Category Archives: 1812 and all that

A former Canadian fur trading vessel, HMS Nancy was the only ship left in the Upper Great Lakes after the Battle of Lake Erie. Attacked and sunk by American ships, her captain and crew reached Fort Michilimackinac and then returned to capture two of the ships that had sunk the Nancy.

Following the Battle of Lake Erie when the British fleet was defeated by the Americans, Fort Michilimackinac in the Mackinaw Straits was isolated. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment made an incredible journey in the midst of winter to deliver supplies to the troops and their native allies.

After the Americans had defeated the British at the Battle of Lake Erie and the Battle of the Thames – the south western region of Ontario was vulnerable and ripe for pillaging. Members of the militia were torn between harvesting their crops and defending the crown. American incursions aimed at preventing the local inhabitants from supplying the British Army took direct aim at the livelihood of farmers and townsfolk, destroying cattle and burning the homes, mills and farms.

Following the loss of the British Fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie it was decided to destroy everything that could be of use to the Americans and retreat up the Detroit River to the Thames Valley. Proctor, the British general, promised Tecumseh that he would fight in the forks of the Thames in Chatham. But outnumbered and with no fortifications they were forced to retreat further inland. A thousand natives fought valiantly but they and 500 British regulars were no match for 3,000 American troops.

Prior to the War of 1812 navigation between Lake Erie and the Upper Great Lakes was forced to pass through a narrow channel on the lower Detroit River. It was here in 1796 that the British built Fort Malden. During the War, both the British and the Americans were anxious to gain control of Lake Erie. When the American squadron moved into Put-in-Bay in the late summer of 1813, potentially cutting off the supply routes to the forts and their native allies, the British fleet was forced to leave Amherstburg and engage in battle.

Inspired by Simcoe’s dream to create a British colony, flamboyant Colonel Tom Talbot obtained a land grant in South Western Ontario and offered new immigrants the opportunity to settle the land. It was a tough but rewarding life clearing the land, planting and harvesting crops, and building roads. As part of the deal, all male members of the family had to join the militia. No problem until war broke out.

After the Battle of York, the Americans destroyed the Fort, the Governor’s House and the Parliament Buildings. They then decided that the town of York (modern day Toronto) was not worth keeping and left town. After the War of 1812 Fort York was rebuilt. See which significant buildings survive and how archaeologists are unearthing Toronto’s past.

During the War of 1812 an American squadron attacks York (today’s Toronto) and burns the fort and government buildings. The British retaliate.

 
During the War of 1812, when the Gage family was imprisoned in the basement and their Stoney Creek home taken over by American troops, Billy Green came to the rescue. For information on the controversy that now surrounds the Billy Green story click here

 

Laura’s walk to warn British troops of an American invasion may have contributed in saving Upper Canada from becoming a U.S. State, but it came at a price. The Officer she warned later repaid the debt.