McArthur’s Raid, November 11, 1814

McArthur’s Raid, November 11, 1814. Elgin County in the War of 18 12. , In a fall of 1814 American general Duncan McArthur lead an expedition of 600 mounted riflemen, mostly Kentucky and Ohio volunteers, into Upper Canada from Detroit. He intended to attack Burlington Heights, the closest British encampment, in concert with other US troops coming north from Fort Erie. However, by the time he reached the Grand River on the 5 of November, the water levels were high and no boats were to be found. The other US force had withdrawn across the Niagara River and so he turned south planning to burn whatever flour mills he could find in the area., McArthur soon met a large force of about 200 British regulars and 400 militia at Malcolm's Mills, near today's Oakland in Brant County. The defenders were dug in on high ground above the roadway, so McArthur divided his troops sending a number around to attack from the rear. The defenders were dislodged and retreated in all directions setting off what have been called the Malcolm's Mills "foot races.", The Americans now moved south through the Long Point area eventually burning five mills before finding the Talbot Road and riding west. After staying overnight on the Joseph Defields farm in Bayham they arrived at the farm of Daniel Rapelje at the end of the following day and set up camp. Rapelje had taken up his grant on the Talbot Road in 1810, and had made considerable headway, by 1814, in building the farm. He had not yet returned from the engagement at Malcolm's Mills when McArthur arrived at the farm and so was not present to see the loss of his crops and stock. The farm was located roughly where the Town Hall Towers (140 Talbot Street) are today., His claims for losses following McArthur's raid show a very productive farm: , 150 Bushels of wheat - 93 Pounds 15 · 2 Hives of bees - 2 Pounds 10 , 80 Bushels of corn - 30 Pounds 10 · 2 Hogs - 9 Pounds 7 , 300 Panels (rails) of fence - 22 Pounds · 1 Horse - 15 Pounds , 40 Bushels of oats - 10 Pounds · Household furniture - 125 Pounds , 50 Bushels of potatoes - 12 Pounds 10 · 45 Bushels of wheat destroyed on the ground where the enemy encamped - 16 Pounds 17 , 12 Tons of hay - 42 Pounds , 12 Sheep - 18 Pounds, The claim amounted to just over 397 Pounds Sterling. The claim is reproduced in Taken and Destroyed: The War of 18 12 Losses Claims, London and Western Districts, Upper Canada by Glenn Stott and Carol Hall.