Charles de Salaberry
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel Charles-Michel d'Irumberry de Salaberry (November 19, 1778 - February 27, 1829) was a French-Canadian of the seigneurial class who served as an officer of the British army in Lower Canada
(now Quebec
) and won distinction for repelling the American advance on Montreal
during the War of 1812
.
in 1763, the family continued its military traditions in British service. Charles-Michel's father, Ignace de Salaberry, was Seigneur
de Chambly et de Beaulac, and was also a British officer who had fought in the defence of Quebec during the American Revolutionary war and had served as a member died legislative council of Lower Canada
for 30 years.
At the age of 14, Charles-Michel followed his father's footsteps into the 44th Regiment of the British army. He saw action with the 60th regiment in the West Indies, where he was cited for bravery, and in the Netherlands
. He earned his commission as Captain-Lieutenant in 1799 and was given a company command in 1803, continuing to serve in Europe and the West Indies.
In 1810, de Salaberry was recalled to Canada
with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He served as aide-de-camp to Major General Francis de Rottenburg
, but in 1812 he was appointed to command a new corps of volunteers, the Canadian Voltigeurs
(light infantry) and became a chief of staff for the militia. Les Voltigeurs were essentially militia men, but de Salaberry trained them as regulars similar to the Fencible units raised in Upper Canada. He even paid for some of their equipment out of his own pocket. The reason for this exceptional group, was his respect for French Canadians, who in general did not want to fight among British soldiers (the same people they fought only 52 years ago). The instructions were still in the English language, but soldiers used French
. De Salaberry's military heritage was reflected in his strict code of discipline and honour. The professionalism and high expectations he held for his fellow Canadiens, was repaid by the respect and loyalty of his troops.
, de Salaberry commanded the advance guard of the force that turned away Henry Dearborn
's northern attack at La Colle Mill. Later, some of his Voltigeurs took part in the decisive Battle of Crysler's Farm
, described by some as the battle that "saved Canada."
De Salaberry's greatest claim to fame came at Chateauguay
in October 1813, when he intercepted and turned the American troops advancing on Montreal under Gen. Hampton. With regular reports from loyal farmers along the border, de Salaberry knew all of Hampton's movements and troop numbers as the Americans approached the Chateauguay River
south-west of Montreal. He ordered the felling of trees to build tangled breastworks of "abatis" in the ravines where the Chateauguay met the English River, then dispersed his troops through the woods. Facing Hampton's force of 4000 troops and 10 cannon, de Salaberry led an advance guard of 250 Voltigeurs plus 50 allied warriors of the Kaunawakee Mohawk nation
. The rest of de Salaberry's corps, 1500 men, remained in reserve.
On October 26, when Hampton encountered the barricades, he sent 1500 of his troops to surround the Canadiens. De Salaberry used the twilight and difficult terrain to confuse the enemy, ordering bugles to be blown from several locations and convincing Hampton that a much larger force was lurking in the darkness. Les Voltigeurs
then launched a withering fire down into the ravine, inflicting numerous casualties. Unable to outflank de Salaberry, Hampton elected to withdraw back to the American border.
The encounter won fame and honours for de Salaberry, but had he not succeeded, his personal fortunes may have been quite different. He was so convinced that victory would be his that he neglected to report the Americans' advance to his senior officers. Failure would likely have meant court-martial for him and, possibly, the fall of Montreal. The gambit worked, however; Britain struck a gold medal to commemorate the Battle of Chateauguay
and de Salaberry became a legendary figure in Quebec history.
Following the victory at the Chateauguay, de Salaberry was appointed Inspecting Field Officer of Light Troops in Canada.
After the war of 1812,Charles de Salaberry became a folk hero in French Canada. He served as justice of the peace for various district courts, and in 1818 became a legislative councillor for Lower Canada
. After his father's death, he became Seigneur of St. Mathias.
In 1817, he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath
.
Charles de Salaberry died in Chambly, Quebec
on February 26, 1829.
by Louis-Philippe Hébert
and unveiled in October 26, 1881 by Dr. M.D.S. Martel and Mr. J.O. Dion, is an expression of gratitude towards Charles de Salaberry.
, and Melchior-Alphonse de Salaberry
also served in the army. The last two families to bear his name now live in Coquitlam, British Columbia
, and in Ontario
. The city Salaberry-de-Valleyfield carries his name remembering what he did in the War of 1812
Lower Canada
The Province of Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
(now Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
) and won distinction for repelling the American advance on Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.
Early years
Born at the manor house of Beauport (east of Quebec City) in Lower Canada on November 19, 1778, Charles-Michel d'Irumberry de Salaberry was one of four sons in a family with a long tradition of military service. Generations of the family had served as officers of the royal army in France and then in the New World. When the English acquired New FranceNew France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
in 1763, the family continued its military traditions in British service. Charles-Michel's father, Ignace de Salaberry, was Seigneur
Seigneur
Seigneur may refer to:* The possessor of a seigneurie in medieval feudal or manorial systems.* The Seigneurial system of New France* The hereditary feudal ruler of the island of Sark, see also List of Seigneurs of Sark...
de Chambly et de Beaulac, and was also a British officer who had fought in the defence of Quebec during the American Revolutionary war and had served as a member died legislative council of Lower Canada
Lower Canada
The Province of Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
for 30 years.
At the age of 14, Charles-Michel followed his father's footsteps into the 44th Regiment of the British army. He saw action with the 60th regiment in the West Indies, where he was cited for bravery, and in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. He earned his commission as Captain-Lieutenant in 1799 and was given a company command in 1803, continuing to serve in Europe and the West Indies.
In 1810, de Salaberry was recalled to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He served as aide-de-camp to Major General Francis de Rottenburg
Francis de Rottenburg
Major-General Francis de Rottenburg, baron de Rottenburg was raised in what is now Gdańsk in Poland to a Swiss family and became a British military officer and colonial administrator. He spent almost a decade in the French army which came to an end with the French Revolution...
, but in 1812 he was appointed to command a new corps of volunteers, the Canadian Voltigeurs
Canadian Voltigeurs
The Canadian Voltigeurs were a light infantry unit, raised in Lower Canada in 1812, that fought in the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States.-Formation:...
(light infantry) and became a chief of staff for the militia. Les Voltigeurs were essentially militia men, but de Salaberry trained them as regulars similar to the Fencible units raised in Upper Canada. He even paid for some of their equipment out of his own pocket. The reason for this exceptional group, was his respect for French Canadians, who in general did not want to fight among British soldiers (the same people they fought only 52 years ago). The instructions were still in the English language, but soldiers used French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
. De Salaberry's military heritage was reflected in his strict code of discipline and honour. The professionalism and high expectations he held for his fellow Canadiens, was repaid by the respect and loyalty of his troops.
The War of 1812
In November 1812, during the War of 1812War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, de Salaberry commanded the advance guard of the force that turned away Henry Dearborn
Henry Dearborn
Henry Dearborn was an American physician, a statesman and a veteran of both the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Born to Simon Dearborn and Sarah Marston in North Hampton, New Hampshire, he spent much of his youth in Epping, where he attended public schools...
's northern attack at La Colle Mill. Later, some of his Voltigeurs took part in the decisive Battle of Crysler's Farm
Battle of Crysler's Farm
The Battle of Crysler's Farm, also known as the Battle of Crysler's Field, was fought on 11 November 1813, during the Anglo-American War of 1812. A British and Canadian force won a victory over an American force which greatly outnumbered them...
, described by some as the battle that "saved Canada."
De Salaberry's greatest claim to fame came at Chateauguay
Battle of Chateauguay
The Battle of the Chateauguay was a battle of the War of 1812. On 26 October 1813, a force consisting of about 1,630 French Canadian regulars and militia and Mohawk warriors under Charles de Salaberry repulsed an American force of about 4,000 attempting to invade Canada.The Chateauguay was one of...
in October 1813, when he intercepted and turned the American troops advancing on Montreal under Gen. Hampton. With regular reports from loyal farmers along the border, de Salaberry knew all of Hampton's movements and troop numbers as the Americans approached the Chateauguay River
Chateauguay River
The Chateauguay River has its source in northern New York State in the United States. It winds its way through several towns and villages in Quebec, Canada, such as Huntingdon, Dewittville, Ormstown and Châteauguay before emptying into the Saint Lawrence River near Montreal.The river is home to...
south-west of Montreal. He ordered the felling of trees to build tangled breastworks of "abatis" in the ravines where the Chateauguay met the English River, then dispersed his troops through the woods. Facing Hampton's force of 4000 troops and 10 cannon, de Salaberry led an advance guard of 250 Voltigeurs plus 50 allied warriors of the Kaunawakee Mohawk nation
Mohawk nation
Mohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
. The rest of de Salaberry's corps, 1500 men, remained in reserve.
On October 26, when Hampton encountered the barricades, he sent 1500 of his troops to surround the Canadiens. De Salaberry used the twilight and difficult terrain to confuse the enemy, ordering bugles to be blown from several locations and convincing Hampton that a much larger force was lurking in the darkness. Les Voltigeurs
Canadian Voltigeurs
The Canadian Voltigeurs were a light infantry unit, raised in Lower Canada in 1812, that fought in the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States.-Formation:...
then launched a withering fire down into the ravine, inflicting numerous casualties. Unable to outflank de Salaberry, Hampton elected to withdraw back to the American border.
The encounter won fame and honours for de Salaberry, but had he not succeeded, his personal fortunes may have been quite different. He was so convinced that victory would be his that he neglected to report the Americans' advance to his senior officers. Failure would likely have meant court-martial for him and, possibly, the fall of Montreal. The gambit worked, however; Britain struck a gold medal to commemorate the Battle of Chateauguay
Battle of Chateauguay
The Battle of the Chateauguay was a battle of the War of 1812. On 26 October 1813, a force consisting of about 1,630 French Canadian regulars and militia and Mohawk warriors under Charles de Salaberry repulsed an American force of about 4,000 attempting to invade Canada.The Chateauguay was one of...
and de Salaberry became a legendary figure in Quebec history.
Following the victory at the Chateauguay, de Salaberry was appointed Inspecting Field Officer of Light Troops in Canada.
Later years
Legislative Council of Lower Canada
The Legislative Council of Lower Canada was the upper house of the bicameral structure of provincial government in Lower Canada until 1838. The upper house consisted of appointed councillors who voted on bills passed up by the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada. The legislative council was...
. After his father's death, he became Seigneur of St. Mathias.
In 1817, he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
.
Charles de Salaberry died in Chambly, Quebec
Chambly, Quebec
Chambly is a city in southwestern Quebec, Canada, about to the south east of Montreal.- Geography :It sits on the Richelieu River in the Regional County Municipality of La-Vallée-du-Richelieu, at .-History:...
on February 26, 1829.
Legacy
A bronze memorial at the corner of Bourgogne street and Salaberry street in Chambly, QuebecChambly, Quebec
Chambly is a city in southwestern Quebec, Canada, about to the south east of Montreal.- Geography :It sits on the Richelieu River in the Regional County Municipality of La-Vallée-du-Richelieu, at .-History:...
by Louis-Philippe Hébert
Louis-Philippe Hébert
Louis-Philippe Hébert was the son of Théophile Hébert, a farmer, and Julie Bourgeois of Ste-Sophie de Mégantic, Quebec. Louis-Philippe Hébert was a sculptor who sculpted forty monuments, busts, medals and statues in wood, bronze and terra-cotta. He taught at the Conseil des arts et manufactures in...
and unveiled in October 26, 1881 by Dr. M.D.S. Martel and Mr. J.O. Dion, is an expression of gratitude towards Charles de Salaberry.
His descendants
Today, Charles de Salaberry has a large number of descendants spread across Canada. Two of his sons, Charles-René-Léonidas d'Irumberry de SalaberryCharles-René-Léonidas d'Irumberry de Salaberry
Charles-René-Léonidas d'Irumberry de Salaberry was a French-Canadian militia officer, founding commanding officer of Les Voltigeurs de Québec, and civil servant noted for his role in negotiating on the behalf of the Government of Canada during the Red River Rebellion of 1869–1870...
, and Melchior-Alphonse de Salaberry
Melchior-Alphonse de Salaberry
Colonel the Honourable Melchior-Alphonse de Salaberry or Melchior-Alphonse d'Irumberry de Salaberry was a Quebec lawyer and political figure....
also served in the army. The last two families to bear his name now live in Coquitlam, British Columbia
Coquitlam, British Columbia
Coquitlam is a city in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Coquitlam is mainly a suburban city, and is one of the 21 municipalities comprising Metro Vancouver. According to the 2007 Canadian Census, it is the 5th-largest city in British Columbia...
, and in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The city Salaberry-de-Valleyfield carries his name remembering what he did in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...