OCR
39 of Gananogue, and the destruction of the Government 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 possession 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 support of Major Heathecote, who had charge of the mand of Colonel Allen McDonnell, Captain Ault and Captain Shaver. Two companies of the Grenville militia, under Captains Monroe and Dulmage, arrived the same day, bringing with them a ninepounder, 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 sur28 prise was so complete that no resistance was offered. aig November of the same year, a brigade consistof 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 Lieuaoe 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 received 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 Plattsburg. 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 destroyed 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 unorder was given to start for Canada. molested, and all arrived safely at Cornwall, where the proceeds of the raid were deposited in the GovOne 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