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.

Overcome all the ties of nature

The War of 1812 in the Niagara Region saw many relationships broken as cross boarder ties were disrupted. This caused great hardship for many as family and friends were now on opposite sides.

One story of a family that was shattered by the War of 1812 was told by Dr. William ‘Tiger’ Dunlop. During the fighting around Fort Erie in August and September 1814, a father and his three sons were patrolling in the woods as part of the Glengarry Light Infantry. The father and sons were Loyalists who left the U.S. after the American Revolution. During a patrol, an American rifleman fired at the Glengarries, dropping a man, but this exposed the rifleman to the Glengarries. The father in the group fired back, killing the American rifleman.

Fighting in the woods around Fort Erie

Soon after, the father proceeded to loot the body of the rifleman when he discovered that he had killed his own brother. This did not deter the old man from taking the valuables of his brother, including an old silver watch and a clasp knife, along with his rifle. Dunlop remarks that the old man coolly remarked, “it served him right for fighting for the rebels, when all the rest of his family fought for King George.” Apparently, the lone brother decided to support the Americans during the revolution and the two brothers had not seen each other until this unfortunate incident. Dunlop goes on to remark, “such is the virulence of political rancour, that it can overcome all the ties of nature.”

This incident, among others, highlights the close bonds that were broken as a result of the destructive War of 1812. 

Winter survival

During the War of 1812, winter months challenged soldiers with harsh conditions. However, the British Army was well adapted to the harsh winter conditions in Upper Canada by the time of the war.

With the arrival of winter, soldiers changed their routine. Breakfast was served before the men went to work in winter months in order to give the men much needed energy to work outside. Soldiers also had more clothing to add in winter months. Normally British soldiers wore grey wool trousers along with a red wool coat. In the winter, a heavy wool grey overcoat known as a greatcoat was added to provide soldiers with some extra warmth. Although the coat provided extra warmth, it was cumbersome and difficult to work with it on.

William 'Tiger' Dunlop

At times the cold winter months proved quite treacherous for some. During the winter of 1814 to 1815, a British surgeon named Dr. William “Tiger” Dunlop found himself in Lower Canada. One day while in the woods Dunlop became separated from his party when he chased after some partridges. Dunlop was unable to find his way back to his party as the sun began to set. He endeavoured to keep moving in the snow in order stave-off the cold but soon he grew sleepy. Dunlop decided on a new plan:

“I took off my snow shoes, and poured a quantity of rum into my moccasins; I buttoned my jacket, secured my fur cap about my ears, drew on my fur gloves, and calling a little dog I had with me, and laying my hands over my face, I made him lie on the top of all.”

Dunlop managed to fall asleep but when the sun rose, he found his feet were frozen. He managed to work his way back to the camp where ‘some old French Canadians’ took off his moccasins and rubbed his feet with snow. Dunlop said he felt extreme pain, along with fainting, when the sensation returned to his feet. After three weeks of bed rest, Dunlop recovered from his ordeal. Unfortunately, his little dog, Moses, died shortly after reaching camp. 

On February 23, you can join Fort Niagara for their Winter Survival event. You can experience what life was like for soldiers stationed at Fort Niagara in the winter and learn some 1812 winter survival techniques. I’m sure these techniques don’t include pouring rum into your shoes. Click here for more information.