Santa Parade, Morrisburg, Saturday, December 6

It seems only fitting that with the Iroquois Festival Committee celebrating “A Call to Arms…Dundas Militia…War of 1812”, all day in Iroquois on Saturday, September 15, that one of those key area battles be recalled.

The Battle of Matilda was fought on September 16, 1812.

When it was over, Canadian forces has suffered one killed and several wounded. The Americans, who had begun the fight by attacking military bateaux, just past the Iroquois Point, experienced considerable losses. How many American troops, of the original 500, fell that day, has never been fully determined. 

The Dundas region often bore the brunt of fighting once war was declared by United States president, James Madison, on June 18, 1812. 

The narrowness of the St. Lawrence River in several places from Upper Canada to Quebec City, as well as a series of small islands scattered along the waterway in this region, made it an ideal setting for either side for staging surprize attacks. The river was also the main source of transportation for armies, supplies and commerce for both nations. 

Strategically, any military planner understood that the army which ultimately controlled the St. Lawrence, essentially controlled the war. 

On September 16, under the protection of Captain Ault and his Dundas Regiment’s No. 1 Flank Company, accompanied also by a detachment of The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, led by Major Heathcote, a convoy of military boats was moving military stores from Montreal to Kingston when American invaders opened up on them.

As the American militia continued to fire on the Canadian convoy, two ships full of US troops made their way toward Presqu’isle Island. They planned a toe hold landing. Captain Ault, figuring out the plan, ordered Ensign Clark and part of the Dundas regiment to stop them.

In the race to the island, the Canadians won. 

Ensign Clark’s men hastily dug in, using bushes and trees on the Island as camouflage. They opened murderous fire just as the American troops began their landing.

The unexpected fire from the forest threw off the American invasion plan, and US troops finally withdrew to Toussaint’s Island, taking shelter in the woods. To the Americans’ dismay, one of their small boats went adrift and was picked up by the Canadian militia.

As the word of the attack spread, large numbers of area men, some well past fighting age, rushed to join the Dundas Regiment. Captain Shaver, Captain Ault, Colonel Allen McDonnell (names well known in this region), took over command. 

From Prescott, Lieutenant Fraser brought in a nine pounder gun whose fire was directed at Americans in King Peter’s Bay. Two companies of the Grenville Militia, commanded by Captains Monroe and Dulmage, rushed to the battle.

In the following hours the American attack was stopped dead.

For the first time, the 1st Dundas Regiment had been called upon to defend this area in the war. Men and officers proved their mettle in what came to be called the Battle of Matilda.

But the war was far from over. The Americans would be back.

To commemorate the Battle of Matilda, a group of SD&G Highlanders will be visiting its location (County Road 2 and Galop Lane) at 11 a.m. on Sunday, September 16, enroute to ceremonies in Mountain for the Hill 70 Memorial.

The 15-20 uniformed young troops (during this professional development training exercise), accompanied by their piper, will make a stop at the local battle site. Their visit, September 16, coincides with the 200th anniversary of the fight. 

Area residents are welcome to join them at 11 a.m. 

[…]

Never leave it unattended: That’s the most important advice South Dundas Fire Chief Chris McDonough has for area residents using space heaters.

He understands the need for people to make use of these heaters, especially during the extreme cold weather. 

In fact, he himself uses one in the municipal office where he works. 

“These heaters create such an intense heat that you just can’t have any combustibles anywhere near the units,” said McDonough.

The two recent house fires graphically demonstrate the consequences of leaving a heater unattended. One was left on with no one at home, the other just in a back room, with the resident nearby. One home was completely destroyed and the other seriously damaged.

“If you need to use a space heater, just don’t leave it alone,” reiterated McDonough.

[…]

The 30 mega-watt, 10 turbine South Branch Wind Project that will bring 10, 500’ tall industrial wind turbines to the Brinston area was approved, July 11, by the Ministry of the Environment.

Proponents of the project, EDP Renewables Canada already had a public construction meeting scheduled for July 17, at Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners.

Those opposing the project are disappointed to say the least.

The South Branch Wind Opposition Group had just recently met with council for information purposes and presented them with over 100 signatures of those in the Brinston area who support the idea of South Dundas declaring themselves ‘not a willing host’.

SBWOG had asked South Dundas council to vote on a resolution declaring that position, however, South Dundas council put off the motion until EDP was given the opportunity to make a similar presentation.

EDP was scheduled to make that presentation at this week’s council meeting.

In the meantime, the project was approved, making the resolution basically pointless, with respect to this project.

“I’m disappointed, but there is nothing I can do,” said Leslie Disheau, president of the South Branch Wind Opposition Group.

There is a 15 day appeal period to take the decision to Environmental Review Tribunal, but Disheau says the SBWOG will not file an appeal, as they do not have the resources to bring people in to testify on their behalf. 

“If this council truly values the residents of Brinston, they will put in the bylaws to protect them,” said Disheau. 

Disheau has suggested that nuisance bylaws for such things as noise and shadow-flicker be implemented and enforced by the Municipality of South Dundas, to protect area residents.

“The fight is just beginning,” said Disheau.

[…]