# Raid on Port Dover

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May 1814 attack on Port Dover during the War of 1812

For the 1689 conflict in modern-day New Hampshire, see [Raid on Dover](/source/Raid_on_Dover).

Raid on Port Dover Part of the War of 1812 Date 14–16 May 1814 Location Port Dover, Norfolk County, Upper Canada (now Ontario, Canada) Result American victory Belligerents United States United Kingdom Upper Canada 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

v t e Niagara Frontier 1812 Capture of HMS Caledonia and HMS Detroit Queenston Heights Frenchman's Creek 1813 Fort George Stoney Creek Beaver Dams Fort Schlosser Ball's Farm Black Rock Nanticoke Creek 1st Fort Niagara Lewiston Buffalo 1814 2nd Fort Niagara Port Dover 1st Fort Erie Chippawa Lundy's Lane Conjocta Creek 2nd Fort Erie Cook's Mills Malcolm's Mills

The **Raid on Port Dover** was an episode during the [War of 1812](/source/War_of_1812). [American](/source/United_States) troops crossed [Lake Erie](/source/Lake_Erie) to capture or destroy stocks of grain and destroy mills at [Port Dover](/source/Port_Dover%2C_Ontario) in [Upper Canada](/source/Upper_Canada), which were used to provide flour for [British](/source/British_Empire) troops stationed on the [Niagara Peninsula](/source/Niagara_Peninsula). At the instigation of Lieutenant Colonel [John B. Campbell](/source/John_B._Campbell) and without sanction from his superiors or the government of the United States, the Americans also destroyed private houses and other property, prompting British commanders to demand reprisals in other theatres of the war. To some degree, the [burning of Washington](/source/Burning_of_Washington) by the British later in the year was influenced by the American actions at Port Dover.

## Background

In the spring of 1814, the Americans were preparing to make an attack across the [Niagara River](/source/Niagara_River). As the Americans held undisputed control of Lake Erie, the troops at [Presque Isle](/source/Erie%2C_Pennsylvania) on the lake's southern shore were no longer needed to protect the improvised shipyard there, and were ordered to join the main American army at [Buffalo, New York](/source/Buffalo%2C_New_York).

The idea of raiding the Canadian settlements near [Long Point](/source/Long_Point%2C_Ontario) and destroying the mills there *en route* to Buffalo occurred both to Captain [Arthur Sinclair](/source/Arthur_Sinclair), commanding the armed vessels of the [United States Navy](/source/United_States_Navy) on Lake Erie, and Lieutenant Colonel [John B. Campbell](/source/John_B._Campbell), commanding the troops at Presque Isle.[nb 1]

It took some days to assemble the expedition, in particular to obtain volunteers from the Pennsylvania Militia, and Sinclair later considered that the delay and publicity prevented the raid from achieving surprise.[4] On 13 May 750 troops, composed of detachments of regulars (including artillery) and Pennsylvania militia, were embarked aboard Sinclair's ships. The expedition was accompanied by several renegade Canadian guides, including [Abraham Markle](/source/Abraham_Markle).[5]

## Raid

In the late afternoon of 14 May, the Americans landed near Port Dover. There was a minor skirmish between American militiamen and some Canadian militiamen who were trying to remove goods from a storehouse.[6]

The Americans remained where they had disembarked during the night of 14 May. The next day, they marched to the village, where they drew up in formal line of battle, although there was no opposition. On Campbell's orders they then set fire to every building in the settlement: twenty houses, three flour mills, three sawmills, three distilleries, twelve barns and some other buildings. All livestock was shot, and their bodies left to rot. Some of Sinclair's sailors took the hind ends of the slaughtered hogs, but other than these opportune thefts, there was no plundering.[3] Although the local women and children were allowed to remove their personal possessions from their houses before they were set on fire, they were able to remove only small items.

Much of the property destroyed had belonged to [Robert Nichol](/source/Robert_Nichol_(Canadian_politician)), who was noted for his support for the British authorities,[7] at the instigation of Markle, who had been expelled from the local Legislative Assembly by Nichol.[6]

The Americans then re-embarked, but landed again the next day to burn another mill and a sawmill.[3] They then returned to Presque Isle. During the entire raid, the only opposition had been some scattered Canadian militia, and a troop of the [19th Light Dragoons](/source/19th_Light_Dragoons). The British had either received word of the impending raid, or had taken precautions against the possibility, and almost all the flour in the settlement (several hundred barrels) had already been removed to safety.[4]

## Aftermath

Brig Gen [Winfield Scott](/source/Winfield_Scott) presided over the [Court of Enquiry](/source/Court) against Lt Col [John Campbell](/source/John_B._Campbell), after protest prompted the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) initiate an inquiry.

Sinclair and several other American officers (particularly among the militia) were enraged by Campbell's actions. Campbell insisted, both at the time[3] and subsequently in a note to the British Major General [Phineas Riall](/source/Phineas_Riall), commanding the division on the Niagara Peninsula, that he personally ordered the destruction without any sanction from his superiors or the United States government, in retaliation for the burning of the American settlements of [Havre de Grace](/source/Raid_on_Havre_de_Grace) (on [Chesapeake Bay](/source/Chesapeake_Bay)), [Lewiston](/source/Lewiston%2C_New_York) and Buffalo the previous year.[4]

The official notes of protest from Riall and complaints by Sinclair and other Americans prompted the United States Army to hold a [Court of Enquiry](/source/Court), presided over by Brigadier General [Winfield Scott](/source/Winfield_Scott), on 20 June. The court concluded that Campbell was justified in burning the mills and distilleries which might have been used to supply flour and spirits to the British forces, and that some adjacent buildings were unavoidably involved. However, Campbell was found to have made an error of judgement in destroying private houses and other buildings. No further disciplinary action was taken at the time, and Campbell was mortally wounded at the [Battle of Chippawa](/source/Battle_of_Chippawa) on 5 July.[4]

### British response

Lieutenant General Sir [George Prevost](/source/George_Prevost), the Governor General of the Canadas and commander in chief of the forces there, wrote on 2 June to Vice Admiral Sir [Alexander Cochrane](/source/Alexander_Cochrane), commander of the [North American Station](/source/North_America_and_West_Indies_Station) of the Royal Navy, without noting that Campbell had not acted under orders:

After the raid, [George Prevost](/source/George_Prevost), the [Governor General of the Canadas](/source/List_of_Governors_General_of_Canada) wrote to the commander of the [Chesapeake campaign](/source/Chesapeake_campaign), [Alexander Cochrane](/source/Alexander_Cochrane), advising him to inflict "a measure of retaliation which shall deter the enemy from a repetition of similar outrages."

...in consequence of the late disgraceful conduct of the American troops in the wanton destruction of private property on the north shores of Lake Erie, in order that if the war with the United States continues you may, should you judge it advisable, assist in inflicting that measure of retaliation which shall deter the enemy from a repetition of similar outrages.[8]

Cochrane in turn wrote from his station in [Bermuda](/source/Bermuda) on 18 June to [John Wilson Croker](/source/John_Wilson_Croker), the [Secretary to the Admiralty](/source/Secretary_to_the_Admiralty):

I am most decidedly of opinion that the readiest way to attain this object is to bring home to the supporters of the Government which authorizes this unnatural system of warfare a full share of its dreadful calamities and to this end, I have issued to the commanding officer of H.M. blockading squadron an order, accompanied by a secret memorandum...

ORDER FOR RETALIATION No. 1 By the Honorable [*[sic](/source/Sic)*] Alexander Cochrane, K.B. &c, &c, &c.

Whereas... it appears that the American troops in Upper Canada have committed the most wanton and unjustifiable outrages on the unoffending inhabitants by burning their mills and houses, and by a general devastation of private property...

You are hereby required and directed to destroy and lay waste such towns and districts as you may find assailable. You will hold strictly in view the conduct of the American army towards His Majesty's unoffending Canadian subjects and you will spare merely the lives of the unarmed inhabitants of the United States.[9]

In the appended secret memorandum, Cochrane modified these severe orders by instructing his commanders to spare places which furnished supplies to British ships or troops, or to levy contributions in return for forbearance, in proportion to the value of goods and buildings spared.[9] This code of conduct was followed by the British during the [Raid on Alexandria](/source/Raid_on_Alexandria_(Virginia)).

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Campbell had been promoted and appointed Colonel of the [11th U.S. Infantry](/source/11th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)),[1][2] but word of this promotion had not reached Presque Isle, as Sinclair referred to him by his previous rank and appointment as Lieutenant Colonel of the 19th U.S. Infantry on 13 May.[3]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Quimby, Robert S., *The U.S. Army in the War of 1812: an operational and command study,* Volume 2, Michigan State University Press, 1997.[*[page needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Brown, John Howard, *Lamb's biographical dictionary of the United States,* Volume 1, James H. Lamb Co., 1900. p.558

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Zaslow234_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Zaslow234_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Zaslow234_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Zaslow234_3-3) 'ernest A, Cruikshank, *The County of Norfolk in the War of 1812*, in Zaslow, p.234

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Zaslow235_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Zaslow235_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Zaslow235_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Zaslow235_5-3) Ernest A. Cruikshank, *The County of Norfolk in the War of 1812*, in Zaslow, p.235

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Hitsman & Graves, p.219

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Zaslow233_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Zaslow233_7-1) Ernest A. Cruikshank, *The County of Norfolk in the War of 1912*, in Zaslow, p.233

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Robert Nichol, c. 1774-1824"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110615053753/http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/Library/1/3884445_Robert_Nichol_ENG.pdf) (PDF). [Ontario Heritage Trust](/source/Ontario_Heritage_Trust). 24 September 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/Library/1/3884445_Robert_Nichol_ENG.pdf) (PDF) on 15 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Cruikshank_9-0)** Cruikshank, *Documentary History*, p.402

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cruikshank2_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cruikshank2_10-1) Cruikshank, *Documentary History*, pp.414–415

## Sources

- Gilbert Collins (2006). [*Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812*](https://books.google.com/books?id=UmbQbOcdKngC&q=%22Port+Dover%22+Ontario+OR+%22Upper+Canada%22+raid+or+%22war+of+1812%22&pg=PT81). Dundurn Group. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-55002-626-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-55002-626-9). Retrieved 5 January 2010.

- Cruikshank, Ernest (1964). "The County of Norfolk in the War of 1812". In Zaslow, Morris (ed.). [*The Defended Border*](https://archive.org/details/trent_0116300872201). Toronto: Macmillan of Canada. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7705-1242-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7705-1242-9). {{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#invalid_isbn_date))

- Elting, John R. (22 August 1995). [*Amateurs to Arms*](https://archive.org/details/amateurstoarmsmi00elti). New York: Da Capo Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-306-80653-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-306-80653-3).

- Hitsman, J. Mackay (1999). *The Incredible War of 1812*. Robin Brass Studio. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-896941-13-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-896941-13-3).

- Zaslow, Morris (ed) *The Defended Border*, Macmillan of Canada, 1964, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7705-1242-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7705-1242-9)

## External links

- Cruikshank, Ernest. ["The Documentary History of the campaign upon the Niagara frontier. \[Part 1–2\]"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110527184843/http://www.nosracines.ca/e/page.aspx?id=769621). University of Calgary. Archived from [the original](http://www.nosracines.ca/e/page.aspx?id=769621) on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2009.

- ["The history of the War of 1812"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100207052510/http://www.visit1812.com/history/). The official war of 1812 bicentennial site. Archived from [the original](http://www.visit1812.com/history/) on 7 February 2010.

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:History)
- [Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Canada)

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[42°47′46″N 80°13′02″W / 42.7962°N 80.2173°W / 42.7962; -80.2173](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Raid_on_Port_Dover&params=42.7962_N_80.2173_W_)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Raid on Port Dover](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_on_Port_Dover) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_on_Port_Dover?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.