The Battle of Pelee Island 1838
Text from the plaque
On February 26, 1838, a group of over 300 American supporters of William Lyon Mackenzie's rebellion, led by 'Major' Lester Hoadley, captured this island. In response, Colonel John Maitland, commanding the Western District, despatched five infantry companies supported by militia and Indians across the ice from Amherstburg. On March 3, fleeting a southward sweep by the main force, the Americans were intercepted off-shore from here by a detachment of 126 men led by Captain George Browne. Browne's force lost five; the enemy's, at least eleven killed, including its leader, and eleven taken prisoner. Following closely the defeat of rebel supporters on Fighting Island (February 25), this victory marked the second time in one week that a force invading Canadian territory had been repulsed.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The County of Essex
The Township of Pelee
On Pelee Island, west of Scudder
at Pelee Island Public School, North Shore and Victoria Roads
N 41 48.496 W 82 40.574
Recorded August 2006. Check current access before visiting.
More information
More views
Where it stands
Visitors' notes
December 20, 2012
This IS Canadian history. It took place in Canada. The place was called "Upper Canada" at the time. The word "Canadians" to describe the people of the area had been in use since the 1600s at least. There were Canadian troops involved and Canadian rebels involved. This is NOT British history. It is Canadian history with a British element in it. I am aware of the Act of Dominion in 1867 before you get onto that. That simply entitled the Canadians living in Canada to limited self-government. It did not suddenly create a new species of humanity or the place they'd been living.
September 24, 2012
Um, this is British history, not Canadian. Canada didn't exist.
April 30, 2009
History shouldn't be "forced" - Canada has an extremely colourful, adventurous and fascinating history. We should all insist on more 'force fed' lessons such as this.