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naval forces on the Upper Lakes (Erie
and Huron) were subordinate commands to the main forces
on Lake Ontario. Both sides faced communications
and supply problems in the less heavily settled Lake Erie region
and neither the Welland nor Erie Canals then existed to facilitate
the movement of supplies.
As a result, the vessels built on the upper lakes were much smaller
and more lightly armed. This did not prevent the main naval battle
of the war in Upper Canada at Put-in Bay, from
being a bloody and hard-fought engagement. |
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The "Niagara" breaks the English line, 1897
Carlton T. Chapman,
Naval Actions of the War of 1812
Illustration
Reference Code: 971. 034 BAR
Archives of Ontario Library
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Lieutenant Barclay commanded the British squadron which was
outgunned and outmanned by the American squadron under Commodore Perry. Many of the guns on the British
vessels had been taken from the walls of Forts Malden and Detroit,
as those originally intended for the squadron had been lost earlier
in the year when the Americans captured York. The situation in
the western part of the province, never good for the British,
was taken to the breaking point by this defeat.
| Note: Barclay's rank was Lieutenant but,
as he was in command of the squadron, he had the title of
Captain. |
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“The last thing
seen of the fleets on Lake Erie was at the Island near Amherstburg.
After the battle 12 vessels were seen very quietly together.
Capt. Barkley was ordered out with 8 vessels half manned
very much against his will to fight the Americans who consisted
of 9 vessels every way superior. The consequence is that
he was taken and all that country must fall & that before
long. … I expect to see everything in confusion in
the course of three weeks.” |
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Pages 1 and 4
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Letter from
Thomas G. Ridout to his father Thomas Ridout, September 21, 1813
Thomas Ridout family fonds
Reference Code: F 43, Box MU 2390
Archives of Ontario |
| The capture of the British
squadron exposed General Proctor’s position at Detroit and
seriously interfered with the shipment of supplies to British garrisons
and First Nations in the north-west. This led to the evacuation
of Detroit and the retreat that ended with Proctor's defeat and
Tecumseh's death at
Moraviantown. |
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 efore
the war Tecumseh and his half-brother
Tens-Kwau-Ta-Waw
(The Prophet) organized a Confederation of First Nations to resist
American expansion in the northwest. The defeat of the Confederacy
at Tipacanoe in 1811 left the alliance with Britain as a last
opportunity to maintain some autonomy for First Nations in the
region.
The death of Tecumseh at the Battle
of Moraviantown (Battle of the Thames) rivalled Brock’s
as a symbol of Upper Canadian patriotism after the war. It also
marked the beginning of the end of the long alliance between the
British Crown and the First Nations resident in the United States.
Click to
see a larger image (82K)
Portrait Bust of Tecumseh, 1896
Hamilton Plantagenet MacCarthy
Bronze-coated terracotta
Government of Ontario Art Collection, 619883 |
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When the final peace treaty was signed in 1814, the British
were unable to get the Americans to agree to guarantees previously
promised by Upper Canada to the First Nations people. These promises
were aimed at protecting First Nations land from American settlement.
The failure of the British to achieve these guarantees jeopardized
future alliances.
Tens-Kwau-Ta-Waw, The Prophet,
was Tecumseh's half brother and was active in organizing the First
Nations against the Americans.
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to see a larger image (661K)
Tens-Kwau-Ta-Waw, the Prophet, 1837
E. C. Biddle, Philadelphia
Print
Reference Code: RG 2-344-0-0-70
Archives of Ontario, I0009202 |
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Six Nations Reserve on the Grand
River was the western most part of Upper Canada under
effective British control in the year following the Battle of Moraviantown. |
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There were attempts to interfere with American raids by sending
patrols into the region. One met with defeat at the Battle
of the
Long
Woods, March 4, 1814, another under Colonel Bostwick
succeeded in capturing a number of Canadians assisting the invaders,
many of whom were brought to
Ancaster
for the
Treason
trials in 1814.
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to see a larger image (417K)
Sketch showing the Indian Lands on the
Grand River originally granted to the Six Nations,
and the several Surrenders of the same by them
made to the Crown, 1843
Thomas Parke
A plan
Reference Code: C-59
Archives of Ontario |
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