In mid-January 1838 Mackenzie and his followers evacuated the island .
Following a clash between William Lyon Mackenzie and an Upper Canada government militia north of Toronto , the rebel leader took his forces to Navy Island on the Niagara River to form a provisional government .
In mid-January 1838 William Lyon Mackenzie and William Lyon Mackenzie 's followers evacuated the island .
Following a clash between William Lyon Mackenzie and an Upper Canada government militia north of Toronto , the rebel leader took his forces to Navy Island on the Niagara River to form a provisional government .