Skirmish at McCrae's House National Historic Event
Chatham, Ontario
Location of the plaque
© Parks Canada Agency / Agence Parcs Canada
Address :
Riverview Drive, Chatham, Ontario
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1924-06-04
Other Name(s):
-
Skirmish at McCrae's House
(Designation Name)
Importance:
British capture of American troops in 1813; War of 1812; house of Thomas Mccrae
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: N. E. half of Lot 15-Township of Raleigh between River Road and Thames River-4 mi. west of Chatham Riverview Drive, Chatham, Ontario
Following the defeat of the British at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813, American forces controlled the Thames Valley west of Moraviantown. In early December a detachment of 3 officers and 36 men of the American 26th Regiment established a post near here at the house of Thomas McCrae. Before daybreak on December 15, 1813, they were surprised by Lieutenant Henry Medcalf and 32 members from the Norfolk and Middlesex Militia, the Kent Volunteers and the Provincial Dragoons. After a brief resistance the Americans surrended and were taken prisoner.