This Monument commerates a short but significant skirmish of the war of 1812. The monument stands on the corner of Matthews Road and Lyons Creek Road on property donated by my Grandfather, Clifford Matthews. Most of the skirmish took place on our former family acreage south of this monument, on the hillside across the creek. I recall my grandfather talking about numerous unmarked graves that once lined the creek.
The Battle of Cooks Mills:
This battle also known as the skirmish at Lyons Creek was the last battle fought on Canadian soil. On or about October 19, 1814 at a place called Cook's Mills, a British force of 750 men engaged 1200 Americans. The British had congrieve rockets and one cannon and these proved effective in balancing the numbers. Brigadier General Daniel Bissell was in command of the American brigade consisting of detachments of the 5th, 14th, 15th and 16th U.S. infantries. Commanding the British force was Colonel Christopher Myers. His men consisted of detachments of the 82nd, 100th and Glengary regiments. The British lost 19 men killed or wounded and the American losses were acknowledge to be 67 men, apart from the fact that 200 bushes of wheat and flour were destroyed by the American brigade nothing else resulted from this sharp skirmish as very soon circumstances compelled the Americans to exchange their advance for a somewhat inglorious retreat. Both commanding officers filed reports claiming victory.