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Dundas County Militia
The Dundas County Militia was a regiment of the provincial militia of Upper Canada that was raised in Dundas County, Ontario, in the 1780s.[1] The battle honours and legacy of the Dundas Militia are perpetuated by the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders. United Empire Loyalists and EstablishmentThe military history of Dundas County dates back to the early settlement days, when Loyalist veterans of the American Revolution were granted plots of land in Upper Canada and raised a local militia. The first Loyalist settlers landed in Dundas on the banks of the St Lawrence River in June 1784 and almost immediately raised a local militia force. Many of the families were German Palatines who had remained loyal to Great Britain and fought during the war with the King's Royal Regiment of New York, Butler's Rangers, and Loyal Rangers. The oldest commission found for what would become the Dundas Militia is from June 20, 1788, when Jacob Farrand (Farran) was issued a commission as a Captain by Lord Dorchester in the Williamsburg and Matilda Battalion of Militia.[1] In 1792, Dundas County was formally established by a proclamation of the lieutenant governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe, and by his orders each county would have a Lieutenant to fulfill the position of magistrate and militia commander, Richard Duncan serving as the first lieutenant and colonel of the Dundas Militia in 1793.[2]  The Spanish Armament of 1793 caused fear throughout the British colonies, and many militias were raised in the Canadas in case of the outbreak of war. Colonel Duncan commanded the Dundas Militia and many men joined the part-time force. War was averted, however, and the militias were not used in any military capacity, but it showed the importance of the volunteer militias to the defence of Upper Canada. By 1803, the regiment had grown in size, and a report from that year lists the following officers:
The 1808 report, resulting from the war tensions due to the Chesapeake–Leopard affair, gives the following statistics of the regiment: 1 Lt-Colonel, 1 Major, 4 Captains, 5 Lieutenants, 6 Ensigns, 1 Adjutant, 1 Quartermaster, 1 Surgeon, 14 Sergeants and 238 rank and file.[3] War of 1812When the War of 1812 broke out in June 1812, the Dundas Militiamen gathered to prevent an invasion of their homeland. The men mustered into two flank companies at Mariatown on July 11, 1812, and the companies were formed into the 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia. This regiment fought throughout the war, with many men from the regiment being transferred to the Incorporated Battalion of Canadian Militia fighting in the Niagara campaign and at the Battle of Lundy's Lane. The principle engagements of the 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia were: Battle of Matilda – On September 16, 1812, soldiers from the 1st Dundas Militia under Capt. Michael Ault and Ens. Duncan Clark, as well as the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, were escorting a shipment of supplies from Montreal to Kingston when they were attacked near Matilda by 500 American Militia who were hiding on Toussaint Island. The Dundas militia landed on Presqu'ile Island just as an American force landed on the same and an exchange of fire occurred. The Americans were driven back and retreated to Toussaint's Island, and soon more Dundas men arrived on Presqu'ile in case of a second invasion. Col. MacDonell in command of the Dundas Militia, along with Capt. Shaver and Capt. Ault were joined by Grenville Militia and a 9-pounder artillery piece from Prescott that had originally been captured during the Battle of the Thousand Islands. After a few rounds of fire from the cannon and muskets, the Americans abandoned the island and retreated across the border. Canadian losses were one killed and several wounded.[3] First Battle of Ogdensburg – The Dundas Militia next fought at the FirstBattle of Ogdensburg on October 4, 1812, launching an amphibious raid from Prescott to gather supplies but being turned back by American artillery and militia. Battle of French Mills – New York State Militia captured the British post at Akwesasne, an Indian community that straddled the St. Lawrence River in a location where the present-day borders of Ontario, Quebec and New York State intersect. It, and the nearby American post at French Mills on the Salmon River, were recaptured on November 23, 1812, by a British Canadian force, including the Dundas Militia, carrying supplies up the St. Lawrence River.[3] In early 1813, Thomas Fraser took command of the Dundas Militia from Col. Macdonell, who retired due to old age, having first seen battle at Culloden. Fraser served as Colonel until late 1813.[4] Second Battle of Ogdensburg – On February 22, 1813, a British Canadian force including the 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia, crossed the frozen St Lawrence River and charged the American fort at Ogdensburg. The Americans fought back but were eventually forced to retreat and the British and Canadians captured the town, burning the boats and taking the artillery and military supplies back to Prescott. Clark's Ride - On November 5, as Wilkinson's American army moved down the St. Lawrence River towards Cornwall, Lieutenant Duncan Clark of the Incorporated Militia, formerly an Ensign in Capt. Ault's Flank Company of the 1st Dundas Regiment, was on duty on the shoreline and under orders to raise the alarm upon any American movements. Seeing the mass of boats moving down the river, Lieutenant Clark commandeered a sturdy plough horse from a nearby farm and rode the length of the front from Elizabethtown to Prescott alerting the local militia and civilians with the cry "The enemy is at hand!". His ride along the front was likened to the ride of Paul Revere in 1775, and Duncan Clark has since been heralded as the "Canadian Paul Revere". Battle of Point Iroquois - American forces under General James Wilkinson crossed the St Lawrence River and hoped to march on Montreal, but the local British and Canadian forces engaged them before they could move past Dundas County. On November 7, a piquet of Dundas Militia at Point Iroquois discovered the American forces moving up the St Lawrence, and Ptes. Peter and Jacob Brouse, brothers of George Brouse, were the first to fire upon the enemy. As more Dundas Militiamen were brought up to the point, 1,200 American soldiers under Alexander Macomb, Winfield Scott, and Benjamin Forsyth landed on the shore and began to engage the outnumbered militia. After a sharp firefight, the 200 men from the 1st Dundas Regiment were forced to retire inland, but the delaying action gave precious time to the forces in Cornwall and Morrisburg. Skirmish at Doran's Farm - With the advance of Wilkinson's Army towards Montreal in November 1813, a line of supply boats under military escort set out from Montreal to ascend the St. Lawrence River and bring much needed supplies to the British forces at Prescott. An American force posted on Ogden's Island noticed the approaching convoy and decided to capture the supplies. Suspecting danger, the British force brought their boats to a halt and the supplies destined for Prescott were landed in Dundas County where the services of the farmers in the vicinity were secured and before midnight the stores were all placed in wagons, by which manner they were to be taken to Prescott, while the boats were to return to Cornwall. Suddenly a messenger arrived and reported the presence of 500 American dragoons. The loaded wagons were removed some distance from the river where they delayed for a time before proceeding to Prescott. Instructions were given to those in charge of the boats to drop down the river as far as Hoople's Creek, while the handful of Glengarry and Dundas Militia, already worn out with fatigue, started eastward to meet the foe. The force of Glengarry and Dundas Militiamen sighted the advancing American forces at the Doran family farm near Iroquois and at once concealed themselves in the wood lines. As the Americans drew near, a well directed fire from the Militia killed 11 and wounded several. The Americans fled to their boats and recrossed to the other side of the river, while the militia marched to Hoople's Creek, joined the flotilla awaiting them, and proceeded to Cornwall in preparation of the main American attack. Burning of the Nash Creek bridge - As the American forces pushed east through Williamsburg township, Trooper John W. Loucks of Fraser's Provincial Light Dragoons, formerly of the 1st Dundas Regiment, was on duty at the bridge over Nash Creek. When the advance parties of the American army came into view, Trooper Loucks set fire to the Nash Creek Bridge in order to prevent their advance. He then rode east to alert the Dundas Milita before riding north and west around the American force to contact the British forces coming from Kingston.  Battle of Crysler's Farm – On November 10, a force of Glengarry and Stormont Militia engaged the Americans at the Battle of Hoople's Creek and on November 11, they, along with the Dundas Militia, Leeds Militia, Canadian Fencibles, the 49th Regiment of Foot and the 89th Regiment of Foot, engaged the main American force at John Crysler's farm in Williamsburg township. Capt. John Crysler was now in command of the Dundas Militia and, with Major Henry Merkley, led the regiment bravely at the battle, where they served as stretcher bearers, skirmishers, and helped supply ammunition. Salmon River Raid – In February 1814, the American forces near French Mills began leaving their supply depots and garrisons for Plattsburgh and Sackett's Harbor. On the 19th, a British Canadian force including the Dundas Militia crossed to the Salmon River, setting fire to the abandoned boats and barracks of the Americans, capturing considerable amounts of ammunition and supplies to bring back to Dundas.[3]
In mid-1813, two volunteer cavalry troops were raised in Dundas and filled with men from the Dundas Militia. Captain Fraser's Troop of Provincial Light Dragoons and Captain Adam's Troop of Provincial Light Dragoons both fought alongside the Dundas Militia at Crysler's Farm.
Medals In 1848, the Military General Service Medal was created with a clasp for Crysler's Farm and the following men were awarded the medal for service with the Dundas Militia:[5]
Rebellions of 1837–1838On January 21, 1822, the Dundas Cavalry Troop was formed under Capt. Peter Shaver, Michael Brouse and George Ault commissioned Lieutenants, Jacob Brouse commissioned Cornet. The cavalry troop was attached to the Dundas Militia regiments into the 1840s, and served duty during the Rebellion in 1838.[6] In 1837, the 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia was reorganized into two battalions, or regiments, to better serve the new townships of Winchester and Mountain. The 1st Regiment (Battalion) would serve Winchester and Williamsburg and was commanded by Col. John Crysler and Lt. Col. J. MacDonell. The 2nd Regiment (Battalion) would serve Mountain and Matilda and was commanded by Col. George Merkley and Lt. Col. MacDonell.[1] With the outbreak of the Rebellions of 1837–1838 the two regiments of Dundas Militia were again called out for the defence of the county. On November 12, 1838, men of the Hunters' Lodges came ashore in Prescott and took refuge in the windmill there, and a force of British Regulars along with the Grenville Militia, Glengarry Highlanders, Incorporated Militia, and Dundas Militia were dispatched to drive them back across the St Lawrence River. At the Battle of the Windmill, a force of 300 men from the 1st Dundas Regiment, commanded by Col. John Crysler, and the 2nd Dundas Regiment, commanded by Col. George Merkley, participated in the main attack on November 13 and were present for the surrender on November 16.[1] Casualties from the Dundas Militia were three killed and eight wounded. It was during the Rebellion period that the regiments were collectively referred to as the Royal Dundas Militia, perhaps due to their gallant conduct at the battle, as evidenced on the flag of the 2nd Dundas Regiment.
 Following the Battle of the Windmill, the 1st and 2nd Regiments (Battalions) of Dundas Militia were presented with a set of colours, emblazoned with the emblem of a windmill in recognition of their heroic actions at the battle. Col. John Crysler applied to Lt-Gen. Sir John Colborne for the authority for the regiments to carry this device on their colours.[8] When the Crysler's Farm Monument was unveiled on September 25, 1895, the Morrisburg High School Cadets carried a flag that had been borne by the 2nd Dundas Regiment (Battalion) at the Battle of the Windmill. Reorganization of the MilitiaIn 1842, the Dundas Militia was reorganized, being split into three battalions. The 1st Battalion would serve Williamsburg Township, the 2nd Battalion would serve Matilda Township, and the 3rd Battalion would serve Winchester and Mountain Townships.[3] These battalions would form part of the larger "Regiment of the Eastern District", a united regiment composed of battalions from Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry to serve all three counties. The Militia lists for 1851 record the following officers of the Dundas Militia with their dates of rank: 1st Battalion (Williamsburg): [9] Lt Col. John Crysler - Nov. 5, 1846 Majors Cephranus Casselman - Jan. 13, 1847, John P. Crysler - Aug. 16, 1850 Captains John Hickey, George Cook, William Kyle, Isaac N. Rose, Adam Nudle, George Weaver, Henry Weagear, William Swayne - Jan. 13, 1847, Conrad Casselman - Dec. 19, 1850 Lieutenants Josiah Southworth, Peter J. Loucks, John W. Loucks, Alex. Colquhoun, Walter Bell, John Marsellis, Cornelius Nevins - Jan. 13, 1847, Samuel J. Crysler, Pembroke G. Crysler - Oct. 7th, 1847, Jacob Merkley - Dec. 19, 1850 Ensigns Michael Pellar, John Brouse, William Weaver, John Munro - Jan. 13, 1847, Samuel Weagant, Michael Hickey, Seph. M. Casselman, William Dicks, Guy J. Loucks - Oct. 7, 1847, John R. Crysler - Dec. 19, 1850 Adjutant James Baker - Oct. 7, 1847 Quarter Master Jacob Hanes - Jan. 13, 1847 Surgeon John Grant - Jan, 13, 1847 2nd Battalion (Matilda):[9] Lt Col. David Robertson - Dec. 9, 1846 Major George Ault - Mar. 31, 1847 Captains John Savor, George Brouse, Sydney Doren, James West, Samuel Shaver, John Strader, Simeon Ault - Mar. 31, 1847, John Parlow - Sep. 25, 1850 Lieutenants David Coons, George Carman, Alonzo C. H. Shaver, James Doren, Nicholas N. Brouse, Isaac Keeler, Alex. Macdonell, Henry Van Allen - Mar. 31, 1847, Matthew Coons - Sep. 25, 1850 Ensigns Nicholas Carman, George J. Brouse, Henry Merkley, John Flagg, Alonzo B. Robertson, James N. Nettleton, John Servis, James Glasford - Mar. 31, 1847, David Mcintosh - Aug. 2, 1847 Adjutant Nicholas N. Brouse - Mar. 31, 1847 Quarter Master George Robertson - Aug. 2, 1847 3rd Battalion (Winchester and Mountain):[9] Lt Col. Peter Shaver - Nov. 5, 1846 Major Jacob Brouse - Mar. 24, 1847 Captains William S. Shaver, Robert Grey, John Dillabough, James A. Liddle, John Van Camp, Edward Brouse, George T. Shaver - Mar. 24, 1847, Elijah Van Camp, Andrew Summers, Peter Smith - May 12, 1847 Lieutenants William Shaver Jr., Henry H. Boulton - Mar. 24, 1847, Marcus (Mark) Redmond, Robert O. Mullen, Joseph Hindman, James Slater, Thomas Armstrong, George Fitchell, Charles Parker, Alex. H. Monro, Reuben Shaver - May 12, 1847 Ensigns John Armstrong, John White, Hezekiah Clark, Edward Price, Andrew Sipes, George Dillabough, Samuel Bigford, David Farrell, Giles W. Bogart, John McCargar - May 12, 1847 Adjutant Edward Brouse - Mar. 24, 1847 Quarter Master William Laing - May 12, 1847 In 1852, the "Regiment of the Eastern District" was disbanded and returned to individual county regiments, with the 3rd Battalion, Dundas Militia being split into two battalions; the '3rd Battalion' serving Mountain Township, and the new '4th Battalion' serving Winchester Township. The first two battalions remained the same.[3] With the passage of the Militia Act of 1855, the counties of Leeds, Dundas, Stormont and Glengarry became part of Military District No. 2. The militia report for 1858 lists the following officers and their dates of commission:
The militia report for 1859 lists the following strength of the Dundas Militia:
Total strength of regiment: 2,983 The militia report for 1863 lists the following strength of the Dundas Militia:[11]
Total strength of regiment: 2,855 Volunteer Militia and AmalgamationWith the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854, the garrison of regular British soldiers left Canada to fight and the colonial government issued the Militia Act to raise active volunteer militia companies in Canada for the defence of the province. Two such volunteer companies were formed in Dundas at this time:
A Military General Order published on February 7, 1856, stipulates the undress uniform for officers of the sedentary militia as such:[14]
During the early 1860s there was much fear in the Province about a possible war between Great Britain and the United States. The Trent Affair and Chesapeake Affair caused alarm along the border and more volunteer militia companies were raised in Dundas. The first 'militia rifle company' raised in Dundas in consequence of the Trent Affair was the Morrisburg Rifle Company, formed on January 22, 1862, under the command of Captain Alexander Farlinger, Asaph Bradley Sherman commissioned Lieutenant, Charles P. Empey commissioned Ensign. This company was disbanded in November 1862[15] By the mid-1860s there were at least three other volunteer infantry companies joining the 1st Williamsburg Rifles:[1]
As well as two volunteer artillery companies:
The volunteer Infantry and Rifle companies were stood down in April 1864 in consequence of being disorganized  Fenian RaidsDuring the Fenian Raids in 1866, the Dundas artillery companies were called out for service along the St Lawrence River frontier, serving at Prescott and Cornwall. According to the book Troublous Times in Canada: A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870: "On the 15th of November, 1865, the following volunteer corps were called out for Frontier Service, and were stationed at the following places, the whole force being under the command of the Lieutenant-General commanding Her Majesty's Forces in North America:"- "At Prescott:- The Morrisburg Garrison Battery of Artillery: Capt. Thomas S. Rubidge, 1st Lt. Peter A. Eagleson, and 2nd Lt. G. S. L. Stoddart." [16] In the spring of 1866, an attack on Prescott and subsequent advance to Ottawa was prevented by the presence of a considerable force of volunteers, including two companies from Dundas, and a British gunboat on the river. The Fenians then moved eastward to Malone and vicinity, and an attack on Cornwall was expected, but the presence of three thousand troops there again dissuaded them from attacking.[1] On July 1, 1866, a force of approximately 1,600 Fenians under General O'Neill appeared on the banks of the St. Lawrence across from Morrisburg. Theodore F. Chamberlain of Captain Rose's Dundas Infantry Company was sent by personal orders from Sir John A. Macdonald to follow the Fenians and report back on their positions. After two weeks the threat of invasion was gone and Chamberlain returned to Morrisburg.[17] James Whitney, MPP for Dundas from 1888 to 1914, served as a Sergeant with the Cornwall Volunteer Infantry alongside the Dundas companies during the Fenian Raids in 1866.  In 1899, veterans of the Fenian Raids were awarded the Canada General Service Medal and the following are names of the men from Dundas County who received the medal for service in 1866 with: The Morrisburg Garrison Artillery:[1]
The Iroquois Garrison Artillery:[1]
Another Fenian Raid was launched on May 24, 1870, and Cornwall was again filled with soldiers. The force consisted of the 59th Cornwall Battalion, 18th Hawkesbury, 41st Brockville, the Ottawa Garrison Artillery and Field Battery and the Iroquois Garrison Artillery, 1,027 men in all. For a few days excitement ran high, but the routing of the Fenians at the Battle of Pigeon Hill and Battle of Trout River forced the early disbandment of the militia. Men from Dundas County served along the St. Lawrence River again during this period.[5] The following men received the Canada General Service Medal for service in 1870 with the Iroquois Garrison Artillery:
AmalgamationIn 1869, the Dundas Militia, as part of the Militia Reserve, was separated into six battalions with a total strength of 3,609 men. The Captains of the battalions were N.N. Brouse, Sidney Doran, Isaac N. Rose, John Brouse, Joseph Hyndman, and G.W. Bogart.[1] Dr. Robert Reddick (1848-1930), a prominent physician in Winchester, served as a Private with the 56th Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles) during the Fenian Raid of 1870, and later as a Field Surgeon with the Midland Battalion in the North-West Rebellion. After Canadian Confederation in 1867, the old county militias continued as the reserve component of the Permanent Active Militia, but by the 1870s they were phased out and informally merged into various infantry battalions, but due to the lack of infantry or rifle companies in Dundas County, there was no Active Militia battalion for Dundas. Men from Dundas County served alternately with the 59th (Stormont and Glengarry) Battalion of Infantry, or the 56th (Prescott) Battalion of Infantry. In the 1890s, an infantry company was raised in Iroquois as No.1 Company of the 56th Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles). The Iroquois Company was commanded by Capt. W.F. Carstairs, with Lt. Duncan A. Macdonell and Lt. W.J. Purkis. Macdonell eventually took command of the company. By the early 1900s, men from Dundas served with the 59th (Stormont and Glengarry) Battalion of Infantry with headquarters at Cornwall, and with the 154th (Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry) Battalion, CEF during WW1. Due to recruitment by the 154th in all three counties, in the 1920s, the 59th Regiment would officially gain the Dundas recognition as the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders. Dundas residents served honourably during the South African War, First World War, Second World War, and into the modern era. Dundas MilitiamenRoll of Honour
Militia veterans
Battle honoursIn the list below, the battle honours that were earned by the Dundas Militia, and perpetuated by the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders are shown. War of 1812
Rebellions of 1837-38
Fenian Raids
See also
References
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