Park behind the red brick building at the foot of Sophia St. by the river.
Commemoration
On the morning of February 22, 1813, Lieutenant-Colonel "Reg George" MacDonell of the Glengarry Light Infantry set out from Prescott with a force of some 480 regulars and militia to capture the strong United States post at Ogdensburg. The attack was made in retaliation for the recent American raid on Brockville and was contrary to the orders of the commander-in-chief, Sir George Prevost. Advancing across the ice, MacDonell's force presented an easy target for the enemy artillery, but after a fierce battle of about two hours, the American garrison of some 500 men was routed and Ogdensburg fell.
Background
Prior to the war, there was a regular trade between Prescott and Ogdensburg, NY. At the beginning of the war, the trade continued illegally until shut down when a regular American regiment was sent to Ogdensburg.
McDonnell’s unauthorized attack was made by the Glengarry Light Infantry (Fencibles), local militia men, the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles and some guns taken from the fort and mounted on sleighs. After chasing the Americans out of the fort, McDonnell’s troops burned all the boats in the American port and carried off the cannon. The Americans never again stationed troops at Ogdensburg during the war.
Prevost retroactively approved McDonnell’s action.
McDonnell was born in St. John’s Newfoundland in 1780. He severed in the British Army and when the War of 1812 broke out, he was posted to Fort Wellington. After the battle, he held a number of positions and participated in various actions in that war. He moved to England in 1816. He died in 1870.