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Battle of Crysler's Farm Part of War of 1812 Date November 11 – November 12, 1813 Location Near Cornwall, Ontario Result Decisive British victory Belligerents United Kingdom Canada United States Commanders William Mulcaster Joseph Wanton Morrison James Wilkinson John Parker Boyd Strength 800 regulars and militia 8,000 regulars Casualties and losses 192: 31 dead 148 wounded 13 missing 459: 102 dead 237 wounded 106 wounded prisoners 14 surrendered

v • d • e St. Lawrence/Lake Champlain frontier 1st Sackett's Harbor – Gananoque - 1st Lacolle Mills – Lake Ontario - Elizabethtown - Ogdensburg – York - Sackett's Harbor – Chateauguay – Crysler's Farm – 2nd Lacolle Mills – Fort Oswego – Big Sandy Creek - Plattsburgh

The Battle of Crysler's Farm, also known as the Battle of Crysler's Field, was a battle of the War of 1812 fought on November 11, 1813. The British and Canadians once again won a great victory over the Americans.(Chrysler's Farm is sometimes used, but Crysler is in fact the proper spelling.) This article is about the U.S.–U.K. war. ... is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Motto: Pro Patria Location of Cornwall in the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Ontario Coordinates: , Country Province Founded 1784 Government  - Mayor Bob Kilger Population (2006)  - City 45,965 (Ranked 100)  - Metro 58,485   source: Statistics Canada Time zone EST (UTC-5)  - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4) Website: http... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links US_flag_15_stars. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... William Howe Mulcaster (1786 – 1837) was an officer in the British Royal Navy, who played a distinguished part in the Anglo-American War of 1812. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Joseph Wanton Morrison (4 May 1783 – 15 February 1826) was a British soldier, best known for commanding the British troops at the Battle of Cryslers Farm during the War of 1812. ... Image File history File links US_flag_15_stars. ... General James Wilkinson James Wilkinson (1757 – December 28, 1825) was a U.S. soldier and statesman, who was associated with several scandals and controversies. ... Image File history File links US_flag_15_stars. ... John Parker Boyd (1764 – 1830) was an officer in the United States Army, from various periods from the American War of Independence to the end of the War of 1812. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Strength Casualties The First Battle of Sacketts Harbor was fought on July 19, 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. ... Raid on Gananoque plaque Text from the Raid on Gananoque plaque On September 21, 1812, a United States force of some 200 regulars and militia under Capt. ... In this relatively short and fast battle a very small garrison of British troops and Canadian volunteers, with the assistance of Kahnawake Mohawk warriors, defended a blockhouse of Lacolle Mills near the village of Champlain. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders James Lucas Yeo Isaac Chauncey Strength 1 first rate ship of the line 2 frigates 6 sloops and brigs 4 schooners and gunboats 2 frigates 6 sloops and brigs 12 schooners and gunboats Casualties 1 sloop destroyed 2 brigs destroyed 1 brig captured 5 schooners... Raid on Elizabethtown occurred on February 7, 1813, when Benjamin Forsyth and 200 men crossed the frozen St. ... Combatants Great Britain United States Commanders George MacDonnell Benjamin Forsyth Strength 520 about 250 Casualties 55 90 The Battle of Ogdensburg was a battle of the War of 1812. ... The Battle of York was a battle of the War of 1812 on April 27, 1813, at York, Upper Canada, which was later to become Toronto, Ontario. ... The Battle of Sacketts Harbor was fought in northwestern New York on May 29, 1813 during the War of 1812. ... Combatants United Kingdom United States Commanders Charles de Salaberry Wade Hampton Strength 400 French Canadian militia 170 natives 4,000 regulars Casualties 2 killed 15 wounded 3 captured 2 deserted 23 dead 33 wounded 29 missing The Battle of the Chateauguay was a battle of the War of 1812. ... In this battle, Major-General James Wilkonson planned another invasion of Canada to make up his huge loss to the British in the Battle of Cryslers Farm. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The Battle of Big Sandy was fought in northwestern New York on May 29 –30, 1814 during the War of 1812. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders George Prevost George Downie † Thomas Macdonough Alexander Macomb Strength 11,000 1,500 regulars 1,900 milita Casualties 300 200 {{{notes}}} The Battle of Plattsburgh also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain ended the final invasion of the Northern states during the War of... This article is about the U.S.–U.K. war. ... is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

The St. Lawrence Campaign

The American plan

The battle arose from an American plan to capture Montreal. It was devised by Secretary of War John Armstrong, who originally intended taking the field himself. Because it was difficult to concentrate the necessary force in one place due to inadequate lines of communication, it involved two forces which would combine for the final assault. General James Wilkinson's division of 8,000 would proceed down the Saint Lawrence River in gunboats, batteaux and other small craft, and rendezvous with another division of 4,000 under Wade Hampton advancing north from Lake Champlain, to attack the city. The resulting military action, including the Battle of Chateauguay, the Battle of Crysler's Field and a number of skirmishes, is known as the St. Lawrence Campaign. Nickname: Motto: Concordia Salus (well-being through harmony) Coordinates: , Country Province Region Montréal Founded 1642 Established 1832 Government  - Mayor Gérald Tremblay Area [1][2][3]  - City 365. ... John Armstrong, Jr. ... General James Wilkinson James Wilkinson (1757 – December 28, 1825) was a U.S. soldier and statesman, who was associated with several scandals and controversies. ... a broat veiew of the St LAwrence River, with a Quebec City on a background The Saint Lawrence River (In French: fleuve Saint-Laurent) is a large south west-to-north east flowing river in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. ... A gunboat is literally a boat carrying one or more guns. ... Bateau men poling the James River The James River Bateau was a shallow draft river craft used during the period from 1775 to 1840 to transport tobacco and other cargo on the James river and its tributaries in the state of Virginia. ... Wade Hampton (1752-February 4, 1835) served in the American Revolution and was a member of Congress from 1795-1797 and from 1803-1805, and a presidential elector in 1801. ... For ships named after the lake, see USS Lake Champlain. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Charles de Salaberry Wade Hampton Strength 500 militia and natives 4,000 regulars and militia Casualties 5 dead 16 wounded 50 dead 200 wounded or missing The Battle of Chateauguay was a battle of the War of 1812 on October 25, 1813. ...

The plan had several shortcomings. There was mistrust between the officers concerned; Wilkinson had an unsavoury reputation as a scoundrel, and Hampton originally refused to serve in any capacity in the same army as Wilkinson. The troops lacked training and uniforms, and there were too few experienced officers. Chiefly though, it appeared that neither force would be able to sustain itself before Montreal, making a siege or any prolonged operation impossible. The poor prospects for success led Armstrong to abandon his intention of leading the final assault himself, and he handed overall command to Wilkinson.

The offensive is launched

Wilkinson's force left Sackett's Harbor, New York on October 17. Mid-October was very late for serious campaigning in the Canadas and the American force was hampered by bad weather, losing several boats and suffering from sickness and exposure. On November 1 they reached French Creek, where there was a clash with British gunboats escorting supplies up the Saint Lawrence. From French Creek, Wilkinson proceeded down the river. On November 6, he learned that Hampton had been repulsed by a smaller Canadian force at the Chateauguay River on October 26. He sent fresh instructions to Hampton to meet him at Cornwall. Sackets Harbor is a village located in Jefferson County, New York. ... is the 290th day of the year (291st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Charles de Salaberry Wade Hampton Strength 500 militia and natives 4,000 regulars and militia Casualties 5 dead 16 wounded 50 dead 200 wounded or missing The Battle of Chateauguay was a battle of the War of 1812 on October 25, 1813. ... is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Motto: Pro Patria Location of Cornwall in the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Ontario Coordinates: , Country Province Founded 1784 Government  - Mayor Bob Kilger Population (2006)  - City 45,965 (Ranked 100)  - Metro 58,485   source: Statistics Canada Time zone EST (UTC-5)  - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4) Website: http...

Wilkinson's force successfully bypassed the British post at Prescott late on November 7. (The troops were disembarked and marched around Ogdensburg on the south bank of the river, while the lightened boats ran past the British batteries under cover of darkness and poor visibility). The next day, while the main body re-embarked, an advance guard under Colonel Alexander Macomb and a battalion of riflemen under Major Benjamin Forsyth was landed on the Canadian side of the river to clear the river bank of harassing Canadian militia. Prescott is a town of approximately 4,200 people on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Ontario, Canada, directly across from Ogdensburg, New York. ... is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Ogdensburg is a city in St. ... Alexander Macomb is the name of: Alexander Macomb (1748-1831), American merchant and land speculator Alexander Macomb (1782-1841), Son of the above, Major-General in command of the U.S. Army 1828-1841. ... Benjamin Forsyth was an American officer of Rifle troops in the War of 1812 between Britain and America. ...

On the following day (November 9), Wilkinson held a Council of war. All his senior officers appeared to be determined to proceed with the expedition, regardless of the difficulties and alarming reports of enemy strength. The advance guard was reinforced with a brigade under Brigadier General Jacob Brown, and marched eastward along the northern bank of the river. Before the main body could follow by water, Wilkinson learned that a British force was pursuing him. He landed almost all the other troops as a rearguard, under Brigadier General John Parker Boyd. Late on November 10, after a day spent marching under intermittent fire from British gunboats and field guns, Wilkinson set up his headquarters in Cook's Tavern, with Boyd's troops bivouacked in the woods around. is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A council of war is a term in military science that describes a meeting held to decide on a course of action, usually in the midst of a battle. ... Jacob Jennings Brown (May 9, 1775-February 24, 1828) was an American army officer in the War of 1812. ... John Parker Boyd (1764 – 1830) was an officer in the United States Army, from various periods from the American War of Independence to the end of the War of 1812. ... is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

British counter-moves

The British had been aware of the American concentration at Sackett's Harbor, but for a long time they had believed that their own main naval base at Kingston on Lake Ontario was the intended target. Major General Francis de Rottenburg, the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, had massed his available troops there. When he heard that the Americans were heading down the Saint Lawrence from French Creek, he dispatched a Corps of Observation after them, under Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Wanton Morrison. Commander William Mulcaster commanded the escorting gunboats and small craft. Departing from Kingston late on November 8, they evaded the ships of Commodore Isaac Chauncey which were blockading the base, among the "Thousand Islands" at the head of the Saint Lawrence River. Murney Tower, Kingston The Fort Henry Guard performing an historical demonstration The Prince George Hotel Kingston, Ontario, the first capital[1] of Canada, is located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St. ... Major-General Francis de Rottenburg, baron de Rottenburg (1757-1832) was born in what is now Gdansk, Poland to a Swiss family and became a British military officer and colonial administrator. ... Joseph Wanton Morrison (4 May 1783 – 15 February 1826) was a British soldier, best known for commanding the British troops at the Battle of Cryslers Farm during the War of 1812. ... William Howe Mulcaster (1786 – 1837) was an officer in the British Royal Navy, who played a distinguished part in the Anglo-American War of 1812. ... Isaac Chauncey (20 February 1779 – 27 January 1840) was an officer in the United States Navy. ...

The corps numbered 650 men but was reinforced by a detachment from Prescott, to about 800. Late on November 10, they encamped near Crysler's Farm, two miles upstream from the American positions. The terrain was mainly open fields, which gave full scope to British tactics and musketry. Morrison was keen to accept battle here if offered.

Advance into battle

Initial dispositions

As dawn broke on November 11, it was cold and raining. Firing broke out in two places. On the river, Mulcaster's gunboats began shooting at the American boats clustered around Cook's Point. Meanwhile, an American party fired a volley at some Mohawks scouting near their encampment, and half a dozen Canadian militia dragoons bolted back to the main British force, calling that the Americans were attacking. The British force dropped its half-cooked breakfast and formed up, which caused American sentries to report that the British were attacking, and forced the Americans in turn to form up and stand to arms. is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the people known as Mohawk. For other uses, see Mohawk. ...

At about 10:30 in the morning, Jacob Brown reported that the previous evening, he had defeated 500 Stormont and Glengarry Militia at Hoople's Creek and the way ahead was clear. To proceed however, the American boats would next have to face the Long Sault rapids and Wilkinson determined to drive Morrison off before tackling them. However, he himself had been ill for some time, and could not command the attack himself. His second-in-command, Major General Morgan Lewis, was also "indisposed". This left Brigadier-General Boyd in command. He had the 3rd Brigade under Brigadier General Leonard Covington (9th, 16th and 25th U.S. Infantry), the 4th Brigade under Brigadier General Robert Swartwout (11th, 14th and 21st U.S. Infantry) and part of his own 1st Brigade under Colonel Isaac Coles (12th and 13th U.S. Infantry). Only two 6-pounder guns were attached to the rearguard, but four more guns and a squadron of the 2nd Dragoons were available further down-river. In all, Boyd commanded perhaps 2,500 men (though some sources put the figure at 4,000). Morgan Lewis (1754 - 1844) was the son of Francis Lewis. ... Leonard Covington (October 30, 1768 - November 11, 1813) was a United States Army Brigadier General and a Congressman of the United States House of Representatives. ... Isaac Coles (2 March 1747 - 3 June 1813) was an American statesman from Virginia. ...

The British were disposed in echelon, with their right wing thrown forward:

• Lining a ravine close to the American positions and in the woods on the left was the skirmish line under Major Frederick Heriot of the Canadian Voltigeurs; three companies (perhaps only 60 men) of the Voltigeurs and around two dozen Mohawks. (A small rifle company of the Leeds Militia may also have been present.)
• The right wing under Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Pearson (the flank companies of the 49th and a detachment of the Canadian Fencibles, totalling perhaps 100 men with a 6-pounder gun of the Canadian Provincial Artillery) occupied some buildings on the river bank near the Americans.
• Behind their left flank were three companies (150 men) of the 2nd battalion of the 89th Foot under Captain G. W. Barnes.
• Behind Barnes's left flank in turn was the British main body; the battalion companies of the 49th (160 men) under Lieutenant Colonel Charles Plenderleath and six companies (300 men) of the 2nd/89th under Morrison himself. Two 6-pounder guns of the Royal Artillery under Captain H. G. Jackson occupied a small hillock behind the 49th.

Frederick George Heriot (11 January 1786 – 30 December 1843) was a British army officer, who fought in the War of 1812 and subsequently became a landowner and administrator in Canada. ... The Canadian Voltigeurs were a Light Infantry unit, raised in Lower Canada in 1812, and which fought in the War of 1812. ... This article is about the people known as Mohawk. For other uses, see Mohawk. ... The Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Waless) was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 49th (Princess Charlotte of Waless) (Hertfordshire) Regiment of Foot and the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot. ... When the United States and the United Kingdom went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which was then divided for administrative purposes into Upper Canada (broadly the present day province of Ontario), Lower Canada (roughly present day Quebec) and the Atlantic... The 89th (The Princess Victorias) Regiment of Foot was a regiment of the British Army, formed on 3 December 1793. ... RGA redirects here. ...

The action

Boyd did not order an assault until the middle of the afternoon, or even later. On the American right, the 21st U.S. Infantry under Colonel Eleazer Wheelock Ripley advanced and drove the British skirmish line back through the woods, for almost a mile. Here they paused to draw breath, and were joined by the 12th and 13th U.S. Infantry from Coles' brigade. (Where Swartwout's other two regiments were at this point is unclear). Ripley and Coles resumed their advance along the edge of the woods, but were startled to see a line of redcoats (the 2nd/89th, on Morrison's left flank) apparently rise out of the ground and open fire. The American soldiers dived behind tree stumps and bushes to return fire, and their attack lost all order and momentum. As ammunition ran short, they began straggling back out of the line. Eleazer Wheelock Ripley (1782-1839) , was a graduate of Dartmouth College, distinguished Brigadier General in the War of 1812, and later Louisiana legislator. ...

Meanwhile, Covington's brigade struggled across the ravine and deployed into line, under shrapnel fire. Legend has it that at this point, Covington, took the 49th Regiment in their grey greatcoats for Canadian militia and called out to his men, "Come on, my lads! Let us see how you will deal with these militiamen!" A moment later, he was mortally wounded. His second-in-command took over, only to be killed almost immediately. The brigade quickly lost order and began to retreat. It has been suggested that Fragmentation (weaponry) be merged into this article or section. ...

Boyd could not bring all his six guns into action until his infantry were already falling back. When they did open fire from the road along the river bank, they were quite effective. Morrison's second-in-command, Lieutenant Colonel John Harvey, ordered the 49th to capture them. The American dragoons (under Wilkinson's adjutant general, Colonel John Walbach) now intervened, charging the 49th's exposed right flank. The 49th halted their own advance, reformed line from echelon formation and wheeled back their right. Under heavy fire from the 49th, Pearson's detachment and Jackson's two guns, the Dragoons renewed their charge twice but eventually fell back, leaving 18 casualties (out of 130). They had bought time for all but one of the American guns to be removed. Barnes's companies of the 2/89th overtook the 49th and captured the one gun which had become bogged down and been abandoned. Sir John Harvey (April 23, 1778 – March 22, 1852) was a British army officer and a Lieutenant Governor. ...

It was now about half past four. Almost all of the American army was in full retreat. The 25th U.S. Infantry under Colonel Edmund P. Gaines and the collected boat guards under Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Upham held the ravine for a while, but Pearson threatened to get round their left flank, and they too fell back. As it was growing dark and the weather was turning stormy, the British halted their advance. The American Army meanwhile retreated in great confusion to their boats and crossed to the south (American) bank of the river. Wary of the Americans renewing the attack, the British did not stand down from battle stations for some time. Edmund Pendleton Gaines was a United States army officer who served with distinction during the War of 1812 and the Seminole Wars. ...

The casualties

Although the British casualties were initially reported in Morrison's despatches as 22 killed, 148 wounded and 9 missing, it has been demonstrated that a further 9 men were killed and an additional 4 men were missing^[1]. Many of the severely injured Americans who had been left behind lying where they fell all night: a Canadian who rode across the battlefield on the morning of the November 12 remembered it being "covered with Americans killed and wounded"^[2]. Some 120 American prisoners were taken^[3]: most of these were left severely wounded who had been left on the field but fourteen enlisted men were captured after trying to hide in a swamp^[4].

The result

On November 12, the sullen American flotilla successfully navigated the Long Sault rapids. A letter now reached them from Hampton, declining to rendezvous at Cornwall, and Wilkinson used this as pretext to call another council of war, which unanimously opted to end the Campaign. is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The army went into winter quarters at French Mills, New York, but the roads were almost impassable at this season, and Wilkinson was forced by lack of supplies to retreat to Plattsburg. He was dismissed from command after a failed attack on a British outpost at Lacolle Mills. He was subsequently court martialled on various charges of negligence, but exonerated. Lewis was retired, while Boyd was sidelined into rear-area commands. In this battle, Major-General James Wilkonson planned another invasion of Canada to make up his huge loss to the British in the Battle of Cryslers Farm. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

The area of Crysler's Farm was permanently submerged in 1958 during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. A monument commemorating the battle was moved from Crysler's Farm to Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg. See also The Lost Villages. Jan. ... The Saint Lawrence Seaway in its broadest sense (see Great Lakes Waterway) is the system of canals that permits ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes as far as Lake Superior. ... Upper Canada Village Upper Canada Village is a heritage park in Morrisburg, Ontario, which depicts a 19th century village in Upper Canada. ... External links Morrisburg & District Historical Society Categories: Canada geography stubs | Ontario communities ... The Lost Villages are ten communities in the Canadian province of Ontario, in the township of South Stormont near Cornwall, which were permanently submerged by the creation of the St. ...

Notes

Sources

• Field of Glory: The Battle of Crysler's Farm, 1813 by Donald E. Graves, Robin Brass Studio, Toronto, 1999. ISBN 1-896941-10-9
• The Incredible War of 1812, by J. Mackay Hitsman, Robin Brass Studio, ISBN 1-896941-13-3
• Amateurs to Arms, by John R. Elting, Da Capo Press NY, ISBN 0-306-80653-3
• 1812: War with America, Jon Latimer, Harvard University Press, 2007, ISBN 0-67402-584-9
• The Defended Border, ed. Morris Zaslow, Macmillan of Canada, ISBN 0-7705-1242-9
• The Documentary History of the Campaign upon the Niagara Frontier in the Year 1813, ed., Ernest A. Cruikshank, Reprint Edition by Arno Press, 1971, ISBN 0-405-02838-5

External links

• Animated Stages of the Battle of Crysler's Farm