As our scouts had
reported, the Americans have indeed begun another assault of the Lake
Champlain region, no doubt attempting yet again, to take Montreal.
We engaged them
just outside Odelltown on the morning of the first of April, and I must admit
were fortunate to remain relatively unscathed, as the Americans
far outnumbered us. Four regiments of
Regulars, field guns, a cavalry platoon, and militia advanced upon our
position, which consisted merely of three regiments of infantry, a platoon of my proud Voltigeurs, and
a handful of militia and Native warriors.
It was
disconcerting to see that Wilkinson has managed to convince or coerce the
American militia to cross the border, and I wonder if more are on their way to
bolster his numbers?
The battle lasted
most of the day, however little was done on both sides, except perhaps for the
constant bombardment of the American field guns, which did effectively isolate
my force on the right from Captain Brugière's on the left, with Odelltown
exposed right in the middle.
I am still at a
loss in knowing why the Americans advanced so slowly towards us. Was it perhaps that they overestimated our
numbers? Did they feel reluctant to
engage our Native allies, who were hidden in the woods? All I know, is that their hesitant manner benefited
us greatly, and by the time the battle was to begin in earnest, night began to
fall, with the Americans falling back to their camp, which I have been informed
by the Indian scouts, lies only a mile to the south, just past Charbonneu's
farm.
I have sent note
to the garrison at Lacolle Mills to muster up any militia they can, and along
with an artillery battery and a platoon of Dragoons stationed there, to meet up
with us post haste, so we can take the fight to the Americans, as I fear they
may be waiting for reinforcements, before continuing their offensive.
Already the
Indian scouts spotted another regiment of Regulars at their camp. Were they already there as a reserve force,
or are they the first of many, now crossing the border?
With increased
numbers and God on our side, may we repel these invaders back to their land!
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