Letter from Duncan Campbell to his Mother, 4 February 1838

Abstract

This letter is written from Duncan Campbell to his Mother and is dated at St. Thomas, Upper Canada, 4 February 1838. The letter is three pages and describes William Lyon Mackenzie’s occupation of Navy Island in the Niagara River with the Patriots. He writes that “the Company that I am in got orders…to proceed to Toronto, the capital of the upper province as an escort to a large supply of arms & ammunition to arm the Militia in that quarter. For at the time the Rebels under McKenzie with a drove of Yankees were expected to make an iruption into the province from the Niagara frontier. They however did not try it, but took up their quarters in a small island 2 miles above the falls of Niagara where the Yankees supplied them with arms, ammunition, canon, etc. The island is so situated that any boats going to it from our side, runs considerable risk of being carried over the falls the stream runs so rapidly. We however set the Artillery to work at them as Navy Island is only a mile from the main land. They made such havoc amongst them that during a dark stormy night they (the Rebels) took their departure & dispersed themselves over the States, so Mackenzie’s Rebellion in Upper Canada may now be considered over as they have not been left a leg to stand upon & can never have the smallest chance of succeeding.” (Transcript is provided)