Battle for Canada - A Dutiful Fight, The Battle of Chateauguay October 26, 1813

The US mounted a double-pronged offensive from New York to take Canadian capital city of Montreal in the fall of 1813 planned by US Secretary of War, John Armstrong, JR. However, the two US forces were commanded by Generals James Wilkenson, who had a particularly dubious and corrupt history, and Major General Wade Hampton, who loathed and despised Wilkenson. With little to no cooperation between the US forces, their British and Canadian opponents were able to deal with each US force separately.

The combined Canadian and First Nation force skirmished repeatedly with the Americans as soon as they crossed the ST. Lawrence River, frustrating Hampton's hopes that he could beat his rival to Montreal. The weather and sparsely settled region meant that the few trails were muddy and mired the American supply wagons and artillery caissons. Along the Chateauguay River Hampton learned that the enemy had built a substantial defensive position along the main route to Montreal, and he divided his force in two. One would pin the Canadians and First Nation warriors in place, while the other crossed the river to flank the enemy and capture fords that were to the rear of their defensive works.