The Battle of Ogdensburg was a battle of the War of 1812. The British gained a victory over the Americans and captured the village of Ogdensburg, New York. Although small in scale, it removed the American threat to British supply lines for the remainder of the war.7 The War of 1812 (in Britain, the American War of 1812 to 1815), was fought between the United States and British Empire from 1812 to 1815, on land in North America and at sea around the world. ... February 22 is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1813 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Ogdensburg is the name of several places in the United States of America: Ogdensburg, New Jersey Ogdensburg, New York This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Largest city Albany New York City Area  Ranked 27th  - Total 54,520 sq mi  (141,205 km²)  - Width 285 miles (455 km)  - Length 330 miles (530 km)  - % water 13. ... George Richard John MacDonnell, August 15, 1780 - May 16, 1870, commonly known as Red George, was a British Army officer, who played a conspicuous part in the War of 1812. ... Benjamin Forsyth was an American officer of Rifle troops in the War of 1812 between Britain and America. ... 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. ... 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. ... The Battle of Sacketts Harbor was fought in northwestern New York on May 29, 1813 during the War of 1812. ... 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. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders William Mulcaster Joseph Morrison James Wilkinson John P. Boyd Strength 800 regulars and militia 8,000 regulars and militia (2500 present) Casualties 22 dead 148 wounded 102 dead 237 wounded 150 missing The Battle of Cryslers Farm was a battle of the War of... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... 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. ... 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... The War of 1812 (in Britain, the American War of 1812 to 1815), was fought between the United States and British Empire from 1812 to 1815, on land in North America and at sea around the world. ... Ogdensburg is a city located in St. ...

When the war broke out, a flourishing illicit trade was soon established between Ogdensburg and Prescott on the other side of the Saint Lawrence River. This was checked early in October 1812 when the Americans reinforced the unenthusiastic militia with some of the regular 1st US Rifle Regiment under Major Benjamin Forsyth. Prescott is a town of approximately 5,000 people on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Ontario, Canada, directly across from Ogdensburg, New York. ... The Saint Lawrence River (French: fleuve Saint-Laurent) is a large west-to-east flowing river in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. ... Benjamin Forsyth was an American officer of Rifle troops in the War of 1812 between Britain and America. ...

The British made an abortive attack with their own militia on October 3, after which the militia dispersed. During the next few months, Forsyth's riflemen made several raids across the river, sniping at British troops. On February 21, 1813, the British Governor General of Canada, Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost passed through Prescott on his way to review the situation in Upper Canada, accompanied by several detachments of reinforcements. He appointed Lieutenant Colonel "Red George" MacDonnell as commandant of British troops in Prescott, and left him instructions that he was to attack Ogdensburg only if the Americans weakened their garrison, before leaving for Upper Canada early the next day. October 3 is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... February 21 is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1813 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... George Prevost Sir George Prévost (Hackensack May 19, 1767 – January 5, 1816 London) was a British soldier and colonial administrator. ... Map of Upper Canada (orange) Upper Canada was a British territory in the Canadian province of Ontario. ... George Richard John MacDonnell, August 15, 1780 - May 16, 1870, commonly known as Red George, was a British Army officer, who played a conspicuous part in the War of 1812. ...

MacDonnell had other ideas. With the extra troops temporarily available, he determined to seize the opportunity. He planned for a company of the Glengarry Light Infantry, 70 militia and some light guns mounted on sleighs to make an attack on the fort which housed Forsyth's riflemen. The main column (120 men of the 8th Foot, 30 of the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles and 230 of the local militia flank companies) would cross the river lower down and attack from the flank.

The Americans were used to seeing British troops drilling on the frozen Saint Lawrence, and were taken by surprise when they suddenly charged. The riflemen in the fort held out, mainly because the British guns became stuck in snow drifts, but as the British main body threatened to surround them, they retreated and abandoned the town. The militia melted back into the civilian population.

The British burned the boats and schooners frozen into the ice, and carried off artillery and military stores. There was some looting of private property, but some of the plundered goods were later returned.

After the British withdrew, the Americans did not re-garrison Ogdensburg. The British were also able to purchase supplies from unpatriotic Americans there for the remainder of the war.

The normally cautious Prevost amended MacDonnell's despatch to make it appear that the attack had been carried out on, rather than against, his orders.

Folklore

The Regimental Chaplain of the Glengarry Light Infantry, Alexander Macdonell, is reputed to have accompanied the attack, wielding a crucifix to encourage lagging soldiers. Less reliably, he is supposed to have been supported by a Presbyterian minister swinging a heavy Bible. For other people with the same name, see Alexander Macdonell. ...

And too, the larger question is how much sympathy there was in the Ogdensburgh area some 50 miles north of the Sackett's Harbo(u)r Battles for the British cause as the area may have been populated by more Tory-Federalists than was previously thought.

Sources

• The incredible War of 1812, J. Mackay Hitsman, University of Toronto Press, ISBN 1896941133