The Skirmish at McCrae's House was a small skirmish fought on December 15, 1813, during 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 ...
near
Chatham
Chatham may refer to:
Places and jurisdictions Canada
* Chatham Islands (British Columbia)
* Chatham Sound, British Columbia
* Chatham, New Brunswick, a former town, now a neighbourhood of Miramichi
* Chatham (electoral district), New Brunswic ...
, Ontario, Canada.
Background
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.
Skirmish
Early on the morning of December 15, 1813, a mixed group of men from the
Loyal Kent Volunteers,
Provincial Dragoons,
Middlesex Militia
The Middlesex Militia was an auxiliary military force in the county of Middlesex in South East England. From their formal organisation as Trained Bands, in 1572 and their service during the Armada Crisis and in the English Civil War, the Militia ...
, and
Norfolk Militia
The Norfolk Militia was formed under the Militia Act of 1757, replacing earlier less formal arrangements. From this date, better records were kept, and the men were selected by ballot to serve for longer periods. Proper uniforms and better weapo ...
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. They surprised and attacked the Americans, firing through the windows and door of the house.
The skirmish was brief but fierce, and damage can still be seen on the bricks walls of the house today.
Order of Battle
Canadian forces
*''
2nd Norfolk Militia'' – Lt. Henry Medcalf (10 men)
*''
Middlesex Militia
The Middlesex Militia was an auxiliary military force in the county of Middlesex in South East England. From their formal organisation as Trained Bands, in 1572 and their service during the Armada Crisis and in the English Civil War, the 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
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. Their guns were distributed amongst the militiamen and they were taken prisoner.
The skirmish marks the only time that an American regular force was defeated and captured solely by Canadian Militia.
Legacy
For his conduct in commanding the attack, Lt. Medcalf was promoted to Captain in the 2nd Norfolk Militia on January 21, 1814.
For his gallant conduct during the skirmish, Pte. James McQueen of the 2nd Norfolk Militia was commissioned as an officer in that regiment.
Ensign Benjamin Wilson of the 1st Middlesex Militia was mentioned in dispatches by Lt. Medcalf for his gallant service at the skirmish.
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
{{DEFAULTSORT:Skirmish at Farnham Church
McCrae's House
McCrae's House
Battles of the War of 1812
Military history of Ontario
1813 in Canada
December 1813 events