The Americans had taken the McCraes' house on the Thames River, just below Chatham, as a headquarters. In December of 1813, the Canadian militia managed to capture the Americans stationed there.
Re-enactors fighting in a skirmish
| After the British defeat at the
Battle of the Thames, the Western District was technically under American rule. In actual fact neither side was in control. The British set up a base at Delaware and sent out troops to harass the Americans. The Americans sent men to commandeer crops and animals to feed their troops. The Americans had taken the McCraes' house on the Thames River, just below Chatham, as a headquarters. In December of 1813, the Canadian militia managed to capture the Americans stationed there. |
Re-enactors fighting in a skirmish |
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One of the larger clashes between the two sides came on March 4, 1814 at Battle Hill. This was called the Battle of the Longwoods. When the British were defeated there, they withdrew from Delaware and set up a base at Oxford. |
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The American general, McArthur, attempted a raid through the Thames valley in October of 1814. He was hoping to reach Burlington, but was stopped by the Grand River. He did command the people living along the Thames to send all their crops to Detroit to provision the American troops. He sent a Major Thrasher to collect the grain. Major Thrasher would burn houses and property if he thought people were holding back grain or helping the British. By that time, the Americans believed that the only way to make the country safe for themselves was to destroy the people who lived there. |
Map of McArthur's raid |
| It was not until the news of the end of the war reached Upper Canada that the people were allowed to go back to their lives. | |
See more: Letter from Askin to his children describing the conditions at Sandwich under the Americans.
See more: McCrae House.
See more: Battle of the Longwoods.
See a video: of a reenactment of
a raid 
(See the
transcription)
Visit: The Elgin Military Museum war 1812.
