High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Raid on Port Dover was an episode during the Anglo-American War of 1812. American troops crossed Lake Erie to capture or destroy stocks of grain, and to destroy mills which were used to provide flour for British troops stationed on the Niagara Peninsula. They also destroyed private houses and other property, prompting British commanders to demand reprisals in other theatres of the war. To some degree, the Burning of Washington by the British later in the year was influenced by the American actions at Port Dover.