Canadian acrobats

The Canadian Voltigeurs was a unit of light infantry, raised to the Low-Canada into 1812 which fought during the Guerre of 1812.

The imminent threat of an American invasion forces George Prevost to resort to the Canadian militia to defend the country. As of on April 25th, 1812, one begins the recruitment of volunteers for the body of the Canadian Voltigeurs directed by Charles-Michel de Salaberry, a major of the 60th Regiment, a native of Quebec. This battalion is composed of volunteers and must be useful for the duration of the war against the United States.

This battalion was to include/understand:

  • 1 major ordering
  • 6 captains
  • 18 lieutenants
  • 1 adjudant
  • 1 pay-Master
  • 1 leading seaman
  • 1 surgeon
  • 1 quartermaster-sergeant
  • 1 sergeant-district-Master
  • 1 sergeant arms manufacturer
  • 1 horn major
  • 25 sergeants
  • 25 corporals
  • 10 bugles
  • 475 militiamans (or more if one can obtain them)

The officers must be prone British born in Canada. They are named by the major-commander, prone to the approval of the governor-general. They must be selected among the most sizeable families of the province. Except, Charles-Michel de Salaberry, all the officers are subordinated to the British officers of the same rank.

To obtain one of the six commissions of captain, the officer must recruit 36 militiamans. The 18 lieutenants must recruit each one 18 militiamans. The adjudant must recruit eleven men while the objective of the surgeon and the leading seaman is laid down at ten.

At the beginning of the war of 1812, one proposes the posts of lieutenants with 14 officers of sedentary militia. Only four will accept this offer. One also tests problems for the stations of captain and sign. There is hardly enthusiasm. In all, on 21 potential candidates, 12 refuse a commission with the Canadian Acrobats. Over the period 1812-1815, 53 officers will be useful with the battalion: 27 French-speaking people and 26 english-speaking.

The men and the officers of the Canadian Acrobats will be useful during all the war of 1812. It will be implied in several important battles. The Battle of Châteauguay mark national history of Canada. The October 26th 1813, Charles-Michel de Salaberry and his men pushed back an attack of almost 2.400 Americans. This victory will prevent that Montreal and the province does not fall to the hands from the Americans.

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