Murray's Raid

A War of 1812 lesson plan, Misses, Mistresses, and Misconception, Women’s Roles in the Northern Theater Of the War of 1812, mentioned Murray's Raid, which was the first I had heard of it.

In late July into early August, a British force under Col. [John] Murray invaded the Champlain Valley (Murray’s Raid). Col. Murray’s men were met by a small American force that quickly dispersed.

 In spite of promises that personal property would be untouched, many citizens saw their property stolen, damaged, or destroyed. 

From The Pictorial Field-Book of the War....

After destroying the block-house, arsenal, armory, and hospital in the town, and the military cantonment (known as Pike's) near Fredenburg Falls, on the Saranac, two miles above the village, he wantonly burned three private store-houses, and plundered and destroyed private merchandise, furniture, etc., to the amount of several thousand dollars.

Having accomplished the object of his raid, Colonel Murray retired so hastily that he left a picket of twenty men, who were captured. He went up the lake several miles above Burlington on a marauding expedition, destroying transportation boats, and on his way back to Canada he plundered private property on Cumberland Head, on the Vermont shore, and at Chazy Landing.