Skirmish at McCrae's House
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| Skirmish at McCrae's House | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of War of 1812 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Upper Canada |  United States | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Lt. Henry Medcalf Lt. John McGregor | Lt. Larwill | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Loyal Kent Volunteers Provincial Dragoons Middlesex Militia 2nd Norfolk Militia | 26th U.S. Infantry Regiment | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 33 | 39 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| No casualties | 1 killed 5 wounded 38 captured | ||||||
The Skirmish at McCrae's House was a small skirmish fought on December 15, 1813, during the War of 1812 near Chatham, Ontario, Canada.[1]
Background[edit]
Following the Battle of the Thames in October, American forces occupied most of south-western Ontario, establishing a line of outposts in the counties of Essex, Kent, Oxford, Middlesex, and Norfolk. The local militia conducted small skirmishes and raids against various outposts.[2]
Skirmish[edit]
Early on the morning of December 15, 1813, a mixed group of men from the Loyal Kent Volunteers, Provincial Dragoons, Middlesex Militia, and Norfolk Militia scaled the icy banks of the Thames River to advance on a group of soldiers from the 26th U.S. Infantry who had taken up a post in the house of Thomas McCrae, a Captain in the 1st Kent Militia.[3] They surprised and attacked the Americans, firing through the windows and door of the house.[4]
The skirmish was brief but fierce, and damage can still be seen on the bricks walls of the house today.
Order of Battle[edit]
Canadian forces
- 2nd Norfolk Militia – Lt. Henry Medcalf (10 men)
- Middlesex Militia – Lt. Moses Rice, Ens. Benjamin Wilson (10 men)
- Loyal Kent Volunteers – Lt. John McGregor, Ens. James McGregor (7 men)
- Provincial Dragoons (5 men)
American forces
- 26th U.S. Infantry Regiment – Lt. Larwill (39 officers and men)
Aftermath[edit]
The skirmish resulted in one American soldier killed and five wounded, the remainder surrendering to the Canadian Militia. The fallen American soldier was buried in a grave on the property on December 16.[5] Their guns were distributed amongst the militiamen and they were taken prisoner.[6]
The skirmish marks the only time that an American regular force was defeated and captured solely by Canadian Militia.[7]
Legacy[edit]
For his conduct in commanding the attack, Lt. Medcalf was promoted to Captain in the 2nd Norfolk Militia on January 21, 1814.[8]
For his gallant conduct during the skirmish, Pte. James McQueen of the 2nd Norfolk Militia was commissioned as an officer in that regiment.[9]
Ensign Benjamin Wilson of the 1st Middlesex Militia was mentioned in dispatches by Lt. Medcalf for his gallant service at the skirmish.[10]
To commemorate the skirmish, a stone cairn with a plaque was built in 1924 near the McCrae House in Raleigh Township. The plaque details the skirmish.
References[edit]
- ^ Dale K. Benington (2014). "Skirmish at McCrae's House". Historical Marker Database. Historical Marker Database. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ Parks Canada (2015). "Skirmish at McCrae's House National Historic Event". Parks Canada Directory of Federal Heritage Designations. Parks Canada. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ Parks Canada (2015). "Skirmish at McCrae's House National Historic Event". Parks Canada Directory of Federal Heritage Designations. Parks Canada. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ Dale K. Benington (2014). "Skirmish at McCrae's House". Historical Marker Database. Historical Marker Database. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ Parks Canada (2015). "Skirmish at McCrae's House National Historic Event". Parks Canada Directory of Federal Heritage Designations. Parks Canada. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ Parks Canada (2015). "Skirmish at McCrae's House National Historic Event". Parks Canada Directory of Federal Heritage Designations. Parks Canada. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ Dale K. Benington (2014). "Skirmish at McCrae's House". Historical Marker Database. Historical Marker Database. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ Irving, L. Homfray (1908). Officers of the British forces in Canada during the war of 1812–15. Internet Archive: Welland Tribune Print. p. 86.
- ^ Irving, L. Homfray (1908). Officers of the British forces in Canada during the war of 1812–15. Internet Archive: Welland Tribune Print. p. 86.
- ^ Irving, L. Homfray (1908). Officers of the British forces in Canada during the war of 1812–15. Internet Archive: Welland Tribune Print. p. 89.
