McDouall and a party of soldiers from the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles, voyageurs and craftsmen journeyed north in the depths of winter from York, the provincial capital of Upper Canada, to the Nottawasaga River near present day Edenvale, Ontario, where they constructed batteaux.
(Glengarry Landing on the Nottawasaga River, where McDouall oversaw the construction of the flotilla, was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1923.
[1][2]) When the river unfroze in the spring, they sailed and paddled the length of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron to reach Mackinac with vital supplies.
Shortly after his arrival, he learned that the Americans had captured the post of Prairie du Chien, threatening the allegiance of some of the Indians.
In spite of his record, McDouall never again saw active service, although he was appointed Companion of the Bath in February 1817 and was promoted colonel in July 1830 and major general in November 1841.
He never married and devoted much time and money to the Free Church of Scotland including funds to colleges in Edinburgh and Toronto.