This collection (formerly known as Patriots War Collection) consists of several original letters relating to the Battle of the Windmill... and more.
The windmill just outside Prescott, Ontario is now a lighthouse overlooking the St. Lawrence River, and a National Historic site in Canada.
Collection Overview
The Canadian Rebellion of 1837 was a movement in Lower Canada toward establishing a French Republic on the St. Lawrence River that was led by Louis Joseph Papineau. During the same year William Lyon MacKenzie led a similar armed revolt in Upper Canada which failed, he then fled to the United States and established headquarters on Navy Island on the Canadian side of the Niagara river and tried to continue the rebellion with the aid of sympathizers from the United States. This collection consists of several original letters relating to the Battle of the Windmill plus photocopies of other letters, clippings, a list of Americans captured and a photo of Windmill Point, Prescott, Ontario. Also included is an article "Mackenzies 1837 Rebellion" as well as the newspaper: Albion or British, Colonial, and Foreign Weekly Gazette, dated 1835-1844 that contains relevant articles about the rebellion.
Historical note
The Canadian Rebellion of 1837 was a movement in Lower Canada toward establishing a French Republic on the St. Lawrence River that was led by Louis Joseph Papineau. During the same year William Lyon MacKenzie led a similar armed revolt in Upper Canada which failed, he then fled to the United States and established headquarters on Navy Island on the Canadian side of the Niagara river and tried to continue the rebellion with the aid of sympathizers from the United States. Among the battles fought during the “Patriot War” was the 1838 Battle of the Windmill, November 12-16. Fought near Prescott, Ontario, across the St. Lawrence River from Ogdensburg, NY, some 300 ragtag, mostly U.S. invaders, attempted to cut off the communication lines of British troops by overtaking Fort Wellington in Prescott. The invasion was a complete failure, with only about 200 landing at Windmill Point. The insurgents were repelled by British regular troops, navy ships and local militia over the four day fight. 159 of the invading force were taken prisoner. The leader of the invaders, Nils Von Schoultz, was executed a few weeks later.