Tag Archives: 1812

Project:1812 – The Battle of Malcolm’s Mills

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 – 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

Project:1812 – Fort Niagara

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Situated with commanding view of the mouth of the Niagara River, Fort Niagara has stood guard over the area for over three hundred years. It remains some of the oldest buildings in the upstate New York area. It has survived two wars, one siege, and has changed hands five times over its service. Today the old fort sits on state lands with sports fields and picnic areas that once served as prison camps and training grounds.

The gate house which dates back to the French Period.

An overview of the fort, when it was still in use, the grounds would have had many more buildings and tent lines.

The French established their first fort on the site in 1678, known then as Fort Conti served as an armed trading post and terminus of the Niagara Portage road. However a winter decimated the fort’s population and was eventually abandoned. The French returned and reestablished themselves in the area in 1687, and by 1688 the fort became the centre of the fur trade for the region. Extensive construction expanded the fort as tensions between the French and British Empires threatened to spill into North America. The Seven-Years war, or French-Indian war as it was known as in North America came to the fort in 1759 when British forces laid siege, eventually forcing the surrender of the fort in July 26, 1759. Under British control, the renamed Fort Niagara was expanded yet again.

The French Castle, the oldest building on the site was built in 1729.

The Fort continued to be held by the British through the American Revolution and remained a loyalist stronghold, throughout the conflict. It served as a base of operations for Butler’s Rangers. The British continued to hold onto the fort even after the Treaty of Paris was signed. It was not until 1796 that the Jay Treaty forced the British to turn over the forts on the American side of the boarder. The United States Army took control of the fort. A relation between the troops and officers between Fort Niagara, and its opposite, Fort George was amicable, and often commanding officers would have dinner with their counterparts. That of course all stopped when war was declared in 1812, Fort Niagara and Fort George and their various batteries along the river exchanging artillery fire. The most intense exchange between the two occurred prior to the Battle of Fort George in 1813 which saw the British forces driven from the Niagara Region. But in December of 1813, following the Burning of Newark (Niagara-On-The-Lake) and York; Fort Niagara found itself under British attack and through a clever surprise attack saw the Union Jack once again flying over the Fort. After the treaty of Ghent was ratified in February of 1815 the British once again turned Fort Niagara over to the United States.

A battery of “Long Nines” at Fort Niagara.

However the age of masonry forts was at an end, modern weapons, and advanced in Technology discovered through the bloody American civil war saw a much larger camp based military base expand around the old fort through the latter half of the 19th century and into the 20th century. The old French fort slowly deteriorated under the Military. Camp Niagara served the United States Army through the First World War and even the Second World War. During the Second World War a Prisoner of War camp was situated on the property also. However the locals were interested in the fate of the French fort, by 1931 the colonial fort was starting to be restored, and the grounds open to the public, and the fort was fully restored by 1934. The army continued to operate Camp Niagara through the Korean conflict and in 1963 dismantled the camp and turned the grounds over the civilian government as public land, Fort Niagara State Park was opened to the public in 1965. The US Coast Guard however maintains a detachment at the fort, giving Fort Niagara the title of longest continuously occupied Military bases in North America. Today the fort is a National Historic Site and musuem and is open to the public, they also host a reenactment of the capture of the fort on the Labour Day long weekend.

The Fort Niagara Cemetary, which contains the bodies of the men & women who died at the fort, and a memorial to those losts during the attack in December 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: oldfortniagara.org

Photos: Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 35mm 1:3.5 – Kodak Tri-X 400 (400TX)
Dev: Kodak HC-110 Dilution B 7:30 @ 20C

Project:1812 – The Burning of Niagara

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The tourist town of Niagara-On-The-Lake has not always been a town of boutique stores, fancy restaurants, and theaters. With horse drawn carriages carrying tourists along it’s quiet tree lined streets and the broad main street. In fact, the town has only been known as Niagara-On-The-Lake since the 1880s (officially recognized in 1970). In 1813 it was known simply as Niagara (renamed from Newark in 1798 when General Simcoe moved the capital to York), and it was under occupation of American forces.

One of many upscale hotels in modern Niagara-On-The-Lake

Following the Battle of Fort George in May of 1813 British forces had withdrawn to their strong hold at Burlington Heights, working towards building themselves back up to strength, leaving the entire Niagara region occupied by American troops. However the invasion force moved slowly through Upper Canada, only to be repulsed by the British at the Battle of Stoney Creek and Battle of Beaverdam. And now the British marched on Fort George, and winter was coming. General McClure faced with these, along with dwindling supplies. He made the choice to withdraw to winter quarters across the river.

St. Mark’s Anglican church dates back to the late 18th century. It was the home parish to many officers from both Fort Niagara and Fort George including Sir General Isaac Brock. The building they now worship in was rebuilt after the town was burned.

Usually such a retreat was a peaceful operation, military supplies were taken with the invading force, military outposts destroyed and the civilian population left alone or given a chance to leave with their possessions and supplies and seek shelter. But one man had another idea. Joseph Willcocks, who had earlier in the year turned to the Americans offering his service along with like minded men who have become disenchanted with British rule now served the American army as the Canadian Volunteers. Willcocks approached General McClure with the suggestion to burn Niagara, to give the British no quarter, supplies, or shelter when they returned and to turn the civilians against the British. McClure agreed. American Milita and Canadian Volunteers flooded the streets giving the populous mere hours notice before their town was going to be put to the torch. By the time British forces arrived the town had been reduced to ashes, the population seeking shelter from the harsh winter in the ruins of Fort George or makeshift structures constructed in the ruins. Willcocks’ plan backfired, instead of turning the population against the British, it united them, against the Americans. British troops launched an all out, no holds barred assault against the American side of the Niagara River. Starting first with taking back Fort Niagara and the end of a bayonet, then burning everything from Youngstown to Buffalo. By the end of 1813 the entire region had been reduced to ashes.

Niagara probably had many carriages, but probably not as fancy as this one today.

McClure for his part was stripped of command, Willcocks was branded a traitor and a warrant was put out for his capture. Willcocks eventually was killed in action at the Siege of Fort Erie in 1814. Both sides committed atrocities by the standards of the day. There were certain rules of engagement that were followed, and if they weren’t often officers, usually exempt from punishment, were forced to answer for their crimes. These actions also set a dangerous precedent for the remainder of the war, leading to the invasion of the US east coast in 1814 and ended with the burning of Washington DC. The citizens of Niagara however were undaunted and eventually rebuilt their town, which now stands as the Loveliest Town in Canada, a plaque in the historic downtown, and Fort Mississauga’s blockhouse (constructed of brick from the ruins of the town) are the only reminders of the dark chapter in the town’s history.

A block of buildings along the main drag of Historic Niagara-On-The-Lake.

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: discover1812.com/page/1813
Web: www.niagaraonfire.com/

Photos: Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 35mm 1:3.5 – Ilford Pan F+ (ISO-50)
Dev: Blazinal 1+50 11:00 @ 20C

Project:1812 – Ironsides

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She is the stuff of legends, a hero in her own right, a hull of iron, and undefeated in battle. A mighty sailing ship that spans the course of three centuries, and still able to move under her own power, she’s called Old Ironsides, but her real name is the USS Constitution. Forgive me waxing on the poetic but it’s the best introduction I could give to the first American entry into my War of 1812 project. Being Canadian I’ve been focusing very much on the Canadian side of the war and with the project extending through 2014 I will make an effort to start including more American personalities, events and locations into the project before its end to give a balanced feel to it. The Constitution’s history extends well before the War of 1812 and well after the conflict I will mostly be focusing on the events surrounding the War of 1812 as well as her restoration in the 20th century.

The Consitution sitting in the water at the Charlestown Navy Yards. She’s open to the public, just be sure to bring your Government ID.

By 1793 Piracy against American shipping interests had come to a head, eleven ships had been seized, their crew and cargo held for ransom by the Barbery Pirates. To combat this thread the Federal Government, still wary of any standing military force, authorized the construction of six frigates under the terms of the Naval Act of 1794. These new heavy frigates were designed to be faster than the heavy ships of the line, and outgun any existing frigates on the high-seas. The keel of the Constitution was laid down on November 1st, 1794 in Boston. But peace was reached with the pirates and Algiers in 1796 and under the terms of the Naval Act, constructions of the frigates were to cease. But President Washington seeing the value of these ships, and three nearly completed debated and funding continued for the three nearly completed ships. By the end of the 18th century the United States Navy commissioned three new Frigates. The USS Constitution, the USS United States, and the USS Constellation, the Constitution being commissioned on September 20th, 1797, and took to the water on October 21st of the same year.

Carronades on the top decks. Carronades were mostly used for close range combat.

Through the first decade of the 19th century the Constitution took part in several smaller conflicts against the French at the end of the 18th century and against the Barbery Pirates in 1805. She returned to Boston in 1807 to refit and repair. In 1811 she was tasked with bringing the new American ambassador to France and on her journey home she was shadowed by several British Warships. When war was declared in June of 1812 the Constitution put to sea to begin hunting British ships on the shipping lanes. In August 1812 the Constitution encountered and engaged the HMS Guerrier, a British fifth-rate frigate. Under Isaac Hull, the two ships engaged in fierce naval combat, eventually the Guerrier’s mizzine mast was taken out, and in close maneuvers the two ship’s riggings became entangled as they continued to fire broadsides into each other. But due to the unique construction of the Constitution the British shots bounced off her hull. Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron, came the cry from the crew. Both ship’s sent boarding parties aboard but neither side was able to take the other ship. With the Guerrier’s main mast also broken, the Constitution pulled off then returned once the Guerrier attempted to engage. Hull taking this a signal that they surrendered sent a party to the British ship. Upon arrival, the Guerrier’s captain responded to the surrender inquiry by saying Well, Sir, I don’t know. Our mizzen mast is gone, our fore and main masts are gone-I think on the whole you might say we have struck our flag. Prisoners were taken and the Guerrier was burned. Upon the Constitution’s return on Boston, the ship and crew were greeted as heroes, and the name Ironsides, stuck.

The Ship’s Wheel

The victory over the Guerrier was exactly the moral boost that the United States Navy needed. The mighty Royal Navy could in fact, be beaten at their own game. The Constitution continued to cause havoc among the ship’s of the Royal Navy, some more notable engagements against the RN was the HMS Java, HMS Cyane, and the HMS Levant. Upon receiving word that the war was over, the Constitution returned to her home port in Boston. Unlike her two sister ships, the Constitution was undefeated in battle. By 1820 she was refit for service as the flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron to defend American shipping interests against piracy. After her tour she returned again the Boston in 1829. Through the mid-19th century she was used as a training vessel and by the end of the civil war was the only surviving ‘original six’ frigates. She was made sea-worthy again and sailed for Paris in 1878 for the Exposition. But upon her return she was laid up in the Charleston Navy Yards, unfit for service.

The Ship’s bell

Her future looked grim, but the Constitution, Old Ironsides, had taken upon a life of her own. She herself was the undefeated hero of the War of 1812. Congress agreed in 1900 that she should be restored but allocated no funds. In 1903 the Massachusetts Historical Society stated plainly that she should be restored to active service. The secretary of the Navy in 1905 went so far to state that the Constitution should be used as target practice and allowed to sink. The public outcry swept the nation in 1906 and money was raised and allocated for her restoration and in 1907 she was reopened as a museum ship. But by 1924 she was again given a death sentence, a national fundraising campaign was undertaken, and in 1927 she entered dry dock. Live Oak from a Florida Navy yard from an 1850 ship building project that never happened, tools from Maine, and skilled tradesman arrived in Boston to work on Old Ironsides. And on the 1st of July 1931 she was restored and re-commissioned in the United States Navy. She was captained by a 20-year senior officer with the rank of Commander and crewed by select members of the USN. The Constitution went on a tour of the United States coast line. Repairs through the 1990s made the ship sailworthy again and after extensive training the USS Constitution sailed under her own power at a speed of six knots (11 km/hr) in 1997. She again sailed on August 19th 2012 in celebration of the 200th anniversary of her victory over the HMS Guerrier.

Details of her riggings

I have only scratched the surface of the history of this amazing ship, and I encourage you, my readers to explorer it further on your own. And if you’re ever in Boston, go and visit her. She remains today, the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world. I’m hoping to get out to see her sail and salute next year on the forth of July.

Written with Files from:
Web: www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/
Web: www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/

Photos:
Rolleiflex 2.8F – Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm 1:2.8 (Green Filter) – Kodak Tmax 100
Dev: Blazinal 1+25 6:00 @ 20C

Project:1812 – The Battle of Fort George

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After a series of defeats in the first year of the war, the American government needed a bold new plan. Plans made in early 1813 in Washington DC called for an all out invasion of Upper Canada on all fronts. Forces stationed at Sacket’s Harbor would set out and take Kingston (the major Provincial Marine base in Upper Canada), York (the Capital of Upper Canada), and Fort Erie. Once those three objectives where taken, they would march on the headquarters of the British Army in Upper Canada, Fort George located in Newark (modern day Niagara-On-The-Lake). General Henry Dearborn quickly called off the attack on Kingston, after getting a (false) report that close to 8,000 British regulars had been stationed there. Instead Dearborn went ahead and attacked York at the end of April of 1813 capturing and burning the town, then turned his attention towards Fort George.

The central blockhouse at Fort George

General John Vincent had been given command of the British forces along the Niagara Peninsula he commanded a force of 1,000 regulars, 50 native warriors, and 300 militia. The British regulars stationed there were made up of the 8th (The King’s) Regiment of Foot, the 49th Regiment of Foot, the Glengarry Light Infantry, and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. The trouble was that although Vincent knew that an attack was coming, he just didn’t know where the invading forces would land. With cannon fire between Fort George and Fort Niagara since the start of the conflict, Vincent assumed that any invading force would arrive under the cover the Niagara’s guns. But not wanting to leave an open area split his force into three groups, placing a majority at the river, another group west of Newark at the lakeshore, and the remaining forces inside Fort George. What Vincent didn’t know was that the Americans had massed a force of 4,000 troops.

Fort Niagara across the river

On May 25th the American guns opened up on Fort George and the British shore batteries, the attack was coming, Vincent knew this, but there was still no indication where the Americans were going to land. That became clear on the morning of the 27th, when a squadron of American ships sailed into range on the western side of the town, on the lake. By this point under two days of heavy bombardment Fort George had lost a few buildings to fire due to the heated shot being fired. The squadron under Lieutenant Oliver Hazard Perry managed to suppress the British Shore batteries giving time for Lieutenant Colonel Winfield Scott to lead the initial attack. Major Forsythe’s 1st US Rifle Regiment, the 15th US Infantry, and members of the 2nd US Artillery (fighting as infantry) waded ashore only to be met with a bayonet charge from the Glengarry Light Infantry, even Lt. Col Scott had to fight off a soldier, the Royal Newfoundlanders joined in the charge also but grape shot from Perry’s Squadron on the lake shattered the group forcing them to fall back. With the shore batteries suppressed Commodore Chauncey sailed his flagship the USS General Pike and proceeded to bombard Fort George with deadly results. The defenders managed to regroup outside of the fort linking up with the remaining defenders positioned near the river and forced Scott’s troops back into Newark, only to be again cut to pieces by the ships on the river and the next wave of American troops having landed.

A public golf course now occupies the site of the initial engagements of the Battle of Fort George. The public can visit the historic markers, just watch out for golfers.

General Vincent soon found himself outgunned, outnumbered, and outflanked. And with more American troops on their way he made the only call he could, retreat. Leaving a small force behind who destroyed what was left of the ammunition (the explosion knocked Scott from his horse breaking his collar bone) and spiking the guns Vincent and the remaining forces retreated back to Queenston, then Beaver Dams and finally the British fortifications at Burlington Heights. Along the way they were joined by the garrison from Fort Erie whom had fallen back as well upon a warning Vincent had sent them. The only saving grace was the delay of the US Dragoons, who were sent to cut off Vincent’s escape route. The British had lost the Niagara Peninsula to the Americans who quickly established themselves using Fort George as a base to probe the British lines. Bu they failed to exploit this advantage, under Dearborn they moved slowly giving the British time to regroup, engagements at Stoney Creek and Beaver Dams forced them out, and by the winter of 1813 they had fallen back across the river, leaving Fort George, and the town of Newark in ruins, having burned Newark to the ground. Drummond struck back, as British forces crossed the river burning Buffalo, several other towns to the ground and taking Fort Niagara at bayonet point by December of 1813.

The memorial cairn marking the American’s landing site.

Today a majority of the battlefield is covered by the town of Niagara-On-The-Lake and a golf course, a cairn marks the approximate landing point of the initial attack on Fort George at the western side of the course. Fort George was rebuilt in the 1930s, and is open to the public as a museum and national historic site; the powder magazine in the fort is the original one. Across the river Fort Niagara is also open to the public as a historic site and museum.

With files from:
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers
www.eighteentwelve.ca/?q=eng/Topic/45

Photos:
Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 75mm 1:2.8 – Kodak Plus-X Pan, Kodak Tri-X Pan, Ilford FP4+

Project:1812 – Battle of Stoney Creek

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By the end of May 1813 the Americans had overrun the entire Niagara Peninsula. American troops occupied the town of Newark and Fort George, Chauncey, and Perry patrolled the Niagara River and Lake Erie with little resistance from the Provincial Marine. York was in ashes, and the only British strong point left was Burlington Heights. But the Americans knew that if they were to take all of Upper Canada, the fortifications at Burlington Heights must fall.

Burlington Heights as it stands today, some of the earthworks remain in the cemetary on York Street in Hamilton, ON.

In early June of 1813 a force of 3,400 troops marched on Burlington Heights and by June 4th had reached 40-mile creek near what is today Stoney Creek, and made camp on the Gage Farm, the farmhouse serving as Headquarters for Generals William H Winder and John Chandler. But the one thing that the Americans didn’t realize was that the British knew they were coming, they knew their numbers, and how to get past the sentries. Earlier in the day the American column had been spotted by a local boy, Billy Green who went to tell his cousin, Isaac Corman. Corman had just been released as a prisoner of the Americans, after convincing them that he (Corman) was a cousin of William Henry Harrison, an American General. Corman had been given the password to get past the sentries after promising not to reveal this to the British. But Corman did tell this password to Billy. Green immediately took this to the General Vincent at Burlington Heights. Vincent sent a force of 700 troops under Lieutenant Colonel John Harvey to probe the American lines. One of Harvey’s officers, Lieutenant FitzGibbon infiltrated the American camp in disguise to scout out their numbers and positioning.

Reenactors representing the 8th (The King’s) Regiment of Foot, and the Royal Scots take the field at the Stoney Creek Reenactment, June 2012.

Harvey’s troops, along with General Vincent marched from Burlington Heights under the cover of night on June 5th, 1813 to the American Camp. The column even removed their flints; with bayonets fixed they aimed to take out any sentries or pickets by stealth. They achieved this fairly well taking two sentries without raising an alarm, but when they got into an area of the camp where they expected to find a surprised 25th US Infantry, they only found civilians and cooks, the soldiers had moved to a better position. A cheer from the British raised the alarm when it was overheard by an American officer, with the element of surprise lost, the British soon found themselves outnumbered. The Americans quickly organized themselves and having the high ground began to pour lead into the floundering British lines. Despite many attempts the British could not break through the American lines until they did it for them. The 5th US Infantry was called out to protect the failing left flank, leaving enough of a gap for the 49th Regiment of Foot under Major Plenderleath to charge the American guns. With the Americans now disorganized, their own cavalry charged US Lines and dawn breaking, the British with both Generals Winder and Chandler as prisoners withdrew into the woods to hide their numbers. And despite holding superior numbers the Americans withdrew as well.

A good volley!

The entire battle lasted all of forty-five minutes; the British took 7 officers prisoners, along with 93 enlisted men, but suffered 23 deaths, 136 wounded, 3 missing, and 52 captured. The Americans suffered 17 deaths and 38 wounded. General Vincent, thinking all was lost, rode off into the night. He was later found missing his hat, sword, and horse. The Americans withdrew further back only to be chased back to Fort George when a Royal Navy squadron appeared off the shore of Lake Ontario (Commodore Chauncey’s Squadron having been recalled to Sacket’s Harbor to repulse a failed British attack there). Stoney Creek was the furthest any American Army made it into Upper Canada, and they never made it that far again. After suffering another defeat at Beaver Dams at the hands of FitzGibbon they holed up in Fort George and then scattered back across the Niagara River near the end of 1813.

The Crown Forces Fife and Drum Corps.

Today the site of the battle of Stoney Creek is marked by a massive tower built in 1913 at the 100 year anniversary of the battle, the Gage Farmhouse still stands and the grounds and farmhouse, now called Battlefield house is open to the public as a museum and historic site. Each year on the first weekend of June a re-enactment of the battle takes place.

With Files from:
www.battlefieldhouse.ca/war1812.asp
www.eighteentwelve.ca/?q=eng/Topic/30
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers

Photos: Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 80-160mm 1:4.5 – Kodak Portra 400 @ ISO-800 (no push in development)

alex luyckx | blog

Explorer, Photographer, Wanderer

Tag Archives: 1812

Project:1812 – The Battle of Malcolm’s Mills

Project:1812 – Fort Meigs

Project:1812 – Fort Amherstburg/Fort Malden

Project:1812 – The Battle of Queenston Heights

Project:1812 – The Capture of Fort Niagara

Project:1812 – Fort Niagara

Project:1812 – The Burning of Niagara

Project:1812 – Ironsides

Project:1812 – The Battle of Fort George

Project:1812 – Battle of Stoney Creek