The Battle of Matilda, also known as the Battle of Toussaint's Island, was an early skirmish of the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It bega ...

fought on September 16, 1812 between American and Canadian militia in the

St. Lawrence River The St. Lawrence River (french: Fleuve Saint-Laurent, ) is a large river in the middle latitudes of North America. Its headwaters begin flowing from Lake Ontario in a (roughly) northeasterly direction, into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, connecting ...

near the township of Matilda, in Dundas County.

Battle

On September 16, 1812, soldiers from the 1st Flank Company of the 1st Dundas Regiment under Capt. Michael Ault and Ens. Duncan Clark, as well as soldiers under Maj. Rowland Heathcote from the

Royal Newfoundland Regiment The Royal Newfoundland Regiment (R NFLD R) is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It is part of the 5th Canadian Division's 37 Canadian Brigade Group. Predecessor units trace their origins to 1795, and since 1949 Royal N ...

, were escorting a shipment of supplies from

Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-most populous city in Canada and List of towns in Quebec, most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian ...

to Kingston when they were attacked in the St. Lawrence River near Matilda by 500 American Militia, under the command of Capt. Griffin, who were hiding on Toussaint Island. A company of the Dundas Militia under Ens. Clark landed on Presqu'ile Island just as an American force landed on the same island and a sharp exchange of fire occurred. The Americans were pinned down by accurate fire from the Dundas men, concealed amongst the bushes and trees, and they were forced to retreat back to Toussaint's Island. During their hasty retreat, one of the American boats drifted away from their force and was captured by the Dundas militia. The boat contained 7 muskets, 2 swords, and a number of necessary provisions. Soon, drawn to the noise of battle, more Dundas militiamen arrived on Presqu'ile to bolster the Canadian positions in case of a second invasion. Col. Allan MacDonell in command of the Dundas Militia, along with Capt. Shaver and Capt. Ault were joined by two companies of Grenville Militia under Capts. Monroe and Dulmage and Lt.

Richard Duncan Fraser Richard Duncan Fraser (ca. 1784 – April 1, 1857) was a fur trader, businessman, farmer and political figure in Upper Canada. He was born in Province of Quebec (1763–91), Quebec around 1784, the son of Thomas Fraser (Upper Canada politic ...

who brought along a 9-pounder artillery piece from Prescott that had originally been captured during the

Battle of the Thousand Islands The Battle of the Thousand Islands was an engagement fought on 16–24 August 1760, in the upper St. Lawrence River, among the Thousand Islands, along the present day Canada–United States border, by British and French forces during the closing ...

. After a few rounds of fire from the cannon and muskets, the Americans abandoned the island and retreated across the St. Lawrence River to the New York side.

Order of Battle

British Forces *'' 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia'' - Col. Allan MacDonell ** 1st Flank Company - Capt. Michael Ault, Ens. Duncan Clark ** Sedentary Company - Capt. Jacob Shaver *''1st Regiment of Grenville Militia'' ** 1st Flank Company - Capt. Hugh Monroe (Munro) ** 2nd Flank Company - Capt. Philip Dulmadge *''2nd Regiment of Grenville Militia'' (detachment) ** 2nd Flank Company - Lt. Richard D. Fraser *'' Royal Newfoundland Fencibles'' - Maj. Rowland Heathcote American Forces *''

New York Militia The New York Guard (NYG) is the State Defense Force, state defense force of New York State, also called The New York State Military Reserve. Originally called the New York State Militia it can trace its lineage back to the American Revolution and ...

'' - Capt. Giffin, Lt.. Church *''Gun Boat''

Aftermath

Canadian losses were one killed and several wounded, while the Americans suffered considerable losses.

References

{{coord missing, Ontario Battles of the War of 1812 in Ontario September 1812 events