Chateauguay.—This battle, fought on October 26th, 1813, occurred during the military campaign in America. Having achieved a series of successes, the Americans concentrated about 18,000 regulars and 10,000 militia at Sackett's Harbour. Sir George Prevost, thinking it expedient, quitted Kingston and proceeded to the capital, whilst Sir R. Skeaffe assembled as many troops as he possibly could, 8,000 militia readily responding to the call. Major-General Hampton, commanding the eastern division of the United States army, crossed the Canadian border with 8,000 men on October 21st, having arranged to co-operate with General Wilkinson, who was in command of about 10,000 men, but through some misunderstanding the two forces were unable to combine, and on October 26th General Hampton found himself faced by a body of 800 men, under Lieutenant-Colonel De Salaberry, who disposed his little army so admirably that he not only caused the enemy a severe loss, but compelled Hampton to fall back to Plattsburgh, from which he "had not the resolution again to return to the frontier."
Those engaged in this affair were the Canadian Fencible Light Infantry, Canadian Militia, two companies of Voltigeurs, some Indians, and Royal Artillery.
The Peninsular Gold Cross.—The long-drawn character of the Peninsular War, and the frequent general engagements which called for recognition, occasioned the recipients of the gold medals inconvenience in wearing them; in consequence the names of battles were sometimes engraved on the medals as suggested in Wellington's dispatch of October 1st, 1811, dated from Richoso. Subsequently an order was issued from the Horse Guards, on October 7th, 1813, to the effect that amended regulations would be adopted in the grant and circulation of marks of distinction, i.e. medals. The regulations set forth that (1st) only one medal should be borne by each officer, (2nd) that for the second and third events a gold clasp attached to a ribbon, from which the medal is suspended, inscribed with the name of the battle or siege to which it relates. These bars, which were unconnected, were 2 in. long by ⅗ in. broad, with laureated edges, the names of the battles being soldered on. They were pierced and lapped bright. (3rd) That upon a claim being admitted to a fourth mark of distinction, a cross shall be borne by each officer with the names of the four battles or sieges respectively inscribed thereupon, and to be worn in substitution of the distinctions previously granted. (4th) That upon each occasion of a similar nature, that may occur subsequent to the grant of the cross, the clasp shall again be issued to those who have a claim to the distinction. The following officers were eligible for the distinction: General Officers, Commanding Officers of Brigades, Commanding Officers of Artillery and Engineers, Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General, also Assistant Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General ranking with Field Officers; Military Secretary having the rank of Field Officer, Commanding Officers of Battalions or Corps equivalent thereto, and Officers who may have succeeded to the actual command during an engagement, owing to the death or removal of the original Commanding Officer.
(Obverse) WATERLOO MEDAL.
ARMY OF INDIA MEDAL.
(Reverse.) WATERLOO MEDAL.