Category Archives: Project:1812

War of 1812 project related posts.

Project:1812 – The Battle of Fort Stephenson

Fort Stephenson was a sleepy supply depot fort built under the orders of General William Henry Harrison after he gained command of the Army of the Northwest in 1813. Fort Stephenson’s task was to guard the Sandusky River. The fort consisted of a palisade wall with three blockhouses. By the summer of 1813 was under the command of the young Major George Croghan, and a garrison of 160 regulars from the 17th and 24th US Infantry, along with the local militia.

The Original memorial plaque to the Battle of Fort Stephenson

After the failure of the second British assault in early July of 1813 against Harrison’s largest supply forts, Fort Meigs Harrison knew that the great native leader Tecumseh was still spoiling for a fight and Harrison figured that he would target Fort Stephenson. So on July 29th a messenger was dispatched to Major Croghan to retreat across the river to headquarters and burn Fort Stephenson. However the messenger got lost and did not make it until late in the day of July 30th. Croghan, sent a reply stating that he would be unable to complete the task and stated that he and his garrison would stay and defend the fort. Harrison, furious that his direct order was disobeyed sent Colonel Wells to relieve Croghan of command and execute his original orders. Instead of accepting this Croghan went to Harrison personally to plead his case. Harrison impressed gave Croghan his command back, allowing him to stay and stand against the British attack which was sure to come.

The site of Fort Stephenson today is home to a public library.

General Procter had marshaled a force of 1300 men from the 41st Regiment of Foot, Native Warriors and local militia, unable to take on the American Naval base at Presque Isle, had Commodore Barclay pin down the small squadron while his forces moved by gunboat towards Fort Stephenson. Major Croghan set about preparing his command for the attack, digging a seven foot deep, and nine foot wide ditch along the northwestern approach to the fort, believing that if the British attacked, that’s where they would attack from. Also bayonets and logs were fixed along the outer wall of the fort. By August 1st, 1813 Procter’s force had setup a small artillery battery and opened fire on the fort. After a day of shelling, the fort was approached by Colonel Elliot and Major Chambers under a flag of truce, Croghan sent Ensign ship, under a similar flag to meet the two British officers. The British citing their superior force and that if the fort were taken, they would be unable to control the native warriors, hoping that the mere idea of a massacre would scare the young American officer. Shipp however stated that if the British were able to take the fort there would be no one left the massacre, as they would fight as long as there were men still able to stand. After the officers returned to their respective camps, the British battery opened up on the fort again. The British would be forced to pay for the fort with their own blood.

Major Croghan’s single Artillery piece from 1813 remains on display outside the library still.

Croghan, had the fort’s single six-pound cannon fire on the British camp as well, moving it around the fort to make it seem that they had more than just the one gun. Despite the rain of over five hundred cannon balls the British sent onto the Fort it was not enough to break through the wall. Procter soon realized that the fort could only be taken by an infantry assault and split his force into two columns, while leaving the native warriors in the woods to ensure that if the Americans retreated they would be taken care of. Procter sent a small column toward the southwestern approach of the fort while the bulk of his forces attacked the northwestern approach, Procter hoped this ploy would have Croghan split his force allowing him an easier time to take out the small garrison force. Croghan however saw through Procter’s plan and kept a majority of his force on the northwestern side along with his six-pounder, now hidden inside the blockhouse. Colonel Short leading the main attack force managed to rally his troops despite being raked with rifle fire from the fort, lead the troops into the ditch, thinking it would give them cover. However it was exactly what Croghan wanted, the six-pounder had already been pre-sighted for the ditch, and let loose grape-shot, with nowhere to hide, or escape to, the British attack force was decimated, only a few managed to escape the carnage. Within half an hour of the assault starting it was over, the British quickly retreated and by nightfall escaped by the river back to Fort Amhurstburg. The British suffered 23 killed, including Colonel Short, 28 missing, and 35 wounded, the Americans had only one death, a 14 year old boy, and a hand full of wounded.

The memorial to those who defended Fort Stephenson against the superior British force and won.

The British never made another attempt at the Northwest, Oliver Hazard Perry’s Squadron made sure that the British hold on Lake Erie was smashed in September opening up the way for General Harrison’s Army of the Northwest to chase the British to Thamesville, defeating them and ensuring that the British would never field an army in the west for the rest of the war. Major Croghan was promoted by President Madison to Lieutenant Colonel and awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his actions. Fort Stephenson is long gone, and the battlefield covered by the city of Freemont, OH. The grounds where the fort stood now is home to the Birchard Library. A plaque and monument stand on the property. Oddly enough, the small six-pound cannon, named “Old Betsey” also remains on the grounds as well. The city of Fremont celebrates Croghan Day every August in honour of the young officer, a national hero.

Written with files from:
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers
birchard.lib.oh.us/BFSBattle-of-Fort-Stephenson.htm
www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=717

Photos:
Bronica SQ-Ai – Zenzanon-S 80mm 1:2.8 – Kodak Tri-X 400
Dev: Xtol (Stock) 6:15 @ 20C

Project:1812 – The Battle of Frenchtown

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After the fall of Detroit to General Brock in the summer of 1812 the British moved quickly to establish a beachhead in the northwest to ensure the security of Upper Canada, and to hold the territory to fulfill a promise to their native allies that it would become their own country at the end of the war (should the British win). The capture of Detroit also put a halt to the planned invasion of Upper Canada from the west. President Madison replaced General Hull as the commander of the Army of the Northwest for the near bloodless capture of Detroit. He first put General Winchester in command, but Winchester was a cautious man and generally not very popular among the troops, in September he replaced Winchester with General William Henry Harrison. Harrison planned to take Detroit in a winter campaign in the early months of 1813. Harrison split the army into two columns, himself taking one column up to Sandusky, while a second column under Winchester was to secure the Maumee Rapids (near modern day Perrysburg, and the site of Fort Meigs). Winchester’s column consisted of 2,000 men mostly untrained regulars from the 19th US Infantry and Kentucky Volunteers (the famous Kentucky Riflemen), a handful of local militia also was a part of the column.

The Visitor’s Centre at the battlefield, go in and watch the presentation on the battle.

Just south of Detroit the small settlement of Frenchtown along the River Raisin had been secured by the British to ensure they had a vanguard should the Americans start to move up Hull’s Road to attempt to take back Detroit in the winter. This old military road still exists today and is known as the Dixie Highway. Procter sent a small group from the Essex militia reinforced with 200 native warriors to secure and hold the settlement. The residents knowing that an American force was nearby sent someone to inform Winchester of this. Winchester was under orders to remain at the Maumee to provide support to Harrison’s column should it be needed, however he went against those orders and sent a detachment of 900 men under Lieutenant Colonel William Lewis to drive the British force out of Frenchtown and secure the area. Upon their arrival on the 18th of January, Colonel Lewis ordered his detachment to charge across the frozen river, the sudden attack and brisk skirmish that followed quickly overwhelmed and drove back the small force that occupied the town. Once secured General Winchester brought the rest of his column north to further secure the town. Harrison over in Sandusky was pleased at Lewis’ action but feared that the British would launch a counterattack quickly and sent a detachment from the 17th US Infantry under Captain Nathanial Hart to further reinforce Frenchtown. Captain Hart found the town in disarray, pickets were few and far between and no major effort had been made to secure the town by January 20th. Winchester was of the opinion that it would take the British several days before the British would do anything, despite warnings that locals has spotted a large British force gathering near Detroit.

Today the battlefield remains preserved, surrounded by the modern city of Monroe, MI. There’s nothing left of the Frenchtown settlement.

Procter was already on the move, after the returning militia who had be chased from Frenchtown on the 18th he began to put together a counterattack at Fort Amhurstburg. He gathered a force of nearly 600 regulars from the 41st and Royal Newfoundland Regiments along with local militia, 800 native warriors under Shawnee Chief Techumseh and three artillery pieces mounted on unique sleds for easier transport in the snow. By the 21st they were within five miles of Frenchtown, and not an American picket in site. As the sun rose on the 22nd the British artillery opened fire upon Frenchtown while the regulars proceeded to line up. Although surprised the artillery bombardment startled the Americans and rose the entire camp in the process. Winchester was also awakened to the artillery fire. Native warriors skirted the settlement to cut off the southern escape route. While they moved they encountered General Winchester and his staff, quickly capturing the general and his aide-du-camp, Major James Overton. Chief Roundhead stripped Winchester of his uniform before bringing him to Procter. The Americans put up a fight but soon both sides began to suffer heavy wounds and casualties. Many of the American troops had not seen any sort of action before this. Many of the militia and regulars laid down arms and attempted to surrender, but the natives without a strong leader (Tecumseh refused to participate) just went on killing the troops even after they had surrendered. It was the resolve of the Kentucky Volunteers that kept the battle going. Procter, now holding Winchester as a prisoner demanded the unconditional surrender of the American forces. Procter played up on the American’s fear of a possible native massacre. Winchester relented and signed a letter of surrender sending it over under a flag of truce with Major Overton. By 11am the fighting had lulled, and the Americans were bolstered with they saw an officer approach under a flag of truce, their elation soon turned to confusion when it was Overton, and he had a letter from Winchester to surrender. Major George Maddison and the Kentuckians refused to surrender and continued the fight, but soon facing dwindling supplies and after assurances that the wounded and prisoners would be cared for issued his own surrender. The battle was over. Procter quickly moved out taking the British wounded and any American prisoner that could walk back to Fort Malden, while leaving the more seriously wounded at Frenchtown under the care of the locals, with the promise that he would send sleds to transport them back. But on the 23rd it wasn’t the sleds that returned. A group of 200 natives looking to avenge their fallen brothers fell upon the town. The remaining prisoners were rounded up, the more seriously wounded were left and the home were set on fire. The entire settlement was destroyed and the prisoners were force marched north, many were killed either by the natives or left to die were they fell.

A replica 3-pound canon mounted on a sled. Frenchtown was the only documented battle that used these sleds for artillery.

The real aftermath of the battle was the effect it had on the American public, the natives, already viewed as savages were now even more so painted in that light. Procter even did not hold the same command and respect that Brock had with Tecumseh. The River Raisin Massacre as it soon became known served as a rallying point for Kentuckians. The US army was soon flooded with Kentucky riflemen ready to avenge their fallen brothers from the Raisin. What was left of Frenchtown continued to be occupied by the British until September 22nd, 1813 when it was liberated by American forces. Those captured remained in British hands until the war ended two years later, including General Winchester. The battle cry of “Remember the Raisin” was heard across the Northwest and during the invasion of upper Canada in September and October of 1813.

Written with Files from:
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers
Web: www.riverraisinbattlefield.org/the_battles.htm
Web: www.eighteentwelve.ca/?q=eng/Topic/40

Photos:
Bronica SQ-Ai – Zenzanon-S 80mm 1:2.8 – Kodak Tri-X 400
Dev: Xtol (Stock) 6:15 @ 20C

Project:1812 – Bakus Mills

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The battle of Bakus Mills was the battle that never happened. By 1814 American raiding parties roamed unopposed through the western stretches of Upper Canada (now Ontario). On the Niagara frontier the war had been fought to a stalemate and the balance of power depended on the supply lines that provided much needed food for the British Army. American forces attempted to disrupt these supply lines by sending raiding parties across Lake Erie and through Detroit.

The JC Backhouse Mill, yes, this is the original one built in 1798.

The J.C. Backhouse mill was constructed in 1798, and being a grist mill made it a target for these raids, as it was a major supplier of flour for the British Army. But for one reason or another it was never targeted. There are several stories surrounding why the mill was never targeted, while many others in the general area were destroyed. Backhouse was a major in the Norfolk militia, it was said that he had members of the militia light more bonfires than actual troops around the mill to trick the Americans into believing that there were more troops stationed there than there actually were. Another theory is that that many of the American officers were masons, deliberately avoided Backhouse’s property out of respect for a fellow mason. However the more likely theory is that the American’s never were able to find the mill in the first place.

Prospect Hill, the home of the Backhouse Family

Even though the mill survived the war, there were several skirmishes around the area that saw the local economy and private property destroyed. The local militia were outmanned and out gunned by the highly trained and well equipped American regular troops and volunteers that made up the raiding parties. The British had not been able to field an army in the west since their defeat at the Battle of the Thames, leaving the militia to fend for themselves.

A Log cabin, the Headquarters for the local Militia

The Backhouse Mill continued to operate until 1955 as a commercial flour producer. Today it still produces flour in the traditional method, being the oldest mill still in operation in Canada today. It’s the central building in the Bakus Heritage Village. Each September the village hosts reenactors, despite no battles actually being fought on the site.

Written with files from:
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers
lprca.on.ca/backus/1812/

Photos:
Nikon FM2 – AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 – Kodak Tmax 100 (100TMX)
Rodinal 1+50 12:00 @ 20C

Project:1812 – Port Dover

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Located on a natural harbor on the shores of Lake Erie, the small town of Port Dover is known more for its famous Friday the Thirteenth motorcycle event than its involvement in the War of 1812. In the early 19th century the town was one of the key ports to the British control, the others at Turkey Port (Fort Norfolk), Port Ryerse, and Long Point provided shelter for the Royal Navy and the Provincial Marine. Using these ports the British maintained complete control over Lake Erie for the first half of the war, blockading the Americans, at least until an American Squadron under Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the British fleet on Lake Erie in 1813.

Downtown Port Dover as it appears today.

However Port Dover’s involvement in the War of 1812 started early on in the conflict when it served as the embarkation point for General Brock’s successful siege and capture of Fort Detroit. Brock along with members of the 41st Regiment of Foot arrived on August 2nd, 1812, linking up with elements from the York, Oxford, Lincoln, and Norfolk Militia, a 300 man strong force to reinforce the 41st Regiment at Fort Amhurstburg under attack from General Hull and the Americans. However water transport for only 100 men could be secured, Brock took the first 100 while the remainder marched overland. Brock’s campaign not only secured Fort Detroit, but also the now famous alliance with Shawnee Chief Tecumseh.

Brock’s cairn.

However by 1814, the western areas of Upper Canada had been vacated by most British Regular forces after their defeat at the Battle of the Thames, allowing American forces to raid along the coast destroying, for the most part Mills and supply lines feeding the British army now concentrated on the Niagara frontier. On May 14th, 1814 Lieutenant Colonel John Campbell landed with 800 US Regulars and a group of volunteers from the Pennsylvania Militia, and a group of artillery at Patterson Creek. After a minor skirmish with local militia the force marched on Port Dover on May 15th, unopposed they proceeded to take any supplies they could get their hands on before setting the entire town, including private residences on fire, after allowing the families to remove small objects from the homes, an empty gesture. After reducing Port Dover to ashes, Campbell’s force moved on to Port Ryerse, repeating what they had done to Port Dover. Over all Campbell’s forces destroyed twenty homes, six mills, three distilleries, and various other buildings. A local citizen overheard that this was in retaliation for British attacks on Havre Du Grace, Maryland, and Buffalo. The officers under Campbell were outraged with Campbell’s actions as where his superiors and he was brought before a court martial. The court censured Campbell for his wanton destruction of private property, disavowing it completely.

Port Dover’s freshly restored 18-pound carronade.

A letter sent to General Riall explaining this did little to prevent the massive assault against the American east coast later in August of 1814, resulting in the occupation of Maine, and the destruction of government property in Washington DC. Campbell died of wounds received during the Battle of Lundy’s Lane.

Port Dover’s harbor today.

Very little remains from the War of 1812 in Port Dover, a plaque outside of town speaks on Campbell’s destructive raids, and a cairn in a downtown park talks on Brock’s embarkation. A restored carronade and an information plaque stands in the same park explaining the town’s involvement in the war. Port Dover remains an active harbor on Lake Erie, but instead of military vessels it mostly focuses on a fishing fleet and pleasure craft.

Written with files from:
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers
Web: www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques_MNO/Plaque_Norfolk02.html

Photos:
Nikon FM2 – AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 – Kodak Tmax 100 (100TMX)
Rodinal 1+50 12:00 @ 20C

Project:1812 – The Battle of Malcolm’s Mills

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By the end of 1814 forces on the Niagara Frontier had fought themselves to a standstill. Realizing that the British relied on their supply lines in the western area of Upper Canada the American Army arranged for a series of raids aimed to disrupt the supply lines.

Even after the destruction of their livelihood, the Malcolm family continued to live in the area well into the mid-19th century.

A column of 750 mounted volunteers from Ohio and Kentucky crossed into Upper Canada on October 26th, 1814 under the command of Brigadier General Duncan McArthur. McArthur’s column raided along the Thames River valley destroying crops, mills, and anything that could be used to supply the British army. The local militia got word of these raids and setup a plan to take on McArthur. Heavy rains had caused the Grand River to over flow it’s banks, so they sank all the boats and setup a defense at Malcolm’s Mills. McArthur hearing about a gathering of Militia, and finding no way to cross the Grand River turned his entire column south to disperse the locals.

The historic plaque marks the area near where the battle was fought.

The column clashed with the militia on November 6th, 1814. The column much better trained and equipped than the local members of the Oxford, Norfolk, and Middlesex militias along with native warriors, and quickly outflanked them killed 18 and wounding nine. The American’s suffered one killed and eight wounded. The remaining militia members were captured and paroled back to their homes, swearing that they would not fight in the war again. The following day American troops burned homes, the mills, barns, and anything they could find.

The neatly arranged headstones of the original settlers of the area, all of them United Empire Loyalists.

The Americans continued to raid further south towards Port Dover, but by November 17th, 1814 returned to Detroit, but were able to do serious damage to the local economy. Five mills were destroyed not to mention homes, barns, and crops. American troops proved to be civil to the local farmers issuing receipts for damaged properties. The Battle of Malcolm’s Mill stands as the last battle in the War of 1812 on Canadian soil. Today a plaque stands in the centre of the town of Oakland, where Malcolm’s Mills once stood. There’s no sign or marker where the mills once stood, but a Mill Street and Malcolm Street offer some clue to the town’s history.

A park now sits along the river, just off Mill Street. So I’m guessing the mills once stood there. The American’s did a good job, not even ruins are left.

Written with files from:
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers
Web: www.discoverbrantford.com/war_of_1812/local_connection/Pages/MacarthursRaid.aspx

Photos:
Nikon FM2 – AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 – Kodak Tmax 100 (100TMX)
Rodinal 1+50 12:00 @ 20C

Project:1812 – Fort Meigs

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You don’t want to visit Fort Meigs after a rain fall, trust me on this one. After a heavy rainfall the former supply depot becomes a swamp. Fort Meigs was one of many forts built through the mid-west through later part of 1812 and into the winter of 1813 to provide fallback and supplies for the advancing Army of the Northwest. Meigs however, being the one furthest north had the distinction of being the largest, and remains the largest palisade walled fort in North America.

One of the blockhouses along the wall, unlike other blockhouses these were not designed to house troops, but rather serve only as a defensive strong point. Often a cannon was mounted on the ground floor.

Built under the orders of General William Henry Harrison in the winter of 1813 on the bank of the Miami River as a supply depot for the newly formed Army of the Northwest and named after Ohio governor Return Jonathan Meigs Junior. Meigs had been an important ally to General Harrison during early conflicts with supplies and militia support. The newly constructed Fort Meigs was to serve as a supply depot and staging area for the planned invasion of Upper Canada in 1813, a palisade wall enclosed an area of ten acres, seven blockhouses served as defensive strong points, many mounting canon, five additional artillery batteries, two magazines, and various other support buildings needed to support the garrison of 2,000 troops. But the one unique feature of Fort Meigs was the 12 foot tall traverses through the interior of the fort, to protect against cannon balls, a feature that would later save the garrison.

Looking along the Palisade Wall

Fort Meigs was laid siege to by the British twice in 1813. The first and deadlier siege was from April 26th to May 9th of 1813. Forces under the command of General Procter attempted to seize and secure the fort. The interior traverses kept the British cannon balls from doing serious damage to the fort’s buildings and troops, and a raid by Kentucky riflemen made Procter’s siege useless. Bogged down by rain Procter lifted the siege and retreated back to Detroit. A second siege in July of 1813 also failed without doing any damage. On September 10th, 1813 General Harrison marched north and took with him most of the garrison at Meigs, the fort itself was disassembled, the ten acre fort was reduced to a simple square palisade wall with a single blockhouse, and a small garrison to keep the British from gaining a foothold in the area.

The 1908 Memorial

After the peace treaty was signed in February of 1815 many of the fort’s further south waned, and by May of 1815 the army had abandoned the old fort. Shortly after this the palisade wall and blockhouse burned to the ground, either by the army or by squatters. The whole area was purchased by Timothy Hayes, the area was used as a pasture for livestock, as Hayes and subsequently his family did not want to disturb the former fort lands and battleground. William Henry Harrison returned there in 1840 during this presidential run, and held a rally at the site of the former fortification he had commanded. Harrison’s rally was a success and he did win the presidency. Civil War veterans during a rally in nearby Toledo, OH decided to build a monument on the site in 1908 to the brave defenders of Fort Meigs. The Hayes family sold the land to the Ohio Historical Society in 1960 and by 1974 the society had rebuilt Fort Meigs to its original 1813 configuration, complete with blockhouses, batteries, palisade wall, and even the traverses (although they’re not 12 feet tall anymore).

The modern visitor centre.

Written with Files from:
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers
Web: www.fortmeigs.org/history/
Web: www.ohiohistory.org/museums-and-historic-sites/museum–historic-sites-by-name/fort-meigs/history

Photos:
Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 35mm 1:3.5 – Kodak Tri-X Pan (320TXP)
Kodak HC-110 Dil. B 5:30 @ 20C

Project:1812 – The Siege of Fort Meigs

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With the invasion of Canada on hold at least for now, the American forces had time to consolidate and rebuild after they were rebuffed during the first year of the war. Brock’s victory at Detroit and Queenston Heights did much to improve the moral of the British and Canadians forces, and only served to give the Americans more resolve to make 1813 the year they take Upper Canada for themselves, and with Brock dead, who was going to stop them? But in the mid-west a new force was stirring. The newly commissioned General William Henry Harrison was marching north, building a series of supply depots to support his Army of the North West, and it was at the largest of these depots, Fort Meigs, that the British would try and stop him.

Reenactors portraying the Light Company of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment take the field against members of the Kentucky Militia, aka Kentucky Riflemen.

General Procter of the British forces in the west had wanted to launch an attack in early spring against Fort Meigs (located in what is today Perrysburg, OH) when it was still under construction and venerable to attack. But he was hampered by heavy rain and poor weather preventing such an attack and giving the American’s time to complete and garrison the massive fort. On April 26th, 1813 General Procter and a force of 486 British Regulars consisting of members of the 41st Regiment of Foot and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, along with a detachment from the Royal Artillery, and 462 Canadian Militia. Shawnee leader Tecumseh brought 1250 warriors to enforce the regulars and militia. Procter’s guns, consisting of two massive 24-pound canons from Fort Detroit, several smaller artillery pieces and mortars along two gunboats arrayed on the Miami River opened fire on Fort Meigs on May 1st. Harrison however had an ace up his sleeve, he had ordered 12 foot tall traverses to be built up inside the fort walls, Procter’s seemingly unlimited supplies of shells just sank, without doing any major damage into the wet earth. American troops dug bunkers into the traverses, being described as an army of groundhogs by a captured British officer. Harrison also ordered that any soldier that brought canon rounds to the magazine would receive a gill of whiskey; as Harrison did not have the same amount of ammunition as the British forces seemed to have. Over a thousand gills would be handed out before the end of the siege.

Reenactors portraying Kentucky Militia, aka Kentucky Riflemen – these guys were pretty cool.

Although secure behind the walls of the fort, Harrison remained pinned down any attempt at a sortie would cause his own force to loose significant numbers, and most Americans still had the fear of Tecumseh’s warriors. But a glimmer of hope was given to the general, a force of Kentucky Militia and US Regulars were coming up from the south by boat. Harrison dispatched runners to General Clay in command of the1200 troops. Clay was to split his force into three groups, send a force to the north bank, a force to the south bank, and the reminder to head to the fort to reinforce the garrison there. Colonel Dudley was in command of the troops that landed on the north shore and quickly over ran the small force of Royal Artillery and native warriors the surprise attack sending them running into the woods. Using their own ramrods from their muskets they quickly spiked the guns, then thinking that Harrison’s signals to return to the fort were merely cheers raised a cheer themselves then spotting more natives at the edge of the woods took off after them. Harrison’s victory soon turned to defeat. British and militia troops heading to investigate the skirmish at the batteries quickly broke the Kentucky Militia’s line sending them back towards the shore where native warriors had outflanked them, catching them between native sharp shooters and redcoats. Of Dudley’s 866 men, only 150 made it back to the fort. Colonel Miller’s sortie to the south bank faired a little better, again taking the small force at the batteries by surprise his troops were able to drive the British forces off, but again after spiking the guns did not retreat (as those orders never reached them), allowing a counter attack by the British regulars drove them back to the fort after suffering heavy casualties.

Reenactors portraying the 60th Regiment of Foot form a skirmish line. Historically the 60th did not fight at Fort Meigs, but the reenactment group is known for their skill on the field as light infantry.

The two sorties did some damage to the British line, the guns on the south bank were rendered useless, but the north bank guns were able to be easily reactivated due to the fact that Dudley’s men used ramrods instead of hand spikes. By May 9th Procter’s forces were suffering from dwindling spirits and supplies. After arranging for an exchange of prisoners the siege was lifted and Procter returned to Detroit. The Americans having suffered 160 killed, 250 wounded, 530 captured, and 6 missing. British reporting 14 dead, 47 wounded, and 41 captured. At the urging of Tecumseh a second attempt at a siege was launched later in 1813 but was soon abandoned as the ruse did not succeed is drawing the fort’s garrison (now under General Clay) out. The failure to secure Fort Meigs caused a massive ripple during the fall of 1813 and saw General Harrison’s army of the Northwest invade and secure the western end of Upper Canada, the destruction of Fort Amhurstburg and the eventual death of Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames. Every May at Fort Meigs National Historic Site hosts an annual siege event. It usually rains.

Written with files from:
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers
Web: www.galafilm.com/1812/e/events/ftmeigs.html
Web: war1812.tripod.com/batmeigs.html

Photos:
Nikon F4 – AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G VR – Ilford FP4+

Project:1812 – Fort Amherstburg/Fort Malden

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In most cases when a fort is destroyed and rebuilt it retains its old name. Fort Erie was destroyed four times over the course of its service as a military outpost and maintained its old name. Fort York continued with even when the city it once defended changed to Toronto. But in the case of Fort Amherstburg, after the destruction of this fort, when it was rebuilt it was given the name Fort Malden as it is known by today.

A bastion in the 1830s earthworks.

Fort Amherstburg was built in 1796 after the Jay Treaty forced the British to transfer control of Fort Detroit over to the American government. The simple earthworks fortification on the Upper Canada side of the Detroit River served as the central hub for British Military operations, the Provincial Marine and the King’s Navy Yards, and the British Indian Department in the Western frontier of Upper Canada. The fort had simple wooden frame buildings, and no blockhouses (and oddity in those days). Construction of the fort fell to the Royal Canadian Volunteers (a group of local citizens of Upper Canada raised as a fensible battalion). The fort was manned by members of the Royal Artillery and a detachment from the 41st Regiment of foot. Another group of British irregular soldiers, Caldwell’s Western Rangers also operated out of the fort.

The 1819 Brick Barracks, the only surviving military structure on the site.

When war broke out in 1812, the fort was General Hull’s first target when he landed his forces north of the fort in the small town of Sandwich (Today known as Windsor, ON). He marched south only to be opposed by the troops from Amherstburg, it was this engagement at the River Canard along with news that General Brock was coming with reinforcements forced Hull to retreat back to Fort Detroit. When Brock arrived it was at Fort Amherstburg the general met with Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, the two great leaders then launched their operation laying siege to Fort Detroit eventually forcing Hull’s surrender and recapturing Detroit with plans for moving further south. But in 1813 the British fared far worse in the western theater, several failed attacks and sieges forced the British to retreat, General Procter ordering the King’s Navy Yards, warehouse and Fort Amherstburg destroyed by fire leaving nothing for the quickly advancing American army, and the British pulled back along the River Thames (it was during this retreat that the Battle on the Thames occurred and saw the death of Tecumseh). The Americans soon began construction of a new fort over the charred ruins of Fort Amherstburg, calling their new smaller fortification Fort Malden. With the war focus shifting to the Niagara peninsula over the final years of the war the Fort Malden remained incomplete when the British reclaimed the region, building only a small barracks to house a small detachment of troops in 1819.

A visual representation of the 1839 No. 1 Barracks

But by the 1830s the threat of rebellion swept through the Canadas, and the British scrambled to build up their military presence, Fort Malden once again was surrounded by high earthworks and several new buildings where thrown up. The fort was garrisoned by members of the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment, with the 34th Regiment of Foot using it as a staging area. The fort continued to serve as a military base until 1851, when it was transferred over to the local government who setup a lunatic asylum until 1871. During this time the earthworks were lowered, and trees planted over the ground, several new buildings were installed as well. After the asylum transferred to St. Catherines (where it still operates today) the fort was left and forgotten. The two larger barracks were moved elsewhere in Amherstburg, one split into three separate buildings, all of which still stand today, and the second was left intact and used as a stable until 1920 when it burned down. The grounds were slowly sold off for private ownership; the 1868 laundry/kitchen became a private residence. It was in 1937 when many of these historic sites were purchased by the federal government for restoration, Fort Malden among them. Today the Fort Malden National Historic Site contains the original 1819 barracks fully restored to what it would have looked like when it was built after the War of 1812, the 1868 building now serves as the fort’s museum. Visitors can also see the remains of the 1830s earthworks and see outlines where the other fort structures once stood.

Written with files from:
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers
Web: www.amherstburg.ca/Attractions/Details/fortmalden.aspx
Web: www.windsorpubliclibrary.com/digi/war1812/contents/surrender/fortmalden.htm
Web: www.windsorpubliclibrary.com/digi/war1812/contents/retreat/retreatamherstburg.htm

Photos:
Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 75mm 1:2.8 – Kodak Tri-X Pan (320TXP)
Kodak HC-110 Dil. B 5:30 @ 20C

Project:1812 – The Battle of Queenston Heights

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When war was declared in the summer of 1812, the US had the idea that the Canadas could be seized in a very quick manner, a mere matter of marching. The idea was to launch several coordinated attacks across the borders. In the east General Dearborn would cross Lake Champlain and take Montreal, another attack would seize the British stronghold at Kingston. General Van Rensellaer would take the Niagara Peninsula, and General Hull would seize the western frontier at Amhurstburg. With these strong points secured, Quebec City and Halifax would be captured, and the British tied up with Napoleon in Europe would broker for peace quickly. At least that was the theory. Hull’s invasion of the western frontier was cut short when General Brock arrived, forcing him across the river, and then laid siege to Detroit. Hull surrendered Detroit rather than face the native warriors of Tecumseh. The attack on Kingston never materialized, and Dearborn’s army remained in Albany, NY. Van Rensellaer however was ready, but hampered by lack of troops and supplies to launch any attack on the well protected Niagara frontier. With Brock tied up in Detroit still, Van Rensellaer appealed to the much more cautious Lt. General Prevost and organized a cease fire along the Niagara River, including the restriction of British troop and supply movements. Brock returned to Fort George (his headquarters) by August to find the ceasefire in effect and his own plans of a pre-emptive strike against New York turned down by Prevost. By the time the ceasefire expired on September 8th, Brock was facing a much bigger and much better prepared American army across the river, and scrambled to deploy his own forces across the river.

Looking across at the Heights from Lewiston, NY. Close to where the American invasion was launched.

But the one thing Brock did not know was where the invasion force would land. British forces were stationed at (the still incomplete) Fort Erie, Chippawa, Queenston Heights, with a majority of the forces stationed at Fort George. Two failed crossings in October still had not revealed the American end-game, but by the early hours of October 13th, 1812 the target was clear, the Americans were heading for Queenston. Captain James Denis was in command of the forces at Queenston, he had the grenadier company of the 49th regiment of foot, elements of the 41st regiment of foot, along with the 2nd York Milita and the 5th Lincoln Militia, along with Royal Artillery manning the batteries at Queenston Heights, Vrooman’s and Brown Points. British sentries raised the alarm around 4am on the 13th, as the batteries opened fire making the already dangerous river crossing more deadly. The American guns stationed at Lewiston also opened fire on the British forces. American troops although initially held back soon overran the small detachment, finding a hidden path up to the heights seized the British batteries and secured their position. General Brock was awoken by the initial cannon fire, and rushed to Queenston, gathering Militia forces stationed along the river to bring into the fight. Upon arrival he found the militia and regulars in disarray. Brock tied up his horse and did what he did best, lead men. Drawing his sword he organized the shattered troops, and got out in front and led the charge to take back the heights directly in the line of fire coming from the heights. Now a British major general makes for an excellent target, and Brock resplendent in his red uniform with gold braid, a tall bicorn hat was just that. An American rifleman took the shot, striking the Saviour of Upper Canada killing him instantly. Brock’s Aide-Du-Camp, Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell attempted to rally the troops for a second attempt but he was also struck down by American fire. The troops scattered. But the actions of John Norton’s native warriors and members of the British Indian Department kept the American’s pinned down at the heights allowing the time needed for General Sheaffe and the bulk of the British forces to arrive, but not from where the Americans were expecting. Sheaffe knew of another way up the heights, from the north swinging his troops around outside of the village of Queenston scaled the heights to attack the Americans from the rear. Surprise was on their side. It also helped that many of the American militia had refused to cross the river claiming it was against the Constitution (Militia were required to defend their country, but not to invade another).

Brock’s smaller monument, located approximatly where he fell during his initial charge on the heights.

Sheaffe’s troops through volley fire and use of bayonets were able to force the shattered American forces off the heights and back to the river’s edge, where their invasion boats were gone, many still on the other side of the river or destroyed during the initial crossing or during the fight. With ammunition and spirits low there was only one option left. Rather than face slaughter at the hands of the British and their Native allies, Lt. Colonel Scott formally surrendered to General Sheaffe as the sun was setting. With 300 killed or wounded on the American side, the British took over 1000 prisoners, themselves only suffering 28 dead and 77 wounded. Despite the loss of the much loved General Sir Isaac Brock (he had received his knighthood shortly after he had been killed) the massive victory against the Americans sealed the resolve to defend Upper Canada should the Americans tried to cross again.

A small weather worn marker, showing where Sheaffe’s relief force scaled the heights behind the American forces.

This past October I was able to participate in the re-enactment of this battle, one of the biggest in the first year of the War of 1812, with 500 British, 300 American reenactors taking the field, made it the largest such re-enactment in Canada to date. Also 250 British reenactors took the march from Fort George to the Heights to remember the same march that Sheaffe’s troops had taken that terrible day in 1812. A reader of my blog posted a video of the event in one of my earlier posts. You can view it below.

War of 1812 Battle of Queenston Heights Historic Re-enactment near Brock Monument from Peter Mykusz on Vimeo.

Written with files from:
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers
Web: www.eighteentwelve.ca/?q=eng/Topic/15

Photos:
Contax G2 – Carl Zeiss Planar 2/45 T* – Efke KB50
Blazinal 1+50 9:00 @ 20C

Project:1812 – The Capture of Fort Niagara

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The British were mad, and rightly so. In December of 1813 as the American’s retreated to winter quarters across the Niagara River they not only destroyed Fort George (Except for the powder magazine) and then at the urging of the treasonous Joseph Willcocks burned the town of Newark (Niagara-On-The-Lake) in an effort to turn the Canadian sentiment against the British rulers. This of course wasn’t the case, it made the local Canadian and British commanders turn their hatred towards the Americans.

The British Launch site for the operation

When General George Drummond arrived in the Niagara region as the British retook the area he immediately ordered the retaliation for the atrocities he saw. The Americans had left the civilian population without shelter or supplies. Many had taken shelter in the ruins of Fort George or built crude shelters out of the ruins of the town. Drummond’s first goal was to take back Fort Niagara, although it was the most powerful and defendable fort in the region, after the American’s had taken the Niagara region the fort was poorly defended by a drunken commander some members of the 1st US Artillery and 24th US Infantry. The remainders of the troops at the fort were sick or recovering.

The brigade landed several miles south of the Fort so that the pickets wouldn’t see the boats on the river.

On December 18th, 1813 Colonel John Murray lead a force of 562 British regulars across the Niagara River. Troops from the 1st Royal Scots Grenadiers, the 41st Regiment of Foot’s Light and Grenadier companies, and the 100th of Foot with members of the Lincoln Militia acting as guides and boatmen struck out under the cover of darkness from Upper Canada landing a few miles from the Fort. Drummond had made it clear to Colonel Murray that he did not want a long siege against Niagara, but a quick strike to take it back by surprise. Murray ordered the troops to remove their flints to prevent any accidental discharges. The American pickets were too busy keeping warm than actually watching for troops and were quickly overcome, surrendering the password the brigade made quick work of the other pickets without raising the alarm.

The Salt battery, part of the American defense along the river.

As the British approached the fort, they answered the challenge with the correct password and putting on a fake accent; they quickly took the gatehouse and opened the gate to the rest of the forces before the alarm had been raised. But it was already too late; Colonel Murray’s Brigade was inside and making quick work of the fort’s defenders. American troops managed to barricade themselves inside the south redoubt refusing to comply with the surrender order. They held off for several hours before the British forced their way inside and the order was given to bayonet the men inside.

The main gatehouse at Fort Niagara

Fort Niagara once again flew the Union Jack, and remained under the flag for the rest of the war. Steel and surprise had taken the fort giving the British again a foothold in the US; from there they struck out and continued on their mission of revenge of the burnings of 1813 by burning everything from Fort Niagara to Buffalo. The capture of Fort Niagara cost the British five men, and six wounded. The Americans lost sixty-five men, another six wounded, and took four hundred prisoners. The British also seized seven hundred muskets, and various clothing items including much needed shoes.

Written with Files from:
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers
Web: www.eighteentwelve.ca/?q=eng/Topic/42
Web: war1812.tripod.com/ftniagara.html

Photos:
Contax G2 – Carl Zeiss Planar 2/45 T* – Efke KB50 – Blazinal 1+50 9:00 @ 20C
Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 35mm 1:3.5 – Kodak Tri-X 400 – HC-110 Dil. B 7:30 @ 20C

alex luyckx | blog

Explorer, Photographer, Wanderer

Category Archives: Project:1812

Project:1812 – The Battle of Fort Stephenson

Project:1812 – The Battle of Frenchtown

Project:1812 – Bakus Mills

Project:1812 – Port Dover

Project:1812 – The Battle of Malcolm’s Mills

Project:1812 – Fort Meigs

Project:1812 – The Siege of Fort Meigs

Project:1812 – Fort Amherstburg/Fort Malden

Project:1812 – The Battle of Queenston Heights

Project:1812 – The Capture of Fort Niagara