Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 290, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1920 — Deed of Heroes Is Perpetuated [ARTICLE]

Deed of Heroes Is Perpetuated

Monument Erected in Montreal in Honor of “Thermopylae of Canada.’' EXPLOIT LIKE FICTION TALE Adam Daulac With Sixteen Companions Face Overwhelming Force of • Indians in Attempt to Save Montreal. Montreat —The magnificent heroism of Adam Daulac, or Dollard, Sieur des Ormeaux, and his 16 brave companions at the Long Sault —which has been called “The Thermopylae of Canada” — has been perpetuated in granite and bronze, and a handsome monument added to the public treasures of the city of Montreal. The monument, the work of Alfred Lallberte, stands in Lafontalne park. Unveiling ceremonies took place recently. The exploit which has made the name of Dollard Immortal In Canadian history, occurred in May, 1660. Dollard at that time was commandant of the garrison at Montreal or Ville Marie. Paul de Chomedy, Sieur de Maissonneuve, who had founded the city In 1642, was governor. For some months the colony had been In danger of extinction at the hands of the Iroquois. Dollard, who had come to the colony three years before, at the age of twenty-two, asked leave of Malsonneuve to lead a party of Volunteers against the Iroquois. It was known that hundreds of Indian warriors lay at the mouth’of the Richelieu river, below Montreal, while hundreds more were on the Ottawa river, above Montreal, Three Rivers and Quebec were to be wiped out. Dollard’s plan was to meet the Indian warriors on their way down the Ottawa and give battle, regardless of numbers. Sixteen men joined him In his desperate enterprise. All took an oath to accept no quarter, made their wills, and attended a religious service. They proceeded up the St. Lawrence, entered the Ottawa, at the head of the Island of Montreal —where the swift currents

baffled them for a week —crossed the Lake of Two Mountains, and passed Carillon, 50 miles above Montreal. At the Long Sault. Finally they reached the foot of a swirling torrent of waters, barring the way. The Indian warriors had to pass that way and tjiat was the place to meet them. Dollard and his men took possession of a palisade fort near the river’s edge, built by an Algonquin war party some months before. They were soon joined by 40 friendly Hurons and four Algonquins. Tn a day or two the Iroquois made their appearance. Their advance guard, while making an attempt to land, was fired upon. Those who escaped reported to the main body, 200 strong, about the Sault. The Indians quickly descended the rapids In their war canoes and fell to the attack. They rushed upon the little garrison, but were driven back. Capturing the birch® canoes of the Frenchmen and their Indian companions, they set them ablaze and attempted to do the same with the palisade. A withering fire greeted them and they retired in defeat. During the next attack, immediately after, one of their great chiefs fell. For five days and nights the struggle continued. The defenders were without water and were unable to swallow the crushed Indian corn they had for food. Their Indian allies deserted them, with the exception of four Algonquins and one Huron. On the fifth day re-enforcements, to the number of 500 reached the Iroquois, and a savage assault was made

on the palisade. The French were on the alert, and the Indians were once more compelled to retire. Other attacks were made In the three following days, but with no success. Last Grand Assault The Iroquois then determined upon a general assault Great shields of wood, four or five feet high, were made, and under the cover of these the warriors came on. In the face of a heavy fire they succeeded in reaching the palisade, crouching low, and attempted to cut their way In with hatchets. At this point Dollard crammed a big musketoon with powder, and plugged up the muzzle. Lighting the fuse, he tried to throw it among the Iroquois without, but it struck the top of the palisade, fell back among the defenders and exploded with disastrous effect Pressing the assault at this moment of confusion, the Iroquois thrust their firearms Into the loopholes and fired. A breach was made in the fort and Dollard and his men sprang forward to the defense. Other breaches were made, and Dollard met a soldier's fate. His followers threw themselves upon their assailants, but the end had 'come at last. The 17 young heroes from Montreal gave their Ilves, but not In vain, for the Iroquois abandoned their enters prise, having had more than enough of battle, and Montreal, Three Rivers and Quebec were sated.