Rebels and 'Patriots' flee Pelee Island, Canada.

In 1837, armed rebellions against British colonial rule broke out in both Lower and Upper Canada and the lawlessness continued into March 1838. Following the action by the 83rd at Fighting Island in Upper Canada there was a further invasion when a group of 500 mixed Canadian rebels and American 'Patriots' crossed the border and raided Pelee Island on Lake Erie. They imprisoned the inhabitants and confiscated their property.

Once again Lieutenant Kelsall's company of the 83rd Regiment, assisted by two companies from the 32nd Regiment, 20 volunteer troopers and two field guns, set forth. Starting on 2 March 1838, the column marched 18 miles along the shores of Lake Erie, bivouacked in the snow and at 0200 hours on 3 March 1838, began to cross the 20 miles of frozen lake surface to Pelee Island.

Having arrived at daybreak, Kelsall positioned the two companies and the troopers as cut-off parties in the south and attacked with his own company from the north. The brigands attempted to rush the cut-off parties but a volley, followed by a bayonet charge, caused them to flee. The force killed ten enemy, wounded many and took several prisoners; the remainder escaped.