[3] As the wagons were being loaded, a militia scout arrived and reported the presence of a force of approximately 250 dismounted American dragoons.

The militiamen spotted the advancing American forces at the Doran family farm near Iroquois and at once concealed themselves in the wood lines near a creek.

Unable to see their foe, the invaders were seized with a sudden panic and retired with the loss of eleven killed and wounded, and several prisoners.

The small skirmish did not deter Wilkinson from advancing towards Cornwall on the 9th, and by late afternoon his army had marched through Matilda and Williamsburg townships.

As the American forces pushed east through Williamsburg township, Trooper John W. Loucks of Fraser's Provincial Light Dragoons, formerly of the 1st Dundas Regiment, was on duty at the bridge over Nash Creek.