Battle of the Châteauguay
Allan's Corners, near Ormstown, Quebec, Canada
What happened
Canadian Voltigeurs, militia and Kahnawake Mohawk warriors under Lieutenant Colonel Charles de Salaberry fought an American army under Major General Wade Hampton. In the War of 1812, an American army marched north to capture Montreal. De Salaberry blocked the road with a barrier of felled trees in a ravine. His men had buglers sound the call to advance in the woods to make the Americans think they faced a much bigger army, and the Americans pulled back.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Together with the battle at Crysler's Farm, it ended the American plan to capture Montreal. It became a proud moment for French Canadians, whose militia did most of the fighting.
What came next
De Salaberry became a hero in Quebec, and the town of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield is named after him. The battlefield became a National Historic Site of Canada in 1920.
Did you know?
About 1,500 defenders stopped an American army almost twice their size, partly by tricking it with bugle calls.
Timeline
- 1812De Salaberry takes command of the Canadian Voltigeurs.
- 26 October 1813The Canadians win at the Châteauguay.
- November 1813The Americans give up the plan to take Montreal.
- 1920The battlefield becomes a National Historic Site.