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From: "Daryl Coulson" <>
Subject: [UPP-CAN] 1812 Battle of Queenston Heights
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2000 23:47:11 -0400
The War of 1812 Battle at Queenston Heights is well known in Canadian
history and is marked with a significant park and monument to Major-General
Isaac BROCK. However, the names of those killed or wounded in this battle
appear to be very poorly understood or documented. At least that has been my
finding. I have search various documents, books, etc. in special
collections, and searched the mail-list archives with little results. Can
anyone offer suggestions or information?
Here is what I have: The British loss at Queenston Heights are reported as
14 killed and 77 wounded of the line and militia, and 5 killed and 9 wounded
of the brave Indians.
Line and Militia:
Officers killed: Major-General Isaac BROCK, Lieut.-Colonel MacDONELL
Officers wounded: Captains DENNIS and WILLIAMS, 49th Regiment, Volunteer
SHAW, do; Lieut. McLEAN, York Light Infantry; Adjutant McINTYRE, Lincoln
Militia.
General Staff - 2 killed.
Royal Artillery - 2 wounded
Detachment 41st Regiment - 2 killed, 10 wounded
Flank Companies, 49th Regiment - 8 killed, 33 wounded, 6 missing
Lincoln Artillery - 1 wounded
Lincoln Militia - 14 wounded, 10 missing
York Militia - 2 killed, 17 wounded, 5 missing
Total - 14 killed, 77 wounded
As reported by Thomas EVANS, Major of Brigade in letter from Fort George on
15th October, 1812 (Canadian Archives, Q. 119, p. 14., enclosed in Sir
George Prevosts despatch of 5th November, 1812 -- as reported in
Cruikshank, E. Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier
in 1812-1814, Vol. 2, pg. 73-4).
Of the York Militia casualties, Captain CAMERONs company of the 3rd
Regiment of York Militia had the following casualties reported at Queenston;
Lieut. McLEAN, wounded
Sergeant SMALLMAN, wounded (hand)
Thomas SMITH, killed
Andrew KENNEDY, wounded (lost leg)
Thomas MAJOR, wounded (lost calf of leg)
John TYRER, wounded (both legs)
Francis LEE, wounded
Edward THOMSON, wounded (breast)
( Also, deaths of the following men in hospital at or on return from Niagara
were probable casualties at Queenston. Simon DIVINE, Joseph CRAWFORD, and
Johnson YEOMANS )
(Captain 3rd Regt. Y.M., D. CAMERON, York 5th January 1813 as reported in
Cruikshank, E. Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier
in 1812-1814, Vol. 2, pg. 124).
Brave Indians:
AYANETE and KAYENTATIRHON - Cayuga Chiefs
TA KANENTYE - Onondaga Warrior
KAYARAWAGOR and SAKANGONGUGUATE - Oneida Warriors
(Memorandum by Colonel Wm. CLAUS, Deptuy Superintendent -- as reported in
Cruikshank, E. Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier
in 1812-1814, Vol. 2, pg. 76).
This leaves the names of 11 killed and at least 62 wounded of Line and
Militia AND 9 wounded of the brave Indians unaccounted. Who where these
men, particularly those that lost their lives?
A History of the War between Great Britain and the United States of America
during the years 1812-1814 (Auchinleck, 1855) reports the following details
with respect to the companies involved in the Battle of Queenston Heights. A
reconnoitring of the following forces under Gen. SHEAFFE participated: 49th
Company (grenadier) and light company, along with a few militia under
Captain DENNIS and Colonel McDONNELL; Flank Companies of the York Militia
under Capt. CAMERON and HEWARD, Lieutenants ROBINSON, McLEAN, and STANTON ;
41st Regiment under Capt. BULLOCK ; Flank Companies of 4th Lincoln under
Capt. NELLIS and W. CROOK ; 5th Lincoln Companies under HALL, DURAND, and
APPLEGARTH ; Flank Companies of 2nd Lincoln under Capt. R. HAMILTON and ROW
; Flank Companies of York Militia under CAMERON, HEWARD, and CHISHOLM ;
Yeomanry Corps under Major MERRITT ; Volunteer Sedentary Militia ; Swayzee
Militia artillery ; and, Brave Indians.
[ Not to confuse the issue at hand, but a further note by Auchinleck (1855,
pg. 106) states that "The British loss amounted to sixteen killed, and about
seventy wounded, making with the loss in the morning a sum total of about
one hundred and fifty killed and wounded. The American loss, it is not so
easy to arrive at; ". What were the actual total British losses at the
Battle of Queenston Heights? Was it the 16 or so killed as reported or was
this for the afternoon portion of the battle only, with heavier losses in
the early morning? ]
In a search for names and references. Any suggestions?
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