The War of 1812 . . . Year Two, Part 5 . . . Lundy's Lane

The Battle of Lundy's Lane . . . July 25, 1814

A good part of this day was spent at Niagara Falls, so we will come back to that with our non-War of 1812 entries from the trip . . .

On the heels of the decisive American victory at the Battle of Chippawa (July 5, 1814), the Battle of Lundy's Lane was tactically indecisive. However, it is seen as a British strategic victory, for the Americans never attempted another major offensive in the Niagara peninsula area. Also, the US left the field of battle (not forcibly, but voluntarily I should add). The British did not pursue, for both sides sustained costly, but comparable casualties (both over 800). Oft cited as the bloodiest battle of the war, the Wikipedia article on the battle notes:

Veteran British officers, who had fought against French armies in the Peninsular War, were horrified at the carnage they had witnessed at Lundy's Lane. Drummond reported, "Of so determined a Character were [the American] attacks directed against our guns that our Artillery Men were bayonetted by the enemy in the Act of loading, and the muzzles of the Enemy's Guns were advanced within a few Yards of ours". 

A memorial "erected to commemorate the celebration of the one-hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Lundy's Lane." It is located within the Drummond Hill Cemetery. It was at this location where the most intense action was centered.  The concentration of fighting was due to the location of British artillery, which was positioned on the small elevation in the cemetery. After several brutal attempts, the US took the position. The British counter-attacked several times to retake it, but never took control of the area until the Americans left the field of battle.  

Lundy's Lane Monument (1895)
Coupled with the Battle of Chippawa, Lundy's Lane made it apparent to the British that they could no longer dismiss the American regular forces as inept. In the short span of the war, commanders such as Scott had transformed the regulars into a highly professional army. This, of course, was one of lasting influences the war had upon US policy.

Monument/grave marker for Laura Secord . . . more about her when we visit her home in the next entry.

Monument for US Captain Abraham Hull, son of General William Hull (one of Dudeboy's favorites . . . well, not really). Behind this monument are the mass graves of several unidentified American soldiers. There is an often related story of an encounter between the mortally wounded Hull and a young British officer named John Le Couteur (from Le Couteur's War of 1812 journal):

The miserable badly wounded were groaning and imploring us for water, the Indians prowling about them and scalping or plundering. 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 to send 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.

Battle Ground Hotel (Fralick Tavern) . . . was originally built in 1836 to accommodate the tourism needs of the area, not only that of Niagara Falls, but the Battle of Lundy's Lane itself. Odd as it may seem, the battlefield was a major tourist destination for much of the 19th century. Through the years, five observation towers (not at once) had been built overlooking the area.  The Battleground Hotel is located directly across the street from the Drummond Hill Cemetery where the main portion of the fighting transpired. 

Niagara Falls History Museum . . . Dudeboy participating in some War of 1812 drilling at an event celebrating an anniversary of the museum.  While there, we were interviewed by the local newspaper. This bit was the only thing that made the press:

Todd Fife, who attended with his wife, Jane, and their son, Malcolm, were visiting from Kentucky and were on a War of 1812 tour.
“It’s nice to see that things can be saved and that history is not just swept aside for progress,” said Todd Fife. “In the long run people really appreciate what happens when something is saved, not only for tourism but for education. Not many people know about the War of 1812 and that’s depressing. It was so important not only for helping to shape the identity of Canada, but also the United States.” 

The museum is located near the battlefield and a great place to start.  The main exhibit deals with the Battle of Lundy's Lane, as well as other exhibits that pertain to the general history of the Niagara Falls area.  One of the more interesting displays dealt with Niagara Falls daredevils of the past.

We talked with several people while at the museum, but the views of one reenactor were notable. Throughout the trip we were very interested in talking with the locals about the Canadian perspective of the War of 1812. This man was adamant that the US won, and that the First Nations lost. And the British and Canadians basically achieved nothing. He stated that it was the Americans who gained a national identity, and poo-pooed any thought of the same for Canada.  I must say Canadian views on the subject are as complicated as the war itself.      

The War of 1812 . . . Year Two, Part 4 . . . Toronto, Hamilton, etc.

Once again we are skipping a day, and we will come back to it after we have finished with the War of 1812 tour.  That later entry will include our visit to Casa Loma and ROM (Royal Ontario Museum).

Fort York, Toronto . . . we had read somewhere that this is Canada's largest collection of War of 1812 structures.  During the construction of a nearby expressway, the fort was almost lost.  I find it amazing this place has survived amidst the sprawl of the fourth largest city of North America. 

Rising like a phoenix, modern Toronto surrounds old Fort York.  I say like a phoenix, because US troops burned and looted York . . . which was, at the time, the capitol of Upper Canada.  It was this action that helped to escalate a more destructive type of war.  And it was the Burning of York that British and Canadians cite as the impetus for the retaliatory destruction of Buffalo and Washington, DC.  

Some 1700 US troops under the command of Chauncey, Pike and Dearborn took the fort with little resistance, but at a high cost.  When the fort's magazine exploded, several dozen soldiers were killed, including Pike, and many more wounded.

Apart from pissing off the British and the escalation of a more destructive war, the loss of valuable naval stores at York did have a negative effect for British designs on Lake Erie.  As to the looting, I stumbled on this interesting tidbit, according to the webpage for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, a mace (originally used used to represent the authority of the Crown, but in Canada symbolizing the speaker officiating over the House) "was captured by the Americans during the War of 1812, not to return home until 1934, under special good-will orders of President F.D. Roosevelt and the United States Congress."

Dudeboy posing with an interpreter representing a Canadian Sharpshooter of the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles.

"Monument to the War of 1812" by artist Douglas Coupland . . . apparently the statue is somewhat controversial.  I suppose the reasoning has to do with the US toy soldier being tipped over (dead).  I guess some Canadians don't want to associate themselves with the more American stance of aggression.  Of course, they would have to go a long way to emulate us.

We then hightailed it out of Toronto, for we still had much to cover this day in nearby Hamilton and elsewhere.  As you might have noticed, we love restful and relaxing vacations!

The Battle of Stoney Creek near Hamilton, Ontario.  Above, the impressive 100 foot tall Stoney Creek Battlefield Monument (you can only access the lower level, but even the views from that are exceptional).       

I must relate a couple of remarks about this monument.  In choosing land for a monument to commemorate the battle, men from the Wentworth Historical Society opted for the cheaper parcel of land at Smith's Knoll (see below).

However, not satisfied with this endeavor, the Women's Wentworth Historical Society (and most notably Sara Calder) raised funds to build this most impressive monument. June 6, 1913, on the centennial of the battle, Queen Mary pushed a button in London connected to a wire, by way of the transatlantic cable, burned a fuse which parted the folds of the drapery over the monument!  I think the good ladies of Women's Wentworth Historical Society have bragging rights on this one.

Much of the short, chaotic night battle (flints were removed from the British muskets to prevent premature firing, but their bayonets were fixed) took place in this area in front of the Gage House.  A substantial part of this house dates to 1798.  It was used as the headquarters by US forces during the battle.

And, of course, it was the Women's Wentworth Historical Society who restored the Gage House and opened it as a museum.

 Winder and Chandler, two American generals, were captured in the vicinity of the house.

Stone Lion Monument on Smith's Knoll which marked the burial place for soldiers who died at the battle.  It was also the location of American cannon during the battle.  The British captured two guns and spiked two others.

I should add, this is another in a long line of embarrassments for the US forces during the War of 1812. It was a night attack upon an unsuspecting larger force (the numbers engaged were about 700 for the British, compared to over 1300 for the US, and the US had more troops available) that had far-reaching ramifications.  With the capture of the two generals, US forces were in a disarray and forced back to the Niagara region, halting anymore advancements into the Niagara Peninsula.  As our tour guide noted, "I would be an American now if not for this battle."

Battle at Forty Mile Creek, near the town of Grimsby. The plaque reads, "Here at the Forty Mile Creek, on 8th June, 1813, American forces, retreating after the battle of Stoney Creek, were bombarded by a British flotilla under Sir James Lucas Yeo. Indians and groups of the 4th and 5th Regiments Lincoln Militia joined in the attack and created such confusion in the enemy ranks that they abandoned this position and retreated to Fort George."

The Decew House . . . the remains of the headquarters for James Fitzgibbon prior to the Battle of Beaver Dams.  It was here that Laura Secord made her way from Queenston to warn the British of the impending American attack.  And, of course, the rest is history. Fitzgibbon is an interesting figure, for he was one of the few examples of a person raising through the ranks without the aid of social standing. Apparently, Brock took a shine to him and helped with the officer's commissions.  His guerrilla style tactics coupled with victories over the US forces have gained him a following in Canada.
 

The monument for the Battle of Beaver Dams . . . which is not located at the actual battle-site! Years ago, when the town of Thorold was building a municipal park, they decided we need to cash in on the huge tourist possibilities of the Battle of Beaver Dams.  So, they had the monument, which had been built in 1923 on the actual site of the battle, moved to the Battle of Beaver Dams Park in 1976. It is interesting to note that years ago there was a push to make the Battle of Beaver Dams a national park. Had it gone through when it was purposed, it would have been the first national battlefield park in Canada or the United States.  So, all the more pathetic that this monument was moved.  
  

Thankfully, a new monument has been placed at the original location in time for the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.  Just think of what this place would be like if it had become a national battlefield park. It is odd to me how some things so important in the past are now largely forgotten.

The text from the new plaque: 

On the morning of June 24. 1813, an invading American force of some 685 men, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Boerstler, marched along Mountain Road (parts of which are no longer visible today) that ran through this intersection. They intended to capture the British outpost commanded by Lieutenant James Fitzgibbon, located two miles to the west at the Decew House.  As the Americans approached the nearby beechwoods, they were ambushed by about 400 native warriors and soundly defeated in a battle that raged for nearly three hours.
Virtually all the fighting on the British side was led by native warriors, while Fitzgibbon and his superior, Major Peter De Haren, arrived only in time to accept the surrender and claim the victory.  The terms of the surrender were signed at the Miller House, located south of this site near Beaverdams Creek. Laura Secord's timely information of an impending American attack, delivered to Fitzgibbon two days earlier, contributed to the victory.

With the addendum . . . "Native warriors suffered casualties in the Battle of Beaverdams, and they assured British victories in other battles of the War of 1812-1814.  They are here recognized with lasting gratitude."

Camp Quest and the Smokies

Interrupting the entries for our War of 1812/Canada trip, we are posting a few photos from this weekend when we picked Dudeboy up from Camp Quest. Dudeboy had been at summer camp all this past week at Camp Quest Smoky Mountains located at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Of course, he had a great time (geez, his whole summer has been insanely amazing!). After stuffing his piles of smelly detritus into the car, we went on a short hike up the Middle Prong Trial on the Little River.
  

Lynn Camp Falls

The War of 1812 . . . Year Two, Part 3 . . . Kingston

As our third day of the trip was devoted to non-War of 1812 tourism, we will skip that for the time being and come back to it and many other sites we visited after covering the battles, forts, and other sites pertaining the war in Ontario.  So, in this installment we move west a bit . . . to the town of Kingston.  We had no previous notion of what to expect of Kingston and were pleasantly surprised at how scenic (at least the downtown area) Kingston is.  Oddly enough, much of that ambiance is due to the fortifications that had been built to defend the area from American encroachment.  Let's just say this threat lasted far longer than the end of the War of 1812.

    

While some of this entry is not directly tied to the War of 1812, it does cover military endeavors that are a direct result of the war and the continued tensions our nations shared . . . apparently, that lasted up to at least WWII (look up the War Plan Red).  All that to say, we visited several Martello towers! Dudeboy had been fascinated with these defensive fortifications ever since he read about them in the M.R. James story "A Warning to the Curious."  

The four Martellos in Kingston (six if you count the two towers part of the larger Fort Henry) were built in response to the Oregon Crisis ("Fifty-Four Forty or Fight").  The first one we visited was the Murney Tower built in 1846.  It now houses a museum and is a National Historic Site of Canada.

Dudeboy in one of the four caponiers in the Murney Tower.  These structures jut out at the base of the Martello and allowed for the added protection of enfilade fire.

The 32-pounder cannon on a 360 degree rotating carriage located on the top level . . . originally there would not have been a roof.

I doubt Dudeboy would have made much of a Powder monkey.  Monkey, yes.  Powder monkey, no.

Fort Frederick Tower at Fort Frederick.  The original fort was built 1812/13 in response to US naval threats on Lake Ontario.  That blockhouse was destroyed in 1846 and replaced with this massive 3-story Martello.

The caponiers are easily seen in this photo.

The reverse "L" shape structure in the foreground is all that remains of the original 40' square blockhouse from the War of 1812.

In 1812, a US flotilla under the command of Commodore Isaac Chauncey forced the British ship the Royal George to seek the protection of the Kingston harbor and its land forces at Fort Frederick. After which the US controlled Lake Ontario for a time.

It was then the British realized the seriousness of the situation and began to build ships at Royal Navy Dockyards, located near this place, which helped swing control of the lake back to the British.

One of the three 32-pounders situated on the upper level.  With emergence of rifled cannon the Martellos were rendered obsolete.  But these structures were so substantial that they were not going anywhere . . . for that matter, neither were these cannons!

"Pieces of rib from the HMS St. Lawrence."  According to this pdf, the St Lawrence was "the largest warship ever built on the Great Lakes during the age of sail," and "She was the only Royal Navy ship-of-the-line ever to be launched and operated entirely in fresh water."

The original Fort Henry was built during the War of 1812.  It was rebuilt in the 1830s, and this is what you see today.  The interpreters in the fort portray soldiers from 1867 . . . the time right at the Confederation.

We went on a guided tour, and watched a band parade and and a bit of precision drilling.  Our guide was fairly amusing, for he would make sly remarks mocking the British . . . especially their adherence to the rigid class command system.

As far as the War of 1812 is concerned, Fort Henry was only a blockhouse at this location (nothing of the massive fortress you see today), and from what I understand there is dispute whether it was completed at the time of  Commodore Chauncey's pursuit and attack on the Royal George.  Due to the strategic location of the fort (St. Lawrence, Lake Ontario and the Royal Naval Dockyards are all situated near this point) upgrades continued throughout the remainder of the war.

For a detailed view/tour/history of the fort, take the time to view the info at the official website.

At Fort Henry with two of the Martellos in the background.

Fort Henry West Branch Tower and Cathcart Tower on Cedar Island in the background.  Both are closed to the public.  Fort Henry West Branch Tower and Fort Henry East Branch Towers are both part of Fort Henry.  Many sources do not list these as Martellos as they are considered a part of the fort as a whole.

Shoal Tower is located downtown right in Kingston's harbor.  It is also closed to the public.