The Dundas County Militia was a regiment of the provincial militia of Upper Canada that was raised in Dundas County, Ontario, in the 1780s. The battle honours and legacy of the Dundas Militia are perpetuated by the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders.
United Empire Loyalists and Establishment
The military history of Dundas County dates back to the early settlement days, when Loyalist veterans of the American Revolution were granted plots of land in Upper Canada and raised a local militia. The first Loyalist settlers landed in Dundas on the banks of the St Lawrence River in June 1784 and almost immediately raised a local militia force. Many of the families were German Palatines who had remained loyal to Great Britain and fought during the war with the King's Royal Regiment of New York, Butler's Rangers, and Loyal Rangers.
The oldest commission found for what would become the Dundas Militia is from 20 June 1788, when Jacob Farrand (Farran) was issued a commission as a Captain by Lord Dorchester in the Williamsburg and Matilda Battalion of Militia. In 1792, Dundas County was formally established by a proclamation of the lieutenant governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe, and by his orders each county would have a Lieutenant to fulfill the position of magistrate and militia commander, Richard Duncan serving as the first lieutenant and colonel of the Dundas Militia in 1793.
The Spanish Armament of 1793 caused fear throughout the British colonies, and many militias were raised in the Canadas in case of the outbreak of war. Colonel Duncan commanded the Dundas Militia and many men joined the part-time force. War was averted, however, and the militias were not used in any military capacity, but it showed the importance of the volunteer militias to the defence of Upper Canada.
By 1803, the regiment had grown in size, and a report from that year lists the following officers: Lt-Col. Allan McDonell Maj. Malcolm McMartin Capts. Michael Hanes, Farquhar McDonell, Cornelius Munro, Allan Patterson Lts. Jacob Merkley, Henry Merkley, Michael Ault, Jacob Weager, Jesse Wright, John Serviss. Ens. John Shaver, John Munro, Frederick Weaver, Jacob Van Allen, Michael Carman Adj. Jacob Weaver Q.M. Alexander McDonell
The 1808 report, resulting from the war tensions due to the Chesapeake–Leopard affair, gives the following statistics of the regiment: 1 Lt-Colonel, 1 Major, 4 Captains, 5 Lieutenants, 6 Ensigns, 1 Adjutant, 1 Quartermaster, 1 Surgeon, 14 Sergeants and 238 rank and file.
War of 1812
When the War of 1812 broke out in June 1812, the Dundas Militiamen gathered to prevent an invasion of their homeland. The men mustered into two flank companies at Mariatown on 11 July 1812, and the companies were formed into the 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia. This regiment fought throughout the war, with many men from the regiment being transferred to the Incorporated Battalion of Canadian Militia fighting in the Niagara campaign and at the Battle of Lundy's Lane.
The principle engagements of the 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia were:
Battle of Matilda – On 16 September 1812, soldiers from the 1st Dundas Militia under Capt. Michael Ault and Ens. Duncan Clark, as well as the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, were escorting a shipment of supplies from Montreal to Kingston when they were attacked near Matilda by 500 American Militia who were hiding on Toussaint Island. The Dundas militia landed on Presqu'ile Island just as an American force landed on the same and an exchange of fire occurred. The Americans were driven back and retreated to Toussaint's Island, and soon more Dundas men arrived on Presqu'ile in case of a second invasion. Col. MacDonell in command of the Dundas Militia, along with Capt. Shaver and Capt. Ault were joined by Grenville Militia and a 9-pounder artillery piece from Prescott that had originally been captured during the Battle of the Thousand Islands. After a few rounds of fire from the cannon and muskets, the Americans abandoned the island and retreated across the border. Canadian losses were one killed and several wounded.
First Battle of Ogdensburg – The Dundas Militia next fought at the FirstBattle of Ogdensburg on 4 October 1812, launching an amphibious raid from Prescott to gather supplies but being turned back by American artillery and militia.
Battle of French Mills – New York State Militia captured the British post at Akwesasne, an Indian community that straddled the St. Lawrence River in a location where the present-day borders of Ontario, Quebec and New York State intersect. It, and the nearby American post at French Mills on the Salmon River, were recaptured on November 23, 1812, by a British Canadian force, including the Dundas Militia, carrying supplies up the St. Lawrence River.
In early 1813, Thomas Fraser took command of the Dundas Militia from Col. Macdonell, who retired due to old age, having first seen battle at Culloden. Fraser served as Colonel until late 1813.
Second Battle of Ogdensburg – On 22 February 1813, a British Canadian force including the 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia, crossed the frozen St Lawrence River and charged the American fort at Ogdensburg. The Americans fought back but were eventually forced to retreat and the British and Canadians captured the town, burning the boats and taking the artillery and military supplies back to Prescott.
Clark's Ride - On 5 November, as Wilkinson's American army moved down the St. Lawrence River towards Cornwall, Lieutenant Duncan Clark of the Incorporated Militia, formerly an Ensign in Capt. Ault's Flank Company of the 1st Dundas Regiment, was on duty on the shoreline and under orders to raise the alarm upon any American movements. Seeing the mass of boats moving down the river, Lieutenant Clark commandeered a sturdy plough horse from a nearby farm and rode the length of the front from Elizabethtown to Prescott alerting the local militia and civilians with the cry "The enemy is at hand!". His ride along the front was likened to the ride of Paul Revere in 1775, and Duncan Clark has since been heralded as the "Canadian Paul Revere".
Battle of Point Iroquois - American forces under General James Wilkinson crossed the St Lawrence River and hoped to march on Montreal, but the local British and Canadian forces engaged them before they could move past Dundas County. On 7 November, a piquet of Dundas Militia at Point Iroquois discovered the American forces moving up the St Lawrence, and Ptes. Peter and Jacob Brouse, brothers of George Brouse, were the first to fire upon the enemy. As more Dundas Militiamen were brought up to the point, 1,200 American soldiers under Alexander Macomb, Winfield Scott, and Benjamin Forsyth landed on the shore and began to engage the outnumbered militia. After a sharp firefight, the 200 men from the 1st Dundas Regiment were forced to retire inland, but the delaying action gave precious time to the forces in Cornwall and Morrisburg.
Skirmish at Doran's Farm - With the advance of Wilkinson's Army towards Montreal in November 1813, a line of supply boats under military escort set out from Montreal to ascend the St. Lawrence River and bring much needed supplies to the British forces at Prescott. An American force posted on Ogden's Island noticed the approaching convoy and decided to capture the supplies. Suspecting danger, the British force brought their boats to a halt and the supplies destined for Prescott were landed in Dundas County where the services of the farmers in the vicinity were secured and before midnight the stores were all placed in wagons, by which manner they were to be taken to Prescott, while the boats were to return to Cornwall. Suddenly a messenger arrived and reported the presence of 500 American dragoons. The loaded wagons were removed some distance from the river where they delayed for a time before proceeding to Prescott. Instructions were given to those in charge of the boats to drop down the river as far as Hoople's Creek, while the handful of Glengarry and Dundas Militia, already worn out with fatigue, started eastward to meet the foe. The force of Glengarry and Dundas Militiamen sighted the advancing American forces at the Doran family farm near Iroquois and at once concealed themselves in the wood lines. As the Americans drew near, a well directed fire from the Militia killed 11 and wounded several. The Americans fled to their boats and recrossed to the other side of the river, while the militia marched to Hoople's Creek, joined the flotilla awaiting them, and proceeded to Cornwall in preparation of the main American attack.
Burning of the Nash Creek bridge - As the American forces pushed east through Williamsburg township, Trooper John W. Loucks of Fraser's Provincial Light Dragoons, formerly of the 1st Dundas Regiment, was on duty at the bridge over Nash Creek. When the advance parties of the American army came into view, Trooper Loucks set fire to the Nash Creek Bridge in order to prevent their advance. He then rode east to alert the Dundas Militia before riding north and west around the American force to contact the British forces coming from Kingston.
Battle of Crysler's Farm – On 10 November, a force of Glengarry and Stormont Militia engaged the Americans at the Battle of Hoople's Creek and on 11 November, they, along with the Dundas Militia, Leeds Militia, Canadian Fencibles, the 49th Regiment of Foot and the 89th Regiment of Foot, engaged the main American force at John Crysler's farm in Williamsburg township. Capt. John Crysler was now in command of the Dundas Militia and, with Major Henry Merkley, led the regiment bravely at the battle, where they served as stretcher bearers, skirmishers, and helped supply ammunition.
Salmon River Raid – In February 1814, the American forces near French Mills began leaving their supply depots and garrisons for Plattsburgh and Sackett's Harbor. On the 19th, a British Canadian force including the Dundas Militia crossed to the Salmon River, setting fire to the abandoned boats and barracks of the Americans, capturing considerable amounts of ammunition and supplies to bring back to Dundas.
From September 1812 until the end of the war, the 1st Dundas Regiment was engaged in building and garrisoning earthworks and blockhouses along the St. Lawrence River. One such earthwork was located at Point Iroquois, and named Fort Provost. The initial earthwork was reconstructed as a blockhouse in 1814 was renamed Fort Needless due to its inactivity so late in the war.
In mid-1813, two volunteer cavalry troops were raised in the area and filled with men from the Dundas Militia. Captain Fraser's Troop of Provincial Light Dragoons and Captain Adam's Troop of Provincial Light Dragoons both fought alongside the Dundas Militia at Crysler's Farm.
+ Casualties of the 1st Dundas Militia Soldier Casualty Action Unnamed Private Killed in action Matilda (16 Sept. 1812) Unnamed Private Wounded in action Matilda (16 Sept. 1812) Capt. John Macdonell Wounded in action Ogdensburg (22 Feb. 1813) Pte. James Stamp Wounded in action Ogdensburg (22 Feb. 1813) Pte. Frederick Ouderkirk Killed in action Ogdensburg (22 Feb. 1813) Capt. Jesse Wright Died of disease Fort Wellington (1 Mar. 1813) Ens. William Welsh Died of disease (1814) Pte. John McKay Accidentally wounded, loss of eye Fort Wellington (22 Oct. 1814) Pte. Joseph Lurcher Died (1812-13) Pte. James Seanex Died (1812-13)
Medals
In 1848, the Military General Service Medal was created with a clasp for Crysler's Farm and the following men were awarded the medal for service with the Dundas Militia:
Capt. John Crysler Sgts. Peter Brouse, John Cook, John Loucks Ptes. Nicholas L. Ault, Peter Baker, Jacob Brouse, George Cook, John Doran, Frederick Laut, Peter Loucks, Angus McKay, John Pillar, Robert Redman, Conrad Kintner, Joseph Langevin, John Strader, Edward Shaver, Robert Thompson
Rebellions of 1837–1838