The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Chrysler's Farm (11/11/1812) - Oct 26th, 2003

http://members.tripod.com/~war1812/batcrys.html ^

[SAMWolf]

On October 17, 1813, American Major General James Wilkinson left Sacket’s Harbour with an army of over 7000 in a flotilla of bateaux. His plan was to sail down the St. Lawrence River and attack Montreal. Progress downriver was slow due the combination of bad weather and British sharpshooters along the shore.

By November 10, British Captain William Howe Mulcaster was hot on Wilkinson’s heels with a flotilla of gunboats carrying two regiments of British soldiers. The Americans had now reached the dreaded Long Sault rapids. To lighten the boats, and to clear the bank of enemies, Wilkinson landed his army near a farm owned by a man named John Chrysler.

While the Chrysler family hid in their farmhouse cellar, a massive battle between British and American troops occurred outside in their fields. Though the British were outnumbered almost 10 to 1, the American force lacked the formal training of their opponents. The British lines held fast in the face of numerous American assaults, each time wheeling about and firing in textbook formation. After suffering significant losses, the Americans retreated to their boats awaiting them on the St. Lawrence hoping to save face by taking Montreal. They never achieved their goal.

This was exactly what the British had hoped he would do. They landed and deployed their two regiments at Chrysler's farm under Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Wanton Morrison with the express intention of engaging the Americans. Wilkinson simply could not leave this small enemy force of 800 intact to dog him all the way to Montreal. Too sick to command himself, he ordered his subordinate, Brigadier General Boyd, to destroy it before marching on.

In the early afternoon, an American regiment advanced towards the British left. Suddenly, a unit of concealed Voltigeurs and First Nations warriors rose and fired. They traded shots with the enemy briefly before the sheer number of U.S. troops forced them to run for their lives, with the Americans in hot pursuit. This was a critical point - if the Americans had managed to force their way between the British 89th Regiment and the swamp beside them, they could have turned and attacked the British rear. But Morrison had the 49th execute a parade-ground maneuver, making it swing backwards one quarter turn as a single unit so as to face the charging Americans with a solid volley. The Americans broke up and ran.

The American commander then launched his three brigades across the plowed fields at the British right. Morrison responded with another text-book maneuver, forming his soldiers in staggered platoons that each fired and then reloaded in turn, hitting the Americans with a continuous rolling volley. The effect was devastating.

Boyd next sent a cavalry unit galloping down a road that ran between the river and the British right. If they had got past the British, they could have turned and charged from behind, but Morrison had yet another parade-ground maneuver to deal with such a threat. The 49th Regiment wheeled backwards to the left to face the cavalry and fired, and all but destroyed the entire American cavalry unit with a single shattering volley.

By this time the entire American army was being moved back, by the relentadvancing British. The Americans were only saved from a rout by the proximity of their boats into which they piled up and rowed off to the safety of their own side of the river.

After the Battle of Chrysler's Farm, the British posted this placard in the vicinity of the American camp. History does not record how many of the demoralised American soldiers were actually seduced away from their dismal winter camp.

The next day, Wilkinson called a council of war which decided to abandon the attack on Montreal.

An American army had once again suffered defeat at the hands of a much smaller foe. And once more the defeat was due to poor leadership. By attacking first one side, and then another, rather than attacking all at once, Boyd had played into the hands of Morrison’s small but experienced force.

[SAMWolf]

The Battle that Saved Canada

The Battle of Crysler's Farm, fought on muddy ploughed fields beside the St. Lawrence River on November 11, 1813, was a crucial moment in the history of Upper Canada and marked the end of the most serious attempt to that time to invade Canada.

The campaign of 1813 focused on the St. Lawrence frontier with two powerful American armies poised to meet at Montreal and cut British lines of communications on this lifeline into the heart of the continent.


Sedentary Militiaman of Lower Canada by G.A. Embleton

An army commanded by Wade Hampton stood ready to move from the south, up the traditional invasion route of the Champlain Valley, and the other readied itself under the command of James Wilkinson at Sackets Harbor on Lake Ontario, ready to descend the river. The two were to meet at Montreal and choke all British settlements and garrisons west of the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers.

Outnumbered but not out-fought

Hampton's army numbered just under 4,000; Wilkinson's close to 8,000, as they prepared to catch Montreal in a pincer movement.

Fortunately for the British and both Upper and Lower Canada, they were opposed by small but highly trained - and motivated - armies under the commands of brilliant officers, Colonel Charles-Michel d'Irumberry de Salaberry in Lower Canada and Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Wanton Morrison in Upper Canada.



de Salaberry met and defeated Hampton's much larger force at the Battle of Chateauguay on October 26, forcing the southern invaders back on their base in the U.S., from which they eventually retired in disarray.

The invasion down the St. Lawrence was to be a much more serious affair.

Morrison commanded a 1200-man-strong 'corps of observation' nipping at the heels of Wilkinson's army as it traveled down the St. Lawrence from Sackets Harbor. Aided by William Howe Mulcaster's detachment of gunboats, they harried the invaders as their flotilla of batteaux and smaller gunboats made their way to Montreal.

Swatting away

Wilkinson, who detested Hampton with a fervour that was reciprocated, was unaware of the check that had been dealt to U.S. invasion hopes at Chateauguay until well after the fact and he disembarked his army on the Canadian shore east of the Galop Rapids in readiness to shoot the Rapids du Plat and Long Sault Rapids, between Morrisburg and Cornwall.


Canadian Voltigeur soldier, 1813 by G.A. Embleton

His army fought a brief and confused rearguard action against Morrison at Hoople Creek on November 10 and the following day it turned to swat away the Anglo-Canadian army as its vanguard continued on to occupy Cornwall.

Morrison's command, consisting of companies of the 49th and 89th Regiments of Foot, three guns and crews of the Royal Artillery, the Canadian Fencibles, Canadien Voltigeurs and 30 Mohawk warriors from Tyendinaga, near Belleville, as well as the Dundas County Militia, took their positions on ground chosen by the commander and waited for the Americans to come on.



Poorly led and poorly trained, suffering from cold and hunger and their numbers depleted by disease, close to 4,000 American troops attacked Morrison's corps of 1200. The American troops were committed piecemeal to the battle and their officers proved no match for their battle-hardened counterparts. The result was an uneven match-up despite the Americans' overwhelming numerical superiority and after close to three hours of hard fighting, they withdrew from the field leaving 400 casualties - killed, wounded and captured - and beat a hasty retreat to the U.S. side of the river.

Victory paid for in blood

Morrison's victory was paid for in blood. His 'corps of observation' suffered 200 casualties, or about one-sixth of his total force. The greatest percentage of casualties was taken by the Canadian Fencibles, a regiment raised in Quebec and whose ranks were about 50 per cent francophone. They suffered a casualty rate of nearly 33 per cent. Of note is the fact that of the 270 Canadian regulars under Morrions' command that day two-thirds were French-speaking soldiers from Quebec.


Wounded Canadian Voltigeur by Eugene Leliepvre

Stunned by the ferocity of the Anglo-Canadian army and their Mohawk allies, Wilkinson's broken and dispirited army went into winter quarters at French Mills (present day Fort Covington), ending the threat to Canada.

The three founding peoples

While not of a European scale, the battle fought on the ploughed fields of John Crysler's Farm was an epic event in Canadian history, ending as it did the American campaign of 1813 with the British firmly in control of both sides of the St. Lawrence and dashing the hopes of those in Washington who had boasted that the conquest of Canada would be a 'mere matter of marching'.


Monument to the Battle of Chrysler's Farm

The Battle of Crysler's Farm was perhaps as important to posterity for those who fought as it was for its result.

British regulars stood with Canadians of both English and French heritage and with them were the Mohawk warriors of Tyendinaga as our three founding peoples stood shoulder to shoulder in defence of this new country.

Additional Sources:

www.galafilm.com/1812
library.thinkquest.org
www.law.umkc.edu
members.attcanada.ca/~htfergus
www.warof1812.ca
www.americaslibrary.gov
www.cryslersfarm.com

[SAMWolf]

'The Battle of Chrysler's Farm is the story of General James Wilkinson's ill-fated attempt at invasion and the taking of Montreal, which was an abject failure. While the troops employed by the Americans were Regulars, they were both ill-trained and badly led, these rookies having a generally hard time campaigning in the rugged Canadian wilderness, and being roughly handled by a smaller number of experienced British Regulars and Canadians.

Wilkinson himself was a political hack, a "confidence man in uniform," who, as second in command to Anthony Wayne with the Legion of the United States in 1794, had tried to backstab that very competent general in his campaign to defeat the tribes in the Old Northwest. More interested in his own comfort, and happy to cheat his men out of their rations to fill his own wallet, Wilkinson set the stage for disaster in this abortive offensive, that former President Thomas Jefferson remarked would "only be a matter of marching."'

Donald E. Graves

[SAMWolf]

[SAMWolf]

Veterans Day 2003
PDN News Desk ^ comwatch

Veterans Day is right around the corner.

It only takes a few minutes to write a letter to the kids and share a story of why you served.

If you aren't a Veteran then share your thoughts on why it is important to remember our Veterans on Veterans Day. 

It's an opportunity for us to support our troops, our country and show appreciations for our local veterans. It's another way to counter the Anti-Iraq campaign propaganda.  Would you like to help?  Are there any VetsCoR folks on the Left Coast?  We have a school project that everyone can help with too, no matter where you live.  See the end of this post for details.

Three Northern California events have been scheduled and we need help with each:

 

Friday evening - November 7th Veterans in School (An Evening of Living History, A Veterans Day Ice Cream Social)

http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003c.htm

 

Saturday - 11 a.m. November 8th: Veterans Day Parade (PDN & Friends parade entry)

http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003b.htm

 

Sunday November 9, 2003 Noon to 3:00 PM Support our Troops & Veterans Rally prior to Youth Symphony Concert

http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003d.htm

 

Each of the WebPages above have a link to e-mail a confirmation of your interest and desire to volunteer.  These are family events and everyone is welcome to pitch in.  We'd really appreciate hearing from you directly via each these specific links.  This way, we can keep you posted on only those projects you want to participate in.

---

Veterans in School - How you can help if you're not close enough to participate directly. If you are a veteran, share a story of your own with the children.  If you have family serving in the military, tell them why it's important that we all support them. Everyone can thank them for having this special event.  Keep in mind that there are elementary school kids. 

Help us by passing this message around to other Veteran's groups.  I have introduced VetsCoR and FreeperFoxhole to a number of school teachers.  These living history lessons go a long way to inspire patriotism in our youth.  Lets see if we can rally America and give these youngsters enough to read for may weeks and months ahead.  If we can, we'll help spread it to other schools as well.

  Click this link to send an email to the students.

[snippy_about_it]

.......FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

.......Good Sunday Morning Everyone!


If you would like added to our ping list let us know.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Snippy.

[snippy_about_it]

Good night SAM.

[Neil E. Wright]

Dear Lord, watch over our Brothers and Sisters who remain in harms way, where ever they are around the globe. Grant them Thy blessing, that they be protected from harm, and may they be safely, and swiftly, returned to their loved ones. AMEN

G'morning people!!!! :)
±

"The Era of Osama lasted about an hour, from the time the first plane hit the tower to the moment the General Militia of Flight 93 reported for duty."
Toward FREEDOM

[radu]

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE AT THE FOXHOLE!

THANK YOU service men and women, past and present, for your service to our country!

[Samwise]

I had no idea we ever tried to take Canada.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Freeper Foxhole.

[Eastbound]

A hardy 'Howdy' to all in the trenches this morning!

[aomagrat]

ht

Today's classic warship, USS Rhode Island (BB-17)

Virginia class battleship
Displacement, 14,948 t.
Lenght. 441' 8"
Beam. 76' 3"Draft. 23' 9"
Speed. 19 k.
Complement. 812
Armament. 4 12", 8 8", 12 6", 12 3", 12 3-pdr., 4 21" tt.

The USS Rhode Island was launched 17 May 1904 by Fore River Shipbuilding Co., Quincy, Mass.; sponsored by Mrs. F. C. Dumaine; and commissioned 19 February 1906, Capt. Perry Garst in command.

Rhode Island underwent extensive shakedown and acceptance trials on the U.S. east coast between Hampton Roads and Boston before being assigned to Division 2, Squadron 1, Atlantic. Fleet 1 January 1907. The battleship departed Hampton Roads 9 March 1907 for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to participate in gunnery practice and squadron operations evolutions. She then returned north to cruise between Hampton Roads and Cape Cod Bay.

Arriving in Hampton Roads 8 December 1907, Rhode Island joined 15 other battleships, a torpedo boat squadron, and transports, for the great fleet review which began the cruise of the Atlantic Fleet to the west coast and around the world. President Theodore Roosevelt reviewed the "Great White Fleet " 16 December and sent it on the first leg of the long voyage. Rhode Island called at Trinidad, British West Indies, Rio de Janeiro, Punta Arenas, Callao, and Magdalena Bay before arriving at San Diego, Calif., 14 April 1908.

The fleet remained on the west coast into July, Rhode Island steaming north to visit the Puget Sound area during June. The entire fleet departed San Francisco 7 July 1908 for Honolulu, Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, and Manila, arriving in the Philippines 2 October. From Manila Rhode Island made for Yokohama, Japan, returning to Olongapo, Philippine Islands, at the end of October. Departing Cavite 1 December, Rhode Island visited Colombo, Suez, Marseilles, and Gibraltar before returning to Hampton Roads 22 February 1909.

Modernized after this historic voyage, Rhode Island received "cage" masts and numerous other alterations before again taking up her duties with the Atlantic Fleet. Rhode Island was assigned 8 March 1909 to Division 3, Squadron 1. She continued to serve with the Atlantic Fleet into 1910, participating in exercises including deployment southward to the Caribbean during February 1910. Assigned 20 October 1910 to Division 4, Squadron 1, Rhode Island and other fleet units were reviewed 2 November at Boston by President Taft prior to their departure for European waters. In an elaborate battle and scouting problem, the fleet continued its training, Rhode Island subsequently visiting Gravesend, England, before returning to Guantanamo Bay 13 January 1911.

Rhode Island continued her duties attached to the Atlantic Fleet up to the outbreak of war in Europe in 1914. She cruised southward to Key West, Havana, and Guantanamo Bay during June and July 1912 but otherwise remained on the east coast operating between Hampton Roads and Rockland, Maine. Reassigned to Division 3, Squadron 1, Atlantic Fleet, Rhode Island became division flagship 17 July 1912. She transferred the division flag to New Jersey 1 August in the periodic rotation of additional flag duties among units of her division.

The Commander, Division 3, Squadron 1, transferred his flag from Virginia to Rhode Island 28 June 1913 and remained on board until 18 January 1914. At the end of 1913, Rhode Island cruised off the Mexican coast to protect citizens and property threatened by deteriorating political developments ashore. Arriving off Vera Cruz 4 November 1913, Rhode Island operated off Tampico and Tuxpan into February 1914. After 2 weeks at Guantanamo Bay the battleship returned northward to Virginia waters.

Rhode Island kept up her continuous schedule of annual docking and overhaul gunnery practice, and squadron maneuvers well into 1916. She remained off the U.S. eastern seaboard but occasionally steamed into more southerly waters; she called at Carib bean ports during October 1914 to March 1915 and January to February 1916. Rhode Island undertook additional duty as flagship, Division 4, Squadron 1, from 19 December 1914 until 20 January 1915.

Placed in reduced commission in reserve 15 May 1916 at Boston Navy Yard, Rhode Island was detached from the Atlantic Fleet the following day. The battleship flew the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, Reserve Force, Atlantic Fleet, from 24 June 1916 t o 28 September.

Returned to full commission 27 March 1917 at Hampton Roads, Rhode Island broke the flag of the Commander, Battleship Division 3, Atlantic Fleet, 3 May 1917 shortly after the United States entered World War I. Undertaking vigorous gunnery practice and emergency drills to reach combat readiness, Rhode Island was assigned antisubmarine patrol duty off Tangier Island, Md. Based at Hampton Roads into 1918, Rhode Island was transferred to Battleship Division 2 during April. Remaining ready for overseas deployment, Rhode Island undertook special torpedo proving trials during June 1918.

Upon the war's end in November 1918, Rhode Island was ordered to assist returning U.S. troops from France. Fitted with hundreds of extra bunks, the battleship made five round-trip voyages across the Atlantic between 18 December 1918 and 4 July 1919 . In all she transported over 5,000 men from Brest, France, to Hampton Roads and Boston.

Designated flagship of Battleship Squadron 1, Pacific Fleet, 17 July 1919 at Boston, Rhode Island departed Boston Navy Yard 24 July for Balboa, C.Z., and Mare Island Navy Yard to undertake her new assignment. After remaining at Mare Island into 1920, Rhode Island decommissioned 30 June and was placed in reserve.

Rendered incapable of any further warlike service 4 October 1923 in accordance with the Washington Treaty limiting naval armaments, Rhode Island was sold 1 November 1923 for scrapping.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Samwise. SAM of course knows much more than I do about our battles against Canadians but here is my attempt at a response. I'm sure he can correct me and set us straight about our attempts to move on Canadian territory. :)

From 1775 when the Continental Congress authorized an invasion of Canada to the invasion attempts during the War of 1812;

A lot of the battles we already know about involve Canada. I think we often think of it as the battles for the Northwest Territory, the Great Lakes and battles against the Brits, french and Indians without connecting them with Canada per se.

These links will provide an idea of how we really know about them but don't put a "Canadian" face on them neccessarily, imo.

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Lake Erie (9/10/1813)- April 21st, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Moraviantown (Thames)(10/5/1813) - June 26th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers the Battle of Plattsburg (9/11/1814) - July 20th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Tippecanoe (11/7/1811 ) - July, 27th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Fort Dearborn Massacre (Aug, 1812) - Aug. 10th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Burning of Washington (8/24/1814) - Aug. 24th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Lundy's Lane (7/25/1814) - Sep. 7th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Ann Story, Ethan Allen & The Green Mountain Boys - July 16th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Profiles Benedict Arnold - Oct. 4th, 2003

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Neil.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning radu.

[snippy_about_it]

Your chipper for a Sunday morning! Howdy back atcha from the Foxhole!

[Soaring Feather]

Good Morning Everyone!

[snippy_about_it]

Godd morning feather. Coffee is in hand and work in front of me. I'm ready to attack the day!