Raid on Port Dover facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Raid on Port Dover |
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| Part of the War of 1812 | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
 United Kingdom Upper Canada |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| John B. Campbell | Unknown | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 750 regulars and militia | Scattered elements of militia and regular units | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown Port Dover destroyed |
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The Raid on Port Dover was an important event during the War of 1812. American soldiers crossed Lake Erie. Their goal was to capture or destroy grain and mills in Port Dover, Ontario. These supplies were used to feed British troops. These British troops were stationed nearby on the Niagara Peninsula.
However, Lieutenant Colonel John B. Campbell went too far. Without permission from his leaders, he ordered the destruction of private homes and other property. This made British commanders very angry. They demanded similar actions against American towns. The burning of Washington by the British later that year was partly a response to what happened at Port Dover.
Why the Raid Happened
In the spring of 1814, American forces were getting ready. They planned to attack across the Niagara River. The Americans controlled Lake Erie. So, the troops at Presque Isle were no longer needed to guard the shipyard there. They were told to join the main American army at Buffalo, New York.
The idea of attacking Canadian towns near Long Point came up. The goal was to destroy the mills there. This idea came from Captain Arthur Sinclair, who led the US Navy ships on Lake Erie. It also came from Lieutenant Colonel John B. Campbell, who led the troops at Presque Isle.
It took a few days to get the group ready. They especially needed volunteers from the Pennsylvania Militia. On May 13, 750 soldiers boarded Sinclair's ships. These soldiers included regular troops, artillery, and Pennsylvania militia. Several Canadian guides, who had switched sides, also joined them. One of these guides was Abraham Markle.
The Attack on Port Dover
In the late afternoon of May 14, the Americans landed near Port Dover. There was a small fight. American soldiers and some Canadian militia fought. The Canadians were trying to move goods from a storage building.
The Americans stayed where they landed during the night of May 14. The next day, they marched to the village of Dover. They lined up as if for a battle, but there was no one to fight. Colonel Campbell then gave a shocking order. He told his men to burn every building in the settlement.
They burned twenty houses, three flour mills, three sawmills, and three distilleries. They also burned twelve barns and other buildings. All the farm animals were shot and left behind. Some sailors took parts of the dead pigs. But besides these small thefts, there was no widespread stealing. Local women and children were allowed to take their personal items from their homes. However, they could only carry small things before the fires started.
Much of the property that was destroyed belonged to Robert Nichol. He was known for supporting the British. Abraham Markle, the guide, had a grudge against Nichol. Nichol had removed Markle from the local government.
The Americans then got back on their ships. But they landed again the next day. They burned another mill and a sawmill. After that, they went back to Presque Isle. During the entire raid, there was little resistance. Only a few scattered Canadian militia and a small group of British soldiers tried to stop them. The British had heard about the raid or had taken steps to be safe. Most of the flour in the village had already been moved to safety.
What Happened Next
Captain Sinclair and other American officers were very angry about Campbell's actions. Campbell said that he alone ordered the destruction. He claimed he did it without permission from his leaders or the US government. He said it was in return for the British burning American towns. These towns included Havre de Grace, Lewiston, and Buffalo the year before.
The British Major General Phineas Riall sent official complaints. Sinclair and other Americans also complained. This led the United States Army to hold an investigation. Brigadier General Winfield Scott led this investigation on June 20. The investigation decided that Campbell was right to burn the mills and distilleries. These could have supplied the British. They also said some nearby buildings were burned by accident.
However, the investigation found that Campbell made a mistake. He was wrong to destroy private homes and other buildings. No further punishment was given at that time. Campbell was badly wounded in the Battle of Chippawa on July 5 and later died.
