In front of the Cornwall Armory

Commemoration

The regiment of Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles was raised in 1811-12 largely from among the Highland settlers of this regions, many of whom had served previously in Europe with the Glengarry (British Highland) Fencibles.  The Canadian corps was recruited through the efforts of Major George Richard John MacDonnell (“Red George”) assisted by the Rev. Alexander Macdonnell (later Upper Canada’s first Roman Catholic Bishop) who served as its chaplain.  The regiment was taken on the regular British army establishment in 1812 and disbanded at Kingston in 1816.  Detachments of the Fencibles distinguished themselves in many hard fought engagements including Salmon River, 1812; Ogdensburg, 1813; Lundy's Lane, Fort Erie, and Mackinac, 1814.


Background

The War of 1812 is sometimes called the second or second half of the American Revolutionary War.  It stemmed from several grievances which had their roots in that first war.  In 1812, many loyalists living in Upper Canada had first hand memories of the revolution or had heard the stories from their parents and grand parents.  It would have been very much part of living memory.

A number of militia units were raised in Upper Canada.  One of these was the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles.  They were raised just before war started and disbanded after its end.  The term “fencibles” had first been used to describe such locally raised units in the Seven Years War (1756-63).  

They were  led by Captain George MacDonnell, a British officer from the King’s Regiment (the 8th).  Recruits came not only from the area of Glengarry but from Scottish settlements in the Maritimes.  Starting at under 400 men, it grew during the war to 600.  McDonnell became the unit’s major and another officer from the 8th, Francis Battersby, became its commanding officer as Lieutenant Colonel.  

As well as the battles mentioned on the plaque, the unit was also involved in the Battles of York (Toronto), Fort George and Sacketts Harbor in 1812.  In 1813 they were stationed at Fort George and fought a number of skirmishes.  In 1814, they participated in Raid on Fort Oswego,  and Lundy’s Lane, the unsuccessful siege of Fort Erie, and Malcolm’s Mills.