On the morning of 25 November 1837, 2 days after Charles Gore's defeat at the Battle of Saint-Denis and the retreat to Sorel the troops of Colonel George Wetherall about 420 regulars (from the 1st and 66th Regiments of Foot), left St-Hilaire and marched on the camp at St-Charles. The camp was at that time defended by some 80 men of the parish of St-Charles and others. As they approached, the soldiers exchanged gunfire with small groups of combatants.