Mischief on Christmas Day

Soldiers saw Christmas as a special day to celebrate with their comrades, and officers were no different. One officer in particular tells of his celebration of Christmas in 1813 in his journal.

Lieutenant John Le Couteur

Lieutenant John Le Couteur wrote on December 25, 1813 about his longing for home, and he remembered a past Christmas spent with his family. In 1813, Le Couteur was invited to spend Christmas Day with Mrs. Robison and her guests. Le Couteur endeavoured to help liven the party by causing some mischief. He managed to borrow a lady’s dress in order to amuse the guests. Le Couteur knocked on the front door and entered dressed as a destitute women requiring aid. The gentlewomen told her sad story to the guests and …

The old Lady Herself [Le Couteur] was completely won and a large sum was preparing for her relief but a certain occasional twinkling in the unfortunate Lady’s eye led one or two of the fair sparklers [to] suspect the truth – a whisper went about and screams of laughter following, the poor Lady had to cut and run.

 

After this amusement, the guests shared a toast to the glorious capture of Fort Niagara on December 19. After the merrymaking was complete, Le Couteur went on picket between the hours of 12 and daylight. Fortunately, Le Couteur’s friend, Mrs. Robison, sent him a hot supper, which he found “highly acceptable.” 

 
If you want to see what Christmas was like in a fort, you can visit Fort George and Fort Niagara this weekend for their annual Christmas events. Don’t miss these great events!