Generals frequently used their assigned dragoons as escorts, couriers and scouts rather than fighting men.

[5] William Henry Harrison ordered Colonel John B. Campbell of the 19th Infantry to lead a force which included Major James Ball's squadron (including Captain Samuel Hopkins's troop) of the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons from Fort Greenville, Ohio to attack a cluster of Miami Indian villages on the Mississinewa River.

The Miami counterattacked before dawn on December 18 and, although Campbell and his soldiers persevered, they suffered ten dead and thirty-eight wounded.

[6][7] On April 28, 1813, General Procter and Tecumseh attempted to lure U.S. troops, including Major Ball's re-constituted 2nd Squadron into a battle outside Fort Meigs, Ohio.

James Rouse and his 2 fellow dragoons raided the house where captain Ball was staying at.

James Rouse and his dragoons returned back to Fort George safely with all 9 British prisoners including Captain Ball.

[10] On September 27, 1813, Ball and his dragoons, although dismounted, accompanied Harrison on his invasion of Canada at Amherstburg.

The Dragoons and militia captured 7 boats and their cargo, then withdrew back to American territory with their prizes.

Joseph Willcocks with 200-300 men which included American dragoons of the 2nd Regiment made a surprise raid on Saint David’s where there were 4 Canadian militiamen.

The Canadian militiamen went up stairs and opened fire through the windows with their muskets killing 1 American dragoon and wounding a few horses.

Joseph Willcocks and his fellow American raiders destroyed the house that the Canadian militia took shelter in.