Stranica 53 [53]
39
of Gananogue, and the destruction of the Govern¬
ment stores at that place. Mr. Hiel Sliter, of the
Rear of Leeds, informs us that the stores consisted
of half an ox, and some old blankets and bed ticks, all
of which were burned by the valiant Yankees. At the
time of the raid, Mrs. Stone had in her possession a
considerable sum in gold. This was thrown intoa
barrel of soap, and thus saved from the enemy.
During the war, Charles McDonald, Esq., built
the block house at Gananoque, and also the one on
Chimney Island, near the mouth of Yonge Mills
creek. Rifle Pits were also constructed on the
Canadian shore near LaRue’s Mills, and for some
time a company was stationed at that place to guard
the frontier. The officers at one time took posses¬
sion of the mill, and compelled the owner to grind
wheat exclusively for the army. To accommodate
the settlers, LaRue ran the mill wghés and Sundays
to supply the wants of the general public.
During the war the transport service gave rise to
several skirmishes, in which the militia of Leeds
and Grenville took important parts.
On the morning of the 16th September, 181 2, an
attack was made by 500 American militia upon a
brigade of batteaux, a short distance from Point
Iroquois. The militia promptly rallied to the sup¬
port of Major Heathecote, who had charge of the
mand of Colonel Allen McDonnell, Captain Ault
and Captain Shaver. Two companies of the Gren¬
ville militia, under Captains Monroe and Dulmage,
arrived the same day, bringing with them a nine¬
pounder, taken from the French at Chimney Island
in 1760. This one-gun battery, under the direction
of Lieutenant R. D. Fraser, compelled the Americans
to evacuate the island on which they were posted,
and hastily depart for the south side of the river.
The Canadian loss was one killed and several
wounded.
In October, 1813, a brigade of boats reached the
head of the Rapid du Plat, and halted for the night.
The Americans crossed the river, captured the
flotilla, and conveyed it to their own side. The sur¬
28 prise was so complete that no resistance was offered.
aig November of the same year, a brigade consist¬
of 36 boats, having on board valuable supplies
tee the troops in Upper Canada, arrived at the foot
. of the Rapid du Plat, and laid up for the night.
ss The next morning the enemy was discovered in
Bs eee upon Ogden s Island. Captain Alexander Mc¬
. Millen, of Edwardsburg, being in command, ordered
th boats to be towed up the rapids, while Lieu¬
aoe A mnt-Colonel Pearson, the commander at Prescott,
fetélked Captain Skinner, with órders that part
"a
“of | vee & cargo should be landed and a by
wagons to Prescott ; the remainder of the baggage
to return to Cornwall. When the loaded wagons had
been removed to a place of safety, the report was re¬
ceived that the Americans, 500 strong, had landed,
and were about to make an attack. The night came
on dark, while the roads were ina frightful condition ;
but the order was given to advance, and the troops
proceeded in the direction of Mariatown. When in
the vicinity of Doran's, the enemy was discovered.
An ambush was formed, and a deadly fire poured in
upon the foe, who retreated, leaving eleven killed
and several wounded upon the field. Discovering
that Canadian patriotism was more than a match
for Yankee bravado, they took to their boats and
beat a hasty retreat for home.
On the 18th February, 1814, Lieutenant Colonel
Pearson despatched from Prescott a force of almost
500 regulars, with orders to proceed to Salmon
River and Malone, the object being to harass the
remnant of Wilkinson’s army, which had been
ordered to retire to Sackett’s Harbor and Platts¬
burg. The sleighs for conveying the troops were
assembled at Edwardsburg, the cavalcade setting
off on the morning of the 19th, and reaching Salmon
At that place they de¬
stroyed the enemy’s stores, the barracks, and a large
number of boats.
River the same evening.
Proceeding to Malone, they seized
an immense quantity of provisions and whiskey,
with which all the sleighs were loaded, when the
The cavalcade
swept through the territory of the enemy un¬
order was given to start for Canada.
molested, and all arrived safely at Cornwall, where
the proceeds of the raid were deposited in the Gov¬
One of the teamsters had for
load a hogshead of whiskey. The soldiers ran up
behind the sleigh, bored a hole with a bayonet, and
secured in jugs the coveted fluid. When the old
man in charge reached his journey’s end, he had
simply an empty cask.
During the winter, teamsters were hired by the
Americans to convey flour for the troops from
Sackett’s Harbour to French Mills. In the latter
part of January they left 300 barrels at Hopkinton,
and proceeded to French Mills, to aid in removing
supplies to Plattsburg. About 30 teams stopped at
Chateaugay for the night, and while the teamsters
were amusing themselves in singing and drinking,
to pass the night, Major Sherwood and twenty-eight
British soldiers arrived, and took the entire party
The victors secured a large quantity of
military stores, which were placed in sleighs and
carried to Canada.
ernment store house.
prisoners.
In the summer of 1814, Captain Thomas Fraser
crossed the St. Lawrence, in the neighborhood of
Morristown, proceeded to Rossie, obtained a pledge