↗ View this article in the original PDF newsletter
Bicentennial Timeline: October to Oct. 5 Americans win Battle of Thames at Moraviantown near Chatham, where Tecumseh is killed. Oct. 26 Charles de Salaberry leading 1600 French Canadian militia turned back Gen. Wade Hampton and an invading army of 3000 Americans after four hours of fighting at Châteauguay 56 km southwest of Montreal. An official report of “this brilliant occasion” praised the “gallantry and steadiness” of every officer and soldier (Montreal 30 October, Herald Quebec Gazette/ Gazette de 4 November). The noted that “the whole of Québec Gazette our force, with a very few exceptions, from the commander downwards, were Canadians.” Oct. 31 A travel tip from Lieut. John Lang of the 19th Dragoons: “. . . very good quarters at Jordan’s Tavern York, the best I had seen in the country. A very good dinner, delicious water fowl.” Nov. 7 George Williams, a military surveyor, mapped York for the Board of Ordnance, including all roads, every building, garden, orchard, and pasture, from the Don to west
December 1813 of Fort York. http://fortyorkmaps.blogspot.ca/2013/02/1813williams-sketch-of-ground-in.html Nov. 11 British win Battle of Crysler’s Farm near Morrisburg, ON. Nov. 16 Ely Playter noted in his journal that books looted from the Toronto Library were returned: “An American Vessell came in with a flagg this Morning had some Books &c for the Chief Justice – supposed to be an excuse only to see what was going on, she didn’t stay long.” Nov. Rebuilding Fort York after the war began to plans by Col. Ralph Bruyeres; the two blockhouses were the first structures completed. Dec. 10 Retreating Americans burned 149 houses in the Town of Niagara leaving 400 homeless; the British retaliated by burning Buffalo. Dec. 19 James McGill, a Montreal merchant, fur trader, and landowner, died leaving a bequest that led to the founding of McGill University.
Original printed pages
