Andrew Hunter Holmes-- Part 3

After the Battle of Lake Erie (September 10, 1813) when Americans recovered Fort Detroit, Holmes' regiment was ordered to assist Major General William Henry Harrison's invasion of Canada.  Holmes was present at the Battle of the Thames (October 5, 1813) and was later assigned to the U.S. garrison at Amherstburg (Fort Malden).

From Amherstburg, Holmes commanded a raid against British outposts at Delaware (present-day Middlesex Centre, Ontario) and Port Talbot, Ontario.  On March 2, 1814, as Holmes neared Delaware, he received news that the British were aware of his presence and had dispatched a large force to intercept him.

Holmes withdrew to Twenty Mile Creek. 

On March 4, 1814, he fought at the Battle of Longwoods.

--Brock-Perry

After the Battle of Longwoods-- Part 2

The Battle of Longwoods represented a major turning point in the war in the London district.  The British subsequently withdrew from Delaware to Burford, turning this part of Upper Canada into a no-man's land.

It was subject to American raids from Detroit against area farms in search of food and supplies.  It is 126 miles between London and Detroit.

Settlers in the Thames Valley were constantly robbed and pillaged.  Many frightened families abandoned their farms and did not return when the war ended in late 1814.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Longwoods-- Part 2

In the aftermath of Harrison's withdrawal, there was what essentially amounted to a no war.  The British established outposts at Delaware and Port Talbot.  On 23 December 1813, the garrison at Delaware surprised and captured a small American post near Chatham.

The American commander at Amherstburg, Lt. Col. Anthony Butler sent an expedition under Captain Andrew Holmes, to capture one of the two British posts.  They left 21 February 1814 but met problems with weather and hunger.  

The Americans fell back to a hill and fortified it.  A sharp firefight took place on March 4.

The next day, some 240 British troops along with their Canadian militia and Indian allies clashed with the American force of 164.  An attempt was made to outflank the Americans while a direct attack was made on their center.

As dark fell, the entire British force retreated.

British losses were 14 killed, 51 wounded, 1 wounded prisoner and 1 missing. American losses 4 killed and 3 wounded.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Longwoods, Upper Canada-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

The battle was a mounted American raiding party which defeated Canadian militia and Indian allies near Wardsville, present-day Southwest Middlesex, Ontario.

Andrew Holmes commanded the U.S. forces and James Lewis Basden the British.

Background

After the American victory at the Battle of Lake Erie, William Henry Harrison occupied Detroit in October 1813

A no-man's land formed between Detroit and the British along the north coast of Lake Erie.  The British  established outposts at Delaware and Port Talbot.

Holmes and his command left Amherst burg on 21 February and moved along the shore of Lake Erie, but found the soil too soft and had to abandon his two cannons near Pointe au Pelee.  Originally, he was headed for Port Talbot, but he clashed with Canadian militia who g escaped him.  He figured they'd alert the garrison at Port Talbot.

--Brock-Perry