The Battle of Longwoods - May 5&6, 2007
Delaware, Ontario
This past weekend saw the "official" opening of the 2007 1812 re-enacting season with the perennial favourite Battle of Longwoods outside London Ontario. This event hosted by the Royal Scots - Light Company, is one we always look forward to. Their obvious hard work and dedication to running a very successful event are much appreciated.
Additional information on the Battle of Longwoods can be found with :
The Glengarry Light Infantry
The 41st Regiment
Royal Scots Light Infantry
Royal Scots Grenadiers
Last year's Battle of Longwoods
Additional photos c/o:
Sarah Brown, Paul Andersen, Veronica Clarke, Bill Longo - GLI, Steve Zronik.
The History of The Battle of Longwoods
After the capture of the American outpost at McCrae's house on December 15, 1813, the commanding officer at Detroit, Lt. Colonel Butler, determined on a counter measure. Captain Andrew Hunter Holmes of the 24th Tennessee Regiment was dispatched on a raid into the British Western District. His objective was to capture the British post at either Port Talbot or Delaware. Holmes' force numbered about 180 men and consisted of a detachment from his own regiment and soldiers from the 26th Vermont, 27th New York and 28th Kentucky. Accompanying the force were two light pieces of artillery.
The "Longwoods" was the heavily forested tract of country that lay between the present towns of Thamesville and Delaware near London Ontario. On March 3rd 1813, Holmes rapidly moving force, which was entirely mounted approached within 15 miles of Delaware, where a British force was stationed. From a local settler, he learned that the British had left Delaware and were on their way to intercept him. Holmes' force fell back to Twenty Mile Creek and after crossing took up a strong position on the west side. This is the site now known as Battle Hill.
The British force sent to capture Holmes was under the command of Captain James Lewis Basden. Basden had under his command the light companies of the Royal Scots and 89th Regiment, a detachment of Kent Militia , a company of rangers and some native warriors: in all about 300 men.
Morale in the American force was not high, but after a brief council of war it was determined to remain in position and meet the British. On the late afternoon of March 4th 1813, Basden's small contingent arrived opposite Battle Hill. the American position naturally a strong one, was enhanced by an abatis that had been constructed the evening before. The sides of the ravine were also very slippery, the Americans having watered the position down and the surface was now frozen.
Basden decided to have the Kent Militia, under Captain Caldwell, outflank the position to the north. The forty Indian warriors would engage the American right flank. Basden himself, not utilizing great judgment, would lead the flank companies of regulars on a frontal assault. What occurred was hardly surprising, as Basden's men were cut down mercilessly by the rifle fire from above. Basden himself received a fatal wound in the right thigh. As darkness fell, the British retired from the position and retreated east. Considering the numbers engaged, the British suffered greatly. Official reports state 14 men killed, 52 wounded and one missing. American losses were light, with 4 men killed and 3 wounded.
Despite their successful defence, Holmes now knew he could not take the British post at Delaware, and that same evening they began their retreat to Detroit, which they reached unhindered. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada has commemorated the action with a cairn and plaque which is located on Highway 2 west of Delaware, Ontario.(Collins, Gilbert, Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812, 1998, pages 76-77,)
Click above for a video clip...
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