t forward the whole of his artillery (ten
field-pieces) and stores to his new position--about seven miles from
Lieut.-Colonel De Salaberry's post.

From this point General Hampton dispatched Colonel Purdy with a light
brigade, and a strong body of infantry of the line, at an early hour of
the night of the 25th, with orders to gain the Ford, and fall on the
rear of Lieutenant-Colonel De Salaberry's position; while the main body
were to commence the attack in front. Purdy's brigade proceeded, but
were misled and bewildered in the woods, and did not gain the point of
attack as directed by the commanding officer. General Hampton, however,
advanced next morning (26th October) under the expectation of having the
intended attack at the Ford, and at ten o'clock made his appearance with
about _three thousand five hundred men_, under General Izard, on the
high road leading to the abatis, and drove in a picket of twenty-five
men, who falling back on a second picket made a resolute stand, and
maintained a smart fire upon the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel De Salaberry,
upon hearing the musketry, promptly advanced with the light company of
the Canadian Fencibles, commanded by Captain Ferguson, and two companies
of his Voltigeurs, commanded by Captains Chevalier and Jucheseau
Duchesnay. The first of these companies he posted on the right, in front
of the abatis, in extended order, its right skirting on the adjoining
woods and abatis, among which were distributed a few Abenaqui Indians.
Captains Chevalier and Duchesnay's companies of Voltigeurs, in extended
order, occupied the ground from the left of this company to the River
Chateauguay, and the third company, under Captain L. Jucheseau
Duchesnay, with the sedentary militia, under Captain Lougtain, were
thrown back _en potence_ along the margin of the river for the purpose
of flanking, or preventing a flank fire from the enemy in the event of
his appearing on the opposite side of the river. The enemy in the
meantime advanced with steadiness in open column of sections to within
musket shot, when Lieutenant-Colonel De Salaberry discharged his rifle
as signal to commence firing, at which a mounted officer was seen to
fall. The bugles sounded, and a quick fire was immediately opened upon
the enemy who wheeled up into line, and commenced a fire in battalion
vollies, which, from the position of their line, was almost totally
thrown to the right of the Canadians, and of no effect whatever. They,