The Glengarry Light Infantry-- Part 3: Action in 1813 and 1814

A company of the Glengarry Light Infantry was at the Battle of York, but didn't play a big part.  They were misdirected by the commander of the Upper Canadian  militia.  Another company  suffered severe losses at the Battle of Fort George trying to prevent American forces landing  on the lake shore from outflanking the fort.

Yet another company was present at the Battle of Sackets Harbor where troops under Prevost and Baynes withdrew after failing to drive American troops from buildings and hastily constructed defenses.

During the latter part of 1813, the entire regiment was concentrated around Fort George and was engaged for several weeks in harassing American outposts  around the captured fort.

They were built back up to full strength during the following winter (1813-1814).  A company took part in the raid on Fort Oswego in the spring of 1814.  During the following summer, the full regiment along with  light infantry companies of four regular line regiments, formed a covering  force on the Niagara Peninsula, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel  Thomas Pearson.

Later, on 25 July, the regiment formed part of a light infantry brigade under Pearson and played a major role in the Battle of Lundy's Lane where they harassed  the left flank of the American Army but suffered casualties when mistaken for Americans by other inexperienced British troops.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Ontario in New York Opens for the Season

From the May 6, 2021, Spectrum News "Fort Ontario commemorates War of 1812; Battle of Oswego" by Brad Vivaqua.

Fort Ontario State Park (Oswego, New York) officially opened this past week.  This week also commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Oswego in the War of 1812.

The two-day attack by British troops on Americans in the fort resulted in a no decision essentially.

Park officials are now welcoming visitors for free, self-guided  tours to commemorate the event.

The Battle of Oswego took place May 6 and 7, 1814, and there are U.S. and British flags flying as well as 15 stations along the walking tour which give more information.

The walking tour was designed by Friends of Fort Ontario AmeriCorps members  Corey King and Marilyn Hunter.

Come On Out.  --Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veteran Honoured in 2014-- Part 1: Col. James Vrooman

From the Nov. 13, 2014, My Kawartha.com by Scott Howard.

The heroism of Brook Township's Col. James Vrooman was recognized on the plaque installed at his grave at St. James United Church in Vroomanton.  The colonel's father, Adam, though living in the American colonies, remained loyal to Britain.

He later left the United States and came to Canada as a United Empire Loyalist.

Jame Vrooman was born in 1798 and joined the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles along with his brother when the War of 1812 started.  He fought in many battles throughout Upper Canada.  Among them were the capture of the American Army at St. Regis, the storming of Ogdensburg, Raid on Oswego and the Battle of Lundy's Lane.

At the end of the war, every British veteran was awarded land.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Fort Oswego-- Part 2

The British force for the expedition consisted of 550 soldiers, 400 Marines and 200 sailors along with eight ships, including the two frigates.  Arranged against them were 242 regulars, 25 sailors and 200 New York militia commanded by Major George Mitchell (mentioned in an earlier post this week).

The British left the main British base on Lake Ontario at Kingston on May 3rd and arrived off Oswego on the 5th.  Bad weather delayed landing the troops until the next day.  Major Mitchell had his 200 militia at Fort Oswego and manned five small cannons.  He was seriously outgunned.

The HMS Prince Regent, HMS Princess Charlotte and six sloops engaged the fort while the troops landed.  A soon as they got to the fort's walls, the Americans hastily abandoned it.  Casualties:  BRITISH:  17-18 killed, 63 wounded.  AMERICAN:  6-21 killed, 38 wounded and 69-119 captured.

The British captured a large amount of supplies and a few small schooners, including the USS Growler, which had been previously captured by the British in 1813 and then recaptured by the Americans.  It was carrying seven badly-needed cannons for Chauncey's fleet at Sackets Harbor.  The fort and anything of value that could not be carried off was destroyed the next day when the British withdrew.

Yeo, however, missed another 21 cannons which were just 12 miles away at the Oswego Falls as he sailed away to put Sackets Harbor under blockade.  The Americans later tried to get the cannons to Sackets Harbor which led to the British defeat at the Battle of Sandy Creek May 29-30, 1814.

--GreGen

Battle of Fort Oswego, NY (Battle of Oswego)-- Part 1: Naval Arms Race on Lake Ontario

From Wikipedia.

I have been referring to this as the battle of Oswego.

The article considered the British attack on the American fort and village as "partially successful."  The battle led directly from the naval arms race on Lake Ontario.  Both the Americans and British were building two frigates apiece as 1814 opened.  The two British frigates (HMS Prince Regent and HMS Princess Charlotte) were finished at Kingston, Upper Canada, in April.

British commander James Yeo knew that the American frigates were stronger and quickly nearing completion, so he decided to strike while he had the edge.  His first thought was the main American naval base at Sackets Harbor, NY, but he did not have enough troops and Canada's Governor General, Lt. Gen. George Prevost refused to give him any more soldiers.

So, he and Drummond decided to attack the weaker Fort Oswego and village of Oswego farther down the Lake Ontario shore.    It was a major American staging point and still had importance.

--Brock-Perry

Report From Sackets Harbor About Attack on Oswego-- Part 2

Then, General Brown continued:  "A letter by him yesterday says 'the British fleet are now at this place.'  A cannonading in the afternoon for three hours, and again this morning, was distinctly heard here, hence I conclude there have been two attacks.

"Mitchell and his detachment will do their duty, but as the naval ascendancy of the enemy enables him to bring his whole force upon the place, the issue must be held doubtful.

"The commodore [Chauncey] has not ascertained that the new ships of the enemy are out."

In other words, Brown did not think Oswego had much of a chance at defeating the British.

--Brock-Perry

Report From Sackets Harbor About Attack on Oswego-- Part 1

From the War of 1812 Blog.May 6, 2014 "Extract of letter to War Department from Sackets Harbor May 6th, 1814." Published in the Raleigh Register and North Carolina Gazette, May 27, 1814.    This is a  great source of War of 1812 primary source materials.

The blog did not mention the author, but it was probably written by Sackets Harbor commander Major General Jacob Brown.

"My letter of the 4th advised you that the British fleet had made their appearance on the Lake, and that I suspected Oswego was their object, as the many navy stores, necessary for the large vessel was believed to be there...."

He had then alerted Colonel Mitchel of the 3rd Artillery at Oswego.

And, Oswego was captured by the British on May 6, 1814.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: British Capture Oswego, New York

MAY 6TH, !*!$:  Denied reinforcements by Governor General Sir George Prevost for a large-scale attack on Sackets Harbor, NY, Lt. Governor Gordon Drummond and Commodore Sir James Yeo decided instead to capture Oswego, a less fortified but important transhipment port on Lake Ontario from which the U.S. Navy obtained supplies and ordnance.

The British used eight warships and three gunboats to bombard the village and Fort Ontario as well as cover the troop landing.

The British suffered many casualties but were rewarded with a bounty of provisions, artillery and ammunition, as well as several vessels.

The victory put a temporary strain on supplies for the Americans and delayed Commodore Isaac Chauncey's ship-building at Sackets Harbor but otherwise did not deal the Americans a decisive blow on Lake Ontario.
--Brock-Perry