The Battle Of Cryslers Farm

The battle of Cryslers Farm was fought on November 11, 1813. The battle was fought between William Mulcaster (British) and John Parker Boyd (Americans). It was cold and raining though the rain later eased. Firing broke out in two places. On the river, Mulcaster`s gunboats started firing at American gunboats clustered at Cooks Point, while a Mohawk fired a shot at the American patrol scouting near the British encampment, who replied with a yell. Half a dozen Canadian militia dragoons bolted to the main British force calling that the Americans were attacking. The British force dropped their half cooked breakfast and formed up, which caused the American sentries to report that the British were attacking and forced the Americans in turn to form up and stand to arms. Boyd did not order an assault until the middle of the afternoon. He ordered Lieutenants Ripley and Coles to advance along the edge of the woods on the left, but they were attacked by British regulars and were forced to retreat. Boyd could not bring all six American guns into action until his infantry were already falling back. When they started firing, Lieutenant Colonel John Harvey ordered the 49th British division to capture them. They attacked to no avail. The rest of the Americans then attacked the exposed side of the 49th but failed even after two more attempts. The Americans were now in full retreat, but the British did not stand down from the battle stations for some time, thinking that the Americans would attack again. This was the last battle in the War of 1812 on the St. Lawrence frontier. The British had around 900 regular soldiers and Militia, they had 31 casualties, 148 wounded and 13 missing. The Americans had around 8000 regulars, but only 2500 to 4000 engaged. They had 102 casualties, 237 wounded and 120 captured ( Battle Of Cryslers Farm monument above).                The battle of Cryslers Farm