however, soon changed their front parallel to their adversaries, by
facing to the right, and filing up with speed, when the engagement
became general.

The retirement of the few skirmishers, rather advanced in the centre of
the line, being mistaken by the enemy for a flight, an universal shout
ensued, which was re-echoed by the Canadians, and the reinforcements in
reserve under Lieutenant-Colonel M'Donnell, while Lieutenant-Colonel De
Salaberry as a _ruse de guerre_ (like Gideon with his trumpets and 300
men, Judges, vii.), ordered the bugles placed at intervals, in the
abatis, to sound an advance; this had the desired effect, and checked
the ardour of the enemy, who suspected that the Canadians were advancing
in great numbers to circumvent them. The noise of the engagement brought
Colonel Purdy's division on the opposite side of the river, which,
having driven in the picket of the sedentary militia under Captain
Bruguier, were pressing on for the ford at which Lieutenant-Colonel De
Salaberry ordered the light company of the 3rd Battalion embodied
militia, under Captain Daly, to cross and take up the ground abandoned
by the picquet, Captain Daly with his company crossed the ford, and
having advanced fell in with and drove back the advanced guard of the
Americans on the main body, which still pressed forward and compelled
him in his turn to fall back. Having repulsed Captain Daly's company,
they were moving on in overwhelming numbers with eagerness and speed
close to the bank of the river, until opposite to Captain L. Jucheseau
Duchesnay's company, which hitherto lay concealed, and now at the word
of command from Lieutenant-Colonel De Salaberry, opened so unexpected
and effectual a fire upon the enemy, as to throw him into the utmost
disorder, and to occasion a tumultuous and precipitate retreat.

General Hampton finding his arrangements disconcerted by the total route
of the division on the right bank, withdrew his forces in good order at
half-past two in the afternoon, without having made a single effort to
carry the abatis and entrenchments at the point of the bayonet, leaving
Lieutenant-Colonel De Salaberry, with scarcely 300 Canadians, masters
of the field of action.

Towards the close of the engagement, Sir George Prevost, with
Major-General De Watteville, arrived on the ground, and witnessed in
person the judicious arrangements and successful exertions of
Lieutenant-Colonel De Salaberry and his gallant comrades