In 1814, over 700 mounted American raiders from Kentucky and Ohio along with a handful of First Nations warriors pushed their way, unimpeded, from Ft. Detroit right to the banks of the Grand River wreaking havoc through the county on their way to the Six Nations Territory. Led by General Duncan McArthur, it was the deepest attack made against British and First Nations allies during the entire war.
The rough narrow roads through hilly forests and across flat fields had this ominous cavalry stretch, three abreast, nearly 1.5 kilometers. This was one of the largest cavalry units ever assembled during this time. McArthur’s sole purpose was to invade Upper Canada and First Nations Territory and over-run whatever military resistance there was, in the process destroying homes, mills and other life sustaining necessities.
(Photo at right: General Duncan McArthur, Copyright Ohio Historical Society)
Even though he knew the War of 1812 terms were being negotiated in October of 1814, McArthur wanted vengeance for having to surrender to General Brock at Ft. Detroit in 1812.
McArthur’s first entry into Brant County was made in Burford where he simply rode past the earthworks and defensive position that was abandoned by the small allied British regular and militia. The allied contingent retreated towards Oakland. There, a massing of troops and warriors was taking place at the last viable location that may be able to stop McArthur’s momentum.
McArthur travelled east down the flat and gentle slope for several miles. Only a few kilometers from the Grand River, the angle of descent became steeper. Coming to the edge of the Grand River and D’Aubigny Creek he was faced with a steep incline down to the rivers edge along with high water that made the marshy areas throughout look even more impenetrable.
(Photo at right: The western slope of the Grand River near D’Aubigny Creek was a challenge for horses to ascend. Copyright Zig Misiak)
According to McArthur’s diary the previous days' rain made the river high (which in turn would have made the marsh land deeper). Not only this create concern, but McArthur was also confronted by a small yet formidable contingent of militia, regulars and Six Nations allies. Upon contact, a battle ensued and men were shot, killed and wounded on both sides.
Regular army reinforcement were also on their way with a cannon, but they did not arrive at the Grand Rivers edge on time to engage McArthur. More warriors from the Niagara area under the leadership of John Norton were alerted to this attack by McArthur and quickly made their way back to Six Nations Territory on the Grand River to meet their foe. Here the old “Indian Mill” was ravaged but was not burnt to the ground. The ferry that served as a mode of crossing the Grand River from one side to the other was towed to the east side and destroyed so that McArthur could not use it. Fortunately McArthur did not reach the Mohawk Chapel as it is likely he would have burned it to the ground.
Unlike today's paved roads, the deeply trenched, twisting, often muddy roads had to be bridged or layered with wood so that horse and wagon could travel easier. These were the very same roads that the walking soldiers travelled along. It was very tough walking along these uneven and sometimes treacherous roads.
Deciding not to cross the Grand River, McArthur’s forces turned south towards Mount Pleasant. Moving parallel to the river, the allied warriors and militia continued to fire across at McArthur’s troops and they in turn fired back until they were too far inland to see one another.
Unfortunately, the British militia, regulars and Six Nations warriors were not on the west side in sufficient number to take advantage of the excellent terrain that could have been used for ambushing. McArthur continued through Mt. Pleasant and burned the mill at the bottom of a small ravine on his way to Oakland. All through his campaign he was assisted by American sympathizers. These people were spared damage to their own property but pointed out the British loyalists who were targeted.
(Photo at right: Many of the roads were dotted with wooden bridges and "corduroy/plank" roads. Copyright Zig Misiak)
McArthur surely knew that warriors, troops and militia were coming from all around and that they intended to halting his campaign. By this time, McArthur had travelled several hundred miles and was picking up horses and provisions from the settlers (certainly without paying for them). This late in the year, the American campaign was seriously damaging the food supply of the Upper Canadian settlers, and the potential for the destruction of mills in the area had the potential to create more food shortages. McArthur had to be stopped and Oakland was the place that the allies and First Nations warriors were assembling to try and do just that.
On November 6, 1814, McArthur’s troops, with scouts ahead, spotted the few hundred militia, warriors and a few regulars of the 41st regiment behind their defensive earthworks. The first Oxford commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bostwick, the first Middlesex under Major John Eakins, the first Norfolk commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Ryerson and Major William Bowen and the second Norfolk under Major George Salmon were greatly outnumbered even though they had the preferred high ground.
The small bridge crossing the stream and marsh had been smashed by the defenders but when McArthur and his mounted troops descended to the bottom of the hill he already formulated a plan and sent a contingent of cavalry to the right and one to the left and then quickly all three large sections charged up the hill surrounding the defenders.
(Photo at right: The country roads west of the river were hilly and forest brush and branches brushed against the invaders as they road along. Copyright Zig Misiak)
The engagement was relatively short lasting about one hour. Many of the allied Canadian defenders escaped south moving towards the lake and Port Dover. The existing defenders were disarmed and sent on their way free to go home. Eighteen allies were claimed killed and nine were wounded. McArthur’s losses, according to him, were only one killed and six wounded.
McArthur continued south burning mills, homes, barns and stealing provisions before finally turning northwest on his way home.
It was only a few short weeks after this campaign that the War of 1812 was declared officially over. The Treaty of Ghent was signed December 24, 1814. The local inhabitants in our communities helped one another rebuild and begin their lives anew.
Imagine what it would look like today if McArthur made his raid two months earlier and occupied the territory he invaded during the raid -- it is possible that the Grand River could have been the western boundary between us and the United States!
As it was, there was enough resistance this late in the war to deter him from staying. He had to have been concerned about his food supply and how to sustain his troops over the winter. There was also the threat of the British amassing a large number of warriors, militia and regulars now that Britain had reserves from Europe attacking the Americans on the east coast.
Brantford, Brant County, Six Nations and New Credit have quite an amazing combined local history. Many of the sites that witnessed McArthur's raid are still accessible today. It's fascinating to know that you can visit spots where near 200 years ago hundreds of Americans on horse travelled and where our combined defenders held and also travelled. Another fascinating fact? Many of the people that were involved in the conflict now have descendants among us today.