Fort Malden-- Part 10: The End of the Upper Canada Rebellion

One attempt by the Hunters' Lodge Americans to defeat the British  took place on January 9, 1838, when they crossed the Detroit River on the schooner Anne (which I have written a whole lot about, click the Anne/Ann (schooner) label).  They attacked Amherstburg, which Fort Malden defended.

All three British regiments and a town militia and Native American warriors defended the town successfully and captured twenty Americans prisoner, including their commander Edward Alexander  Theller.

There were also two other battles fought in the vicinity.  One was at Fighting Island and the other at Pelee Island.

Once the fighting in the Upper Canada Rebellion was quelled, the fort was no longer needed for active military regiments.  The Royal Artillery left between June and July  1839 and the  32nd Regiment also withdrew.  The militia was disbanded a few months later.

--Brock-Perry

The Patriot War, Schooner Ann/Anne-- Part 11" And, the George Strong

This involved another ship, the George Strong, that the Anne had captured and evidently used as a tender.

Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
Friday, February 2, 1838

The GEORGE STRONG --  It appears that the robbery of this vessel amounted to the buying , by the British officers,  of ten cords and a quarter of wood, and sundries, for which full payment was made.

It also appears that she was sort of a tender to the piratical Anne.

So, at least some Americans regarded the actions of the Patriots as piratical.

--Brock-Perry

Patriot War, the Schooner Ann/Anne: 53 Feet Long, 13.4 Foot Beam, Launched 1836

Schooner ANN.  Of 25.75 tons.  Built Detroit, Mich.,  1836 by W.H. Simmons.  owned by Shadrack Gillet, a Detroit Commission and Forwarding  Merchant.

Home Port, Detroit, Mich. 53.0 X 13.4 X 4.10  (53 feet long, 13.4 foot beam and 4.10 depth)   No gallery; no figurehead; one deck; two masts.

Former enrollment of Detroit surrendered by reason of new owners, dated May 24, 1836.

Detroit Enrollment No. 13 of 1836.
dated May 24, 1836.

I'm guessing enrollment refers to registration here.

More Than You'd Ever Figured To Know About the Schooner Ann/Anne.  --Brock-Perry

The Patriot War-- Part 9: Schooner Ann/Anne

From the Cleveland Herald and Gazette
Wednesday, June 13, 1838

Some twenty of the State prisoners at Toronto, have been moved to Kingston, among them are Sutherland and Theller.  Spencer, Sutherland's aid, and five or six of the crew of the schooner ANN, captured at Malden, have been discharged.

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Western Herald
Tuesday,  October 30, 1838

Yesterday morning, the schooner BROCK brought up from Amherstburgh, and landed  at our wharf, the long nine-pounder, which was taken from the schooner ANN of Detroit, two smaller  guns, 200 stand of musket  and accoutrements, and 20,000 rounds of ball cartridge.

The BROCK left this,  the same day for Amherstburgh, and will return shortly  with more destructive  implements; we do not say what kind -- but  will leave our sympathising neighbors opposite to guess.

--Brock-Perry

The Patriot War-- Part 8: Schooner Ann/Anne

Then the paper said what they thought about the Americans who were intent on taking Upper Canada into the United States.

"Thus ended an expedition  which was to have terminated in the plunder of our property, the massacre of our families, and the total subversion of our Constitution and Government.

"We can tell Mr. Sutherland and his crew, (who by this time are hungrily seeking to devour,) that if he wants to have another set-to, we are prepared with 1,200 'gallant souls,' as Mr. Bates called the Pirates, --who are eager for something to do to keep them warm in this cold weather."

Western Herald and Farmers' Magazine (Sandwich, Upper Canada)
Tuesday, January 23, 1838

The Patriot War, Schooner Ann/Anne-- Part 7: Kindness, Humanity and Consideration

Our men  plunged into the water and boarded her, a jolly little man of the name Lighton, climbed the mast and pulled her colors down.

The prisoners were brought on shore, and the wounded treated with ever kindness, humanity and consideration.  Indeed we need only to refer to the spontaneous declaration of W.W. Dodge, who is by far the most respectable among them, as evidence of their treatment.

The capture consisted of  a schooner, called the "ANN" of Detroit --  21 prisoners (most of them American citizens),  3 pieces of cannon -- and upwards of 200 stand of arms -- and a large quantity of ammunition, besides some stores and provisions.

The Militia engaged in this capture were all Volunteers, and behaved most gallantly.

--Brock-Perry

The Patriot War, Schooner Ann-- Part 6: Talking Pirates and Brigands

The Western herald & Farmer's Magazine  of Sandwich, Upper Canada, wrote a lengthy account of the problems between Canada and the Patriots around the time of the Ann's capture.  It was very anti-Patriot and American.

Part of the end was about the capture of the the schooner Ann/Anne:

But to proceed.  The Pirate Schooner (Ann/Anne) had of course, been narrowly watched through the day, but at sundown she sailed slowly and steadily from the head of Bois Blanc, between the island and the town, hugging the Island as closely as she could for fear  of our musketry and rifles, and firing about a dozen shots of ball, grape and canister , into the very heart of Amherstburg.   The houses sustained but little damage, and the inhabitants none.

Our men followed her, (first leaving a force of about 150 men to defend the upper part of town  near the King's store upon which the decent from the Brigand scows and boats was expected every minute,) and as she neared Elliot's Point, a rifle ball killed the helmsman, and the wind blowing very  strong, the schooner came ashore.

They were called upon to surrender, and take their colors down - but they declined, or rejected to do so, and several shots were exchanged, and two of the Pirates killed after she had stranded.  She was about eight or ten rods from the shore.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

The Patriot War-- Part 5: Schooner Anne/Ann

   We copy the following from the Detroit Daily Advertiser of the 13th inst.  The force assembled at Bois Blanc Island under 'Gen.' Sutherland was dispersed by Gove. Mason, who went with the steamboat ERIE, with about 100 citizen volunteers, for that purpose.

   The persons taken in the schr ANN, captured by the British, said by the Detroit Post to have been 'all massacred' appear to have been marched through the country to London, for safe keeping.

Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
Tuesday, January 23, 1838

--Brock-Perry

The Patriot War of 1838, the Schooner Anne-- Part 1

From the Maritime History of the Great Lakes  "Ann of Detroit (Schooner), captured Patriot War, 1 Jan. 1838."

Detroit. Jan 11. 1838, Messrs Editors:

   The schooner Ann, commanded by Dr. E.A. Theller, of this city, in the patriot service, against the Royalists of Upper Canada, was yesterday captured near Malden, while cruising near that port, for the observation as to the situation of the Royalists.  She had on board 17  men in all.

   The officers were Theller, Davis of London (Upper Canada),  and Dodge of Monroe, Davis is supposed to be mortally wounded.  Dodge had his left eye shot out.  These were the only persons injured.

   A heavy wind drove the vessel nearer the shore than was desired.  She was fired upon and captured.  She had two cannon on board, and about 300 muskets belonging to the Patriots at Bois Blanc Island near Malden, where the patriots are encamped, numbering about 700.

Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
January 22, 1838

--Brock-Perry

The Patriot War of 1838-- Part 3: Severely Disorganized and Against Both British and U.S. Governments

However, the failure of Duncombe's Revolt in Canada caused the island to be abandoned  on January 14, 1838.

CAROLINE AFFAIR

On December 29, 1837, there was the Caroline Affair, which raised an international outcry when Royal Navy men crossed the international border between the U.S. and Canada and seized the steamship Caroline   The ship had been carrying supplies to the men occupying Navy Island.  The ship was set afire and sent adrift and plunged over Niagara Falls.

THE SCHOONER ANNE

The Anne, under Patriot control, attacked Fort Malden but was captured.  Further attempts to take Fort Malden were stymied by American troops.

FIGHTING ISLAND AND HICKORY ISLAND, (Feb. 1838)

The steamboat Erie headed for Fighting Island, seven miles south of Detroit with more than 400 troops from Cleveland and their arms were captured by American authorities.  British troops crossed the ice and dispersed them and then announced they would cross into U.S. territory to pursue them, American troops put flags on the frozen river and announced they would shoot any British soldier attempting to cross.  They didn't cross.

The attack on Hickory Island fizzled when the Patriot leaders had a disagreement.

--Brock-Perry