In November 1814, American Brigadier General Duncan MacArthur with a force of about 700 men invaded along the Thames Valley with the intention of destroying everything in the area around Burlington Heights. On finding that the high water near Brantford was blocking his way, he turned south toward Port Dover. The local militia, consisting basically of 150 farmers, assembled at Malcolm's Mills, a small community that had grown around the mills of Finlay Malcolm. Completely overmatched, the militia made a show of defiance but was swatted aside by the Americans. This was the last battle fought on Canadian soil against an invading force.