[1] With the outbreak of the War of 1812, commerce between New York and Upper Canada along the St. Lawrence River continued regularly, and besides the Battle of Matilda, there had been little military action.

On September 21, 1812, American riflemen conducted the Raid on Gananoque, plundering the town before returning to New York.

He gathered a force of 150 Glengarry Light Infantry and approximately 600 militia from Dundas, Leeds, and Stormont and planned to cross the river and amphibiously take the town.

[3] John Kilborn of the Leeds Militia was present during the assault, and recounted in later years: Assistance from the Brockville men was asked for, and with about forty others, I volunteered and marched to Prescott during the night, under the command of Reuben Sherwood and Lieutenant William Morris.

After getting near the batteries (which they plied constantly), and in front of the town [Ogdensburg], we failed to effect a landing and returned to Prescott.