The Battles Along the Lacolle River

The Battle of Lacolle River

On November 20, 1812 a night-time attack was launched against Canadian positions along the Lacolle River by elements of an invasion force of some 5,000 American regulars and militia led by Major-General Henry Dearborn. Their objective was to seize a guardhouse and native encampment defending the road to Montreal (at present day Lacolle, QC), along with a near-by sawmill further east down the river.

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles-Michel de Salaberry was in command of the area’s troops which included the Canadian Voltiguers, 1^st Battalion of Select Embodied Militia (under Major Pierre Laforce), Canadian Voyageurs, and Kahnawake warriors. Warned moments before the attack, the Canadian troops and native warriors took advantage of the darkness and falling snow to position themselves better to repulse the American force. Confused on the exact position of the enemy, the Americans fired on their own troops. The 40 native warriors present fueled the chaos by shouting and firing in the air, giving the Americans the impression they were confronted on all sides by a greater Canadian force. This lead to a speedy retreat by the American troops back across the border.

Judging the attack as a precursor to a major push into his province by the rest of the American army, De Salaberry took desperate measures.  Knowing the Americans had no tents or supplies and intended to live off the land as they advanced through Lower Canada, De Salaberry evacuated the Lacolle area and destroyed the farms and houses the Americans had planned to use.  Shaken by the failed night attack and denied the means for his army to feed and house themselves, Dearborn abandoned his invasion plans.  Lacolle’s displaced residents were quickly compensated for their losses by the government. Their sacrifices and the determination of a small force of Lower Canadian troops, with their native allies, had kept the province safe. 

The Second Battle of Lacolle Mills

On March 30, 1814, 4,000 American regulars led by Major-General James Wilkinson invaded Lower Canada (Quebec). His first target was a stone grist mill occupied by 80 British troops near where the Lacolle River joins the Richelieu River. First to challenge the American entry into the province was the Frontier Light Infantry from the Eastern Townships, along with a handful of Kahnawake warriors directed by Joseph St-Valier Mailloux. During the exchange of fire just north of Odelltown, the American army mistakenly took the wrong road. While correcting their mistake, the Americans were attacked by a company of Canadian Voltigeurs and the Grenadiers of the Canadian Fencible Regiment. Outnumbered twenty to one, the Canadians withdrew north after disrupting the American advance and inflicting a number of casualties.

By early afternoon the Americans had finally reached the mill to the east and surrounded it. The delaying tactics by the Canadians and natives had bought precious time for British reinforcements to arrive. Still only about 400 British regulars and Frontier Light Infantrymen defended the mill and a nearby log blockhouse. American artillery was brought up to try and smash through the thick walls of the stone mill. In dramatic style, the men of the British 13^th Regiment of Foot charged the American artillery position, however were beaten back. Hearing the exchange of fire, the Canadian Voltiguers and Canadian Fencible Grenadiers, who had fought the Americans earlier in the day, moved to assist the mill defenders. Recognizing the threat the American artillery posed, the newly-arrived 150 Canadians boldly charged the American cannon and for a moment succeeded in their goal, before being forced back by an overwhelming force of American infantry.  By this time, a British naval relief force from Isle aux Noix had arrived at the mouth of the Lacolle River and began to shell American positions. Unsuccessful in breaching the walls of the mill, and facing a reinforced enemy, the Americans abandoned their invasion plans of the province and withdrew back across the border.

Canadian Army regiments that perpetuate 1812 units that participated in the successful battles along the Lacolle River will awarded “DEFENCE OF CANADA – 1812-1815 – DÉFENSE DU CANADA” theatre honour which can be displayed on regimental colours. These units are:

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