War Hits Niagara Border 1812

Tensions continued to build up over the years. In June 1812 before declaration of war known here, there were reports of American soldiers firing muskets across Niagara River e.g. 4 Fort Erie residents complaining of, The whistling of these bullets has been distinctly heard. One ball came near to the blacksmith shop, one near to Henry Trout's tavern, and one a little lower down the river. When war came, it impacted the Niagara Peninsula from 1812 to the end in 1814. Fighting and raids resulted in widespread destruction of property and crops and casualties to both military and civilians. Much of the burden of war was borne by civilians and particularly of women whose men were serving in the militia or POWs in U.S. So from outset, this was a people's war not just one involving professional armies and navies. An American spy near Fort Erie wrote to the American general opposite (about mid-Sept. 1812) and his report showed that this would be a people's war:

Can you imagine living in a town that came under heavy artillery bombardment from both ships and batteries on other side of river? This happened in May of 1813, when a fleet of U.S. warships close to the shore and mounting at least 24 guns (+ 12 from opposite bank) fired shot and shell at fort and town. They were covering the landing of American troops. Outcome was a fierce battle which the Americans won, leading to the occupation of town until December. The most devastating impact on the civilian population was the burning of homes and shops, and the destruction of mills and crops.

Queenston, St. David's, and rural homes were burned but most shocking was the burning of Niagara-on-the-Lake in 10 Dec. 1813. Residents (mostly women, children, old men) were given only a few hours warning before being turned out at night, in a snowstorm. They were barely able to retrieve only a few belongings or necessities for survival. Imagine shivering outside your home, seeing part of your life being destroyed (furniture, clothing, food, pictures,books, children's toys etc)[3] And this destruction served no military purpose; indeed it turned out very unwise because later that month British forces crossed the river and retaliated by burning all settlements on American side from Lewiston to Buffalo. As wars go, this one was small in scale and short in time, but was as deadly as any war.

WHAT DOES THIS WAR MEAN?

Taking a large view, the treaty that ended this brief war had great significance and long lasting effects. This war and subsequent treaties, defined Canada in many ways, the most important being whether or not it would exist separately or become part of the United States. If the Americans had conquered Upper Canada (Ontario) they probably could have proceeded to capture much of Lower Canada (Quebec) and it would have been very, very difficult for Britain to recover these territories. In that situation, it's most likely that territories north and west of Ontario would have been occupied by Americans. As Canada and the U.S. expanded across the continent they experienced many differences and problems in their relations, but, since 1815, these have been dealt with by negotiation and compromise, not by force of arms. This kind of peaceful relationship between 2 countries sharing a common border is far from usual in the world. It is a magnificent example of how countries can deal with problems; unfortunately, an example little followed.

This region, and Niagara-on-the-Lake in particular, was at the forefront of the war from beginning to end so successful defence of Canada against American conquest depended heavily upon the forces and people in this region. Given that so much fighting took place in this area, it is not surprising that some of Canada's best known heroes and heroines,including native peoples, are found here. The town of Niagara experienced in 1813 the longest occupation by foreign military force of a Canadian town. Furthermore, this occupation ended during a December snowstorm when the withdrawing American forces burned almost every building in town.

Although facing a smoldering ruin, with the war continuing for another year, the spirit of the people revived this town and restored its life. As Ron Dale has written, "the people of Niagara were made of stern stuff. Returning to the ruins of their village, they began to rebuild, and like a phoenix, Niagara rose again from the ashes." [4] Thus, in many ways, the experiences undergone by thepeople of this frontier and this town were unique in Canadian history. Much is known about events here and the consequences.

Nevertheless, there are still many stories to be told about the lives of ordinary people and families who lived through those tumultuous and history-making years.

For Instance: " Mrs. William Dickson, ill in bed, was carried out of her house and watched it burn. Mrs. McKee, "to save her little girl from standing inthe snow while watching the conflagration, placed her on a large tea tray; [nevertheless] her toes were partially frozen." (J.Carnochan, History of Niagara (1973)

 

 

Events in 1810

Early in 1810 in the US, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and leader of the War Hawks, Henry Clay of Kentucky boasted, "The conquest of Canada is in your power. I trust I shall not be deemed presumptuous when I state,….that the militia of Kentucky are alone competent to place Montreal and Upper Canada at your feet." In July, Brock received various articles he had requested from his brother Irving, but not the new cocked hat he had ordered because "from the enormity of my head, I find the utmost difficulty in getting a substitute in this country."                                                  

Brock also learned that Governor Sir James Craig intended to send him to Upper Canada and Brock did not know if this was temporary or permanent move. He was not pleased about the move because he enjoyed Quebec City’s lively social life e.g. he wrote "two frigates at anchor, and the arrival of Governor Gore from the Upper Province, have given a zest to society. Races, country and water parties, have occupied our time in a continued round festivity."  Brock was not going in a cheerful or optimistic mood.

By summer 1810 aboriginal peoples’ anger at American encroachments had become so strong that British Indian Department officials feared they would have great difficulty stopping them from launching attacks on American settlements. In November, 2,000 Shawnee, Sauk, Winnebago, Ottawa and Potawatomi gathered at Amherstburg for a grand council. Speeches seemed to suggest tribes were ready to launch war. So British officials told Indian Department to withhold shot and powder from tribes threatening war and tell them there would be no assistance from the British. After the November council, Tecumseh worked even harder to organize a confederacy against American encroachment.

The ship called the Royal George was launched at Kingston in 1810 and when commissioned in 1811 was the largest warship on the lake.