Although the revolt of 1837 had been put down, another attempt to wrest the colony from the control of the Supreme Government was known to be in agitation; and, as the line of the Richelieu was the most disaffected, several parties of the military forces were employed in searching for arms, and apprehending suspected persons. About mid-day of the 8th November, an unexpected order was received to move the chief part of the regiment to St. John's, (where a detachment of 100 men had been stationed for some time,) and although the weather was most inclement, the regiment reached its destination shortly after dark.

His Excellency Lieut.-General Sir John Colborne, now Lord Seaton, Commander of the Forces and Governor-in-Chief, was there in person, with the whole of his staff. The seventy-third regiment had also been brought from Montreal.

A large body of insurgents having taken possession of a village near the frontier, their sympathizing friends in the United States endeavoured to open a communication with them and join them; that, being united, they might act with more effect against the isolated positions occupied by the troops: in this object they were, however, frustrated by the timely approach of the Commander of the Forces in person.

As the troops advanced, the country was deserted by the misguided inhabitants, who did not anticipate the immediate consequences of their disaffection, and on arriving near the village of Napierville, where the rebels were said to be in force, it was discovered that they had dispersed; nor could they afterwards be brought to face the troops in any single instance. A small party, however, of volunteers, signalized themselves by attacking a superior force of the disaffected, who in their turn became the aggressors, but they were repulsed, and dispersed with great loss.

The troops were cantoned for a few days in the immediate neighbourhood of Napierville, during which the misguided habitans sheltered themselves in the woods, submitting their property to the pillage of the soldiery, who were living at free quarters during the time.

An irruption being threatened by the sympathizers, at a place called Hemingford, a short distance from the frontier, but on the opposite side of the Richelieu, the Commander of the Forces moved there, accompanied by a division of the Fifteenth and seventy-third regiments, some artillery, and two troops of the first (or King's) dragoon guards.

The loyal portion of the inhabitants were speedily formed, and prepared to assist the troops in acting as circumstances might require. But the activity of the Commander of the Forces checked the ardour of the marauders, who never fairly made their appearance.

During the remainder of the month of November, the regiment was employed in searching for arms, throughout the counties bordering on the Richelieu, and succeeded in securing large quantities of them, after which service the corps returned to Chambly.

1839

The head-quarters were again moved in December to St. John's, and from thence to the Isle aux Noix, sending two companies to take post at Napierville, thus occupying the frontier line. But one occasion offered for proving the alacrity and discipline of the regiment. An order was received about eleven o'clock, A.M., on the 5th January, to move two hundred and fifty to Henryville, a small hamlet to the east of the Richelieu, with all possible despatch; and the division, in complete marching order, arrived at its destination before sunset; although the distance was only seven miles, the march had to be performed through uncleared woods, and over roads in many places breast-deep in snow, where the men were obliged to file in single rank. The sixty-sixth regiment, and some companies of the grenadier guards, together with a half battery of artillery, were already concentrated there, under the command of Major-General Sir James Macdonnell. The promptness of this forward movement, however, deterred the marauders from effecting their nefarious designs; and the troops shortly returned to their several stations.