ost of the military operations of the war took place in the Niagara region of Upper Canada. The change in fortunes of the war over 3 years are best illustrated in this area. Two American invasions were turned back in the fall of 1812 (Queenston Heights; Frenchman's Creek); in the spring of 1813, a large scale American invasion led to the fall of Forts Erie and George, and a general retreat on a new position at Burlington Heights by the British.

The American advance was checked at Stoney Creek, followed by a series of small engagements and skirmishes around the American positions at Fort George.

The U.S. garrison steadily declined in numbers and health, and by December 1813 had withdrawn to their side of the border, after burning Fort George and the Village of Niagara. This reversal of fortunes was highlighted by the subsequent British capture of Fort Niagara.

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Map of the Niagara Frontier, 1869
Benson J. Lossing in
The Pictorial Field-Book of the War of 1812
Illustration
Reference Code: 971 .034 LOS, page 382
Archives of Ontario Library

1814 saw a new invasion, with the U.S. holding both sides of the Niagara south of the Welland River and the British holding Forts George and Niagara.

The bloody and inconclusive fighting at Chippewa, Lundy's Lane and Fort Erie over the summer only came to a close when U.S. forces were withdrawn in November 1814.

The region, including Fort Niagara, remained under British control until the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in December.