History seems to have forgotten General Wavey's 1813 expedition up the Pettyblue River (aka la Petite Riviere Bleu). Some of those who took part later claimed that General Hampton's advance up the Chateauguay River which was stopped by de Salaberry was originally meant as a a diversion to reduce the opposition offered to Wavey but this is largely dismissed as the ramblings of bitter old soldiers. Be that as it may, it was a damp, cold day when the American column came in sight of an earthwork and abatis blocking the way forward. After a brief discussion with General St. John, his 2ic, General Wavey ordered Col. Grey to ford the river with a small party and push on to try and turn the enemy position. In the meantime, he ordered his riflemen forward and ordered his infantry to deploy into line and assault the enemy position.
The Canadian force blocking the road was under the command of Colonel deSolla of the Fencibles. His main force of Fencibles and a field gun manned a redoubt covering the second ford. A detachment of militia and light infantry manned an outpost in the woods near the far side of the first ford and the main fortification was manned by Voltigeurs, Fencible light infantry, local militia and Abenaki Indians.
In all, the American force was composed of 2 companies of Riflemen, one of light infantry, 12 half-battalions (wings) of infantry, a field gun and a troop of New York Dragoons. The road approaching the redoubt ran through a narrow gap between the river and the swampy woods making it difficult for the American force to deploy. In the end, General Wavey contented himself with sending his men forward in waves while he tried to feed some around the flank.
The first attack was made fairly hesitantly and the fire from the redoubt was heavy and accurate. The attacking Americans stopped to trade fire but it was hopeless. The officers were able to get some of them to attempt to storm the redoubt but in the end they broke and fled to the rear. The 2nd wave was close behind and moving towards the flank and in a rush they drove the defenders out, routing the militia.
The American supports were too far behind the second line though and a bold Canadian counter attack quickly drove them back out.
Both sides suffered heavily during the fighting though and the third wave finally took the redoubt, wounding Colonel de Solla in the fight, and were able to push on towards the final objective.
Across the river, General Grey's detachment had come under heavy fire as they entered the woods. Some units stopped to shoot back while others tried to charge but the enemy was stubborn. The firefight continued until late in the day before the defenders began to pull back. Grey's men followed up cautiously.
The sun was getting low as the Americans prepared for a final push up the open road. At last they moved forward but the Canadians had received an unexpected reinforcement of local militia and these deployed into the woods just in time to slow the American advance. There were not enough of them to stop the advance though and the Fencibles manning the final redoubt blocking the road to St. Jean braced themselves for an assault by twice their numbers.
It never came. With the sun just touching the tops of the trees and the road to the rear clogged with wounded or straggling men, General Wavey ordered a retreat. They'd have to try again somewhere else on some other day.
Next post: Behind the scenes and 'historical' analysis of the "battle" and rules of war, and a bit about the miniatures.
