Charles de Salaberry and the Battle of Châteauguay

During the War of 1812, perhaps at no point was Canada closer to defeat than in the fall of 1813.

At the end of May the Americans under General Winfield Scott renewed their campaign in the Niagara region by crossing the Niagara River and capturing Fort George. Their invasion would be turned back at Stoney Creek and Beaver Dams, but they remained in control of the Fort.

In September an American fleet wiped out the British fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie, seeding control of the entire lake and effectively all of what is now Southwestern Ontario.

With the Lake under his control, General and future United States President used the fleet to capture Fort Amhurstburg which had been abandoned by the hastily retreating British. He chased the British and their native allies west along the Thames River until he finally routed them completely at the Battle of Thames, including killing the legendary Tecumseh, on October 5th 1813.

Worst still for the British, two massive invading forces were now making their way towards Montreal in a pincer movement which if successful, would have ended the war almost immediately for all of Upper and Lower Canada.

From the south, the first American force was moving toward Montreal from the city of Burlington on Lake Champlain and along the Chateauguay River under the command of Major General Wade Hampton. Roughly 2,500 American soldiers would cross the border as part of his invading force.

A second larger army had gathered at Sacket’s Harbour at the mouth of the St. Lawarence River and had begun the slow process of advancing up the river by barge. The fate of Canada hung in the balance.

Against the invading force advancing from the South, Charles de Salaberry had pulled together a small band of militia and regular units to face the advancing Americans. Entrenched along the Châteauguay River they were able to hold back the initial American assault. The Americans, rather than regroup, retreated after receiving news of the slow advance of the army moving along the St. Lawrence.

Two weeks later on November 11th, 1813, the second American force would be defeated soundly by a much smaller British force at the Battle of Crysler’s Farm.

The two victories ended the St. Lawrence campaign of 1813 and what was likely Canada’s darkest hour.

Learn more about Charles de Salaberry from the Royal Canadian Mint.