Amidst a host of friends and foes – Abraham Hull

On July 25th, 1814, the sounds of war raged into the night at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane. Present during the battle was Captain Abraham Hull, the son of the famous American general William Hull, and nephew of Captain Isaac Hull, captain of the famous USS Constitution.

Abraham Hull was in command of the ninth U.S. Infantry at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane when he was wounded during the later stages of the battle. As the battle ended, Lieutenant John Le Couteur witnessed the horrible scene as hundreds lay dead and the groans of the wounded echoed through the night. Le Couteur found Abraham Hull and tells his encounter with him,

Close by me lay a fine young man, the son of the American general Hull. He was mortally wounded, and I gave him some brandy and water, and wished Him to give me his watch, rings and anything He wished sent to his family. He told me much about Himself and to come to Him in the morning when He would give them to me in charge. When I got to Him, He was a beautiful Corpse, stripped stark naked, amidst a host of friends and foes. 

Abraham Hull's gravestone 

Today, Abraham Hull is buried in the Drummond Hill Cemetery in Niagara Falls, on the battlefield where he fought and died. A stone, erected by his family and comrades, marks his grave. Hull is the only American officer buried in the cemetery from the War of 1812. However, Hull is not the only American soldier buried in the cemetery from the Battle of Lundy’s Lane.

In 1900, a ceremony took place when nine soldiers of the Ninth U.S. Infantry were uncovered in the Drummond Hill Cemetery. These men were laid to rest next to Abraham Hull with full military honours in a unique ceremony. Members of the Fourteenth U.S. Infantry, stationed at Fort Niagara, were permitted to enter Canada with their weapons and fire a salute to their fallen comrades while the band played “Nearer, My God to Thee.”

On October 11, 12, 18 and 19 you can head to the Drummond Hill Cemetery to hear about the lives of individuals buried in the cemetery. A costumed guide will take you through the cemetery as you see theatrical performances that provide a glimpse into the lives of those individuals buried in the cemetery. Click here for more details.