ith them--their
courage and zeal were unabated, and even increased, by the transactions
of the months of disaster; their loyalty to their principles, and their
love of their independence, were intensified rather than enfeebled; they
would not be a _conquered people_; and before the end of the year 1813,
the American armies had to relinquish every inch of Canadian soil both
in Upper and Lower Canada.

But to present a connected and intelligent view of the magnificent close
of the year 1813, as was that of 1812, we must first turn to the
American campaigns against Lower Canada in 1813; and the defeats and
want of success for several months in Upper Canada were more than
compensated by the heroic deeds and splendid success of both the English
and French defenders of Lower Canada, as well as by victories gained in
Upper Canada in the months of November and December.

The Isle-aux-Nois was termed the key of Lower Canada, and its old
fortifications had been repaired, and three gun-boats sent thither from
Quebec. The little garrison was under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
George Taylor, Inspecting General Field Officer (then major of the 100th
Regiment), who, apprehending, from previous private information, a
combined attack from the American naval force on Lake Champlain and the
troops in the neighbourhood of his post, commanded by the
Brigadier-Generals Smyth and Clarke, lost no time in equipping the three
gun-boats lying unemployed for want of seamen; and Lieutenant-Colonel
Taylor having no sailors, he manned the gun-boats from his regiment,
with three artillerymen for each boat, and took the precaution to man
two batteaux with a detachment of soldiers, for the double purpose of
rendering assistance to the gun-boats in the event of their being either
sunk or disabled in the engagement, or to assist in boarding if it
should be found necessary. The enemy, discovered in approaching,
consisted of the sloops of war _Growler_ and _Eagle_, fitted out in the
most complete manner, each carrying eleven guns (eighteens, twelves, and
sixes), long eighteens on pivots, with complements each of fifty-five
men, comprehending a company of marines, which they had received at
Champlain the evening previous to the engagement; the whole under the
command of the United States navy. The admirable execution with their
small arms of the two small detachments of soldiers landed on the east
side of the river, and the well-directed fire from the