In Case You're Wondering What A Sortie Is

Both Colonels Eleazor Wood and James Gibson were killed on September 17, 1814, during a sortie from Fort Erie, Upper Canada (Ontario today).

In case you're not completely sure what a sortie is:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a sortie as a sudden issuing of troops from a defensive position against the enemy.

The Dictionary.com site says a sortie is a rapid movement by troops at a besieged place to attack the besiegers.

I had this question yesterday at the meeting of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group in connection with plane attacks during World war II.  I have across that term many times in connection with planes and wasn't sure if it referred to one plane or a group of planes.

Yesterday I was told it could either be one plane or a group of planes that would be a sortie.

However, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary says it is one mission or attack by a single plane.  Dictionary.com says it is the flying of one airplane on a combat mission.

Well, sort me out.

Signed:  Confused in Illinois.  --Brock-Perry

American Sortie at Fort Erie 200 Years Ago Today.

September 17, 1814:  American attack of the British artillery batteries besieging Fort Erie, Upper Canada.

Heavy autumn rains made life miserable for the poorly sheltered British and Canadians besieging Fort Erie.  Sickness decimated their ranks.  On September 16th, Lt. Governor Gordon Drummond decided to end the siege, but the next day, the Americans attacked the British batteries.

After a fierce two hour battle, the Americans fell back to the fort.

Each side lost about 500 men.

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