Skirmishes at the Canard River
Text from the plaque
In the War of 1812, the first engagement in Canada involving British and American forces in significant numbers occurred here on the Canard River. On July 12, 1812, Brigadier-General William Hull invaded Canada and encamped near Sandwich. British commander, T.B. St. George, consolidated his forces consisting of regulars of the 41st Regiment, Indians, and Canadian militia at Fort Malden, south of the Canard and stationed at picquet at the bridge. This outpost was attacked on July 16th by Colonel Louis Cass and about 280 enemy troops. After a brief stand, the outnumbered British fell back towards the fort. The Americans abandoned the position the following day, but later returned several times to skirmish with the British, who reoccupied the post.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The County of Essex
The Town of Amherstburg
On the west side of the north end
of the Canard River Bridge (Road 20)
N 42 10.146 W 83 05.886
Recorded September 2004. Check current access before visiting.
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Where it stands
Visitors' notes
July 19, 2013
Just about all research I've done says only one skirmish happened here. Only one article I found said they fought there from the 16th to the 25th I believe but that's about all it said. There had to be more than just the 2 British casualties. Why don't they tell the whole story? It makes it seem someone is hiding something. Another article I found said after 9 days of fighting on River Canard the Americans were falling back to Sandwich and they skirmished one more time with a band of Indians at Turkey Creek where one Indian was killed and a soldier scalped him. Is any of this true? If so, can anyone fill me in on what happened on the other 8 days on River Canard and how many killed, wounded, and captured? Thanks so much. I've been trying to research this for the last year.
September 14, 2012
Hi...Can someone please tell me when this plaque was erected? What time was this scheduled to happen? Thank You Christina
July 17, 2012
Just a note to acknowledge the bicentennial of this event. Perhaps it was commemorated in some way near the site.