Setting out from Detroit on October 22, 1814, in the waning days of the war, even as the terms to end the war were being negotiated, American Brigadier-General Duncan McArthur led an estimated 650 mounted volunteers and 70 native allies from Ohio and Michigan on a raid along the north shore of Lake Erie from the mouth of the Thames River to within a few hours ride of Burlington. McArthur’s purpose was to invade Upper Canada, attack native territory in the Grand River Tract, over-run any military resistance and destroy homes, barns, mills and other life sustaining necessities in order to demoralize the military and civilian populations and make defence of the region extremely difficult. McArthur gave as his reasons the need to destroy enemy resources and to prevent an attack on Detroit in winter.
This ominous cavalry stretched three abreast for nearly 1.5 kilometres along the narrow roads. They travelled quickly, picking up provisions and horses at the expense of the local inhabitants and pillaging the district. According to accounts after the war, McArthur destroyed and carried off 250 horses, 200 sheep, 100 oxen and 100 hogs, along with 200 barrels of flour, 400 blankets and large quantities of whiskey, salt, cloth and arms.
Out-numbered Militia Prevent River Crossing
When news reached Burford on November 5 that McArthur was in Oxford County, out-numbered militia stationed there strategically withdrew to assemble with other units at Perth (Oakland) at Malcolm’s Mills which offered a more defensible position. In total, 400 to 500 poorly armed and equipped men from the Middlesex, Oxford and Norfolk regiments and native warriors massed there to stop McArthur’s momentum. A contingent of militia, regulars and Six Nations warriors assembled at the Brant’s Ford on the Grand River to prevent McArthur from crossing the river. They sank the ferry and took up a defensive position on the east bank. When McArthur reached the Grand, he found it swollen with fall rains and considered it too dangerous to ford.
After a skirmish that resulted in injuries and casualties on both sides, McArthur set out the next day, Sunday, November 6, to ride south to Mount Pleasant to engage the militia at Malcolm’s Mills, burning the Perrin Mill and other buildings in Mount Pleasant en route. At Malcolm’s Mills, McArthur quickly overwhelmed the militia when he made a joint attack on two fronts. After a relatively short engagement lasting about one hour, the Canadian forces retreated, pursued by cavalry. Eighteen defenders were claimed killed and nine wounded, while McArthur’s losses were only one killed and six wounded.
Malcolm’s Mills were burned to the ground on November 7 by the Americans. Then McArthur continued south to Port Dover, taking militia prisoner, burning mills, homes and barns and stealing provisions. Upon finding none of the expected reinforcements due to the capture of Fort Erie by the British, he turned homeward, reaching Detroit on November 17, having covered just less than 500 miles in 27 days.
A few short weeks later the War of 1812 was officially over. The Treaty of Ghent was signed December 24, 1814, and our local inhabitants began to rebuild and begin their lives anew.