Raid On Port Dover

The raid on Port Dover took place between the 14th and 16th of May in 1812. Port Dover was completely destroyed by 750 United States troops led by commander John B. Campbell. The only resistance they met was a few scattered militiamen and British regulars. When Campbell and his men landed near Port Dover there was a small skirmish between American militiamen and some Canadian militiamen who were trying to remove goods from a storehouse. The next day they marched into the village of Dover, where they drew up in a formal line of battle (although there was no opposition). They set fire to all of the homes and buildings in the town, only allowing the women and children to collect a few small belongings. They also needlessly slaughtered animals. Some of the other American officers were mad at Campbell and they prompted the United States army to hold a court. It was concluded that Campbell was justified into burning the mills and distilleries which might have been used to supply flour and spirits to British troops, and that some of the nearby buildings were unavoidably involved.