ACTION AT CHRYSTLER’S FARM. 11th. November, 1813.

Major-General James Wilkinson, who had been instructed to co-operate with Major-General Hampton in the invasion of Lower Canada, and for the avowed purpose of taking up his winter quarters in Montreal, quitted Grenadier Island, on Lake Ontario, on the 30th October, 1813, with ten thousand men, in small craft and batteaux, and proceeded down the St. Lawrence. Having, on the 31st., halted a few miles below Gravelly Point, on the south side of the river, his position was on the following day reconnoitred, and subsequently cannonaded by a division of gunboats, under the command of Captain Mulcaster, of the Royal Navy. By keeping close to his own shore, the enemy arrived, on the 6th. of November, within six miles of the port of Prescott, which he endeavoured to pass unobserved during the night of the 7th.; but the attempt was frustrated by the vigilance of Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson, who commanded there, and the American Armada was compelled to sustain a heavy and destructive cannonade during the whole of that operation.

Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, having anticipated the possibility of the American government sending its whole concentrated force from Lake Ontario towards this territory, had ordered a corps of observation, consisting of the remains of the 49th. regiment, the second battalion of the 89th., and three companies of the Voltigeurs, with a division of gunboats, the whole under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Morrison, of the 89th., to follow the movements of Major-General Wilkinson’s army.

An attack was made at Chrystler’s Farm, on the 11th. of November, 1813, upon the corps of observation, by a portion of the American force, under Brigadier-General Boyd, amounting to nearly four thousand men, which resulted in the 170complete repulse and defeat of the enemy, with considerable loss, upwards of one hundred prisoners, with a field-piece, being captured; their total loss was estimated at eight hundred men. This action commenced about two o’clock in the afternoon, when the Americans, having moved forward from Chrystler’s point, attacked the advance, which gradually fell back to the position selected for the detachment to occupy, the right resting on the river, and the left on a pine wood, exhibiting a front of about seven hundred yards.

In consequence of the ground being open, the troops were thus disposed: the flank companies of the 49th. regiment, the detachment of the Canadian Fencibles, with one field-piece, under Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson on the right, a little advanced on the road; three companies of the 89th. regiment under Captain Barnes, with a gun formed in echellon, with the advance on its left supporting it. The 49th. and 89th. thrown more to the rear, with a gun, formed the main body and reserve, extending to the woods on the left, which were occupied by the Voltigeurs under Major Herriot, and the Indians under Lieutenant Anderson. At about half-past two the action became general, when the enemy endeavoured, by moving forward a brigade from his right, to turn the British left, but was repulsed by the 89th. forming en potence with the 49th., and both corps moving forward, occasionally firing by platoons. His efforts were next directed against the right, and to repulse this movement, the 49th. took ground in that direction, in echellon, followed by the 89th.; when within half-musket-shot the line was formed under a heavy, but irregular fire from the Americans.

Orders were next given for the 49th. to charge the gun posted opposite, but it became necessary when within a short distance of it, to check this forward movement, in consequence of a charge from the American cavalry on the right, lest they should fall upon their rear; but they were received in so gallant a manner by the companies of the 89th., under Captain Barnes, and the well-directed fire from the artillery, that they quickly retreated, and by an immediate charge from three companies, one gun was captured.

About half-past four the Americans gave way at all points from an exceedingly strong position, endeavouring to cover the retreat by their light infantry, which were soon driven away by Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson. The detachment for the night occupied the ground from which the foe had been driven, and afterwards moved forward in pursuit.

This action was also rewarded by the usual medal, and consequently a bar, inscribed “Chrystler’s Farm,” was authorized when the war medal was granted. The force engaged consisted of the Royal Artillery, 49th., the second battalion of the 89th. regiment; Canadian Fencibles, Canadian Voltigeurs, and Militia Artillery and Dragoons, and Indians.

No distinction has been granted for the colours, on account of either Chateauguay or Chrystler’s Farm.

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