War of 1812 in niagara By Frances Macdonald
Historians know these facts about the War of 1812, but most lay people don’t. The most significant battles of this notorious war between the now two closest allies and trading partners took place right here in the Niagara Region. The first significant engagement of the war and certainly the best known to Ontarians was the Battle of Queenston Heights, 13 October 1812, fought near Niagara Falls. The American attack was initially successful. A large force crossed the Niagara River and was able to outflank the British forces on the Heights and force their retreat from the artillery batteries. General Brock arrived with reinforcements from Fort George and launched an immediate counter-attack which was repulsed. Brock was killed in this charge, along with his aide-de-camp Colonel Macdonell. Command was then transferred to General Sheaffe, who was responsible for the defence of the Niagara area. While the U.S. forces increased their strength on the Canadian side of the River, General Sheaffe moved his mixed force of Regulars, Militia and First Nations troops around the flank of the invaders. 74
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The village of Queenston developed in the 20 years before the war along the river’s edge and up the bank to the base of the Heights. Ahyouwaighs (John Brant) supported the British throughout the War of 1812, participating in the Battle of Queenston Heights and encouraging other members of the Six Nations from along the Grand River to fight the American Invaders. Although the next main battle took place in modern-day Toronto, then known as York, which was the capital of Canada at the time, it didn’t take long for the next major battle to work its way back down to Niagara. The Battle of Beaverdams could have been catastrophic for the British/Canadian troupes had it not been for Laura Secord. Despite being forever affiliated with a well-known brand of Canadian chocolates, Laura Secord is actually a war hero and is credited with providing the warning to British forces which led to the surrender of 500 Americans troops at Beaver Dams. The story goes that she had overheard a conversation between American troops about the presence of Lieutenant-Colonel C. G. Boerstler’s force in the vicinity.
