From the June 22, 2013, Welland (Can.) Tribune by Jeff Blay.
Thorold, Canada.
The Battle of Beaverdam is best-known for Laura Secord's famous walk or the crucial effort of the Six nations' warriors who won the battle. But the stone house used as British headquarters, now called the DeCew House, has its own story.
John DeCew was captured at Fort George in May 1813 and was held as a prisoner of war in Philadelphia.
he had built the house, known as the site where Laura Secord warned British Lt. James Fitzgibbon of the American advance on his position prior to the battle.
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
Showing posts with label Fitzgibbon James. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fitzgibbon James. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Monday, November 12, 2012
Sorting Out Laura Secord's Role
From the April 29, 2012, Niagara Gazette by Don Glynn.
Laura Secord is credited for putting her life at risk after overhearing American officers dining at her house in Queenstown that they intended to surprise the British outpost at Beaver Dam and also capture the British officer Lt. James Fitzgibbon.
She walked twenty miles and was captured by British Indian allies, the Caughnawaga and then taken to Fitzgibbon.
The Americans did not attack February 23rd as she had said and she was questioned.
Three hundred Caughnawaga and 100 Mohawks attacked Lt. Col. C.G. Boerstler's rear guard and they surrendered.
Laura Secord's American counterpart, Betsy Doyle, escaped the fall of Fort Niagara in December 1813 and walked 300 miles to the American camp near Albany where she worked as a nurse.
Filling in the Blanks. --Brock-Perry
Laura Secord is credited for putting her life at risk after overhearing American officers dining at her house in Queenstown that they intended to surprise the British outpost at Beaver Dam and also capture the British officer Lt. James Fitzgibbon.
She walked twenty miles and was captured by British Indian allies, the Caughnawaga and then taken to Fitzgibbon.
The Americans did not attack February 23rd as she had said and she was questioned.
Three hundred Caughnawaga and 100 Mohawks attacked Lt. Col. C.G. Boerstler's rear guard and they surrendered.
Laura Secord's American counterpart, Betsy Doyle, escaped the fall of Fort Niagara in December 1813 and walked 300 miles to the American camp near Albany where she worked as a nurse.
Filling in the Blanks. --Brock-Perry
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
War Hero Rests in Pauper's Grave-- Part 3
First Nation warriors attacked the advancing Americans from the woods. FitzGibbon and his 50 men arrived and under a white flag, suggested the Americans surrender saying his forces was the vanguard of a much larger one and he got their surrender.
After the war, he remained in Canada and restored peace among rival factions in Upper Canada and also broke up fighting between Tories and Reformers in York. In 1837, he organized troops who participated in the eventual route of William Lyon Mackenzie. He finally attained the rank of Lt. Colonel.
After facing some financial problems, James FitzGibbon retired to Windsor Castle in England where he lived on a small pension as a "military knight" in quarters provided by the Crown.
He died at age 83 and is buried in the Catacombs of St. George's Chapel at the castle.
I'd Never Heard of Him Before. --Brock-Perry
After the war, he remained in Canada and restored peace among rival factions in Upper Canada and also broke up fighting between Tories and Reformers in York. In 1837, he organized troops who participated in the eventual route of William Lyon Mackenzie. He finally attained the rank of Lt. Colonel.
After facing some financial problems, James FitzGibbon retired to Windsor Castle in England where he lived on a small pension as a "military knight" in quarters provided by the Crown.
He died at age 83 and is buried in the Catacombs of St. George's Chapel at the castle.
I'd Never Heard of Him Before. --Brock-Perry
Monday, November 5, 2012
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
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
Friday, September 14, 2012
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
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
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