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The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Chrysler's Farm (11/11/1812) - Oct 26th, 2003
http://members.tripod.com/~war1812/batcrys.html ^

Posted on 10/26/2003 12:00:43 AM PDT by SAMWolf



Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


...................................................................................... ...........................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

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The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer.

If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions.

We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.

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The Battle of Chrysler's Farm


Major-General Wade Hampton planned to attack Lower Canada by following the Lake Champlain route, while Major-General James Wilkinson planned to move on Montreal from Lake Ontario. The American chances to succeed looked very good. Hampton had 5,000 men, while Wilkinson had 8,000 men stationed at Sackett's Harbor. But, the two general's were bitter enemies and Hampton resented that he was to serve under Wilkinson. This was to be a well coordinated plan of attack, but ended up being one party ignoring the other to the detriment of the project.

The planning of the campaign was disrupted by the arrival to Sackett's Harbor of John Armstrong , the secretary of war. Armstrong insisted that the attack be against Kingston, while Wilkinson perferred a direct assault on Montreal. When Armstrong finally agreed Wilkinson changed his mind and opted for Kingston and so it went. Montreal was finally agreed on as the primary objective.



On 17 October, Wilkinson left Sackett's Harbor in a flotilla of bateaux and headed down the St. Lawrence River. At once bad luck came to the Americans in the way of a early snow storm, they became snowbound on Grenadier Island with a number of their boats being damaged beyond repair. While on the island Jarvis Hanks of the 11th U.S. Infantry remembered a farmer that still had potatoes in the ground. The men who as a rule do not care how they appropriate food offered the farmer fifty cents a bushel for the potatoes. The farmer said he could get a dollar a bushel for them from the British in Kingston. Well talk spread around the American camp that the farmer was suppling the enemy with potatoes so the men just took them, without paying any money at all. The farmer complained to the American officers but they did nothing to help him. He left thinking how unwise his decision was not to sell the potatoes for fifty cents a bushel.

Wilkinson pressed on despite the cold weather. Part of his army was forced to march down the American side while the rest used the boats.


Major General James Wilkinson


News of the continued American movement reached Kingston, Sir George Prevost directed that, if the American force moved down river, the 49th and 89th Regiments should be sent in pursuit, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Morrison of the 89th Regiment. His force consisted of 630 rank and file: nine companies of the 89th totalled about 450 men, but the battalion companies of the 49th Foot had been reduced by casualties to a total of about 160 men and there were less than 20 artillerymen with two 6 pounder field guns. On November 6th this force embarked on two schooners the "Lord Beresford" and the "Sir Sydney Smith" and seven gunboats and a number of bateaux . Naval command was entrusted by Sir James Yeo to his subordinate Commander William Mulcaster R.N., who was serving as a captain on Lake Ontario.

General Wilkinson was now approaching Prescot. Since the guns of Fort Wellington commanded the St. Lawrence at Prescot, Wilkinson landed his army above Ogdensburg and floated the empty boats down river in the dark, the boats slipped quietly by the British guns at Fort Wellington. Wilkinson then re-embarked his troops. Whenever the Americans came to a narrowing in the river they were being shot at by Canadian farmers who were turning out as militia. Wilkinson ordered 1,200 troops to land on the Canadian shore at Iroquoois, below Prescot, as an advance guard to drive them off. This they succeeded in doing.


Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Wanton Morrison


The Americans reached Long Sault Rapids on 8 November. They deployed a force under Winfield Scott on the Canadian shore to oppose any attempt to interfere with the movement of the bateaux through the rapids. On 10 November Scott's troops along with Jacob Brown's brigade began to march on Cornwall leaving John Boyd's brigade to deal with Morrison's small force.

Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison's pursuing force landed at Prescot on the morning of November 9th. His "corps of observation" was increased by a detachment of 240 troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Pearson. These consisted of two flank companies of the 49th Foot, a detachment of Canadian Fencibles, three companies of Canadian Voltigeurs, a handful of miltia artillerymen with a 6-pr gun and a half dozen Provincial Dragoons to serve a couriers. Captain Morrison now had about 900 officers and men.

Commander William Mulcaster R.N. had to leave his armed schooners at Prescot but his gunboats pressed on to harass the American boats, as the American bateaux began to move through the rapids Mulcaster's gunboats opened fire and the small British force attacked.

Meanwhile Colonel Morrison, had established his headquarters in John Crysler's farmhouse, he decided that he had a good defensive position should the Americans choose to turn on him. From the farmhouse a dirt road ran on right angles to the river as far as a swamp that was impassable a half mile inland. There were log fences that provided protection for the troops and in front of them was a large field of winter wheat.


Canadian Voltigeurs and Mohawk warrior, two of the Canadian units that stood with British regulars under Morrison's command and turned back Wilkinson's army on November 11, 1813.


November 11th at 8 o'clock in the morning an alarm is sounded. An Indian had fired on an American reconnaissance patrol causing each side to believe that the other was about to attack.

General Wilkinson ordered General Boyd to advance in three columns, Boyd had 2,000 U.S. troops. He was to outflank the British and capture their field guns.

A force this large had no difficulties driving back skirmishers earlier, however the advancing American troops were stopped by the volley firing of companies of the 49th and 89th Regiments. The Americans tried to turn the British left flank but the 89th companies were swung around almost 90 degrees to counter this move successfully.

The Americans became flustered when they realized that the men wearing the grey greatcoats were not militia, but were the 49th Regiment of Foot. The order came to advance and Major Charles Plenderleath of the 49th Regiment led his troops against the American guns 120 yards in front of them. All of a sudden to the right of him a troop of American Dragoons were seen galloping down the King's Highway toward their position. If they could get behind them they could charge their rear turning the tide of the battle against them. Captain Ellis's orders to his company on the right flank were, "Halt ... front... pivot...cover... left wheel into line... fire by platoons from the center to the flanks." Ellis had wheeled his company backward to the left to face the cavalry. Ellis waited as the cavalry charged down on his men, then smoke and fire erupted from the British line shattering the American charge and eliminated the threat. Captain Ellis held his fire to that last moment to maximize the effect. His company wheeled back to the advance and the 49th captured the American guns.


Major General Wade Hampton


The Americans were forced to withdraw from the field and that night crossed back across the river to the American side. The army pushed on to make their junction with Hampton's army beyond the Long Sault, but Hampton, having been defeated at Chateauguay, refused to meet Wilkinson at St. Regis. Wilkinson, ill and discouraged, abandoned the campaign.

Lieutenant Colonel Morrison's troops had defeated the Americans that day against overwelming odds, however there was one American unit that caught his eye. He was so impressed with the U.S. 25th infantry's steadiness in battle that he sent a note to their commander, Colonel Edmund Gaines, hoping that they might meet after the war as friends.

Morrison reported his own casualties for the Battle of Crysler's Farm as being 22 killed, 148 wounded and 9 missing. General Boyd reported 102 killed, 237 wounded and more than 100 missing.

On the Niagara Frontier the humiliating defeats of Stoney Creek and Beaverdams forced the Americans to withdaw into Fort George. The victory at the Battle of the Thames did little to lift morale of those American troops on the Niagara Peninsula. Foraging parties were ambushed and Merritt's Dragoons harassed pickets and patrols alike. The pickets were especially vulnerable to Indain attacks that kept them constantly in a state of agitation.



The scene was now set for one of the most callous acts of the war, the burning of Newark. An act that would have far reaching effects for Americans living on the east bank of the Niagara.



TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: canada; chryslersfarm; freeperfoxhole; genjameswilkinson; ltcolmorrison; veterans; warof1812
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To: bentfeather
<=== Mash This

41 posted on 10/26/2003 9:18:14 AM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))
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To: SAMWolf
I'm impressed, you do pay attention!!

Should I take that as a compliment? LOL!!

I don't remember everything but I try.

42 posted on 10/26/2003 9:21:17 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: SAMWolf
Yeah-Right!
43 posted on 10/26/2003 9:31:59 AM PST by Soaring Feather (~Poets' Rock the Boat~)
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To: radu; snippy_about_it; LaDivaLoca; TEXOKIE; cherry_bomb88; Bethbg79; Do the Dew; Pippin; ...
Our Military Today
Back to School
Courtesy of the US.


Iraqi students walk near a tank with their mother to the first day of school in the capital, Baghdad October 1, 2003. Schools across the country are in various states of disrepair and most are still waiting for new textbooks and stationery to arrive. Locals, aid agencies and the U.S.-led authorities in Iraq have refurbished many schools, restoring water and electrity and repairing furniture. But many are still not ready to welcome students, and hope to reopen on Saturday, the first day of the week in Muslim Iraq. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh


Iraqi students attend classes on the first day of school in the capital Baghdad, October 1, 2003. Schools across the country are in various states of disrepair and most are still waiting for new textbooks and stationery to arrive. Locals, aid agencies and the U.S.-led authorities in Iraq have refurbished many schools, restoring water and electrity and repairing furniture. But many are still not ready to welcome students, and hope to reopen on Saturday, the first day of the week in Muslim Iraq. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh


From the classroom : Iraqi school children watch US soldiers from their classroom during the opening ceremony of Dufuf al-Neil Elementary School in Baghdad. (AFP/Marwan Naamani)


A US soldier greets Iraqi schoolchildren during the opening ceremony of the Dufuf al-Neil school in Baghdad. The opening of the school marks the first day of the new school year in the Iraqi capital.(AFP/Marwan Naamani)


Iraqi girls watch US soldiers from their classroom during the opening ceremony of the Dufuf al-Neil elementary school in Baghdad.(AFP/Marwan Naamani)


Iraqi children receive pencils and crayons from a US soldier during the opening ceremony of Dufuf al-Neil Elementary School in Baghdad(AFP/Marwan Naamani)





Iraqi students queue for schoolbooks, which now have no pictures of Saddam Hussein inside, as they attend their first week of the new school year in the capital Baghdad October 5, 2003. The new academic year officially kicked off in Iraq on Wednesday but some schools across the country were still struggling to find the textbooks, pens and furniture they need to teach their eager students. REUTERS/Ceerwan Aziz


Iraqi students look through schoolbooks which now have no pictures of Saddam Hussein inside, as they attend their first week of the new school year in the capital Baghdad October 5, 2003.


Iraqi boys wave to U.S. soldiers during a visit to the Al-Fathilia school on the outskirts of Baghdad Wednesday Oct. 15, 2003. The U.S. 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion rebuilt the school, which had been looted after being used as a Baath Party headquarters during the war. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)


Pen pal : A US soldier distributes pens to Iraqi schoolboys at the newly opened al-Taakhi elementary school in Baghdad. (AFP/Ahmad Al-Rubaye)


Iraqi boys wave with school books as U.S. Army soldiers secure the area during an opening ceremony of Baghdad's Al Shaima school, in the eastern part of the capital, Saturday, Oct 25, 2003. Coalition authorities on Saturday announced plans to lift the curfew and reopen a major bridge in Baghdad to ease conditions for Iraqis ahead of Ramadan, despite continued violence. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)


Iraqi school girls wait at the gate of Baghdad's Al Shaima school shortly before a reopening ceremony with U.S. Army soldiers, in the eastern part of the capital, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)


Iraqi students laugh as a U.S. soldier sings and dances during the opening of a new school in Baghdad, October 25, 2003. (Nikola Solic/Reuters)


44 posted on 10/26/2003 9:46:32 AM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))
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To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf
Well, I plead guilty to sleeping through history class. LOL. I knew there were some American incursions into Canada, but I thought they were freelance attempts, not federally sanctioned. I know we wanted Mexico...ala manifest destiny. I didn't sleep through everything.
45 posted on 10/26/2003 11:11:38 AM PST by Samwise (There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.)
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To: Samwise
LOL. Hey, who can remember it all anyway. (Beside's SAM)
46 posted on 10/26/2003 11:22:42 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: SAMWolf; snippy_about_it; MistyCA; AntiJen; SpookBrat; PhilDragoo; All
Howdy friends. Happy Sunday, all.


47 posted on 10/26/2003 12:03:38 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul (I love the smell of winning, the taste of victory, and the joy of each glorious triumph)
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To: SAMWolf
BTT
48 posted on 10/26/2003 12:25:18 PM PST by apackof2 (Watch and pray till you see Him coming, no one knows the hour or the day)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Good afternoon Victoria.
49 posted on 10/26/2003 12:25:23 PM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: SAMWolf
Thanks SAM for these pictures of our troops work in Iraq.
50 posted on 10/26/2003 12:27:19 PM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: SAMWolf
Grrrrr!
51 posted on 10/26/2003 6:21:51 PM PST by manna
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Evevning Victoria. Having fun with your "extra" hour?
52 posted on 10/26/2003 6:49:24 PM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))
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To: SAMWolf
Morning, SAM, though the "next morning". hehe!

No scrubbing for me for a couple more days. Takin' more than an hour off. LOL! My back let me know it had had enough.

Hope you had a good weekend.

53 posted on 10/26/2003 10:59:00 PM PST by radu (May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
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To: SAMWolf; snippy_about_it; E.G.C.; Victoria Delsoul
Thirty years ago driving a couple to Montreal to do business with an arrogant frenchie headquartered in a topless bar.

Struck by the clear imperative to leave Canada to the Canadians.

So it is that History punished the immature American desire to conquer the place, but in the long run defeated the defenders.

They of course were cursed to live there, while this deponent found it not even "a nice place to visit."

The best of Canada exists in myth.

Third from left: Camilla Scott as Constable Margaret Thatcher.

Filmed largely in Vancouver where the sun shines dimly at noon on the Fourth of July.

Technical note: No one has seen David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, SAMWolf and snippy_about_it together.

The rumor that SAM and snippy were filming the new X-Files movie earlier this year is [not] true. Or not.

But not, he added, in Canada.

54 posted on 10/26/2003 11:16:43 PM PST by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)
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To: radu
Had a very good weekend. Weather was beautiful, did some BBQ and got the yard work done. Still waiting for the rest of the leaves to come down before I clean the gutters.


55 posted on 10/26/2003 11:43:50 PM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))
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To: PhilDragoo
Evening PhilDragoo.

No one has seen David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, SAMWolf and snippy_about_it together.

LOL! And no ever one will.

I sure miss the early X-Files!

Sgt Preston and Yulon King, what a blast from the past!

You forgot the second most famous Mounty: Dudley Do-Right

I've only been to Canada for camping and it has some beautiful county. Stayed the hell out of Quebec, have no use for that area. I hear Western Canada doesn't care for the way things are run back East. SOunds almost like the US in that regard.

56 posted on 10/26/2003 11:52:08 PM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))
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To: SAMWolf
Our Military Today
Back to School
Courtesy of the US.

Fantastic pics of the Iraqi children on their first day of school. And life minus the fears of SoDammed's reign shows on their faces.

The trust they have for our troops and the other Coalition forces does show.

57 posted on 10/27/2003 12:32:20 AM PST by radu (May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
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To: PhilDragoo
BTTT!!!!!!
58 posted on 10/27/2003 3:05:45 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: SAMWolf
Mmmmmmmm, I don't even eat meat but the aroma of BBQ can still make my mouth water.

Very few of our leaves have fallen so far. We aren't even getting a good Fall display of colors. They say it's because we had so much rain this summer. POO!!

Once the majority of the leaves fall, I'll run the mower over them....and let my hubby climb the ladder to deal with the gutters. That's the wuss-about-heights in me. *giggle*
The leaves that fall later will be blown into piles for burning. It just doesn't seem like Fall if we don't burn leaves.
59 posted on 10/27/2003 3:16:34 AM PST by radu (May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
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To: PhilDragoo
LOL. I love it Phil and I'll never tell!!
60 posted on 10/27/2003 3:41:21 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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