Battle of Beaver Dams

Overview

The Battle of Beaver Dams took place on 24 June 1813, during the War of 1812. A column of troops from the United States Army marched from Fort George and attempted to surprise a British outpost at Beaver Dams, billeting themselves overnight in the village of Queenston, Ontario. Laura Secord, a resident of Queenston, had earlier learned of the American plans from several Americans billeted at her house and had struck out on a long and difficult trek to warn the British at Decou's stone house near present-day Brock University. When the Americans resumed their march, they were ambushed by Kahnawake and other native warriors and eventually surrendered to a small British detachment led by Lieutenant James FitzGibbon. About 500 U.S. troops, including their wounded commander, were taken prisoner.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Beaver Dams resulted in the capture of approximately 500 U.S. troops during the War of 1812, a significant loss for the American force that had marched from Fort George intending to neutralize a British outpost. The operation failed entirely: rather than surprising the British position, the American column was ambushed and its commander among those taken prisoner. The outcome denied the United States control of the Beaver Dams outpost and reinforced British and Indigenous defensive strength in the Niagara Peninsula. The battle is also notable for the role of Laura Secord, a civilian resident of Queenston who, having overheard American officers billeted at her home, undertook a difficult overland journey to warn the British, enabling the defenders to prepare the ambush that destroyed the column.

Tactics

Forces & casualties

Commanders (2)