Battle of Queenston

On October 13, 1812, US forces were defeated at a battle near Niagara Falls, on Queenston Heights. The US officers were unable to convince militia troops to cross into Canada to provide reinforcements and supplies.

To lead the attack on Canada, Governor De Witt Clinton of New York appointed General Stephen Van Ressler of the New York militia, despite Van Ressler’s lack of military experience.

By early October, Van Ressler amassed a force of 3,500 along the Niagara River to confront 2,000 British and Indian forces. On October 13, General Ressler led a group of 200 men across the river at Queenstown. During the crossing, Ressler was severely wounded as the British attacked his men. Captain John Wool assumed command and led a group of experienced soldiers up an unguarded trail leading to the Heights. British General Brock launched a surprise attack against Ressler, but his troops were forced to retreat. Additional US troops arrived, and Brock ordered a counterattack. However, Brock was killed in the assault, and his troops were pushed back by the Americans. Reinforcements led by Lieutenant Colonel Winfield Scott were dispatched to assist Ressler, and it appeared that victory was on the side of the Americans. Van Ressler ordered the New York Militia to reinforce Scott, but they declined to cross into Canada. As more British forces arrived, Ressler feared that Scott would be unable to hold the Heights and ordered him to withdraw, promising that boats would be available to transport his men back across. When Scott’s men reached the river, there were no boats to be seen. Soon, the British began pouring gunfire down on the Americans from the newly recaptured Heights. The stranded Americans had no choice but to surrender. Three hundred Americans were killed, and 938 men, including Scott, were taken prisoner.