The Battle That Saved Canada
When July 1 and July 4 fall, as they did this year, to make a long weekend on both sides of the river the Seaway Valley becomes a very busy place. Sadly, less evident is our shared history.
If you asked the average Canadian what they know of the War of 1812 in general and the Battle of Crysler Farm in particular the answer would be painfully short. For most of us Crysler's Farm is simply the one the Americans think they won. The reality of course is that two British regiments aided by a unit of Voltigeurs and First Nation warriors turned back an army of almost 8000 Americans on their way down the St. Lawrence to attack Montreal.
The most significant point is far less known and far more important. The Battle of Crysler's Farm was not only the battle that saved Canada, but the first time in Canadian history that British, French and First Nation soldiers fought together for the sovereignty of Canada. So, while July 1 may be good for boating, fishing and camping I think we would be better served by celebrating our national holiday on October 17.
An increasingly popular summer event here in eastern Ontario is the battle re-enactments at the Crysler Farm Memorial site, where the Battles of Lundy's Lane and Crysler's Farm are played out by re-enactors from both sides of the border in mid-July. A photo gallery of the 2002 Crysler's Farm Battle can be found here.
Next weekend, July 9 and 10, in tribute to Ontario's loyalist beginnings, three American Revolutionary battles will again be staged.
Of interest to all, but particularly those of us with roots in the Schoharie, here is a good round up of Loyalists and Patriots from the Mohawk Valley, including the story of Adam Crysler and the Blue Eyed Indians.
In spite of the party on the Hill and the cake and the face-painting, I envy my American neighbours this weekend. Happy Birthday Canada says so little of a history that should say so much about who we are and how we came to be.
If you asked the average Canadian what they know of the War of 1812 in general and the Battle of Crysler Farm in particular the answer would be painfully short. For most of us Crysler's Farm is simply the one the Americans think they won. The reality of course is that two British regiments aided by a unit of Voltigeurs and First Nation warriors turned back an army of almost 8000 Americans on their way down the St. Lawrence to attack Montreal.
The most significant point is far less known and far more important. The Battle of Crysler's Farm was not only the battle that saved Canada, but the first time in Canadian history that British, French and First Nation soldiers fought together for the sovereignty of Canada. So, while July 1 may be good for boating, fishing and camping I think we would be better served by celebrating our national holiday on October 17.
An increasingly popular summer event here in eastern Ontario is the battle re-enactments at the Crysler Farm Memorial site, where the Battles of Lundy's Lane and Crysler's Farm are played out by re-enactors from both sides of the border in mid-July. A photo gallery of the 2002 Crysler's Farm Battle can be found here.
Next weekend, July 9 and 10, in tribute to Ontario's loyalist beginnings, three American Revolutionary battles will again be staged.
Of interest to all, but particularly those of us with roots in the Schoharie, here is a good round up of Loyalists and Patriots from the Mohawk Valley, including the story of Adam Crysler and the Blue Eyed Indians.
In spite of the party on the Hill and the cake and the face-painting, I envy my American neighbours this weekend. Happy Birthday Canada says so little of a history that should say so much about who we are and how we came to be.
posted by glenda at 10:15 AM
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