Mar 1, 2026 – Memorial – Battle of the Longwoods

Join us on March 1st, 2026 to commemorate the Battle of Longwoods which was originally fought on March 4th 1814.  

Arrive at 1:45 p.m. and park carefully.  Battle Hill National Historic Site, 2945 Longwoods Rd, Glencoe, ON N0L 1M0

To be confirmed: The NEW Melbourne UC Church will serve a soup luncheon at the Wardsville Presbyterian Church.

We will  remember those injured and killed at the Battle of the Longwoods in 1814.

 

Watch this beautiful short video of the MOURNING RING OF LIEUTENANT PATRICK GRAEME OF THE 89TH REGIMENT OF FOOT. KILLED ON MARCH 4, 1814, WHILE LEADING THE BRITISH ATTACK AT THE BATTLE OF LONGWOODS.

Organized by the Upper Thames Military Re-enactment Society  https://www.royal-scots.com/.

Their facebook Page.

Local organizations and families are encouraged to place a wreath.  Call JoAnn Galbraith 5192895954 to put your name on the list.  Or arrive early and approach the organizers to add your name and organization to the list.

Co-promoted by the Glencoe & District Historical Society

 

When the Upper Thames Military Reenactment Society (UTMRS) and residents of Southwest Middlesex assemble on the first Sunday of March at Battle Hill in Mosa Township to commemorate the Battle of Longwoods, we honour not only those who fought, but also remember that the cost of war is and always has been horrible, cruel, wasteful and life changing.  – Glenn Stott, Re-enactor

The Battle of Longwoods

By Glenn Stott for the Middlesex Banner Feb 2025

The Battle of Longwoods fought on Wednesday, March 4, 1814, was not a major battle in the context of the War of 1812 but it’s story endures for a number of reasons. 

 

There were examples of bravery on both sides. The Americans, facing a superior force were encouraged to stand, fight and die if necessary, for the flag by Ensign Morgan Heard. On the British side, Captain David Johnstone, leading his Royal Scots, reached within 3 metres of the front of the American position when he was gunned down. The Americans refused to plunder the dead and wounded British, after the battle, because of the courage they had shown.

 

Over 20 British, Upper Canadians and American soldiers lost their lives over the almost 90 minute struggle. Over 50 lives of the soldiers were altered forever when they suffered wounds from the battle. 

 

Young Benjamin Springer, son of Captain Daniel Springer, described his house in Delaware as resembling a slaughter house after the surgeons were finished treating the British wounded over the next two days.

 

The First Nations, over 40 of them, had again come to the aid of the British at Longwoods only to eventually lose their land and hope of proper recognition by their Sovereign and later, Canada.

 

George Ward, one of the only European residents of Paint Creek (now Wardsville) in 1814 , lost his pension and his reputation as he was seen leaving the American encampment at Twenty Mile Creek and was suspected as a traitor by those who saw him. He spent the remainder of his life seeking justice.

 

William Shaw and his wife, longtime residents of the Thames, 18 year old son, William, was mortally wounded during the battle and buried they him in their family plot at Kent Bridge; the only known burial from the Battle of the Longwoods.

 

The family Graeme from Inchbrakie, Perthshire, Scotland, lost their 25 year old son Lieutenant Patrick Graeme of the 89th Regiment at the battle. They were left only with a picture of him, aged five, and a lock of his hair which was put into a mourning ring, worn by his mother. Graeme was buried somewhere on the east side of Twenty Mile Creek in a “shallow soldier’s grave”.

 

The American commander, Captain Andrew Hunter Holmes, for a brief time became an American hero and gained a promotion to Major, only to lose his life at the battle of Mackinac Island in August 1814.

 

Captain John MacGregor of the Loyal Kent Volunteers eventually had his arm amputated after he was struck by two bullets in the battle.

So a battle fought in over a foot of snow, at Twenty Mile Creek, in the future Mosa Township did have a major impact. The British lost and the Americans won, but both retreated. The loyal settlers of the Thames Valley found themselves totally abandoned by the British, who after March 10, 1814, retreated to the east of the Grand River and to Norfolk County. It led to much loss and damage of personal property, livestock, and farm produce as the Americans soon realized that they had almost free range of the total region, using it to supply their bases at Detroit, Fort Gratiot and Fort Malden.

Reflecting on History: The Battle of Longwoods Memorial Service

By David Gomez reporting on the 2024 memorial service, the Middlesex Banner community newspaper

MIDDLESEX COUNTY – The roar of rifles echoed in the name of the men who fought more than 200 years ago, as we paid respect to them last Sunday, March 3, at the Battle of Longwoods memorial. Many residents from different towns of Middlesex County congregated at the Battle Hill cairn, 2945 Longwoods Rd. in Glencoe, to honour the 210th anniversary of the Battle of Longwoods. This event, crucial in the tapestry of Canadian history, drew participants from various sectors, including local government officials and historical societies from all the region. The annual ceremony, initiated at 2:00 pm, was a poignant reminder of the conflict during the War of 1812.

The Battle of Longwoods, occurring on March 4, 1814, represents a significant chapter in the War of 1812, marking the war’s only battle within Middlesex County. It was a day when British and American forces clashed on Canadian soil, a moment in history that the Upper Thames Military Re-Enactment Society and the Glencoe and District Historical Society aim to preserve through their organized memorial service. This gathering not only commemorates the fallen but also serves as an educational opportunity for the community, highlighting the region’s historical importance and the complexities of early 19th-century warfare.

This act of remembrance brought together families, historical organizations, and public figures, including Allan Mayhew, Mayor of Southwest Middlesex; Colin Grantham, Mayor of Strathroy-Caradoc; and Middlesex County Warden Aina DeViet, highlighting the enduring significance of the Battle of Longwoods in the collective memory of the community and the county at large.

The service, in its essence, did more than just remember the fallen; it served as a bridge connecting past and present. Unlike the bitter cold and snowy conditions that characterized the day of the battle over two centuries ago, attendees experienced a milder climate, reflecting on history under a beautiful sky. This contrast further highlighted the passage of time and the changes that have since enveloped the land where soldiers once stood.

The Battle of Longwoods involved a complex engagement between American forces, led by Colonel Holmes, and British troops under Captain James Basden. The Americans, fortified by a defensive position, repelled British advances, ultimately leading to a strategic retreat by the British forces. This confrontation was not just a display of military strategy but also of the resilience and fortitude of the combatants, qualities that the ceremony sought to honour.

The memorial service is a testament to the enduring legacy of the War of 1812 and its impact on Canadian identity. It provides a moment for the community to reflect on the hardships endured by early settlers and soldiers, acknowledging the role such conflicts have played in shaping the nation’s history. Through annual commemorations like this, the story of the Battle of Longwoods and its participants remains alive, fostering a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made in the pursuit of peace and sovereignty.

As we move forward, the Battle of Longwoods memorial service stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of historical remembrance. It not only pays homage to those who fought in the conflict but also educates and unites the community, bridging generational gaps and reinforcing the value of preserving our shared history. In doing so, it ensures that the lessons learned and the bravery exhibited continue to resonate, informing our present and enlightening our future.

This year’s commemoration, while reflective of past ceremonies, brought its unique moment of collective remembrance and educational enrichment, proving that even as we look back, we also look ahead, carrying forward the legacy of those who shaped our past.