30 DECEMBER 1837, Page 3

FROM TIIE SUPPLEMENT TO TIIE LONDON GAZETTE OF TnesnaV.

Colonial Office, Downing Street, 26th December 1937. A despatch has been received from Lieutenant-General Sir John Colborne, K. C.11., Commander of the Forces in Canada, dated 29th November 1887, of which and of its enclosures the following arc copies.

"head Quarters, Montreal, 29th November 1837. " Mr LORD—I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of the General Commanding in Chief, that, since my despatch on the 20th instant, the revolt has been rapidly extending ; and that the Law Officers of the Crown, and the Magistrates of Montreal, having applied to me for military force to assist the civil power in sppre- itending Mr. Pa piueau, and other traitors who were supposed to be at the villages of St. Denis and St. Charles, I ordered strong detachments to support the civil authorities iu the execution of their duty.

" St. Denis Is seven miles to the northward of St. Charles, on the right bank of the river Richelieu ; the former sixteett miles from Sorel, the latter about seventeen from the ferry of Chatnbly, opposite Pointe Olivine.

" Colonel Gore and Lieutenant Colonel Hughes, with five companies and an howitzer, were ordered to proceed from Sorel to St. Denis, and five companies and two guns to move ftom Chanffily ou St. Charles, under the command of Lieutenant- Colonel Wetherell, of the Royal Regiment, accompanied by two Magistrates, to exe- cute the e ;wants against those individuals charged with high treason; and it nr- reared probable that the sudden appeitrance of the troops at these points, and entering the villnges nearly at the same time, would afford an opportunity of taking Into etistody the leadere of the revolt.

"The Sorel detachment, under the superintendence of Colonel Gore, marched at ten Welock of the night, by a back-concession-road, to avoid the village of St. Ours, (welded 115 the rebels, Whiell increased the distance of the march.

" The incessant raia .auil almost impassable roads so impeded the progress of the

detachment. that lie did not reach St. Denis until hnlf past nine of the morning of the 231. The rebels 011 the approach of her Majests.'s troops, commenced a heavy fire on them from all the houses on the north. side of the village. Some or these were im- mediately taken by the light company of the Thirty-second Regiment, commanded by Captain Markham ; but the fire from the howitzer having; made little impression for several hours on a large stone building, strongly occupied, mail the whole of the com- panies of the detachment being much exhausted, from the very lung and difficult march of the previous night, Colonel Gore considered it necessary to return to Soreh,

" Colonel Wetherall, with four companies of the Royal Regiment and a detachment of the Sixty-sixth Regiment, and two six-pounders, passed the Richelieu by the upper ferry, at Chambly. The bad state of the roads, however, impeded his march, and pre. veuted hint proceeding further thau St. Hilaire ; at which place he halted till another company of the Royals joined him. He then advanced on St. Charles, attacked the rebels, carried an enclosed work defended by Ofteenlliundred men, and completely dispersed them.

" The advanced period of the season, ana the constant expectati m:of the navigation becoming impracticable, the passage of the river being interruptid, it became necessary to use the utmost exertion with a view of restoring order to the re% tilted district.

"The troops which have been called to act in the disturleal din liCtS, :Intl to put down this sudden and extensively combined result, have had to contend is ith great difficulties; the'r communications w ith head quarters having been completely interrupted by the armed peniantry assembled on the line of march.

" Many of the deluded inlmbitauts are retui Mug to their homes; and I trust that the affairs which have taken place may be Dia means of quickly restoring tranquillity to the country.

" I am much indebted to Lientennnt-Colonel Wetherall, for his active zeal rasa judicious conduct on many occasions in "which lie has been employed at this critical period.

1 forward the reports of Colonel Gore and Lientenant•Colonel Wetherell : which will afford the General Commanding in Chief full information of the proceedings of the detachments under their command, and returns of killed mid wounded. Captain Mark- ham, an intelligent and zealous officer, has received several severe wounds. I cannot elose my despatch without mentioning the exertions of Captain David an,1 the Mon- treal Volunteer Corps of Cavalry, who accompanied the troops on the service in which they have been engaged. " I have the honour to be, Sze.

" J. COLBORNE, 1.1eutenant-General."

" Major.General the Right Hon. Lord Fitzroy Somerset, &c. &c."

'Montreal, 25th November.

0 ilia—In obedience to your commands I left this garri,on with the flank companies

of the Twenty-fourth Regiment, under the command of Lienteuant-Colonel Hughes, the light company of the 'flirt y.second Regiment, contra:initial by Captain Markham, one howitzer twelve-poonder, under Lieutenant Netrcomen. Roy al Artillery, and a party of the Montreal Cavalry. under Cornet Sweeney. on board the St. George steamer, at three o'clock p. m. on the 152i1 instant, on route to Sorel ; where I disem- barked at six o'clock, and placed the me .1 in the Barrack terptare. I directed Captain Crompton to be prepared to march at ten o'clock ; when, according to my instructions, I proceeded on the road to St. Denis, on the river Richelieu, which I was directed to carry, and then move on rapidly to assist LieutenantiColonel Wetherell, of the Royal Regiment, in his attar]; on st. Charles. " The roads being deep, the march was severe, (although the distance was only eighteen miles,) it having rained violently all night, the mud and water reaching to the knees did not reach the small but rapid river which crones the road four miles and a half from St. Denis until sometime after daylight. In order to arrive at my destination with as little delay as possible, I took the back road, to avoid the village of Sr. Ours and pass the small river by a bridge higher up than the one by the main road, also for the purpose to take on an intelligent guitk, who had volanteereil to lead. " After passing the bridge. I observed an armed party leaving the lower one, who had been sent to oppose our crossing, and who flanked our line of march; bat I did not weste time in dispersing them, but moved on to my point, which was now fre-

miently impeded by the breaking up of the bridges. Several, however, were saved by Cornet Sweeney's detachw.ent of cavalry ; who took two armed peasants, but could gain no positive information as to the intention of the rebels. On approaching St. Denis, a strong body of armed men, moving along a wood, skirted my left Sauk. All the houses along the road were deserted ; ana on nearing St. Denis, I was attacked by skirmishers occupying the houses and bums on the road, and along the banks of the river Richelieit. These were rapidly driven in by Captain Markham, to the main entrance. I found the place was strongly occupied, and the entrance defended by a large fortified stone house, and a barricade crossing the mad, and &inked from a builds log and boor,, from which a severe fire Wai commenced. I immediately reinforced the advance with Captains Crompton, Maitland. and Harris's companies; and placing the howitzer in a position off the right of tit road, at a ranee ot three handled and fitly yards, directed Lieutenant Newcomen to fire round shot ire° it, and batter it down if possible. On examining the house. I foutril it too well secured and flanked; and the incessant hiring showed it to be well °tempted. The armed force of the rebels, from

hat I can ascertain, was fall fifteen hundred men, but report said nearer three thou-

sand. During these operations, the rebels were crossing the Richelieu in large batteaux, from St. Antoine ; but I coald Out spare shot from the fertifled house to obstruct their passage. Captain Markhani rot possessitm of a house immediately opposite to the foltified house, driving out the occupants at the point of the bayonet ; but was almost immediately wounded in three places. The day was now advancing: it was evident that the whole country was in arms ; and no important effect was made on the fortified house—sixty round shot expended, and only six left. The ground we occupied could hardly have been maintained during the night. It was neceesary to come to some decision, either to assault the house so well defeuded, and flanked by others hoop holed, or to fall back before the bridge in my rear could be broken down, The hezard of a failure under such circumstances, and the jaded condition of the men —frost havine succeeded the rain and snow, :mil their clot hes freezing on them—de. termined me to fall back ; and having collected the wounded MCA placed them in such carts as we hail, and the howitzer in the centre, I directed Lieutenant-Ccdottel Hughes to take the direetiou of the rear-guard, and fall hack. I was immediately followed by strong bodies of the rebels in rear and on my right flank. site were checked by the rear-guard ; and having observed that a strong force had been detached in the airec- lion of the upper bridge, by which Iliad passed in the morning, on arriving where the road branched off to the two bridges I turned to my left to the lower bridge, having ascertained that St. Ours was not fortified; suet nil myself of the rebels, who were skirting my right flank. On crossing the bridge. the artillery -horses gave up alto- gether. and two of them fell; the infantry went immediately to the gun. and evert exertion was made to get it on ; the officers' horses and those of the ammuuttioi. waggon were put to the gun, hut without effect ; the wheels. clogged with mud. were now frozen; and rafter seven hours of severe toil, during which Lteutenant•Cotonel Hughes never left the gun, the medical officer declared that half an hour more would freeze the men. The gun was spiked and abandoned. I then moved on to St. Oars; where I was in hopes of finding the steam-boat Varennes, ordered to meet us with provisions ; but she had been attacked by two hundred armed persons, and forced to cut her cable and return.

"I passed through the village, and !wilted at some them houses a mile on to refresh the men; and pion-Med in the morning. at daylight. to Sorel, where I arrived at eleven o'clock in the morning of the 2411t. Nly loss in killed and wounded. by the areompa- ny big retinue, is, one officer severely' wouuded. (Captain Markham.) and nineteen killed and wounded. end four missing. The loge of the rebels !mist have been one hundred; which has since been confirmed. I have not yet recebod it correct return of the two companies of the Sixty-sixth Regiment. but I do not think they lost more then. one or two. I enclose a ilet.tiled report from Lieutenant Neweenwn, on the ',woof the howitzer ; who desert's much praise for his conduct. " In this arduous much. and during the whole of the operation, the officers and saes ,fivlayed the higheM eoorige and steadiness, although esposeti to extreme suffering.

" I was much indebted to Lieittenant-Colonel II ughes, of the Twenty.fierith Regi-

ment, for the advice anti assistance I receired trom hinaand his PSOni011t Lc) extrieate the gun; tint alto to Lieutenant Lyems, or tho Royal Regiment, attached to the gitarterniasterGeneral's department. for his zealetis OUtl actite conduct. In Captain Marklittni. of the Thirty itervent Regiment. tt ho led the athance w it It great jaagment, nod was severely wounded. the omen... will be deprived for sometime of a MOO valoable vtlicer. :Surgeon EITI1.1011, of the Roy it Regiment, :ina Assist ani•Sargeon M't; tiger,

.1 the Thirty-eerowl Regiment, rendered every assistatice in their power, and made the beat arrangements for the wounded. "1 have the Itonorir to be Sc.

CHARLES GORR, C01.01101:.

" LieutenanbGeneral Sir John Colborne, K CS. aud G.C.11, Sc. Sc. Sc," Rdurnof Killed, Wounded, and Missing.

Mil, 41-24th Regiment—I sergeant, 2 rank and file. 3,2i Regiment-2 rank and Ilk. 66th Regiment-1 rank and tile. Wounded-24th Regiment —1 rank and file, severely ; 2 rank and file slightly. 32d Regiment—Captain Markham, severely, but rot dangerously ; 3 rank and file, severely .; 2 rank and tile. slightly. Missing-24th R Agin. ut —1 rank mid file. 32d Regiment-4 rank aud tile (1 wounded.)

Total.—Killed-1 sergeant, 5 rank and file. Wounded-1 captain, 9 rank and file. Missing—fl raid.; and file.

(cvnescr.) .0 St. Charles, 27th November 1337.

" St it —I had the honour, yesterday, to report the successful reollt of ray attack on the stoekaded post of the rebels at this place. " In my letter of the 25th November, 1 staled the circumstances avhich induced rne to suspend my march towards St. Charles. and to order a company from Cliambly to my support ; and I then said that I should wait at Saint Hilaire fur Iris Excellency's further orders. This despatch was sent by Dr. Jonee, of the Montreal Cavalry ; and loped for his Excellency's answer during the following night. Not having received it at nine yesterday. morning. I concluded that my messenger had been interrupted ; and having learned that the baein, at Charnbly, was frozen over, and every probability of a retreat being cut off should such an event occur, I resolved on the attack.

" march HAS accomplished without opposition or Madre:ice, except from the breahingdown of the Inidgen, Sc. Sc.; until I arrived one mile from this place, when the troops is ere fired at from the left or opposite bank of the Richelieu, and a man of the Royal :'.•.,iment wounded; several rifle shots were also fired from a barn immeeli. ately in 5,. root, I burnt tire barn.

" Cr. nn.nniig at two leirelreel and fifty yards from the rebel works, I took up a posi- tion,: epiiig that a display of my force would induce defect iou among these infatuated people they, bee ever, opened a heavy tire; which was returned. I then ads anced to another p,:iiee sea, hundred yards trout the works; but finding the defenders obsti. Late, I sto..re..1 and carried them, burning every building within the stockade, except that of the Honourable Mr. Debartsch, which, however, is much injured. 'lire affair accepied about one hour. 'f he slaughter on the side of the rebels was great : only sixteen prisoners w ere then ramie. I have counted fifty.sis bodies, aud many more ame killed in the huildiegs, and their bodies burnt,

"I shall occupy this village until the receipt of his Excellency's orders. 'My killed and wounded are as follow :—The Royal Regiment-1 sergeant, 1 rank

i ainea ; 8 rank and tile severely wounded ; 7 rank and file slightly wounded. Regiment-1 rank and tile killed; 2 rank and file severely wounded; 1 rank and tile slightly wounded. Total-1 sergeant, 2 rank and file, killed; 10 rank and file severely w untitled; 8 rank and file slightly wounded.

" Every nun oust officer behaved nobly yesterday. Major Warde carried the right of the position in grexl style ; and Captain Glasgow's artillery did good execution—Ire is a roust zealous officer. Captain David's troop;of Montreal Cavalry rendered essem

ral service during the charge ; and I regret that more are not nttriched to any force. ..Nly horse W413 shot under me; and the chargers of Major Warde and Captain David severely wounded, since dead. "1 am Sc.

Commanding 2d bat. Royal Regiment." " The Deputy Adjutaut•General Sc. 8cc. Montreal."

(copy.) Chembly, 29t1s November 1937.

"Sta,--I have tire honour to report my return to Charnbly this evening, with the 1;0,p5 tinder toy command.

" Having received authentie information at St. Charles, on 'Sunday] night, that a emosideratde body of the rebels hail assembled near Point Oliviere, under Sauiere, for the perpoee of cutting off my retreat from St. Charles, I resolved upon attacking them in pretbrence to marching on St. Deuis. My march was so delayed by the difficulty of procuriug c nveyanee for the wounded men, that it was too late to proceed when I arrived at St. II ilaire.

"Tins morning I continued my march, leaving the sick and wounded at Saint II ihare, in the house of Colonel Rouville, and a guard of one sergeant and fifteen men, in charge of Dr. Sewell, of the Montreal Cavalry ; where I propose. that they shall remain until the ice on the ricer is ill admit of their being transported in

About a mile from St. Oliviere, the rebels were discovered in a position w ell adapted to cheek my progress ; they had protected themselves with an abattis, anal two contemptible guns mounted on carts. They fled as soon as I formed to attack, relin- quielaing their guns, u Lich are in my possession. A few shots were exchanged, by which two men of tile rebels were killed. I burnt a house from which they tired on their retreat. With the exception of a few straggling shot from the opposite side of the Richelieu, I reached this station without further opposition. eee. " I have brought in twenty.five prisoners, and propose marching with them to More twat, ria St. John's and the Railway, the dny after to-morrow, should I not receive counter orders.

"The party assembled at St. Denis:have broken up since the affair at St. Charles.

Lieutenant‘Colonel the P oval Regimi ut,," "The Deputy Atljudaut-Geeeral, Montreal."