Near Prescott in Leeds and Grenville United Counties, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Battle of the Windmill
La Bataille du Moulin à Vent
After the 1837 Rebellions many rebels fled to the United States where a few joined American sympathizers in a new attempt to overthrow British rule in Canada. On 12 November 1838 they landed 190 men here and seized this windmill and nearby buildings. The local people remained loyal, reporting to their militia units; in a few days 2,000 militia and regulars, supported by naval vessels, besieged the mill. Although British guns did little damage to the mill, the insurgents, seeing no escape, surrendered on the 16th. Eleven were later executed and 60 exiled to Australia.
French:
Après la Rebellion de 1837, de nombreux rebelles se réfugièrent aux États Unis où, aidés des Américains, ils organisèrent une nouvelle tentative de renverser le règne britannique au Canada. Le 12 novembre 1938, 190 hommes d’emparèrent du moulin à vent et des bâtiments voisins. Les gens du pays se présentèrent à la milice locale, en quelques jours, 2 000 miliciens et réguliers, appuyés par les navires attaquèrent le moulin. Les assaillants firent peu de dégâts dans la bataille acharnée, mais les insurges, sans espoir de s’échapper, se rendirent le 16. On en pendit 11 et déporta 60 en Australie.
Erected by Historic Sites and Monument Board of Canada/Commission de lieux et monuments historique du Canada.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is November 12, 1838.
Location. 44° 43.274′ N, 75° 29.245′ W. Marker is near Prescott, Ontario, in Leeds and Grenville United Counties. Marker is on Windmill Road close to Leeds and Grenville Road (County Route 2), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3401 Windmill Road, Prescott ON K0E, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named The Battle of the Windmill (here, next to this marker); Welcome to the Site of The Battle of the Windmill (a few steps from this marker); Bytown and Prescott Railway Company 1850 (approx. 1.9 kilometers away); Col. Edward Jessup (approx. 2 kilometers away); Fort Wellington (approx. 2 kilometers away); Prescott War Memorial (approx. 2 kilometers away); World War II Memorial (approx. 2.2 kilometers away in the U.S.); Revolutionary War Memorial (approx. 2.2 kilometers away in the U.S.). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Prescott.
Also see . . . The Battle of the Windmill. The Battle of the Windmill, November 12-16, 1838, was one of several invasions launched from the United States during the "Patriot War" which followed
the unsuccessful Canadian rebellions of 1837. A largely American force of about three hundred men attempted to capture Fort Wellington in Prescott, cutting the St. Lawrence communications link and leaving the province open to invasion. (Submitted on May 19, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
![Welcome to the Site of the Battle of the Windmill / Bienvenue au site de La Bataille du Moulin à Vent. Click for full size. Welcome to the Site of the Battle of the Windmill / Bienvenue au site de La Bataille du Moulin à Vent image. Click for full size.](Photos3/308/Photo308497.jpg?519201533600PM)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2014
3. Welcome to the Site of the Battle of the Windmill / Bienvenue au site de La Bataille du Moulin à Vent
English:
You are standing on a battlefield where men fought and died. This battle took place in November, 1838, during the Canadian rebellion. One side fought to “liberate” Canada from British rule. The other side rallied to protect their homes or the established political order.
The lighthouse in front of you is a converted windmill around which the battle was fought.
Fort Wellington, a few kilometres to the west in Prescott, was a gathering point for the British troops at the time of the battle.
The fort still stands and is now open to the public.
The Battle of the Windmill and the Fort Wellington sites are both preserved and operated by the Canadian Parks Service of Environment Canada.
French:
Vous êtes sur un ancien champ de bataille. Des hommes sont morts ice en novembre 1838, durant la rébellion des Patriotes. Les uns voulaient libérer le Canada. Les autres son accourus pour protéger leurs foyers ou le pouvoir britannique.
Le phare devant vous est un ancien moulin à vent qui s’est trouvé au coeur de la bataille.
Le Fort Wellington, qui se trove à quelques kilomètres à l’ouest , à Prescott, servait à cette époque de point de ralliement à l’armée britannique.
Il a été restauré et il est aujourd’hui ouvert au public.
Le site de la bataille de Moulin à vent et le Fort Wellington sont tous deux exploités par le Service canadien des parcs du ministère de l’Environnement.
You are standing on a battlefield where men fought and died. This battle took place in November, 1838, during the Canadian rebellion. One side fought to “liberate” Canada from British rule. The other side rallied to protect their homes or the established political order.
The lighthouse in front of you is a converted windmill around which the battle was fought.
Fort Wellington, a few kilometres to the west in Prescott, was a gathering point for the British troops at the time of the battle.
The fort still stands and is now open to the public.
The Battle of the Windmill and the Fort Wellington sites are both preserved and operated by the Canadian Parks Service of Environment Canada.
French:
Vous êtes sur un ancien champ de bataille. Des hommes sont morts ice en novembre 1838, durant la rébellion des Patriotes. Les uns voulaient libérer le Canada. Les autres son accourus pour protéger leurs foyers ou le pouvoir britannique.
Le phare devant vous est un ancien moulin à vent qui s’est trouvé au coeur de la bataille.
Le Fort Wellington, qui se trove à quelques kilomètres à l’ouest , à Prescott, servait à cette époque de point de ralliement à l’armée britannique.
Il a été restauré et il est aujourd’hui ouvert au public.
Le site de la bataille de Moulin à vent et le Fort Wellington sont tous deux exploités par le Service canadien des parcs du ministère de l’Environnement.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 417 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 19, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.