been d vantage; I )ire; on the r troops. I I do what he waited, with commenced a of Upper ely, that the completely leaders fiom r.M'KENZiE, ds and mis- rers, out of nks, and of lusing great if humanity, the utmost nt any such roperty will ce a lawless nts of BuF- the sake of I feel confi- cluded, will erish in the 1, ■ •; . ,■' il •^ J«S V ACKERMANN '4 ' From the original and celebrated Picture, by G. Swandale, Esq. :, ." PRICE TO SUBSCRIBERS, Prints, £1. 1«. — Proofs, £2. 2s. — Fine Proofs beporb Lvtters, £3. 3«. Size of the Engraving, 26| Inches by 20, including margin. W !f\ m ! y- " This Portrait may be considered a surprising resemblance of the illustrious original."^£iiterary Oazette. " Mr. Swandale's Portrait of Her Majesty is a dignified work, Mcellently con- ceived and executed." — Athen pressions, itwill.be necessary to give immediate orders, either direct, or through their respective Printsellers, to the Publishers; the Proofs, with very few exceptions, being all engaged. ^v: '^ • - .f^', : ? ".v^^^i'/y^vf :/;"^* London: Ackerh ANN and Co., 96, Strand. - . " M- ' •'^lijfiifiliSftiyftrB^SS^-t^'-"^ iSStf^'it-^- '■' *v. IJD TO HEU BLISIIEO MAJESTY UB, £aq. B8, £3. 3*. in. •''-*; ;. ■ >e illustrious silently con- ve seen." — Portrait, of ive seen of ) appeared ; in the best Mr. Swan- s Life. fortune to m >e painter on of Her England xaggera- :"ly im- I ^ ^hrough options, . .