On
this day 212 years ago during the War of 1812, the Battle of
Châteauguay was fought. While Major General Isaac Brock was defending
Ontario, Lieutenant Colonel Charles de Salaberry commanded the French
Canadian Voltigeurs in the defence of Québec.
Facing an American
force nearly three times their size advancing toward Montréal, de
Salaberry set a masterful ambush along the Châteauguay River. With bugle
calls, shouted orders, and disciplined volleys, he convinced the
invaders they faced a massive army.
The Americans broke and
retreated. Montréal was saved, and de Salaberry’s triumph became one of
the proudest moments in Canadian military history.