The Assault on Ogdensburg , also known as the First Battle of Ogdensburg or the Battle of Prescott , was an attack by Canadian militia on the American defences at Ogdensburg on October 4, 1812.
101-604: War of 1812 Rebellions of 1837–1838 Fenian Raids The Dundas County Militia was a regiment of the provincial militia of Upper Canada that was raised in Dundas County, Ontario , in the 1780s. The battle honours and legacy of the Dundas Militia are perpetuated by the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders . The military history of Dundas County dates back to the early settlement days, when Loyalist veterans of
202-626: A fleet action with the Royal Navy. On the high seas, the Americans pursued a strategy of commerce raiding , capturing or sinking British merchantmen with their frigates and privateers. The Navy was largely concentrated on the Atlantic coast before the war as it had only two gunboats on Lake Champlain , one brig on Lake Ontario and another brig in Lake Erie when the war began. The United States Army
303-502: A British appeal to come to their aid. However, the Americans did not pursue the retreating British forces until they had largely escaped and organized a counter-offensive at the Battle of Stoney Creek on 5 June. The British launched a surprise attack at 2 a.m., leading to confused fighting and a strategic British victory. The Americans pulled back to Forty Mile Creek rather than continue their advance into Upper Canada. At this point,
404-544: A brass 6-pounder cannon, commanded by Sheriff York and Lt. Church. When Lethbridge and the Canadian boats crossed the middle of the river, the Americans opened fire with their cannons and muskets, and after a sharp exchange, forced the Canadians to turn back and return to Prescott under heavy fire. 3 Canadians were killed in the assault, including Private Mott of the 1st Leeds Militia, and over 10 were wounded. John Kilborn of
505-448: A complete victory. Late in 1813, the Americans abandoned the Canadian territory that they occupied around Fort George. They set fire to the village of Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake ) on 10 December 1813, incensing the Canadians. Many of the inhabitants were left without shelter, freezing to death in the snow. The British retaliated following their Capture of Fort Niagara on 18 December 1813. A British-Indian force led by Riall stormed
606-406: A day. Their leaders sought to fight only under favourable conditions and would avoid any battle that promised heavy losses, doing what they thought best for their tribes. The Indigenous fighters saw no issue with withdrawing if needed to save casualties. They always sought to surround an enemy, where possible, to avoid being surrounded and make effective use of the terrain. Their main weapons were
707-539: A force of Glengarry and Stormont Militia engaged the Americans at the Battle of Hoople's Creek and on November 11, they, along with the Dundas Militia, Leeds Militia, Canadian Fencibles , the 49th Regiment of Foot and the 89th Regiment of Foot , engaged the main American force at John Crysler's farm in Williamsburg township . Capt. John Crysler was now in command of the Dundas Militia and, with Major Henry Merkley , led
808-477: A halt and the supplies destined for Prescott were landed in Dundas County where the services of the farmers in the vicinity were secured and before midnight the stores were all placed in wagons, by which manner they were to be taken to Prescott, while the boats were to return to Cornwall. Suddenly a messenger arrived and reported the presence of 500 American dragoons. The loaded wagons were removed some distance from
909-454: A long siege. He agreed to surrender on 16 August. Hull also ordered the evacuation of Fort Dearborn (Chicago) to Fort Wayne , but Potawatomi warriors ambushed them and escorted them back to the fort where they were massacred on 15 August. The fort was subsequently burned. Brock moved to the eastern end of Lake Erie, where American General Stephen Van Rensselaer was attempting a second invasion. The Americans attempted an attack across
1010-640: A militia force, if I had not witnessed the scenes of this day". The United States was only a secondary concern to Britain, so long as the Napoleonic Wars continued with France. In 1813, France had 80 ships-of-the-line and was building another 35. Containing the French fleet was the main British naval concern, leaving only the ships on the North American and Jamaica Stations immediately available. In Upper Canada,
1111-460: A mixture of muskets, rifles, bows, tomahawks , knives and swords as well as clubs and other melee weapons, which sometimes had the advantage of being quieter than guns. On 1 June 1812, Madison sent a message to Congress recounting American grievances against Great Britain, though not specifically calling for a declaration of war. The House of Representatives then deliberated for four days behind closed doors before voting 79 to 49 (61%) in favour of
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#17330861059981212-608: A newspaper, which eventually led to over a month of deadly rioting in the city. Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was assassinated in London on 11 May and Lord Liverpool came to power. He wanted a more practical relationship with the United States. On June 23, he issued a repeal of the Orders in Council , but the United States was unaware of this, as it took three weeks for the news to cross
1313-461: A retaliatory raid on the strategic town of Ogdensburg, but Prevost forbade any offensive actions along the river. Col. Lethbridge finally decided to go against the orders from Prevost and launch an assault against the Americans in October. He gathered a force of 150 Glengarry Light Infantry and approximately 600 militia from Dundas, Leeds, and Stormont and planned to cross the river and amphibiously take
1414-520: A second American force led by Major Zachary Taylor in the Battle of Credit Island . These victories enabled the Sauk, Fox, and Kickapoo to harass American garrisons further to the south, which led the Americans to abandon Fort Johnson , in central Illinois Territory. Consequently, the Americans lost control of almost all of Illinois Territory, although they held onto the St. Louis area and eastern Missouri . However,
1515-673: A small American post on the Sandusky River near Lake Erie. They were repulsed with serious losses, marking the end of the Ohio campaign. Captain Oliver Hazard Perry fought the Battle of Lake Erie on 10 September 1813. His decisive victory at Put-in-Bay ensured American military control of the lake, improved American morale after a series of defeats and compelled the British to fall back from Detroit. This enabled General Harrison to launch another invasion of Upper Canada, which culminated in
1616-579: A threat to Canada in 1812, the United States Navy was a well-trained and professional force comprising over 5,000 sailors and marines. It had 14 ocean-going warships with three of its five "super-frigates" non-operational at the onset of the war. Its principal problem was lack of funding, as many in Congress did not see the need for a strong navy. The biggest ships in the American navy were frigates and there were no ships-of-the-line capable of engaging in
1717-819: The American Revolution were granted plots of land in Upper Canada and raised a local militia. The first Loyalist settlers landed in Dundas on the banks of the St Lawrence River in June 1784 and almost immediately raised a local militia force. Many of the families were German Palatines who had remained loyal to Great Britain and fought during the war with the King's Royal Regiment of New York , Butler's Rangers , and Loyal Rangers . The oldest commission found for what would become
1818-618: The Democratic-Republican Party in favour and the Federalist Party against. News of British concessions made in an attempt to avoid war did not reach the U.S. until late July, by which time the conflict was already underway. At sea, the Royal Navy imposed an effective blockade on U.S. maritime trade, while between 1812 and 1814 British regulars and colonial militia defeated a series of American invasions on Upper Canada . The April 1814 abdication of Napoleon allowed
1919-461: The Niagara River on 13 October, but they were defeated at Queenston Heights . However, Brock was killed during the battle and British leadership suffered after his death. American General Henry Dearborn made a final attempt to advance north from Lake Champlain, but his militia refused to go beyond American territory. After Hull surrendered Detroit, General William Henry Harrison took command of
2020-680: The Niagara campaign and at the Battle of Lundy's Lane . The principle engagements of the 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia were: Battle of Matilda – On September 16, 1812, soldiers from the 1st Dundas Militia under Capt. Michael Ault and Ens. Duncan Clark, as well as the Royal Newfoundland Regiment , were escorting a shipment of supplies from Montreal to Kingston when they were attacked near Matilda by 500 American Militia who were hiding on Toussaint Island. The Dundas militia landed on Presqu'ile Island just as an American force landed on
2121-589: The Old Northwest . In 1807, these tensions escalated after the Royal Navy began enforcing tighter restrictions on American trade with France and impressed sailors who were originally British subjects , even those who had acquired American citizenship. Opinion in the U.S. was split on how to respond, and although majorities in both the House and Senate voted for war, they were divided along strict party lines, with
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#17330861059982222-586: The Six Nations of the Grand River began to come out to fight for the British as an American victory no longer seemed inevitable. The Iroquois ambushed an American patrol at Forty Mile Creek while the Royal Navy squadron based in Kingston sailed in and bombarded the American camp. General Dearborn retreated to Fort George, mistakenly believing that he was outnumbered and outgunned. British Brigadier General John Vincent
2323-584: The War of 1812 broke out in June 1812, the Dundas Militiamen gathered to prevent an invasion of their homeland. The men mustered into two flank companies at Mariatown on July 11, 1812, and the companies were formed into the 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia . This regiment fought throughout the war, with many men from the regiment being transferred to the Incorporated Battalion of Canadian Militia fighting in
2424-480: The passage between Lakes Huron and Michigan , which was important to the fur trade. The British garrison, aided by fur traders of the North West Company and Sioux, Menominee, Winnebago, Chippewa, and Ottawa, immediately besieged and captured Mackinac . The war was conducted in several theatres: The war had been preceded by years of diplomatic dispute, yet neither side was ready for war when it came. Britain
2525-572: The "Canadian Paul Revere". Battle of Point Iroquois - American forces under General James Wilkinson crossed the St Lawrence River and hoped to march on Montreal , but the local British and Canadian forces engaged them before they could move past Dundas County. On November 7, a piquet of Dundas Militia at Point Iroquois discovered the American forces moving up the St Lawrence, and Ptes. Peter and Jacob Brouse, brothers of George Brouse , were
2626-533: The 1st Dundas Regiment, was on duty at the bridge over Nash Creek. When the advance parties of the American army came into view, Trooper Loucks set fire to the Nash Creek Bridge in order to prevent their advance. He then rode east to alert the Dundas Milita before riding north and west around the American force to contact the British forces coming from Kingston. Battle of Crysler's Farm – On November 10,
2727-2403: The 2nd Battalion would serve Matilda Township, and the 3rd Battalion would serve Winchester and Mountain Townships. These battalions would form part of the larger "Regiment of the Eastern District" , a united regiment composed of battalions from Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry to serve all three counties. The Militia lists for 1851 record the following officers of the Dundas Militia with their dates of rank: 1st Battalion (Williamsburg): Lt Col. John Crysler - Nov. 5, 1846 Majors Cephranus Casselman - Jan. 13, 1847, John P. Crysler - Aug. 16, 1850 Captains John Hickey, George Cook, William Kyle, Isaac N. Rose, Adam Nudle, George Weaver, Henry Weagear, William Swayne - Jan. 13, 1847, Conrad Casselman - Dec. 19, 1850 Lieutenants Josiah Southworth, Peter J. Loucks, John W. Loucks, Alex. Colquhoun, Walter Bell, John Marsellis, Cornelius Nevins - Jan. 13, 1847, Samuel J. Crysler, Pembroke G. Crysler - Oct. 7th, 1847, Jacob Merkley - Dec. 19, 1850 Ensigns Michael Pellar, John Brouse, William Weaver, John Munro - Jan. 13, 1847, Samuel Weagant, Michael Hickey, Seph. M. Casselman, William Dicks, Guy J. Loucks - Oct. 7, 1847, John R. Crysler - Dec. 19, 1850 Adjutant James Baker - Oct. 7, 1847 Quarter Master Jacob Hanes - Jan. 13, 1847 Surgeon John Grant - Jan, 13, 1847 2nd Battalion (Matilda): Lt Col. David Robertson - Dec. 9, 1846 Major George Ault - Mar. 31, 1847 Captains John Savor, George Brouse , Sydney Doren, James West, Samuel Shaver, John Strader, Simeon Ault - Mar. 31, 1847, John Parlow - Sep. 25, 1850 Lieutenants David Coons, George Carman, Alonzo C. H. Shaver, James Doren, Nicholas N. Brouse, Isaac Keeler, Alex. Macdonell, Henry Van Allen - Mar. 31, 1847, Matthew Coons - Sep. 25, 1850 Ensigns Nicholas Carman, George J. Brouse, Henry Merkley, John Flagg, Alonzo B. Robertson, James N. Nettleton, John Servis, James Glasford - Mar. 31, 1847, David Mcintosh - Aug. 2, 1847 Adjutant Nicholas N. Brouse - Mar. 31, 1847 Quarter Master George Robertson - Aug. 2, 1847 3rd Battalion (Winchester and Mountain): War of 1812 1814 1813 1814 1815 East Coast Great Lakes / Saint Lawrence River West Indies / Gulf Coast Pacific Ocean The War of 1812
2828-591: The American Army of the Northwest . He set out to retake the city, which was now defended by Colonel Henry Procter and Tecumseh. A detachment of Harrison's army was defeated at Frenchtown along the River Raisin on 22 January 1813. Procter left the prisoners with an inadequate guard and his Potawatomie allies killed and scalped 60 captive Americans . The defeat ended Harrison's campaign against Detroit, but "Remember
2929-625: The American Lake Ontario squadron began bombarding Fort George . An American amphibious force assaulted Fort George on the northern end of the Niagara River on 27 May and captured it without serious losses. The British abandoned Fort Erie and headed towards Burlington Heights . The British position was close to collapsing in Upper Canada; the Iroquois considered changing sides and ignored
3030-460: The American attack on Fort George and Newark in May. The British were vulnerable along the stretch of the St. Lawrence that was between Upper Canada and the United States. In the winter of 1812–1813, the Americans launched a series of raids from Ogdensburg, New York that hampered British supply traffic up the river. On 21 February, George Prévost passed through Prescott, Ontario on the opposite bank of
3131-552: The American attacks as he lacked artillery and supplies. Hull withdrew to the American side of the river on 7 August 1812 after receiving news of a Shawnee ambush on Major Thomas Van Horne 's 200 men, who had been sent to support the American supply convoy. Hull also faced a lack of support from his officers and fear among his troops of a possible massacre by unfriendly Indigenous forces. A group of 600 troops led by Lieutenant Colonel James Miller remained in Canada, attempting to supply
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3232-555: The American position in the Sandwich area, with little success. Major General Isaac Brock believed that he should take bold measures to calm the settler population in Canada and to convince the tribes that Britain was strong. He moved to Amherstburg near the western end of Lake Erie with reinforcements and attacked Detroit , using Fort Malden as his stronghold. Hull feared that the British possessed superior numbers, and Fort Detroit lacked adequate gunpowder and cannonballs to withstand
3333-621: The American victory at the Battle of the Thames on 5 October 1813, where Tecumseh was killed. The Mississippi River valley was the western frontier of the United States in 1812. The territory acquired in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 contained almost no American settlements west of the Mississippi except around St. Louis and a few forts and trading posts in the Boonslick . Fort Belle Fontaine
3434-462: The Americans into surrender. Meanwhile, Commodore James Lucas Yeo had taken charge of the British ships on the lake and mounted a counterattack, which the Americans repulsed at the Battle of Sackett's Harbor . Thereafter, Chauncey and Yeo's squadrons fought two indecisive actions, off the Niagara on 7 August and at Burlington Bay on 28 September. Neither commander was prepared to take major risks to gain
3535-623: The Atlantic. On 28 June 1812, HMS Colibri was dispatched from Halifax to New York under a flag of truce. She anchored off Sandy Hook on July 9 and left three days later carrying a copy of the declaration of war, British ambassador to the United States Augustus Foster and consul Colonel Thomas Henry Barclay . She arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia eight days later. The news of the declaration took even longer to reach London. British commander Isaac Brock in Upper Canada received
3636-540: The British and Canadians captured the town, burning the boats and taking the artillery and military supplies back to Prescott . Clark's Ride - On November 5, as Wilkinson's American army moved down the St. Lawrence River towards Cornwall, Lieutenant Duncan Clark of the Incorporated Militia, formerly an Ensign in Capt. Ault's Flank Company of the 1st Dundas Regiment, was on duty on the shoreline and under orders to raise
3737-449: The British general Phineas Riall engaged with Winfield Scott , who won against a British force at the Battle of Chippawa on 5 July. The American forces had been through a hard training under Winfield Scott and proved to the professionals under fire. They would deploy in a shallow U formation bringing flanking fire and well-aimed volleys against Riall's men. Riall's men were chased off the battlefield. Assault on Ogdensburg With
3838-586: The British had the Provincial Marine . While largely unarmed, they were essential for keeping the army supplied since the roads were abysmal in Upper Canada. At the onset of war, the Provincial Marine had four small armed vessels on Lake Ontario , three on Lake Erie and one on Lake Champlain. The Provincial Marine greatly outnumbered anything the Americans could bring to bear on the Great Lakes. When
3939-405: The British needed Indigenous allies to compensate for their numerical inferiority. The Indigenous allies of the British, Tecumseh's confederacy in the west and Iroquois in the east, avoided pitched battles and relied on irregular warfare , including raids and ambushes that took advantage of their knowledge of terrain. In addition, they were highly mobile, able to march 30–50 miles (50–80 km)
4040-504: The British post at Akwesasne , an Indian community that straddled the St. Lawrence River in a location where the present-day borders of Ontario, Quebec and New York State intersect. It, and the nearby American post at French Mills on the Salmon River, were recaptured on November 23, 1812 , by a British Canadian force, including the Dundas Militia, carrying supplies up the St. Lawrence River. In early 1813, Thomas Fraser took command of
4141-898: The British to send additional forces to North America and reinforce the Royal Navy blockade, crippling the American economy . In August 1814, negotiations began in Ghent , with both sides wanting peace; the British economy had been severely impacted by the trade embargo, while the Federalists convened the Hartford Convention in December to formalize their opposition to the war. In August 1814, British troops captured Washington , before American victories at Baltimore and Plattsburgh in September ended fighting in
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4242-430: The Dundas Militia from Col. Macdonell, who retired due to old age, having first seen battle at Culloden . Fraser served as Colonel until late 1813. Second Battle of Ogdensburg – On February 22, 1813, a British Canadian force including the 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia, crossed the frozen St Lawrence River and charged the American fort at Ogdensburg . The Americans fought back but were eventually forced to retreat and
4343-460: The Dundas Militia is from June 20, 1788, when Jacob Farrand (Farran) was issued a commission as a Captain by Lord Dorchester in the Williamsburg and Matilda Battalion of Militia . In 1792, Dundas County was formally established by a proclamation of the lieutenant governor of Upper Canada , John Graves Simcoe , and by his orders each county would have a Lieutenant to fulfill the position of magistrate and militia commander, Richard Duncan serving as
4444-513: The Indians in the Old Northwest from Montreal via Mackinac. On 3 July, the Americans sent a force of five vessels from Detroit to recapture Mackinac. A mixed force of regulars and volunteers from the militia landed on the island on 4 August. They did not attempt to achieve surprise, and Indians ambushed them in the brief Battle of Mackinac Island and forced them to re-embark. The Americans discovered
4545-518: The Leeds Militia was present during the assault, and recounted in later years: Assistance from the Brockville men was asked for, and with about forty others, I volunteered and marched to Prescott during the night, under the command of Reuben Sherwood and Lieutenant William Morris. Boats were made ready, and, early in the morning, led by Colonel Lethbridge, with part of a company of regulars, the attack
4646-470: The Northeast were opposed to the war, but it obtained financing from London-based Barings Bank to cover overseas bond obligations. New England failed to provide militia units or financial support, which was a serious blow, and New England states made loud threats to secede as evidenced by the Hartford Convention . Britain exploited these divisions, opting to not blockade the ports of New England for much of
4747-504: The Rebellion in 1838. In 1837, the 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia was reorganized into two battalions, or regiments, to better serve the new townships of Winchester and Mountain. The 1st Regiment (Battalion) would serve Winchester and Williamsburg and was commanded by Col. John Crysler and Lt. Col. J. MacDonell. The 2nd Regiment (Battalion) would serve Mountain and Matilda and was commanded by Col. George Merkley and Lt. Col. MacDonell. With
4848-456: The River Raisin!" became a rallying cry for the Americans. In May 1813, Procter and Tecumseh set siege to Fort Meigs in northwestern Ohio. Tecumseh's fighters ambushed American reinforcements who arrived during the siege, but the fort held out. The fighters eventually began to disperse, forcing Procter and Tecumseh to return to Canada. Along the way they attempted to storm Fort Stephenson ,
4949-642: The Royal Navy. The United States was also not prepared for war. Madison had assumed that the state militias would easily seize Canada and that negotiations would follow. In 1812, the regular army consisted of fewer than 12,000 men. Congress authorized the expansion of the army to 35,000 men, but the service was voluntary and unpopular; it paid poorly and there were initially few trained and experienced officers. The militia objected to serving outside their home states, they were undisciplined and performed poorly against British forces when called upon to fight in unfamiliar territory. Multiple militias refused orders to cross
5050-675: The Sauk raided even into these territories, clashing with American forces at the Battle of Cote Sans Dessein in April 1815 at the mouth of the Osage River in the Missouri Territory and the Battle of the Sink Hole in May 1815 near Fort Cap au Gris . This left the British and their Indian allies in control of most of modern Illinois and all of modern Wisconsin. Meanwhile, the British were supplying
5151-462: The St Lawrence River. At the Battle of the Windmill , a force of 300 men from the 1st Dundas Regiment, commanded by Col. John Crysler , and the 2nd Dundas Regiment, commanded by Col. George Merkley, participated in the main attack on November 13 and were present for the surrender on November 16. Casualties from the Dundas Militia were three killed and eight wounded. It was during the Rebellion period that
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#17330861059985252-495: The St. Lawrence. Hampton was delayed by road and supply problems and his intense dislike of Wilkinson limited his desire to support his plan. Charles de Salaberry defeated Hampton's force of 4,000 at the Chateauguay River on 25 October with a smaller force of Canadian Voltigeurs and Mohawks . Salaberry's force numbered only 339, but it had a strong defensive position. Wilkinson's force of 8,000 set out on 17 October, but it
5353-504: The Thousand Islands . After a few rounds of fire from the cannon and muskets, the Americans abandoned the island and retreated across the border. Canadian losses were one killed and several wounded. First Battle of Ogdensburg – The Dundas Militia next fought at the FirstBattle of Ogdensburg on October 4, 1812, launching an amphibious raid from Prescott to gather supplies but being turned back by American artillery and militia. Battle of French Mills – New York State Militia captured
5454-401: The United States after the war. Some British officers and Canadians objected to handing back Prairie du Chien and especially Mackinac under the terms of the Treaty of Ghent. However, the Americans retained the captured post at Fort Malden near Amherstburg until the British complied with the treaty. Fighting between Americans, the Sauk and other indigenous tribes continued through 1817, well after
5555-412: The United States and settled into winter quarters. He resigned his command after a failed attack on a British outpost at Lacolle Mills . The Americans again invaded the Niagara frontier. They had occupied southwestern Upper Canada after they defeated Colonel Henry Procter at Moraviantown in October and believed that taking the rest of the province would force the British to cede it to them. The end of
5656-414: The United States and the British Empire and its First Nation allies, have been long debated. The War of 1812 was caused by multiple factors and ultimately led to the US declaration of war on Britain : American expansion into the Northwest Territory (now Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and northeast Minnesota) was impeded by Indian raids. Some historians maintain that an American goal in
5757-419: The abandoned boats and barracks of the Americans, capturing considerable amounts of ammunition and supplies to bring back to Dundas. From September 1812 until the end of the war, the 1st Dundas Regiment was engaged in building and garrisoning earthworks and blockhouses along the St. Lawrence River. One such earthwork was located at Point Iroquois. The initial earthwork was reconstructed as a blockhouse in 1814
5858-405: The advance of Wilkinson's Army towards Montreal in November 1813, a line of supply boats under military escort set out from Montreal to ascend the St. Lawrence River and bring much needed supplies to the British forces at Prescott. An American force posted on Ogden's Island noticed the approaching convoy and decided to capture the supplies. Suspecting danger, the British force brought their boats to
5959-421: The alarm upon any American movements. Seeing the mass of boats moving down the river, Lieutenant Clark commandeered a sturdy plough horse from a nearby farm and rode the length of the front from Elizabethtown to Prescott alerting the local militia and civilians with the cry "The enemy is at hand!" . His ride along the front was likened to the ride of Paul Revere in 1775 , and Duncan Clark has since been heralded as
6060-488: The battle. Col. John Crysler applied to Lt-Gen. Sir John Colborne for the authority for the regiments to carry this device on their colours. When the Crysler's Farm Monument was unveiled on September 25, 1895, the Morrisburg High School Cadets carried a flag that had been borne by the 2nd Dundas Regiment (Battalion) at the Battle of the Windmill. In 1842, the Dundas Militia was reorganized, being split into three battalions. The 1st Battalion would serve Williamsburg Township,
6161-516: The border and fight on Canadian soil. American prosecution of the war suffered from its unpopularity, especially in New England where anti-war speakers were vocal. Massachusetts Congressmen Ebenezer Seaver and William Widgery were "publicly insulted and hissed" in Boston while a mob seized Plymouth's Chief Justice Charles Turner on 3 August 1812 "and kicked [him] through the town". The United States had great difficulty financing its war. It had disbanded its national bank , and private bankers in
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#17330861059986262-409: The first declaration of war . The Senate concurred in the declaration by a 19 to 13 (59%) vote in favour. The declaration focused mostly on maritime issues, especially involving British blockades, with two thirds of the indictment devoted to such impositions, initiated by Britain's Orders in Council. The conflict began formally on 18 June 1812, when Madison signed the measure into law. He proclaimed it
6363-400: The first lieutenant and colonel of the Dundas Militia in 1793. The Spanish Armament of 1793 caused fear throughout the British colonies, and many militias were raised in the Canadas in case of the outbreak of war. Colonel Duncan commanded the Dundas Militia and many men joined the part-time force. War was averted, however, and the militias were not used in any military capacity, but it showed
6464-464: The first to fire upon the enemy. As more Dundas Militiamen were brought up to the point, 1,200 American soldiers under Alexander Macomb , Winfield Scott , and Benjamin Forsyth landed on the shore and began to engage the outnumbered militia. After a sharp firefight, the 200 men from the 1st Dundas Regiment were forced to retire inland, but the delaying action gave precious time to the forces in Cornwall and Morrisburg. Skirmish at Doran's Farm - With
6565-422: The first two years of the war. He urged Lieutenant General George Prévost to maintain a defensive strategy. Prévost, who had the trust of the Canadians, followed these instructions and concentrated on defending Lower Canada at the expense of Upper Canada, which was more vulnerable to American attacks and allowed few offensive actions. Unlike campaigns along the east coast, Prevost had to operate with no support from
6666-445: The government called out 450,000 men from the state militias during the war. The state militias were poorly trained, armed, and led. The failed invasion of Lake Champlain led by General Dearborn illustrates this. The British Army soundly defeated the Maryland and Virginia militias at the Battle of Bladensburg in 1814 and President Madison commented "I could never have believed so great a difference existed between regular troops and
6767-457: The importance of the volunteer militias to the defence of Upper Canada. By 1803, the regiment had grown in size, and a report from that year lists the following officers: The 1808 report, resulting from the war tensions due to the Chesapeake–Leopard affair , gives the following statistics of the regiment: 1 Lt-Colonel, 1 Major, 4 Captains, 5 Lieutenants, 6 Ensigns, 1 Adjutant, 1 Quartermaster, 1 Surgeon, 14 Sergeants and 238 rank and file. When
6868-619: The indigenous fighters attacked it and besieged it – with support from the British. This was one of the few battles fought west of the Mississippi. Black Hawk played a leadership role. The American victory on Lake Erie and the recapture of Detroit isolated the British on Lake Huron. In the winter a Canadian party under Lieutenant Colonel Robert McDouall established a new supply line from York to Nottawasaga Bay on Georgian Bay . He arrived at Fort Mackinac on 18 May with supplies and more than 400 militia and Indians, then sent an expedition which successfully besieged and recaptured
6969-405: The key trading post of Prairie du Chien , on the Upper Mississippi. The Americans dispatched a substantial expedition to relieve the fort, but Sauk, Fox, and Kickapoo warriors under Black Hawk ambushed it and forced it to withdraw with heavy losses in the Battle of Rock Island Rapids . In September 1814, the Sauk, Fox, and Kickapoo, supported by part of Prairie du Chien's British garrison, repulsed
7070-409: The neighbouring town of Lewiston, New York on 19 December; four American civilians were killed by drunken Indians after the battle. A small force of Tuscarora warriors engaged Riall's men during the battle, which allowed many residents of Lewiston to evacuate the village. The British and their Indian allies subsequently attacked and burned Buffalo on Lake Erie on 30 December 1813 in revenge for
7171-418: The new base at Nottawasaga Bay and on 13 August they destroyed its fortifications and the schooner Nancy that they found there. They then returned to Detroit, leaving two gunboats to blockade Mackinac. On 4 September, the British surprised, boarded, and captured both gunboats. These engagements on Lake Huron left Mackinac under British control. The British returned Mackinac and other captured territory to
7272-410: The news much faster. He issued a proclamation alerting citizens to the state of war and urging all military personnel "to be vigilant in the discharge of their duty", so as to prevent communication with the enemy and to arrest anyone suspected of helping the Americans. He also ordered the British garrison of Fort St. Joseph on Lake Huron to capture the American fort at Mackinac . This fort commanded
7373-637: The next day. This was the first time that the United States had formally declared war on another nation, and the Congressional vote was approved by the smallest margin of any declaration of war in America's history. None of the 39 Federalists in Congress voted in favour of the war, while other critics referred to it as "Mr. Madison's War". Just days after war had been declared, a small number of Federalists in Baltimore were attacked for printing anti-war views in
7474-636: The north. In the Southeastern United States , American forces and Indian allies defeated an anti-American faction of the Muscogee . In early 1815, American troops led by Andrew Jackson repulsed a major British attack on New Orleans , which occurred during the ratification process of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent , which brought an end to the conflict. The origins of the War of 1812 (1812–1815), between
7575-636: The outbreak of the Rebellions of 1837–1838 the two regiments of Dundas Militia were again called out for the defence of the county . On November 12, 1838, men of the Hunters' Lodges came ashore in Prescott and took refuge in the windmill there, and a force of British Regulars along with the Grenville Militia, Glengarry Highlanders, Incorporated Militia, and Dundas Militia were dispatched to drive them back across
7676-513: The outbreak of the War of 1812 , commerce between New York and Upper Canada along the St. Lawrence River continued regularly, and besides the Battle of Matilda , there had been little military action. On September 21, 1812, American riflemen conducted the Raid on Gananoque , plundering the town before returning to New York. This raid enraged the British commander at Prescott, Colonel Robert Lethbridge. Lethbridge pled with General George Prevost to launch
7777-402: The regiment bravely at the battle, where they served as stretcher bearers, skirmishers, and helped supply ammunition. Salmon River Raid – In February 1814, the American forces near French Mills began leaving their supply depots and garrisons for Plattsburgh and Sackett's Harbor . On the 19th, a British Canadian force including the Dundas Militia crossed to the Salmon River, setting fire to
7878-464: The regiments were collectively referred to as the Royal Dundas Militia , perhaps due to their gallant conduct at the battle, as evidenced on the flag of the 2nd Dundas Regiment. Following the Battle of the Windmill , the 1st and 2nd Regiments (Battalions) of Dundas Militia were presented with a set of colours , emblazoned with the emblem of a windmill in recognition of their heroic actions at
7979-499: The river where they delayed for a time before proceeding to Prescott. Instructions were given to those in charge of the boats to drop down the river as far as Hoople's Creek, while the handful of Glengarry and Dundas Militia, already worn out with fatigue, started eastward to meet the foe. The force of Glengarry and Dundas Militiamen sighted the advancing American forces at the Doran family farm near Iroquois and at once concealed themselves in
8080-441: The river with reinforcements for Upper Canada. When he left the next day, the reinforcements and local militia attacked in the Battle of Ogdensburg and the Americans were forced to retreat. The Americans made two more thrusts against Montreal in 1813. Major General Wade Hampton was to march north from Lake Champlain and join a force under General James Wilkinson that would sail from Sackett's Harbor on Lake Ontario and descend
8181-410: The same and an exchange of fire occurred. The Americans were driven back and retreated to Toussaint's Island, and soon more Dundas men arrived on Presqu'ile in case of a second invasion. Col. MacDonell in command of the Dundas Militia, along with Capt. Shaver and Capt. Ault were joined by Grenville Militia and a 9-pounder artillery piece from Prescott that had originally been captured during the Battle of
8282-452: The thousands of sailors and shipwrights assigned there and recruited more from New York. They completed a warship (the corvette USS Madison ) in 45 days. Ultimately, almost 3,000 men at the shipyard built 11 warships and many smaller boats and transports. Army forces were also stationed at Sackett's Harbor, where they camped out through the town, far surpassing the small population of 900. Officers were housed with families. Madison Barracks
8383-684: The town. Early on the morning of October 4, the guns at Fort Wellington in Prescott opened up a cannonade against the Fort in Ogdensburg. Under the bombardment, Lethbridge took his force and put into the river with 25 bateaux and 2 gun boats. The American defences were commanded by Benjamin Forsyth and Sheriff Joseph York, and consisted of the 1st Rifle Regiment, New York Militia, and the Ogdensburg Volunteers. The Fort also had an iron 12-pounder cannon and
8484-707: The war and encouraging smuggling. An American army commanded by William Hull invaded Upper Canada on July 12, arriving at Sandwich ( Windsor, Ontario ) after crossing the Detroit River . Hull issued a proclamation ordering all British subjects to surrender. The proclamation said that Hull wanted to free them from the "tyranny" of Great Britain, giving them the liberty, security, and wealth that his own country enjoyed – unless they preferred "war, slavery and destruction". He also threatened to kill any British soldier caught fighting alongside Indigenous fighters. Hull's proclamation only helped to stiffen resistance to
8585-532: The war and played pivotal roles in several engagements, including the Battle of the Chateauguay which caused the Americans to abandon the Saint Lawrence River theatre. The highly decentralized bands and tribes considered themselves allies of, and not subordinates to, the British or the Americans. Various tribes fighting with United States forces provided them with their "most effective light troops" while
8686-684: The war broke out, the British Army in North America numbered 9,777 men in regular units and fencibles . While the British Army was engaged in the Peninsular War , few reinforcements were available. Although the British were outnumbered, the long-serving regulars and fencibles were better trained and more professional than the hastily expanded United States Army. The militias of Upper Canada and Lower Canada were initially far less effective, but substantial numbers of full-time militia were raised during
8787-442: The war ended in the east. Both sides placed great importance on gaining control of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River because of the difficulties of land-based communication. The British already had a small squadron of warships on Lake Ontario when the war began and had the initial advantage. The Americans established a Navy yard at Sackett's Harbor, New York , a port on Lake Ontario. Commodore Isaac Chauncey took charge of
8888-465: The war was to annex some or all of Canada, a view many Canadians still share. However, many argue that inducing the fear of such a seizure was merely an American tactic, which was designed to obtain a bargaining chip . Some members of the British Parliament and dissident American politicians such as John Randolph of Roanoke claimed that American expansionism , rather than maritime disputes,
8989-455: The war with Napoleon in Europe in April 1814 meant that the British could deploy their army to North America, so the Americans wanted to secure Upper Canada to negotiate from a position of strength. They planned to invade via the Niagara frontier while sending another force to recapture Mackinac. They captured Fort Erie on 3 July 1814. Unaware of Fort Erie's fall or of the size of the American force,
9090-626: The wood lines. As the Americans drew near, a well directed fire from the Militia killed 11 and wounded several. The Americans fled to their boats and recrossed to the other side of the river, while the militia marched to Hoople's Creek, joined the flotilla awaiting them, and proceeded to Cornwall in preparation of the main American attack. Burning of the Nash Creek bridge - As the American forces pushed east through Williamsburg township, Trooper John W. Loucks of Fraser's Provincial Light Dragoons , formerly of
9191-558: Was an old trading post converted to an Army post in 1804 and this served as regional headquarters. Fort Osage , built in 1808 along the Missouri River , was the westernmost American outpost, but it was abandoned at the start of the war. Fort Madison was built along the Mississippi in Iowa in 1808 and had been repeatedly attacked by British-allied Sauk since its construction. The United States Army abandoned Fort Madison in September 1813 after
9292-540: Was created with a clasp for Crysler's Farm and the following men were awarded the medal for service with the Dundas Militia: On January 21, 1822, the Dundas Cavalry Troop was formed under Capt. Peter Shaver , Michael Brouse and George Ault commissioned Lieutenants, Jacob Brouse commissioned Cornet . The cavalry troop was attached to the Dundas Militia regiments into the 1840s, and served duty during
9393-517: Was delayed by weather. Wilkinson heard that a British force was pursuing him under Captain William Mulcaster and Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Wanton Morrison and landed near Morrisburg, Ontario by 10 November, about 150 kilometres (90 mi) from Montreal. On 11 November, his rear guard of 2,500 attacked Morrison's force of 800 at Crysler's Farm and was repulsed with heavy losses. He learned that Hampton could not renew his advance, retreated to
9494-408: Was encouraged when about 800 Iroquois arrived to assist him. An American force surrendered on 24 June to a smaller British force due to advance warning by Laura Secord at the Battle of Beaver Dams , marking the end of the American offensive into Upper Canada. British Major General Francis de Rottenburg did not have the strength to retake Fort George, so he instituted a blockade, hoping to starve
9595-819: Was fought by the United States and its allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in North America . It began when the United States declared war on Britain on 18 June 1812. Although peace terms were agreed upon in the December 1814 Treaty of Ghent , the war did not officially end until the peace treaty was ratified by the United States Congress on 17 February 1815. Anglo-American tensions stemmed from long-standing differences over territorial expansion in North America and British support for Tecumseh's confederacy , which resisted U.S. colonial settlement in
9696-743: Was heavily engaged in the Napoleonic Wars, most of the British Army was deployed in the Peninsular War in Portugal and Spain, and the Royal Navy was blockading most of the coast of Europe. The number of British regular troops present in Canada in July 1812 was officially 6,034, supported by additional Canadian militia. Throughout the war, the British War Secretary was Earl Bathurst , who had few troops to spare for reinforcing North America defences during
9797-470: Was initially much larger than the British Army in North America. Many men carried their own long rifles while the British were issued muskets , except for one unit of 500 riflemen. Leadership was inconsistent in the American officer corps as some officers proved themselves to be outstanding, but many others were inept, owing their positions to political favours. Congress was hostile to a standing army and
9898-557: Was later built at Sackett's Harbor. Having regained the advantage by their rapid building program, on 27 April 1813 Chauncey and Dearborn attacked York , the capital of Upper Canada. At the Battle of York , the outnumbered British regulars destroyed the fort and dockyard and retreated, leaving the militia to surrender the town. American soldiers set fire to the Legislature building, and looted and vandalized several government buildings and citizens' homes. On 25 May 1813, Fort Niagara and
9999-412: Was made. The boat I was in was commanded by William Morris. After getting near the batteries (which they plied constantly), and in front of the town [Ogdensburg], we failed to effect a landing and returned to Prescott. The loss in our boat was one killed and eight wounded. For disobeying orders and failing to achieve a victory, Col. Lethbridge was stripped of his command by General Prevost and cashiered to
10100-567: Was named Fort Needless due to its inactivity so late in the war. In mid-1813, two volunteer cavalry troops were raised in Dundas and filled with men from the Dundas Militia. Captain Fraser's Troop of Provincial Light Dragoons and Captain Adam's Troop of Provincial Light Dragoons both fought alongside the Dundas Militia at Crysler's Farm. In 1848, the Military General Service Medal
10201-399: Was the primary motivation for the American declaration of war. That view has been retained by some historians. During the years 1810–1812, American naval ships were divided into two major squadrons, with the "northern division", based at New York, commanded by Commodore John Rodgers, and the "southern division", based at Norfolk, commanded by Commodore Stephen Decatur. Although not much of
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