The prettiest little affair – Battle of Cook’s Mills

On October 18, 1814, the Americans sent a force to Cook’s Mills having learned that “a considerable quantity of grain collected for the British troops” was being stored. Brigadier-General Daniel Bissell’s American force of about 1,000 men occupied Cook’s Mills late in the afternoon.

Among the forces sent to evict the Americans from their position were elements of the 104th Regiment. Lieutenant John Le Couteur was resting when one of his comrades woke him and said they were going to surprise an American force. Le Couteur’s journey to Cook’s Mills was unpleasant, writing “it is hardly worth repeating that we were marching knee deep in mud in a pitch dark night – over rough and smooth – an exquisite enjoyment for those who have never tried it.”

Le Couteur arrived at the battlefield around 8 a.m. when the Glengarry Light Infantry were engaged with the enemy. Soon after the 82nd and the 100th formed line as British field guns and rockets deployed. Le Couteur and his men moved forward in open order to help relieve the Glengarries and to turn the American right flank. Le Couteur wrote “Our men dashed into the ravine in good style and engaged the Yankees in our front, who soon gave way, for a short distance.” Their success was short lived as Le Couteur and his men were forced to withdraw as 400 American troops advanced.

The battle continued and Le Couteur wrote “Our Gun was very ill-place behind a little wood and only barked without biting.” Le Couteur goes on to note that the Americans advanced and the British withdrew in good order, noting that the engagement was “altogether the prettiest little affair any of us had ever seen.” Le Couteur spent a cold night with no blankets, frost on the ground and no fire before receiving orders to march to Fort George.

On October 21, Le Couteur celebrated his birthday by writing, “I completed my twentieth year this day and am thankful to God for having preserved me in safety through many dangers.”

On October 18 and 19, head out to Cook’s Mills in Welland for the Battle of Cook’s Mills re-enactment. This Niagara Signature Event features not only battle re-enactments, but also will have musket and artillery demonstrations along with 1812 period displays, just to name a few activities. Click here for more information.

The Battle of Cook’s Mills

By mid-September 1814 the Siege of Fort Erie had ended and British forces moved behind the Chippawa River into a strong defensive position. By mid-October, Major-General George Izard and a number of regulars reinforced the American forces at Fort Erie. Izard decided to take his large force and move up the Niagara to attack the British position at Chippawa.

By October 17th Izard moved to the Chippawa in hopes of drawing out Major-General Drummond. Drummond refused to give battle and Izard was forced to move back toward Fort Erie. Izard learned of a large quantity of flour at Cook’s Mills and ordered Brigadier-General Bissell to take four infantry battalions, along with a company of riflemen and a troop of dragoons, to capture or destroy the essential British food resources. 

Upon learning of this American movement, Drummond ordered Colonel Myers and Lieutenant-Colonel Tweeddale with elements of the Glengarries, the 82nd, the 100th, 104th, a six-pound gun, and a Congreve rocket detachment to intercept the American advance. On October 19th, the Battle of Cook’s Mills began in the morning and lasted about a half hour.

 

Cook's Mills plaque

Lieutenant John Le Couteur described the battlefield as the British approached,

“The Ground was a fine large clearing with the Chippawa Creek on our left, a gentle slope to the front and bank of the creek. About a mile in front were woods and to the extreme left we could perceive the American Army moving over a pontoon or temporary bridge which they had thrown over the river.”

The British attempted to lure the Americans out from behind the woods but were unsuccessful. The Americans began to move through the trees and the British believed that they were about to be outflanked. Colonel Myers decided to retreat since his orders were to not be decisively engaged with the enemy.

The Battle of Cook’s Mills was not a large or decisive battle, but it was the last battle on the Niagara during the War of 1812. Although the British lost about 200 bushels of grain, they soon captured a similar number from American ships crossing the Niagara. Drummond decided that the best option was to remain in his strong defensive position behind the Chippawa and await the end of the campaign season. The Battle of Cook’s Mills showed Izard that Drummond could not be lured from his defences and this engagement helped to convince Izard to return to Fort Erie before destroying the fort on November 5 and returning to the Buffalo area.

On Saturday, October 19th, you can commemorate the 199th anniversary of The Battle of Cook’s Mills with the unveiling of a peace garden. Click here for more information. 

A Canadian Regiment

During the War of 1812, many British subjects fought to protect Canada; however, Canadians played a big part. One example of an outstanding Canadian regiment is the 104th Regiment of Foot.

The 104th was raised in 1803 as the New Brunswick Regiment of Fencible Infantry. In 1810 they were taken into the army as the 104^th Regiment of Foot. In early 1813, the 104th were ordered to make a harrowing trek from New Brunswick to Quebec in the dead of winter.

Private, 104th Regiment

Six companies, totaling about 550 men, endured this winter trek. The men proceeded on snowshoes through the wilderness from Fredericton to Quebec for a distance of 350 miles in 24 days. It was an unusually cold winter with snow falling almost constantly. One man died en route for reasons other than cold weather, and one man was left behind due to frostbite.

Generally, the march began at daybreak and end in the mid-afternoon in order to prepare shelter for the night. This trek is regarded as one of their most memorable feats during the war.

In 1814, elements of the 104th fought at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane and the Siege of Fort Erie, suffering many casualties in the process. In 1815, the battle honour of “Niagara” was granted to the flank companies and by 1817 the regiment was disbanded.

 
On Remembrance Day we remember the sacrifices that men and women endured to protect Canada from those who threatened our freedom. This November 11th, don’t forget about the Canadian veterans of the War of 1812 who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect Canada.