Battle of Longwoods

On March 3 and 4, 1814, at the Battle of Longwoods, British and Canadian forces under Captain James Basden and ranger leader William Caldwell confronted American forces under Captain Andrew Hunter Holmes near Twenty Mile Creek on Longwoods Road west of Delaware in Upper Canada. After Caldwell’s rangers observed the American camp and reported back, Colonel Andrew Stewart sent 250 regulars, militia, and natives from Delaware to join them. The British and Canadian force advanced through deep overnight snow to Strathburn, while Caldwell had already failed to draw the Americans from their abattis and withdrew toward Delaware. At Twenty Mile Creek, despite advice to flank the American position, Basden chose a frontal assault with regulars crossing the bridge and charging up a snow-covered slope as militia, rangers, and natives moved on the flanks. Protected by their abattis, the Americans fired heavily and inflicted severe casualties on the attacking force, pinning down the flanking troops as well. Nearly all the British officers, including Basden, were killed or wounded, and Ensign Frances Miles of the 89th sounded the retreat at sunset. The British withdrew with 52 wounded and left 16 dead on the field, then met additional reinforcements at Strathburn but returned to Delaware after a decisive defeat. The Americans, who had marched from Detroit by way of Fairfield and had been weakened by cold, wetness, and hunger, held their ground after deciding to stand fast rather than retreat; their casualties were 5 killed and 3 wounded. Although they won a clear victory, Holmes withdrew afterward because he feared a British counterattack. The battle became a major turning point in the war in the London district, leading the British to withdraw from Delaware to Burford and leaving this part of Upper Canada exposed to American raids from Detroit against farms for food and supplies, while Thames Valley settlers were robbed and pillaged and many frightened families abandoned their farms and did not return after the war ended in late 1814.

Ontario · Canada