Châteauguay Literary and Historical Society AN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF CHÂTEAUGUAY BEING A LECTURE DELIVERED AT ORMSTOWN, MARCH 8TH, 1889 BY W.D. LIGHTHALL, M.A., _Honorary Member of the Châteauguay Literary and Historical Society, Secretary of the Antiquarian Society of Montreal, Life Corresponding Member of the Scottish Society of Literature and Art, Author of "The Young Seigneur," "Songs of the Great Dominion," etc._ WITH SOME LOCAL AND PERSONAL NOTES BY W. PATTERSON, M.A., _Corresponding Secretary of the C.L.H.S._ "Raise high the Monumental Stone." --_Charles Sangster_ MONTREAL W. DRYSDALE & CO., PUBLISHERS, 232 ST. JAMES STREET. 1889. [Illustration: LT.-COL CHARLES DE SALABERRY.] LIST OF OFFICERS FOR 1888-89. President. Lt.-Col. Archibald McEachern, C.M.G, Vice-Presidents. J.E. Robidoux, Q.C., M.P.P. Edward Holton, Esq., M.P. Thomas Baird, Esq. Recording Secretary. Peter McLaren, B A., M.D. Corresponding Secretary. Wm. Patterson, M.A. Treasurer. Wm. McDougall, Esq. Councillors. Dr. McCormick. Wm. J. Bryson, Esq. Dugald Thomson. Esq. Dr. Hall. Rev. D.W. Morison, B.A. * * * * * LIST OF HONORARY MEMBERS Edward Holton, M.P. J.E. Robidoux, Q.C., M.P.P. Dr. W. Geo. Beers. James McGregor, Esq. Watson Griffin, Esq. J.R. Dougall, M.A. W.D. Lighthall, M.A., B.C.L. PREFACE. On October 26th, 1888, the Châteauguay Literary and Historical Society was organized at Ormstown, Quebec, to foster Canadian patriotism by encouraging the study of Canadian history and Canadian literature. The Society began its labours at home, taking as its subject the battle whence it derives its name. Mr. W.D. Lighthall, M.A., B.C.L., an honorary member, was asked to prepare an account of that victory, and kindly responded by his lecture, which he delivered before the Society on March 8th, 1889. Pleasure is now felt in offering this lecture, in the interests of the Society, to the Canadian world, no apology being required at a time when patriotic literature is in great demand. Mr. Lighthall's researches have been discussed by the members, and the belief is prevalent that his work touching this important item of history, in so far as accuracy is concerned, stands unrivalled, the previous authorities having been carefully compared and their testimony put together. In the Appendix will be found a number of notes having a bearing on the battle and its times. The portrait frontispiece is from a line engraving kindly lent by Gerald E. Hart, Esq., President of the Society for Historical Studies. The drawing of the map, after the design of the author, is due to J.A.U. Beaudry, Esq., C.E., Curator of the Antiquarian Society of Montreal.