in the United States | in Canada

Battle of York

American ships approach York on the day of the battle
Source: The War of 1812, by Wesley Turner

"It became too evident that our numbers and means of defence were inadequate to the task of maintaining possession of York against the vast superiority of the force brought against it."
Major General Roger Hale Sheaffe

The United States Secretary of War John Armstrong's initial plan for the invasion of Canada on the Great Lakes in 1813 was an attack on the British-held Kingston, giving the American forces complete contol of lake Ontario and a position to strike at York, the capital of Upper Canada, and eventually, the British forts on the Niagara frontier. However, new British reinforcements in Quebec and Upper Canada changed his mind. The first attack would be on York, and the forts on the Niagara river would be next.

The city of York, the capital of Upper Canada, was twice captured by the American forces. The first attack came in April, 1813, when 1,700 American regulars boarded fourteen ships under the command of Captain Isaac Chauncey and headed for the city.

In spite of the fact that York was a provincial capital, its garrison was comparatively small - 300 regulars, 400 militia, and 50 to 100 Amerindians. Apart from Fort York and several heavy guns mounted by the lake shore, the city had no strong fortifications to protect it.

There was almost no question in the outcome of the battle. First, American ships, assisted by the wind, lifted anchor and sailed towards York. After releasing the soldiers, led by Major General Henry Dearborn, the ships traveled back against the wind to bombard the shore batteries. The American force was pushing forward, even as the traveling magazine at the Western Battery exploded, killing 35.

Major General Robert Hale Sheaffe, in command of the British forces, recommended that the town be surrendered at this point. Leaving the town to its fate, General Sheaffe and his regulars began to withdraw. Before leaving general ordered that any military vessels in the harbour be burned and the grand magazine at Fort York detonated. This order was carried out, the explosion killing 38 Americans and wounding over 200. Several British and Canadian soldiers were also killed. Today, the grand magazine has been rebuilt, while a plaque at Fort York commemorates its destruction.

The American forces occupied York until May 8, 1813. They burned the parliament buildings and other public buildings, also looting private property, breaking the terms of surrender. The citizens of York were angry both at the Americans and at General Sheaffe, who left them "standing in the street, like a parcel of sheep".

The British lost 150 killed and wounded and 290 captured. American casualties numbered 320, most of these due to the explosion of the grand magazine. Despite this, the victory was worth the trouble for the United States. The British burned one ship at the docks and another was seized by the Americans. Large quantities of their naval store were destroyed. All this allowed the American Navy to strengthen its control of Lake Ontario, and impede British operations on Lake Erie, whose supply suddenly diminished.