Tag Archives: 1814

Project:1812 – Port Dover

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 – Seige of Fort Erie

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One of the last major battles on Canadian soil during the war of 1812 was also one of the bloodiest. By the end of July in 1814 the British had managed to take back most of the Niagara peninsula which had been overrun by the Americans starting with the capture of Fort Erie on July 3rd, 1814 (Buck’s Surrender), the Battle of Chippawa (Those are Regular’s by God), and finally turning the American’s back at the deadly Battle of Lundy’s Lane (Keep Calm and Fix Bayonets). After Lundy’s Lane, despite having the advantage General Drummond decided to wait, and reinforce his own shattered troops. And by early August 1814 began to draw his own siege lines to finally take back the American beach head at Fort Erie.

Much like the historical siege, many times the conditions then are mirrored during reenactments

But it was those delays that gave the Americans a decided advantage. The American engineers had been working tirelessly to complete and expand the defenses at the British fort that had never seen completion under the Union Jack. By August 13th 1814 Drummond’s siege lines opened fire upon the now expanded and completed fort. But he lacked the firepower from the distance his lines were at to be effective against the walls. General Drummond decided that the best way to prevent a long siege was to launch a direct attack on the fort using ground forces. On the night of August 15th Drummond sent three columns to attack the fortifications. The first column was to take the American fortifications at Snake Hill, 1,300 men under Lt. Colonel Victor Fischer. The Second column would go north to the Douglass Battery lead by Colonel Hercules Scott and 700 men. The third column was to attack the fort itself, 360 men under Lt. Colonel William Drummond. Despite going in after dark, surprise was not on their side, the mass mobilization was easily spotted by the Americans and the rain made it difficult to move stealthily through the wet grass. Fischer’s column engaged some American Pickets who managed to alert the main force at Snake Hill, soon found themselves under fire from the troops garrisoned there. Those who managed to reach the walls of the earthworks found that their height had been mis-calculated and their ladders much too short. After taking over a hundred casualties, Fischer was forced to pull back to the siege lines. Colonel Scott’s column fared no better, made up of a majority of the 103rd Regiment of foot again encountered American pickets who alerted the troops at the battery, forced into a small area between an embankment and the river, they were raked with musket fire and canister shot from the battery with deadly effect. Both Scott and his second, Major William Smelt were wounded in the action. The remaining British tried to save themselves by shouting “You’re shooting your own men” was only met with a brief pause before the reply “To Hell with You” was shouted back and the killing continued. The shattered 103rd soon fell back with over 300 casualties reported.

Reenactors portraying the Glengarry Light Infantry charge into the dry ditch

Drummond’s column fared a little better than the first two. Using the darkness and heavy smoke now hanging over the fort for cover they managed to capture the north bastion of the fort, the American gunners and troops fled at bayonet point. The 21st US Infantry managed to reorganize and opened fire on the attackers, with neither side gaining grounds both US and British troops turned the cannons inwards and began to fire at each other inside the fort. During the chaos the magazine under the north bastion exploded, sending a two-tonne cannon one hundred yards, 200 British troops were killed in the blast some Americans but most were sheltered in the barracks. Fearing the rest of the fort was mined the British panicked and beat a retreat back to their siege lines. The next day men wept openly for the sheer numbers of men lost during the failed assault. The surgeons worked for three days on the wounded with many more dying under the knife or of their wounds. Exposure and sickness also took its toll as their camp lacked proper shelter.

Volley Fire!

The American’s tried to break through the British siege lines twice in September, their sortie on the 17th saw the guns in the newly completed third battery destroyed, the Americans moved onto the number two batteries but before they were able to destroy those guns they were cornered by the 82nd Regiment. The first volley scattered the Americans who were offered surrender by the commanding officer, Major Pattison. Pattison was killed by an American rifleman, at which point the 82nd fixed bayonets and charged the remaining Americans killing or capturing the survivors. Drummond had already decided to lift the siege on the 16th, finally withdrawing to Chippawa on the 21st. Drummond in a letter to Sir George Prevost cited that heavy rain, illness, and lack of equipment forced the end of the siege. The Americans tested the British lines again in October but failed to break through the now recovered lines and holed up again in the Fort until November before destroying the rest of the fort and withdrawing across the river.

CHAOS!

Fort Erie remains a war grave and the bloodiest battlefield in Canada. The annual siege weekend, in August draws hundreds of spectators and has been taking place for the past 26th years. Battle demonstrations of Buck’s Surrender, Chippawa, the Night Assault, and the American Sortie are put on by hundreds of reenactors who also setup camps inside and outside the fortifications. Oddly enough, it always rains.

Photos:
Nikon D300 – AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G, Nikon D70s – AF Nikkor 85mm 1:1.8D

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.warof1812.ca/forterie.htm
Web: www.niagaraparks.com/old-fort-erie/history.html

Project:1812 – Fort Mississauga

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When the Americans retreated across the river in December of 1813 they left nothing but a charred ruin of the town of Newark (Today’s Niagara-On-The-Lake) and Fort George. Left with no fortifications in the area, General Drummond immediately ordered the capture of Fort Niagara (which was a huge success) and the construction of new fortifications to defend the Canadian Side of the mouth of the Niagara River. The location of the fort was moved from the original site of Fort George to Mississauga Point, which was the location of a lighthouse at the time.

The front gates of Fort Mississauga

Construction of the new Fort Mississauga commenced in spring of 1814. It consisted of a brick blockhouse built from materials salvaged from the old Lighthouse and the ruins of Newark; it was to be surrounded by an earthwork wall with two casemates acting as magazines, and a single stone gate on the side opposite from the river. Several smaller wooden structures were built inside the walls to house the officers and troops garrisoning the fort. Under the direction of the Royal Engineers, the Corps of Freemen of Colour (The Coloured Corps) constructed the new fort between 1814 and 1816. However the fort never saw any action during the War of 1812 as it wasn’t completed until well after peace was signed in December of 1814, and the American campaign of 1814 never retook Fort Niagara or made it past Queenston Heights. Despite this the fort continued to see a garrison through the rough later half of the 19th century. The Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837, border disputes with the United States in 1854, and the American Civil War, then finally the Fenian Raids in 1866. By 1870 the need to maintain Fort Mississauga had cooled down and relations between the newly created Dominion of Canada and the United States had improved vastly. The militia continued to operate the fort as a summer training camp. During the first half of the twentieth century the fort became part of the larger Camp Niagara, which included old Fort George and Butler’s barracks, troops that served in the First and Second World Wars, along with Korea were stationed there.

Inside the fort from one of the bastions, you can see a casemate entrance on the right of the photo

Today the Fort is a National Historic Site, maintained by Parks Canada. Only the earthworks and brick blockhouse remain standing, the other buildings long gone. The public are welcome to wander the grounds and climb onto areas of the earthworks but the blockhouse is closed off. Although it stands in a public golf course, the fort is open to the public and people can tour the grounds with plaques and signs offering insight into this small fortification that never actually fired the guns that used to be mounted there. Just watch out for flying golf balls.

Another view of the fort walking in along the designated path through the golf course.

Photos: Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 75mm 1:2.8 – Kodak Plus-X Pan (PXP)

With Files from:
Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 Second Edition by Gilbert Collins – 2006 The Dundurn Group Publishers
Web: war1812.tripod.com/fortmiss.html
Web: www.eighteentwelve.ca/?q=eng/Topic/25
Web: www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/fortgeorge/natcul/natcul2b.aspx

Project:1812 – Fort Erie

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With the annual siege reenactment coming up this weekend, I figured I may as well introduce you, my readers to the Fort that is on the site of Canada’s bloodiest battle, and the last major engagment in Upper Canada from the War of 1812, Fort Erie. The old Fort is located in the town that bears its name, Fort Erie. Located close to the lake, the fort is open to the public and is maintained by the Niagara Parks Commission. For more information about the old fort you can visit their website at: www.niagaraparks.com/old-fort-erie/index.html

The outer gates with a draw bridge of Fort Erie

Fort Erie was one of several forts that were built along the Niagara Peninsula as part of the defense of Upper Canada at the close of the 18th century. The site has actually housed three forts. The first two forts, built 1764 and 1779 respectively where both destroyed by winter storms sweeping off Lake Erie. In 1803 it was decided to move the site of the fort further inland by fifty yards, and construction began on a new masonry fort. But construction was slow, and sporadic. And when was declared in 1812, Fort Erie was far from complete and only had a small garrison.

Between 1937 and 1939 the fort was restored to what it would have looked like during the War of 1812.

Thankfully the American’s did not make an attempt to seize the fort during the first year of the war with most of the action happening out on the western front of Upper Canada and the failed invasion attempt at Queenston. Soldiers from Erie were sent out to engage and take back the battery at Frenchman’s Creek. But in 1813, when Fort George fell to the Americans at the end of May, the garrison at Fort Erie also fell back to Burlington Heights, destroying the incomplete fort in the process. American forces did not make an effort to reconstruct the ruins, but rather occupied them, only to be driven out again during the winter campaign of 1813 that saw the American’s ejected from the peninsula. After retaking the fort, the British put a more concentrated effort into rebuilding Fort Erie, leaving the task in the hands of a much larger garrison from the 8th (The King’s) Regiment of Foot with Major Buck in command of the fort. But when the Americans once again arrived in force on July 3rd, 1814, the fort was taken with little effort. It was the Americans that finally completed Fort Erie, expanding its defenses, and using it as a base of operations for their campaign across the Niagara Peninsula. By August 1814 the fort was near impregnable as the British drew their siege lines to remove the Americans from Upper Canada once again. But multiple bloody attempts by the British only ended in failure, and by September of 1814 they fell back to their own strong point at Chippawa. The weather and the British invasion of the eastern seaboard of the United States at the end of 1814 forced the Americans to retreat across the river in November. During the retreat they destroyed the fort leaving it in ruins.

Unlike many of the surviving forts from the era, Erie features two masonry blockhouses.

After 1815 the British maintained a garrison in the ruins of Fort Erie, but the fort itself was never rebuilt completely, and eventually by the mid 19th century the garrison was removed as well. The fort was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad helping escaped slaves from the United States find freedom in Canada. When the Fenian Brotherhood was conducting raids through Canada in 1866 they used the old Fort ruins as a base for their operations before their defeat at the hands of the Incorporated Canadian Militia. The ruins became a popular spot for the public to gather and the grounds as a picnic spot for the residences of the town of Fort Erie that had grown up around the old fortifications. Even author Mark Twain and the Prince of Wales (Edward VII) visited the grounds when they were in Canada. Restoration efforts began in 1937 to rebuild the fort to the configuration it was in during 1812 to 1814, it was reopened to the public as a museum and historic site on July 1st, 1939. During the restoration a mass grave was discovered of both American and British soldiers. In 2011 major renovations in and around the fort made it more accessible to the public and a new visitors centre was completed for the Bicentennial years. During the second weekend in August the Fort hosts reenactors from both Canada and the United States who recreate the bloody siege of 1814.

As part of the 2011 renovation, staff constructed a typical British seige battery which visitors can go see. Reenactors representing the Royal Artillery will often camp here during the August reenactment.

With Files from:
Web: www.niagaraparks.com/old-fort-erie/history.html
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 35mm 1:3.5 – Kodak Plus-X Pan (PXP)

Project:1812 – The Battle of Chippawa

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By the summer of 1814, it appeared that Napoleon would finally be defeated in Europe, an event that the American’s feared. Because up until recently the bulk of the British Army had been employed in fighting the French Emperor, and when his defeat finally came, they would be sent to put down the petulant former colony, re-enforcing Upper and Lower Canada, or even invading the United States itself. It was a prospect the American’s weren’t looking forward to, so they decided that if they were to kick the Imperial elements out of North America, they would have to act quickly. In July of 1814 the American’s launched an offensive into the Niagara peninsula once again. They quickly took Fort Erie on July 3rd, and started marching towards Chippawa.

Niagara Parks obtained the Chippawa battlefield in 1995, while most is still in rough shape, the section closest to the road is well maintained.

On the evening of July 4th, General Winfield Scott marched north with 1300 American troops, setting up camp near the Chippawa River to await reinforcements and General Jacob Brown. By midnight 2000 more American troops had arrived. American forces consisted of elements from 25th, 11th, 9th, and 22nd US Infantry. Learning of this the British forces in the area, under the command of Major General Phineas Riall, sent a small force of mostly snipers in to harass the American pickets and gain intelligence to the number and type of force the American’s had in the area. The force returned to General Riall’s camp, informing him that the American force is mostly militia, having seen them in grey coats instead of the blue of the US regulars. Riall is confident with his 2000 troops in launching an attack on the American forces, knowing that even American regulars could not stand up to a group of well commanded British red coats, not to mention militia.

The maintained section of the battlefield.

Riall marched on the American camp, taking with him 1st battalion 1st Royal Scotts Regiment of Foot, the 100th Regiment of Foot with the 1st battalion 8th The King’s Regiment of foot in reserve. Riall’s force moved through the wooded area to avoid detection by American pickets, encountering a force of 56 American troops in the woods, and was able to quickly push them back to their own camp. However this engagement loses the British element of surprise. Scott of course was not expecting an attack, as it was mid-afternoon at this point, but when the picket force returns, he quickly rallies his troops to meet the British attack. Riall was still expecting the American’s to cut and run under the fire from John Norton’s snipers, but they didn’t. They continue to march, despite this, filling in the gaps as their comrades fell. Riall did not count that the grey uniformed men were in fact American regulars, which under the command of Brown and Scott had been formed into an effective fighting force; one that could in fact stand toe-to-toe with British Red Coats.

Riall himself stated “Those are regulars, by God!” Scott’s men were fighting using the traditional European rules, firing volley after volley into the British lines. Separated by only 100 meters, and with the American artillery firing canister shot into the British lines cost the lives of not only regular troops but officers. With the British artillery silenced by their American counterparts, Scott orders a unique U-shaped formation, creating a devastating cross-fire. After twenty-five minutes of this, Riall knowing the battle was lost pulls his troops back across the river, destroying the bridge in his retreat. American forces pursue the British almost all the way back to the village of Chippawa.

The memorial Cairn, built with stone from Fort Niagara, and Cannon Shot from Fort George.

It was the victory that the American’s were hoping for, they had stood up to British Regulars using their own rules of engagement and won. Riall’s defeat saw the British forces pushed all the way back to Fort George and saw the American’s gain a major foothold on the peninsula once again. Of course this was short lived, as a few weeks later at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, the American’s were pushed out of Upper Canada for good.

It wasn’t an ideal day to be out photographing sites. Having no wind to wave the flags, and the fog made driving interesting.

The Chippawa battlefield is located along the Niagara Parkway between Niagara Falls and Fort Erie. The site is marked by a stone cairn, built of stone from Fort Niagara and cannon balls from Fort George. Plaques mounted on the sides list the regiments that participated in the battle. There are no guides on site instead a series of plaques allow visitors to read about the battle. Chippawa’s legacy continues even today in the United States Military. The 6th US Infantry’s motto is “Regulars, By God” and there’s a myth about West Point’s grey parade uniforms that they were adopted to commemorate Scott’s troops at Chippawa. The reality was that grey wore well and were much cheaper than blue uniforms.

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/chippawa.html
Web: www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=12972
Web: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chippawa

Photos:
Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 75mm 1:2.8 – Ilford HP5+

Project:1812 – The Battle of Lundy’s Lane

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Lundy’s Lane, a popular tourist area for visitors to Niagara Falls, most visitors stay south on the road, keeping near the natural wonder that is the Horseshoe Falls. But if you head north of the tourist traps, you’ll notice a cemetery up on a hill. That hill and the general area was the site of one of deadliest battles during the War of 1812.

The Battlefield memorial wall, built in 2004

Before getting into the battle itself, there was a series of other engagements that led up to the final engagement at Lundy’s Lane. In the summer of 1814 American forces had once again crossed the Niagara River in another attempt to gain control of Upper Canada and defeat the British forces stationed there. Under the command of General Jacob Brown American forces launched their attack against the Niagara Peninsula. On July 3rd, 1814 American forces captured Fort Erie, after Major Buck surrendered the force. Brigadier General William Scott then proceeded to march his troops north, the aim was the capture of other British forts along the Niagara River to secure the peninsula and continue the campaign to take Upper Canada. Scott’s forces met with the British at Chippawa on July 5th, 1814, which ended in an American victory, the British fell back to Fort George. American troops then retook Queenston Heights and the village.

Drummond Hill Cememtery today

Chippawa had cost the American’s dearly, leaving only 2,600 effective troops under the command of General Jacob Brown, who had taken advantage of the British Retreat and moved his forces all the way to Queenston, once again occupying the Heights and the village below. Brown however was unable to secure more reinforcements and artillery required to continue the campaign. The reason was that the Royal Navy still controlled the lake, and Commodore Chauncey’s squadron was still uncompleted at Sackett’s Harbor. The British Army used this to their advantage, moving troops from York into Fort George. And on July 24th, General Brown pulled back his forces back to Chippawa; his intent was to secure his position there, wait for the US Navy to take control of the lake, and attack Burlington Heights, a major British strong point, once reinforcement arrived.

One of Many old graves at the site. Thomas Clarke Street was a notable Ontario lawyer, businessman and political figure. He was a Conservative member of the Canadian House of Commons who represented Welland from 1867 to 1872.

On July 25th, 1814, Lieutenant General George Drummond arrived at Fort George to take personal command of the British forces in the region. Drummond immediately ordered a force out of Fort Niagara (Under British Control after 1813), under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Tucker to advance south, hoping it would force Brown to evacuate the west bank. But Brown instead turned north, hoping that the move would force Tucker back to Fort George to assist in the defense of the fort. But little did the Americans know that the British had a force occupying William Lundy’s farm. But Major General Phineas Riall knowing the Americans were on the move, tried to pull back his troops. Drummond would not have that, and force marched the troops back to Lundy’s Lane. It was at 6:00pm that the first of the Americans come into view, just at the British were reorganizing.

A memorial to Lt. General George Drummond

The British Artillery occupied the cemetery at the highest point of the area, several cannon, and a battery of Congreve Rockets were in place, when Scott’s troops emerged from the woods surrounding the area, there were mauled by the artillery. Scott pulling back ordered Major Jesup of the 25th US Infantry to attempt to outflank the British high group and take it. Jesup encountered and drove back the Light company of the 8th (The King’s) Regiment of foot and a battalion of the Incorporated Canadian Militia who were unaware the American troops were in the area. US Forces pushed forward taking several prisoners including Major General Riall. Drummond persuaded by these early actions pulled most of his forces back to maintain alignment with his left flank, leaving the artillery exposed to enemy action. When Brown’s forces arrived shortly after nightfall, several well fired volleys and a bayonet charge took the high ground, and left the British guns in the hands of the Americans. A new column of British forces arrived to the Battle but were driven back in confusion after meeting up with an American brigade, seeing the loss of their own cannon, which were recaptured by the 41st Regiment of foot, but could not be brought into action.

It wouldn’t be a battlefield monument without a couple cannon

Drummond, who at this point was wounded himself, rallied the British forces to counter attack while the Americans were organizing the artillery both their own and the captured British cannon. Drummond took his troops straight into the grinders, not using light infantry to probe and harass the American lines for weakness. The short range musket battle, and hand-to-hand combat forced Drummond to fall back; a second attempt was made but also met with failure. By midnight a third attack was attempted but was also forced back. At the end of the battle the Americans had 700 troops and the British had 1400, but neither side was in any shape to fight. Brown ordered his forces to retreat by July 26th, but wanted the guns recovered, an American force returned to the cemetery only to find Drummond has received reinforcements in the early morning, and occupied Lundy’s Lane with 2,200 fresh troops, American forces retreated without a fight. Lundy’s Lane ended with a tactical stalemate, both sides claiming victory. The carnage and level of hand-to-hand combat at the battle even caused veterans of the Napoleonic campaigns on the European Peninsula to recoil at the level of carnage. Lundy’s Lane was the final push by American Forces, who eventually fell back to Fort Erie, which came under siege by August of 1814, and by November of 1814 all American forces had left Upper Canada. There were no other attacks or invasion attempts by American Forces on Upper Canada after this.

The 1895 Soldier’s Monument

The battlefield is still around today, and remains as it was in 1814 a cemetery. The hill was renamed Drummond Hill is watched over by the Drummond Hill Presbyterian church, who also tends the cemetery. Retaining walls were rededicated in 2004 commemorating the site as the Lundy’s Lane Battlefield; a monument also stands in the cemetery raised in 1895. In addition to the regular occupants of the cemetery the site is also the burial ground for many British, Canadian, and American soldiers who died during the fight. A monument also stands in the cemetery to Lieutenant General Drummond, sitting astride a horse. Another notable occupant of the cemetery is Laura Secord. The site is open to the public from dawn to dusk, at no charge.

Laura Secord’s monument, she is also burried here.

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: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lundy’s_Lane
Web: www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=12081

Photos:
Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 35mm 1:3.5 – Ilford HP5+

Project:1812 – The Acaster Assizes of 1814

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When the United States of America declared war on the British Empire they knew they could not go toe to toe with the might of the British Navy. Instead they invaded the closest British held territory, Upper and Lower Canada. Not all the citizens in British controlled territory were on the side of the Empire, many in fact supported the American invasion and wanted to see the British influences in North America removed. Some left Upper Canada for the USA, and some others chose to support the Americans on the Canadian side of the border. Most citizens of Upper Canada supported the British Forces, many fought to defend Upper Canada, joining the Incorporated Canadian Militia, but in November and December of 1813 a few raids by British Regulars and Militia discovered a group of raiders that had been preying on Upper Canada in Chatham, Ontario. Many were American citizens sent to cause havoc in British held territory but there were several British Citizens among those captured.

These men were arrested and charged with treason, fifteen in all, they were joined by four more men in York (Modern Day Toronto), then the capital of Upper Canada to await trial. Chief Justice William Scott and Judges William Dummer Powell and William Campbell were tasks with setting up the trails and presiding over them. The court opened on May 23rd, 1814, with charges read against the nineteen captured men and fifty more still at large.

The Old Stone Hotel, built in 1878 used some of the original Rousseau Hotel that housed the 1814 Assizes. The Rousseau burned in 1878 leaving it in ruins and gutted. Today it’s a commercial block.

It was decided that the trails would be setup in Ancaster, Ontario. The small town was the only one with a building large enough to hold the crowds that the trials would ultimately attract. The building chosen was the Old Stone Hotel, during the trials it was known as the Rousseau Hotel. The trials lasted from June 7th to the 21st, 1814, and saw fourteen of the nineteen captured found guilty either through their own admittance or through evidence presented to the court. Sentencing of the men found guilty was delayed until July 20th to allow them, if they wished to seek Royal Mercy.

A plaque dedicated to the Ancaster Assizes of 1814 stands in front of Lincon Memorial School in Ancaster, ON

For the fourteen found guilty seven were sentenced to death and were sent to The Heights and were hanged. The remaining seven were sent to prison and began the long journey to Kingston. They attempted escape the night of July 31st, 1814 but were quickly recaptured. Three died of typhoid in 1815 the remaining four were given pardons on the condition of exile.

The building at 425 Wilson St, in Ancaster, ON is known locally as the 1812 Barracks, and is thought to have housed soldiers during the war and trails. Although the structure seems far too modern to have been around during the trails there’s evidence that it was built on or around an older structure.

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: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/ancaster
Web: http://www.corvalliscommunitypages.com/Americas/hudsonbay_canada/ancaster_bloody_assize_of_1815.htm

Taken on
Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 – Kodak Tri-X 400 (400TX)

Project:52 – Week 32

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This was my fourth time attending the annual reenactment of the Siege of Fort Erie, it was probably one of the best I have been to yet! All the forces both Crown and US were in top shape this year, plus the sheer number of people watching and those marching was spectacular. Historically the events that lead up to the siege started on July 3rd 1814 when American Forces captured the fort from British Defenders. But it wasn’t until August 13th, 1814 that British forces under General Drummond opened fire. However it was his night attempt at taking back the fort that forced a failure. British Troops were able to make it into the Fort but when the powder magazine exploded they were forced to retreat. The Siege was lifted on September 16th, 1814 and American forces retreated from Fort Erie in November after demolishing most of the Fort. British forces returned but never rebuilt the fort abandoning it in 1821.

One of two blockhouses in the Fort.

The British Camp. For once I’d like to go to one of these events and get proper barrack space inside the fort.

My wonderful host unit, 7th/60th Regiment of Foot.

Some downtime.

The British Lines open up

The Americans!

I see what you did there.

Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 80-160mm 1:4.5 – Kodak Tri-X Pan (TXP)

alex luyckx | blog

Explorer, Photographer, Wanderer

Tag Archives: 1814

Project:1812 – Port Dover

Project:1812 – The Battle of Malcolm’s Mills

Project:1812 – Seige of Fort Erie

Project:1812 – Fort Mississauga

Project:1812 – Fort Erie

Project:1812 – The Battle of Chippawa

Project:1812 – The Battle of Lundy’s Lane

Project:1812 – The Acaster Assizes of 1814

Project:52 – Week 32