Battle of Saint-Denis (1837)

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Battle of Saint-Denis

"Les Fils de la Liberté" hurl back British regulars at the Battle of Saint-Denis. Contemporary watercolour.

Date	November 23, 1837
Location	Saint-Denis, Quebec
Result	Patriote victory

Belligerents

Commanders

Strength

300-400 regulars and militia
1 howitzer

800 militia

Casualties and losses

6 dead
10 wounded
6 missing

12 dead
7 wounded

Patriotes Rebellion

Saint-Denis – Saint-Charles – Saint-Eustache – Baker's Farm – Lacolle – Odelltown - Beauharnois

On November 23, 1837, government forces under the command of Colonel Charles Gore marched his three hundred redcoats into the Richelieu Valley. They expected to make quick work of the rebels. Opposing the British was a Patriote force of 800 being led by Dr. Wolfred Nelson.

In the early hours of the morning, Gore arrived three kilometers outside of the village of St. Denis with his troops. They had been marching all night through mud, cold, and freezing rain. They were caught off guard when a group of Patriotes ran out of a house and opened fire on them from behind a barricade that was blocking the road. The British charged the barricade and the French withdrew behind the safety of a stone wall. The two sides continued to exchange fire for several hours.

By mid-afternoon, the defenders of St. Denis received reinforcements from the surrounding villages. The English were tired, they had not expected such resistance, and they were nearly out of ammunition. Gore ordered his force to retreat. The battle had left 6 British and 12 Patriotes dead.

The Patriotes celebrated their victory without their beloved leader, Papineau. Nelson meanwhile pondered the consequences of the battle. He knew that the Battle of St. Denis was only a skirmish; and he well understood that one of the world's most powerful armies would return in greater numbers. The Patriotes would not catch the British sleeping again.