Calm, practical, orderly and considerate – Jacob Brown

Jacob Brown was born in Bucks County, Pa. in 1775. His early career was as a schoolmaster and surveyor. In 1799, he purchased a patch of land with his father in Black River County, Northern N.Y., and spent 39 years developing the town of Brownville. His prominence in the community led to a commission in the state militia as a brigadier-general. Brown was described as calm, practical, orderly and considerate. He was further described as being above average height, not always able to control his quick temper, and sometimes his determination would turn to withdrawing even in good circumstances.

When the War of 1812 started, Brown was a militia commander in northern N.Y. State. Brown managed to get more out of citizen soldiers than other militia commanders. He impressed many people with his defence of Ogdensburg, N.Y. in October 1812. He also impressed his superiors with his actions in the defence of Sackets Harbor in May 1813. His actions at Sackets Harbor led to a commission in the regular army where he was soon promoted to major-general.

In 1814, Brown was given command of the American forces along the Niagara River, known as the Left Division. On July 3, 1814, Brown and his army crossed the Niagara, captured Fort Erie, and fought the battles of Chippawa and Lundy’s Lane. At Lundy’s Lane Brown was wounded by a musket ball that passed through his right inner thigh ‘very high up.’ Shortly thereafter Brown was wounded again when he was struck on the left side. He was forced to turn command over to Brigadier-General Eleazer Ripley.

Brown spent his convalescence with friends near Buffalo, and was attended by a personal surgeon and his wife. Two weeks after being wounded he was able to walk and spent most of his time trying to gain reinforcements for the troops under siege at Fort Erie. Brown retook command of the Left Division in early September when Brigadier-General Edmund Gaines was wounded at Fort Erie.

After the war, Brown and Ripley continued their feud that emerged during the Niagara 1814 campaign. Later in life, Brown was marred by financial and physical problems. His business ventures went sour and he eventually died in 1828 at the age of 53 from a stroke.

If you want to find out more about Jacob Brown and the Niagara 1814 Campaign, there are a number of good books available. Don Graves newest book And All Their Glory Past, along with Richard Barbuto’s Niagara 1814: America Invades Canada, give a good overview of Brown and the Niagara 1814 Campaign from a British/Canadian and American perspective.

James Fitzgibbon and the girl he loved

The War of 1812 separated many military couples and given the danger associated with active service, a number of military couples decided to marry on short notice. One example comes from Captain James Fitzgibbon who married in 1814.

In August 1814, the Americans were in the Niagara and two major engagements had already taken place at Chippawa and Lundy’s Lane, with Fitzgibbon fighting at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane. With the Americans in possession of Fort Erie and the British preparing to siege the enemy, Fitzgibbon surprised his commanding officer when he “asked [for] leave, without giving any reason for such an apparently unreasonable request.” Many officers would not receive permission, but Fitzgibbon’s impressive record permitted him to take a short leave.

James Fitzgibbon

Fitzgibbon sent a letter to his fiancée, Mary Haley, at Kingston 250 miles away requesting that she meet him. Mary Haley appeared at the appointed time on August 14, 1814 outside the church at Adolphustown, then an important community on the road between Kingston and York. The couple married and “the knot tied, the soldier said farewell to his wife on the church step” before returning to the war. Fitzgibbon knew that he would be involved in heavy fighting and did not want “the girl he loved being left unprovided for” should he be killed.     

Fitzgibbon survived the war and remained in Upper Canada serving as a public servant and a colonel in the militia. During the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837, he helped to defend Toronto from William Lyon Mackenzie’s forces. Fitzgibbon moved to England in 1847 after his wife died, with whom he had four sons and a daughter. In 1850, Fitzgibbon was appointed Military Knight of Windsor before dying in 1863 at Windsor Castle.

The story of Laura Secord and her encounter with Fitzgibbon will be one of the topics covered at a lecture series being put-on by the Heritage Arts Legacy of Fort Erie this Friday. Every Friday in September starting at 6 p.m. at Old Fort Erie there will be different War of 1812 topics being covered. Click here for more information.

Ketchum’s trap

As the sun began to set at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane Major Thomas Jesup, commanding the Twenty-Fifth U.S. Infantry, saw an opportunity to capture the British guns. A first step in this plan required someone to reconnoitre and secure the road junction leading to the British position.

Jesup choose Captain Daniel Ketchum for this important task. Jesup described Ketchum as “a very good man for the service on which I sent him.” Ketchum recruited his company from Connecticut and was permitted to dress, equip and drill his men as light infantry. Ketchum took his men and moved into the Portage Road where he quickly began to catch individuals and small groups of British and Canadians moving in the dark.

Ketchum managed to catch some high-ranking officers, including General Riall. Riall was hit by a musket ball in the right arm during the battle and as he was riding to the rear of the line, he became caught in Ketchum’s trap. A few minutes later one of Drummond’s aides, Captain Robert Loring, was caught attempting to ride through the junction with orders for the dragoons. 

Battle of Lundy's Lane commemoration, 1914

The next person to enter the trap was William Hamilton Merritt as he was making his way to report to Drummond. When Merritt failed to report his friend Captain John Clark, an adjutant in the Lincoln Militia, was sent to retrieve him when he became caught in the trap. After taking a few more prisoners, the aptly named Ketchum rejoined Jesup in the main body of the Twenty-Fifth.

Jesup now had a problem; what was he to do with the nearly dozen officers and over a hundred men captured. Riall asked to be paroled so that he could visit his own surgeon but Jesup said he had no power to grant such a request. At the same time, Jesup’s men began to cut the prisoners suspenders so that they would be forced to hold their pants, making it difficult for them to escape.

As the prisoners were loosing their suspenders, a British officer rode out of the darkness to Riall, saying, “General Drummond is impatient for information.” The officer was quickly taken prisoner. Ketchum took his prisoners to the rear when he stumbled into a British unit that opened fire, causing Ketchum to loose a number of prisoners but he retained the captured officers. Ketchum despotised the prisoners to a guard before returning to the battle.

As the battle continued, Jesup believed that the battle was lost when he received word that the brigade had been cut to pieces. Jesup decided to move his men back when they heard the rumble of artillery wheels and saw troops moving toward them on the Portage Road. Jesup soon found himself conversing with Captain Thomas Biddle of the U.S. Artillery who informed him that Major-General Jacob Brown had arrived with reinforcements and was about to continue the battle.

On Friday, July 25, the commemoration of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane begins at 7:30 p.m. with a commemorative service. At 8:30 p.m., a participatory walk takes place with participants walking to the battlefield. Click here for a full list of details.

Like a sweeping hail storm – Alexander McMullen

McMullen’s harrowing experience at Chippawa was not the last time he saw action in 1814. On July 25, 1814 McMullen marched to Lundy’s Lane and fought in the desperate battle.

McMullen was with about 300 other militiamen, reaching Lundy’s Lane late in the battle after the Americans had taken the high ground and the British guns. It wasn’t long before General Porter was encouraging the men to assist their countrymen when McMullen recounts that “showers of musket balls came over our heads like a sweeping hail storm.” McMullen braved the hailstorm and marched forward.

The carnage of the battlefield was evident to McMullen who wrote, “we passed over the dead and dying, who were literally in heaps, especially where the British had stood during the battle.” Soon the battle lines became very close and a “death-like silence” prevailed for a brief moment. A British officer asked if the Americans had surrendered but an American officer exclaimed that they would never surrender. As the battle continued, many of the volunteer militia contended for a place in the rear of the line as “the groans of the dying was all that was heard for some minutes.”

American re-enactors on the march

McMullen notes that the battle was one of the most trying experiences in his life, but after the battle, his unit was tasked with removing the captured British guns. Only one gun was removed before the men refused to haul another, as the men were desperate for water. Shortly thereafter the men were ordered back to the encampment at Chippawa.

At Chippawa McMullen witnessed the mass of dead and wounded. He found his friend Thomas Poe who said that he was mortally wounded with only moments to live and wished to be buried on the American side of the river. McMullen, along with a lieutenant, carried Poe nearly a mile to a boat where Poe said, “Alexander, you will never see me again in this world.” Poe died a few minutes later but he was granted his wish as he was buried in the U.S.

Within a short time, McMullen was struck with a debilitating fever and violent headache. He was placed on a wagon and transported to Black Rock on the American side of the river. McMullen was forced to lie down outside as a torrent of rain fell throughout the night. By morning, he found himself in two inches of water and so weak that he was barely able to walk.

McMullen eventually went to the hospital in Buffalo where he was diagnosed with the ague. Upon leaving the hospital, he spent some time at the house of a widow whose husband died a few years before. He received all the kindness he could ask for and it wasn’t long before McMullen’s health was restored.

On Monday, April 14, join the Niagara 1812 Legacy Council and partners as we announced the 2014 signature events. Click here for information and to register.

Desperate slaughter – Amasiah Ford

On February 18, 1813, the 17 year old Amasiah Ford of Saratoga County, New York, enlisted in the United States Army to serve for the duration of the war. Ford saw action as part of the 23rd Regiment of Infantry throughout the Niagara in 1813 and 1814.

It didn’t take long for Ford to see action after enlisting as he took part in the U.S. attack on Fort George in May of 1813. Later in the year, Ford took part in an 18 day march to Sackets Harbor in late November 1813. The men spent the month of December living in tents with heavy snowfall before completing a wooden barracks. Unfortunately, Ford and his comrades only enjoyed the newly built barracks for three days before they were ordered to march on December 25 to join Wilkinson’s army.

Battle of Lundy's Lane 

By July 1814, Ford was with the American Army in Buffalo. On July 25, 1814, Ford fought in the Battle of Lundy’s Lane where he recounts that “when marching up in open column a party of the enemy which lay in ambush rose & fired upon us, when, out of thirty-two in the first platoon, only eight of us escaped the desperate slaughter.” Ford continued to fight for over three hours before the troops were ordered to withdraw to Chippawa.

Ford didn’t get much rest after the battle as he was detailed to participate in the morning of July 26 to return to the Lundy’s Lane battlefield. Ford writes that the Americans proceeded within musket shot of the British before deciding to withdraw to Chippawa, burning buildings and bridges in their path. Shortly thereafter, Ford and the rest of the American Left Division withdrew to the defences of Fort Erie to await the British.

This year on Friday, July 25, you can help commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane by participating in a walk to the Lundy’s Lane Battlefield. Participants will start about 2.5 km from the battlefield as they arrive around dusk for a commemorative ceremony. Click here for more information and to register for this Niagara 1812 Signature Event.

A stupendous work of nature – Niagara Falls

Many have marveled at the beauty and raw power of Niagara Falls upon seeing it for the first time. However, upon first look William “Tiger” Dunlop was not awestruck when viewing the natural wonder for the first time.

In July 1814 as the War of 1812 raged in the Niagara, Dunlop was in York (Toronto) about to make his way to the Niagara. Dunlop arrived in the Niagara Region at Butler’s Barracks just in time to receive numerous casualties from the Battle of Lundy’s Lane. Dunlop treated over 200 wounded with only a hospital sergeant to assist him. After Dunlop finished with the carnage from Lundy’s Lane, he took a few days off to visit Table Rock and Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls, 1840

Upon reaching Table Rock, Dunlop remarked, “My first sight of the Falls most woefully disappointed me … it was not on that scale of magnificence I had been led to expect.” Dunlop sat on the edge of the rock with his legs dangling over for a brief contemplation. He noticed some fishermen at the bottom walking near the water and noticed how small they looked; Dunlop gained a new appreciation for the height of the Falls.

Next, Dunlop attempted to make his way down to the bottom of the Falls; however, it was in a less dignified manner. He unslung his sword and attempted to make his way down when he fell and rolled over half a dozen times before regaining his footing. When Dunlop reached the bottom, he undertook a series of experiments to determine the width of the Falls. First, he threw stones across the Falls, but they quickly dropped. Next, Dunlop acquired a native bow but his arrows were no more successful than the stones. After these experiments, Dunlop realized: 

“it was not till after I looked at the Falls in every aspect that I convinced myself that they were such a stupendous work of nature as they really were. The fact is, there is nothing at hand to compare them with, and a man must see them often, and from every different point of view, to have any proper conception of the nature of them.”

Dunlop came to recognize the beauty, power and magnificence of Niagara Falls.

He has made the mist disappear for them – John Smoke Johnson

The War of 1812 produced many well-known native leaders that we think of today, such as John Norton and Tecumseh. However, one lesser-known individual, John ‘Smoke’ Johnson, made a large impact during his involvement in the war and after. 

John ‘Smoke’ Johnson was born a full-blooded Mohawk in 1792 in Upper Canada. His native name, Sakayengwaraton, translates to “he has made the mist disappear for them” and this translation helped earn his better-known name as Smoke Johnson. Johnson was well acquainted with Joseph Brant and they both regularly attended the Mohawk Church near Brantford.

 

John Smoke Johnson

At the age of 20, Johnson joined John Norton serving throughout the War of 1812. Johnson fought at Queenston Heights, Stoney Creek and Lundy’s Lane. In addition, legend has it that Johnson kindled the fire that burned Buffalo in December 1813. For his service, he was awarded a pension of $20 per month.

After the war, Johnson took a lead role in the Grand River community. He served as a speaker of the Grand River Council for over 40 years, and although he was a staunch Anglican, he served the community by encouraging traditional Iroquois values. Until his death in August 1886 at the age of 93, Johnson remained physically and mentally active in the community earning the title “grand old man” in the Six Nations community.

If you want to find out more about Iroquois involvement in the War of 1812, come out to Old Fort Erie on February 1 for The Niagara 1814 Campaign Symposium where Richard Hill will talk about the Iroquois involvement in 1814. The symposium will also include presentations by Donald and Dianne Graves, and Doug Kohler. Click here for more information and to register.

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.

A long time it appears to me – Prisoner of war

Being captured during the War of 1812 was not a welcome occurrence for officers. However, the treatment of officers in captivity varied greatly from regular soldiers as William Hamilton Merritt’s experience can attest.

On July 25, 1814 during the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, Merritt was with the Niagara Light Dragoons during the battle when he got word that Major-General Riall had been taken. Merritt left his unit to report his intentions to attempt to rescue Riall. Upon Merritt’s return to his troops, he was lost in the darkness and smoke on the battlefield and found himself surrounded by the U.S. 28th Regiment. Merritt was quickly transported to the American side of the Niagara were he was joined by 18 fellow officers and 116 privates.

Merritt left a memorandum book highlighting his days as a prisoner. Merritt was paroled to Greenbush, New York, and during his time as a prisoner he visited museums, went to church and had parties with fellow officers and prominent Americans, among other leisurely activities. On August 25, 1814, Merritt wrote “Pleasant Weather. One month since I was made prisoner – a long time it appears to me. Read the Newspaper, strolled, returned and enjoyed a good dinner.”

After three months of being a prisoner Merritt writes, “Three months have passed away since I was made prisoner, and no prospect whatever of an exchange.” He goes on to write about the boredom he faces and that reading books is one of his only salvations. Throughout his time as a prisoner, Merritt wrote to Catherine Prendergast and when he was finally released from the U.S., he married Catherine.

If you want to learn more about prisoners during the War of 1812, you can head to the Jordan Historical Museum on September 21 to listen to author David Hemmings talk about this topic. In addition, on September 19 you can listen to Dan Laroche talk about the Burning of the Niagara in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Click here to find out more about these events.

The brave and loyal old man – James Kerby

Kerby was born in 1785 near Sandwich (Windsor) Ontario. By 1805, he was working in Queenston as a clerk-bookkeeper for Thomas Clark. Kerby’s connection to Clark led him into the militia when Clark became the commanding officer for the 2nd Lincoln Militia in 1809. Kerby was appointed regimental adjutant to the 2nd Lincoln Militia.  

With the outbreak of the War of 1812, Kerby was placed in command of an artillery company. On the morning of October 9, 1812, his company was manning the British batteries on the Niagara River opposite Black Rock (Buffalo, N.Y.) when it was ordered to open fire on the Detroit and Caledonia, ships which had been captured by an American raiding party. Kerby performed well in this action and it was not long before he would see combat again. On November 28, 1812, the Americans launched an offensive at Frenchman’s Creek. Kerby received his first official commendation for his service during the failed American attack. By December 1812, Kerby was still serving along the Niagara by firing at American troops moving along the American shore. During one action, a 24-pound gun burst and severely wounded Kerby’s right hand.

By March 1813, Kerby joined the Volunteer Incorporated Militia Battalion, essentially a full-time militia unit composed of volunteers, in which Kerby was appointed captain. In May 1813, the British retreated from the Niagara after the Americans captured Fort George. Kerby participated in the British advance guard in the Niagara until the Americans withdrew from Fort George in December 1813, after burning the town of Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake). When the British launched their attack on Fort Niagara in December 1813 Kerby directed the embarkation of the troops for the assault and participated in the storming of Fort Niagara in Youngstown. For his actions, Kerby was awarded a sword valued at fifty guineas. 

Kerby's gravestone

By July 1814, the Americans launched another assault on the Niagara. On July 25, 1814, during the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, Kerby, who had been promoted to Major, found himself in command of the battalion after his commanding officer was wounded. Kerby remained in command of the battalion during the Siege of Fort Erie where he was wounded in the shoulder and the hip. By February 1815 with the War of 1812 over, Kerby after serving for two years of continuous military service was able to resume his civilian life.  

After William Lyon Mackenzie’s unsuccessful insurrection in 1837, Kerby was authorized to raise a militia force to resist any renewed invasion by Mackenzie. Kerby formed the Queen’s Niagara Fencibles and he was placed in command of all troops on the Niagara frontier from April to June 1838.

Kerby’s wife and mother both died in 1839; in 1846 his son died at 24 and the death of a son-in-law meant that one of Kerby’s daughters and her small child became dependent on him. Kerby continued to be active in the militia and in 1846 he became commanding officer of the 1st battalion of the Welland Regiment.

Throughout his time in Fort Erie, Kerby served as warden of St Paul’s Anglican Church until his death. Kerby was instrumental in the establishing of the church by successfully petitioning the government to use stone from Fort Erie to construct part of the church, as well as donating a silver chalice. On June 20, 1854 Kerby died in Fort Erie and is buried in the cemetery of the church he was so influential in establishing.

Kerby’s obituary notice was published in “The Church” of Toronto on the June 29th, 1854. An excerpt reads: “Many a tear has fallen, and more will fall, on the grave where the brave and loyal old man reposes in the quiet cemetery of the little village church, on the bank of the noble river, which was witness to his gallant achievements in his country’s cause.”

On Sunday September 15 at 2 p.m., a plaque will be unveiled for James Kerby through the federally funded Graveside Recognition program. Kerby is the first War of 1812 veteran in the Niagara to receive this plaque. For more information, please click here.    

The worst regiment in Canada

The 103^rd Regiment of Foot was formed from the Ninth Garrison Battalion in 1809. It arrived in Quebec in 1812 and soon earned the distinction as being the worst regiment in Canada, according to Governor General George Prevost. The 103rd was mostly comprised of very young recruits who spent most of their time on labour duties. The regiment was not well disciplined, its men committed numerous crimes and it had a high desertion rate. The 103rd had a shortage of officers and its commander Hercules Scott was absent for long periods on staff duties.

By the spring of 1814, the regiment was transferred to Lieutenant-General Gordon Drummond’s Right Division. After the Battle of Chippawa, the 103^rd came to the Niagara Region from Burlington. They helped to keep the British in the fight at Lundy’s Lane with their timely arrival of about 1,000 men at a critical moment in the battle. The unit marched 20 miles, the last few in double time, in order to reach Lundy’s Lane.

During the Siege of Fort Erie, the regiment participated in the unsuccessful assault to retake the fort on August 15, 1814. The 103rd attacked down by the water against Douglas Battery at about 3 a.m., as the crunch of the men’s feet along the shore altered the Americans. Upon the men’s approach, the Americans fired canister shot at close range, causing significant casualties. Hercules Scott was shot and killed during the assault and the column eventually retreated while some joined the assault on the North-East demi-bastion.

The British assault on the North-East demi-bastion gained some success until about 5 a.m. when a massive explosion occurred as the gunpowder magazine exploded destroying the bastion. American engineer Lieutenant Douglass described the explosion by stating:

“But suddenly, every sound was hushed by the sense of an unnatural tremor, beneath our feet, the first heave of an earthquake; and, almost at the same instant, the center of the bastion burst up, with a terrific explosion and a jet of flame, mingled with fragments of timber, earth, stone, and bodies of men rose, to the height of one or two hundred feet, in the air, and fell, in a shower of ruins, to a great distance, all around.”

 

Bastion explosion during the Siege of Fort Erie re-enactment

During the assault, the 103^rd Regiment lost about 424 men including 14 out of 18 officers. The 103rd actions at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane and the Siege of Fort Erie proved that they did not deserve Prevost designation as being the worst regiment in Canada. For their actions during the war, the regiment was authorized to bear “Niagara” on its colours before being disbanded in 1817.

This Saturday and Sunday, you can head to Old Fort Erie to witness the 27th annual Siege of Fort Erie. There will be tours, battles and demonstrations taking place throughout the weekend with the main event starting on Saturday night at 8 p.m. with the recreation of Drummond’s night assault followed by an ‘After the Battle’ lantern tour of the fort. Click here for a schedule of events. Don’t miss this Niagara Signature Event.

A most severe conflict – The Battle of Lundy’s Lane

The Battle of Lundy’s Lane proved to be the bloodiest battle of the War of 1812. The British and Americans were unable to see each other in the thick smoke and the darkness, causing many to be shot at close range.

On July 25, 1814, the American army approached Lundy’s Lane at 7 p.m. They found the British commanding the heights and proceeded to advance upon the British position. As the darkness set in reinforcement arrived for both armies and the battle lines began to close. At about 9 p.m. the Americans captured the heights and the British guns. The British commander, Lieutenant-General Gordon Drummond, wrote about the capture of the guns, “Of so determined a character were their attacks directed against our Guns, that our Artillery Men were bayoneted by the Enemy in the Act of loading, and the muzzles of the Enemy’s Guns were advanced within a few Yards of ours.”

Battle of Lundy's Lane

Between 10 to 11:30 p.m., Drummond attempted to retake the heights and the captured guns by launching at least three counterattacks. On the third attempt, Drummond was shot and was forced to pull his men back but the British forces remained in the area. General Ripley, who took command of the American forces from the wounded Major-General Jacob Brown, eventually withdrew to the Chippawa River. The next morning Ripley’s force moved back to Lundy’s Lane and found the British in command of the hill and in possession of their lost artillery. Ripley believed that his force was greatly outnumbered and proceeded to withdraw toward Fort Erie.

Both sides claimed victory after the battle as the official reports of Drummond and Brown attest:

“The Enemy’s efforts to carry the hill were continued until about midnight, when he had suffered so severely from the superior steadiness and discipline of His Majesty’s troops that he gave up the contest and retreated with great precipitation to his camp beyond the Chippawa.” – Drummond’s Official Report, July 27, 1814

“They were met by us near the Falls of Niagara, where a most severe conflict ensued; the enemy disputed the ground with resolution, yet were driven from every position they attempted to hold.” – Brown’s Official Report, July 29, 1814

On Thursday, July 25, you can head to Battlefield Park on Barker Street in Niagara Falls for a commemoration ceremony for the 199th anniversary of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane. The first 500 people will receive a commemorative medallion and four lucky people will be able to fire a cannon. In addition, you can head to the Drummond Hill Cemetery on July 28 for the Lundy’s Lane Historical Society’s commemoration of the battle. Click here for more information on these free events.

The canal builder – William Hamilton Merritt

William Hamilton Merritt was born in Bedford, N.Y. in 1793. Merritt’s father fought for the Loyalists during the American Revolution. After the war, the Merritt family moved to New Brunswick and by 1795 the family moved to the Niagara Peninsula. Merritt studied mathematics and surveying, and was involved in different businesses before the War of 1812.

William Hamilton Merritt

Shortly before the outbreak of the War of 1812, Merritt was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Lincoln militia. Merritt served with the Niagara Light Dragoons and fought at the Battle of Queenston Heights in October 1812. By 1813, the 20-year-old Merritt was promoted to captain and continued to serve with the dragoons by patrolling the border and relaying messages along the Niagara. By 1814, Merritt fought at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane where he was captured and remained a prisoner in Cheshire, Mass. until early 1815. On his return trip home to Niagara, Merritt stopped in Mayville, N.Y. where he married Catharine Prendergast.

After the war, Merritt ran different businesses in Niagara, but he is best known for his involvement in the building of the Welland Canal. In 1818, Merritt, along with others, petitioned the Upper Canada Legislature to provide for the construction of the canal. In 1824 the legislature formed the Welland Canal Company and selected Merritt as its financial agent. Merritt traveled extensively through Canada, the U.S. and Great Britain to help raise funds for the project. From 1832 to 1860 Merritt served in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada and later the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. 

Merritt often worked long days, as he was involved in many projects. Merritt had four sons and two daughters, one of his sons became a member of the Canadian House of Commons. In 1862 Merritt died on a ship near Cornwall and his body was returned to Niagara where he rests in Victoria Lawn cemetery in St. Catharines.

A brave and rash commander – Phineas Riall

Phineas Riall was the younger son of an Anglo-Irish banking family. He entered the army at the age of 18 where he quickly rose to the rank of major through the purchasing system. He served in the 128th Regiment of Foot but went on half pay in 1798 when the regiment was disbanded. Riall served during the Irish ‘troubles’ but gained most of his experience as a major of the 15th Regiment of Foot in the West Indies in 1803. He was promoted to colonel in 1810 and made a major-general two years later.

By 1813, Riall was sent to Upper Canada to serve under Lieutenant-General Drummond. Riall proved to be an aggressive commander and he won a number of small engagements against the Americans in 1813. William Hamilton Merritt described Riall as “very brave, near sighted, short but stout. Is thought by some rather rash, which by the by, is a good fault in a General officer.” Riall was well known for his brash style of command, which won him many victories in the past. However, at the Battle of Chippawa his brash style was not successful.

 

Phineas Riall

On July 5, 1814 at the Battle of Chippawa Riall was in command of all British forces. Two days prior an American army of about 4,000 strong crossed the Niagara River and captured Fort Erie. Riall opted to come out from the defences behind the Chippawa River in order to engage the Americans. Riall decided on this course of action since he was unaware that Major Buck had surrendered Fort Erie. Riall did not wait for reinforcements since he believed his force was more than capable of defeating the American army. During the battle both the British and the Americans had roughly equal numbers but the Americans were able to outflank the British forces and push them back across the Chippawa River.

The aftermath of the battle showed that the British suffered around 500 casualties to roughly 300 American casualties. British regulars had for the first time in years been clearly beaten in a stand-up fight of roughly matching strength. Merritt wrote about the aftermath of the battle, “It certainly is a very delicate thing to censure a Commanding Officer, particularly so popular and brave a Man as General Riall, still in this case, he acted hastily, neither did he employ all the Means he had in his power.”  

After the defeat at Chippawa, Drummond assumed direct command of the forces in the Niagara. Riall participated in the Battle of Lundy’s Lane where he was hit by a musket ball in the right arm. As he rode to the rear, he was caught by American forces and was eventually sent to the U.S. as a prisoner of war.

After the war, Riall never held an important military command again, but he was promoted to lieutenant-general through seniority in 1835 and full general in 1841. From 1816-1823 he was Governor of Grenada. Riall was married in 1819, knighted in 1831, and died in 1850 at the age of 75.

This Friday you can join the Niagara Parks Commission and the Chippawa Branch 396 of the Royal Canadian Legion as they honour those who served at the Battle of Chippawa. A ceremony will be held on the battlefield at 7 p.m. and all are welcome to attend. Click here for more information.

Pain, suffering and death at Snake Hill

In 1987, Vincent Dunn was planning to construct a house in Fort Erie. When construction began, excavators uncovered a gruesome reminder of the War of 1812. Bones were discovered during the construction, which led to Dr. Ronald Williamson’s archaeology team taking over the site. Dr. Williamson’s team uncovered 28 American bodies along with medical waste pits, an ox burial and artifacts from the war.

The bodies and artifacts were uncovered at the Snake Hill site that was part of the American defences at Fort Erie in 1814. On July 3, 1814, American forces under the command of Major-General Jacob Brown forced the small British garrison at Fort Erie to surrender. After this action, American forces fought the British at the battles of Chippawa and Lundy’s Lane before withdrawing to Fort Erie.

The Americans improved Fort Erie’s defences with massive earthworks that extended 800 metres (1/2 mile) to the shore of Lake Erie. The Snake Hill site was the location of Towson’s battery during the Siege of Fort Erie and it was attacked on August 15, 1814 as part of the failed British assault to retake the fort. The British continued to bombard Fort Erie until mid-September. During the fighting, the Americans established a field hospital near the Snake Hill site. The hospital saw victims of the British bombardment, those wounded in skirmishes and men who were stricken with disease.

The bodies uncovered at the Snake Hill site came from the American field hospital. One of the soldiers was believed to be 27 to 33 years old and may have been a sickly child. According to Dr. Williamson, the soldier had bad teeth that probably hurt constantly and he had multiple fatigue fractures from carrying heavy loads on the march. From the 28 bodies researchers discovered that 16 died from illness and 12 died from battle wounds. It was also discovered that the youngest of the 28 soldiers was 14 years old.

Repatriation ceremony at Old Fort Erie, 1988

Once the archaeological dig was completed, all 28 bodies were placed in flag draped coffins and each coffin was driven in its own hearse to Bath National Cemetery in New York State. Dr. Williamson remembered the repatriation by stating, “At the ceremony no one had a dry eye. All of the pain, suffering, and death…. We knew what was going on in that horrible land. This was the time we realized that they were getting to go home."

On Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14 Old Fort Erie will be hosting two lectures on archaeological digs at Fort Erie. On Thursday, Dr. John Triggs will be talking about the archaeological dig that took place last year at Old Fort Erie. On Friday, Dr. Williamson will be talking about the Snake Hill archaeological dig that took place in 1987. Both talks begin at 7 p.m. and are $5. Click here for more information.

Unsung Hero

The War of 1812 is filled with heroes who have become icons in the nations that they served. However, the war is also filled with veterans who simply performed their duty and have since been forgotten. One such veteran is interred at the Drummond Hill Cemetery in Niagara Falls.

Thomas Allison has the distinction of being the first white child born in St. Davids. His father moved from Yorkshire, England to the Niagara in 1790. His father served in the militia during the Battle of Queenston Heights and Thomas was present to see the American surrender. Upon his father’s death in December 1812, Thomas took up the fight by carrying despatches to British forces at Beaver Dams, and he witnessed the burning of Lewiston, both events happening in 1813.

 

 Allison family grave, Drummond Hill Cemetery

In 1814, Thomas was officially part of the militia when he participated in the first phase of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane. During the fierce fighting, Thomas was redeployed to drive wagonloads of wounded to Niagara. Thomas did not end his military service with the War of 1812. During the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837, Thomas served with forces loyal to the crown and joined a team that delivered a mortar to Chippawa in order to bombard William Lyon Mackenzie who was holdup on Navy Island.

Thomas Allison’s feats may not sound too heroic at first, but it is important to note that Thomas was only 13 when he delivered dispatches through enemy territory at Beaver Dams. In 1814, the young Thomas was only 14 when he stood on the frontlines at Lundy’s Lane before delivering the dead and dying back to Niagara. As you think about this story, you can ask yourself; what was I doing at 13 years old?

On Saturday, April 6th, you can head to the St. Catharines Museum to see the opening of their new War of 1812 exhibit. They will have presentations and a play about domestic life in 1812. If you don’t want to see the exhibit, then you can head over to the Jordan Historical Museum to watch a play about a domestic servants’ personal story in Upper Canada during the War of 1812. Both events look great.

Difficulties be damned

Formed in 1685 the King’s 8th Regiment of Foot saw much action in North America. The regiment fought during the American Revolution and the War of 1812, earning the battle honour “Niagara” for their service in the War of 1812.

Before the War of 1812, the regiment fought extensively in Europe before coming to North America in 1768. The King’s 8th performed garrison duty throughout British North America before the American Revolution. During the failed American attack on Quebec in 1775, the regiment fought to defend the area and was one of the first regiments to launch counterattacks into New York. After their service in the American Revolution was complete, the King’s 8th went back to Europe in 1785.

King's 8th Officer

By 1793 revolutionary France declared war on Great Britain and the King’s 8th were soon dispatched to the Netherlands  During the Napoleonic Wars, the regiment saw action in the Netherlands, Spain and Egypt, among other areas. In 1808 the regiment was moved to Canada, and with the outbreak of the War of 1812, they fought at Ogdensburg, Fort George, York, Sackets Harbor, Stoney Creek, Chippawa, Lundy’s Lane and the Siege of Fort Erie, just to name a few. Elements of the King’s 8th also participated in a treacherous winter march from New Brunswick to Quebec City, a distance of 350 miles.

After the War of 1812, the King’s served in a number of different locations before fighting in the Indian Rebellion and the Second Afghan War. Throughout the regiment’s hardships they could always look to their regimental motto, difficulties be damned, for inspiration.

With April fast approaching there are a number of events to mark on your calendar. Two events in particular are the War of 1812 School of the Soldier on April 13 and 14 at Fort George, and the Bicentennial Commemoration of the Battle of Fort York on April 27th. Don’t miss out on these great events!