War Hero Rests in Pauper's Grave-- Part 2

From the May 17th Hamilton (Canada) Spectator.

Continued from September 14th.

James Fitzgibbon was an Irish farmer's son and was a special protegee of Sir Isaac Brock until his 1812 death.  He rose through the ranks by merit rather than by buuying commissions as was the common practice.

During the early days of the War of 1812, he ran supplies along the St. Lawrence River from Montreal to Kingston, past American forces. 

His group used guerrilla tactics they learned from their First Nation (Indian) allies and wore gray-green uniforms and earned the name Bloody Boys, the Green 'Uns or the Bully Boys.  There is a story about how they captured two Americans in a tavern with the help of the owner's wife.

Americans at Fort George decided they were going to destroy the Bloody Boys and 600 set off to Queenstown.  Several officers stayed at the home of James and Laura Secord who overheard them boasting about a surprise attack on Fitzgibbons.  James was recovering from wounds, so Laura began her "legendary overnight trek" to warn the British.

The Story of Laura Secord's Night Trek.  --Brock-Perry

War Hero Rests in Pauper's Grave-- Part 1

From the May 17th Hamilton (Can) Spectator by Gail Douglas.

James Fitzgimmon was an Irish-born British soldier who risked his life as a spy to bring essential information that led to the British victory at  the Battle of Stoney Creek, considered a turning point in the defense of Upper Canada.

Today, his body is in a pauper's grave on the grounds of England's Windsor Castle.

In 1813, American forces held Fort George and Queenstown on the Niagara Peninsula.  From there, there were constant raids on Canadian farms and villages. 

Lt. James Fitzgibbon of the British 42nd Regt. asked to pick 50 men to harass the enemy, carry out reconnaisaance missions and chase down raiders

An Irishman...In the British Army?  --Brock-Perry

British Hero Charles Plenderleath

July 22nd Sun-News "Looks were deceiving when it came to 1812 hero Plenderleath" by Tom Villenarie.

Looking at him did not strike a person as the bearing of a hero with his narrow chest and weak chin.  But, his actions spoke louder than looks.  Charles Plenderleath was in the 49th Regiment, British Army which came over to Canada with General Isaac Brock.  This unit captured Detroit.

At the Battle of Stony Creek, Plederleath proved his heroism.  The British were outnumbered and decided to sneak up on the Amercan camp at night with unloaded muskets in what would be a bayonet attack.  On first contact, however, British troops began cheering and alerted the Americans who rallied and began firing.

The British were in a really bad situation.  They had partially disassembled their rifles, removing firing mechanisms to prevent accidental discharge, so the muskets had to be reassembled and loaded.  If they turned and fled, they would be easy targets.

Plenderleath heard heavy cannons firing nearby and attacked the American battery and took four of the guns and, with just twenty men, continued attacking, capturing American generals Winder and Chandler, five field officers and captains and about 100 other prisoners.

Laterm he was the defacto commander of the 49th when he led it at the Battle of Crysler's Farm/Farm.  Here he again charged American artillery and captured it and fought off American cavalry.

He was later promoted to Lt. Col and died in 1857.

I'd Never Heard of Him Before.  --Brock-Perry