Historic Fort George-- Part 6: The Battle of Fort George

The Battle of Fort George began on 26 May 1813, when Fort George was subjected to an artillery barrage and heated shots from Fort Niagara across the river. Joining also from the Americans were new batteries along the shore of the Niagara River.  The result was the destruction of log buildings inside the fort.

Two days later, an American landing force of 2,500 crossed the river in  four waves about 1.9 miles from Fort George under cover of cannonade fire.  By the time the third wave attacked, Fort George's commander, Brigadier General  John Vincent, realized that his force of 560 men could not hold the place and were in risk of being outflanked and trapped in the fort.

He ordered the fort evacuated after the ammunition was destroyed and cannons spiked.  First Nations warriors under John Norton covered the British retreat although the Americans made no real effort to pursue them.

The Americans approached the fort carefully wanting to avoid possible casualties from the explosion of the fort's magazine, like had happened at the conclusion of the Battle of York.  Even so, they arrived in time to prevent the destruction of a substantial part of the fort.  They were able to extinguish one of the fuses that was going to blowup the magazine.

--Brock-Perry

The Unfortunate Surrender of Detroit-- Part 1

From the Thumbwind site, Finding  Fun in Michigan.  "The tragic surrender of Detroit by General William Hull.

On a foggy morning in August 1812, American General William Hull made one of the worst decisions of his life.  Undder a flag of truce, British authorities warned him that the warriors under Shawnee Chief Tecumseh and Mohawk War Chief  John Norton (Teyoninhokarawen) were about to lay siege on him at Fort Detroit.

And, the British could not vouch for what the Indians might do to the Americans if they attacked.

Native warriors had crossed the  river and arrived south of the fort at Springwells that same night.  (Springwells later became the site of Fort Wayne.) Then, they moved along the edge of the western woods  which bordered the farmlands below the fort.

They went unnoticed as they surrounded the fort.  At the same time, British ships moored in the river, began shelling the fort.  The bombardment set parts of the fort on fire and killed a few civilians who were taking shelter there.

The Americans could not return fire.

--Brock-Perry

The Battle of Stoney Creek

From the Hamilton, Canada,  War of 1812  It's Happening Here.

1812 Sites in Hamilton

Battlefield House Museum and Park

On June 5, 1813,  around 3,500 American troops advanced as far as the Gage family homestead in Stoney Creek, now Battlefield House Museum & Park, and established camp for the night.  A surprise attack was initiated by the British in the early morning hours of June 6 from Burlington heights, where Dundurn Castle  now stands.

Seven hundred regulars from  the King's (8th) Regiment of Foot and the 49th Regiment of Foot were supported by  a small group of native warriors led by John Norton during what became known as the Battle of Stoney Creek.

During an intense forty-minute battle, the British captured two American generals and two field guns and forced the Americans to retreat.  This was the last time they advanced into the Niagara Peninsula during the war.

--Brock-Perry

Some Facts About the War of 1812-- Part 2

** Major John Norton had a Cherokee father and Scottish mother and deserted the British Army to live with the Mohawks. He sided with the British at the Battle of Queenston Heights and scared the Americans with his fierceness.

** There were attrocities on both sides. Reportedly, after his death, Tecumseh's body was cut up for souvenirs.

**  The U.S. burned York, the capital of Upper Canada because the British had done the same to Lewiston, Black Rock and Buffalo.

--Brock-Perry

Kitchener Building Named for War of 1812 Hero

The Government Building of Canada at 15-29 Duke Street West is named the John Norton Building and a commemorative plaque was unveiled at it February 22nd.

John Norton was of Scottish-Cherokee descent and in the British Army.  He led Mohawk warriors at the Battle of Queenston Heights and drove the Americans back to the Niagara River and forced them to surrender.

He also led warriors at the battles of Fort George, Stoney Creek, Chippawa and Fort Erie.

Brock-Perry