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

The Career of Thomas Macdonough-- Part 2: A Big Break for the Americans

The British came with both Army soldiers under the command of George Prevost and a Naval fleet under the command of George Downie.  Downie was a very experienced sea man who had attained much success fighting against France during the Napoleonic Wars.  He was he commander of the HMS Confiance.

Defending Plattsburgh was a much smaller American force of some 2,000 men under the command of General Alexander Macomb and, of course Macdonough's which was also outgunned.  Things looked bleak for the Americans.

Macdonough's fleet met head on with British fleet on September 11, 1814.  In a moment that changed the course of the battle, a cannonball fired by Macdonough's flagship, the USS Saratoga, smashed into a British cannon on the Confiance causing it to land on Downie, killing him instantly.

--Brock-Macdonough

HMS Prince Regent-- Part 1: First Great Lakes Frigate

From Wikipedia.

56-gun, fourth rate frigate   155 feet long with a 43.1-foot bean, crew of 280.

In 1814, the lower deck had twenty-eight 24-pdrs.  Upper deck had four 68-pdr carronades and twenty-four 32-pdr. carronades.

It was the first frigate built on inland waters (Great Lakes).  This gave the British a temporary superiority over the Americans during the Naval Race of 1814.

Its construction was approved in September 1813 by the British commander-in-chief in North America, Sir George Provost.  Launched 14 April 1814.

--Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: George Prevost Ordered to England

MARCH 25, 1815:  George Prevost informs the Lower Canada Assembly that he has been ordered back to England to explain the loss at the Battle of Lake Champlain.

--Brock-Perry

Gordon Drummond-- Part 2

Gordon Drummond, unlike Isaac Brock, ruled through intimidation with executions imprisonment of anyone suspected of having American ties, but other than that was respectful of citizens' rights other than that.

Drummond was always pressing Governor General Sir George Prevost for reinforcements.  Prevost liked to keep many troops at Quebec City despite it rarely being threatened.

By the end of te winter 1813-1814, Drummond's campaigning had driven the Americans from the Niagara Frontier

In July 1814, Drummond led his troops from York to Fort George which campaign resulted in the inconclusive Battle of Lundy's Lane., but the British retained control of the road.  Drummond was seriously wounded in the neck at this battle.

On 14 August he had the failed attack on Fort Erie with big losses and in September was forced to withdraw.

--Brock-Perry

9-11, 200 Years Ago: Battle of the Bay of Plattsburg, New York

On this 13th anniversary of the tragedy of 9-11, another event took place in American history which was indeed a turning-point.  The Battle of Plattsburgh (Plattsburg) and Battle of Lake Champlain in New York.

Governor General Sir George Prevost's Lake Champlain Campaign, begun in late August 1814, culminated in a joint land and naval assault on Plattsburg, New York.

Complying with Prevost's orders, Captain George Downie sailed his squadron of ships into Lake Champlain to engage Captain Thomas Macdonough's fleet anchored in Plattsburg Bay.  Adverse winds prevented Downie's ships from maneuvering into position and put them in close range of the damaging U.S. broadsides.

Downie was killed and after fierce fighting, the British fleet surrendered.

Meanwhile, Prevost, commanding 10,351 of the Duke of Wellington's veterans, made a brief attack on Brigadier General Alexander Macomb's force of roughly 3,000 men, but quickly withdrew his troops to Lwer Canada.

The humiliating and costly defeat for the British resulted in Prevost being recalled to England to explain his actions.

--Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: British Lake Champlain Campaign Begins

AUGUST 30, 1814:  The British Lake Champlain Campaign began.  British forces led by Governor general Sir George Prevost began their campaign to take Lake Champlain from American control.  This was a joint Army-Navy effort and failed at the Battle of Plattsburg on September 11th.

--Brock-Perry