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Battle of Stoney Creek

Soldiers stand ready
Source: John Sek

After the British withdrawal from Fort George on May 27, 1813, American Major General Henry Dearborn, ordered a large part of his invasion force to pursue the retreating army. The American fleet on Lake Ontario, that bombarded Fort George, was heading back to its base at Sackett's Harbor.

Since General Dearborn was ill, the pursuing American force consisting of 3400 men, was led by Brigadier Generals William Winder and John Chandler. On June 5, 1813, the army camped in the neigbourhood of Stoney Creek.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel John Harvey, second-in-command to General Vincent, scouted the American positions and recommended a night attack. The British burst into the American camp and began shouting. There was a great deal of confusion, with soldiers firing on troops of their own side. Both American commanders were captured during the struggle, while General Vincent became lost in the woods and found his way back to the scene of the battle only the following morning.

Because of the extreme confusion, to which both British and American commanders attested, the victorious British lost over 200 men, while the Americans lost about 150. The American force withdrew to Fort George, giving up a part of the Niagara border which they occupied. The Battle of Stoney Creek served demoralized the American forces and boosted the British morale.