About the Battle of Fort George
http://www.friendsoffortgeorge.ca/events/
On the morning of May 25, 1813, batteries at Fort Niagara and along the American side of the Niagara River unleashed a devastating artillery bombardment on Fort George. Almost every building within the fort was destroyed. Two days later, a large American invading force landed west of the mouth of the Niagara River. The town of Niagara was turned into a battlefield as the Americans pushed towards Fort George. The fort’s defenders were a force of about 1000, all ranks including the 41st. The British and militia forces put up stiff resistance, but were heavily outnumbered. Around noon, the order was given to spike the guns, destroy the ammunition and to march the troops along the Niagara River toward Beaver Dams and retire to Burlington Heights (Hamilton).
The Americans held onto Fort George for about seven months, but failed to maintain a strategic foothold in Upper Canada following their defeats by the British at Stoney Creek and Beaver Dams. By December 1813, the American forces at Fort George had dwindled to a small handful of militia. After a scouting party encountered a large British reconnaissance force, the commanding officer at Fort George (Brigadier-General George McClure of the New York militia) feared an attack was imminent.
On December 10, 1813, McClure ordered a retreat across the Niagara River. In addition, he ordered the destruction of the town of Niagara. When the British arrived, they were met by a horrifying sight. Captain William Hamilton Merritt of the Provincial Dragoons recalled that "nothing but heaps of coals, and the streets full of furniture…met the eye in all directions." About 130 homes had been put to the torch, and some 400 townspeople (mainly women, children and elderly men) were left without shelter.
Fort George remained in British possession for the remainder of the War.
The Americans held onto Fort George for about seven months, but failed to maintain a strategic foothold in Upper Canada following their defeats by the British at Stoney Creek and Beaver Dams. By December 1813, the American forces at Fort George had dwindled to a small handful of militia. After a scouting party encountered a large British reconnaissance force, the commanding officer at Fort George (Brigadier-General George McClure of the New York militia) feared an attack was imminent.
On December 10, 1813, McClure ordered a retreat across the Niagara River. In addition, he ordered the destruction of the town of Niagara. When the British arrived, they were met by a horrifying sight. Captain William Hamilton Merritt of the Provincial Dragoons recalled that "nothing but heaps of coals, and the streets full of furniture…met the eye in all directions." About 130 homes had been put to the torch, and some 400 townspeople (mainly women, children and elderly men) were left without shelter.
Fort George remained in British possession for the remainder of the War.
Photos from last year's event:
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