Canadian Volunteers
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Volunteers was a unit composed of pro-American
citizens or inhabitants of Upper Canada
which fought for the United States of America during the Anglo-American War of 1812
.
claimed that many of them influenced the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
.
When the War broke out, several Canadians in the western districts of Upper Canada did indeed support the American army of Major General William Hull
when it invaded Canadian territory from Detroit
, though not as many as the Americans had hoped. Near York, the provincial capital, many militiamen avoided duty by marching to comparatively remote settlements such as Newmarket
, where they could avoid the authorities. Brock however, induced the Executive Council to prorogue the Legislature, which had been slow to support war measures and was sometimes obstructive, and proclaim Martial Law
. He then won a victory over Hull at the Siege of Detroit
. No other American force successfully occupied any Canadian territory before the end of the winter. Brock's successes stiffened the resolve of many Canadians, and he was also able to issue large numbers of captured muskets to the hitherto badly-armed militia units.
Brock was killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights
in October, and his successor, Major General Roger Hale Sheaffe
, introduced harsh restrictions against American immigrants and those expressing pro-American sentiments. During the ensuing winter, although there was no longer open disaffection, many Canadians of American origin applied for permission to return to the United States. Many others crossed into America unlawfully, across the Niagara River
or across the frozen Lake Erie
.
, a member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada who had participated on the British side during the early days of the war (as an envoy to the Six Nations
), defected to the Americans. Willcocks, like others who later became prominent members of the Canadian Volunteers, was not a recent American immigrant to Upper Canada, but believed that the harsh measures taken against those considered to be disloyal by the military authorities violated natural justice and the rule of law. He was commissioned as Major in the United States Army
and formed the Canadian Volunteers at Fort George
, which the Americans had captured in May.
By the autumn, the corps numbered about 120 men. During the later part of 1813, they were active as skirmishers, foragers and scouts around the Fort.
In November, the corps was reinforced by more volunteers under Benajah Mallory
, another former member of the Upper Canada Legislature, who became second in command with the rank of Major. (Willcocks held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by this time).
. The Canadian Volunteers were the most active participants in this operation, which the British maintained was an outrage. Other houses in Queenston
were also burned down.
When the British launched a reprisal raid over the Niagara into New York, practically none of the New York State Militia turned out to defend their homes. The Canadian Volunteers were almost the only troops to offer resistance, setting fire to a bridge over the Tonawanda Creek
to halt the British advance. Some at least of the Canadian Volunteers fought in the Battle of Buffalo
near the end of the year, when the British launched another punitive expedition across the upper part of the Niagara.
, yet another former member of the Legislature, became a company commander. In May, Markle accompanied the American Raid on Port Dover
, in which the village was burned down. Markle witnessed the destruction of the property of Robert Nichol, who had moved for Markle's expulsion from the Legislature.
During July, the Canadian Volunteers, which was listed as a regiment but little stronger than a company, formed part of a brigade of militia volunteers commanded by Brigadier General Peter Buell Porter
in the American army on the Niagara. They fought at the Battle of Chippawa
and the Battle of Lundy's Lane
. The Americans subsequently withdrew to Fort Erie
. During the ensuing Siege of Fort Erie
, Brigadier General Porter departed for three weeks to recruit fresh volunteers from the militia, and Lieutenant Colonel Willcocks assumed command of his brigade. He clashed with the New York militia contingent and on 4 September, he declined to take command of an attack by the brigade against a British siege battery. He accompanied the attack as a volunteer instead, and was shot in the chest and killed. Abraham Markle succeeded to command of the Canadian Volunteers.
and Detroit. They accompanied or instigated many foraging expeditions or punitive raids against undefended Canadian settlements, and caused much hardship.
. As most of them were wanted for treason, it was impossible for them to return to their former properties or occupations in Upper Canada (although some at least tried to do so). All Canadians who had performed military service for the United States were indemnified by the United States Congress
for their losses, and were rewarded for their services with grants of land in the United States territory
, in proportion to their rank.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
citizens or inhabitants of Upper Canada
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
which fought for the United States of America during the Anglo-American War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.
Background
Before the War, Americans had been encouraged to settle in Upper Canada by generous grants of land. The Lieutenant Governors and military commanders in the province were concerned that in the event of war with America, the Americans would receive active help from many of these, and from Canadians whom they induced to support them. In March 1812, Major General Isaac BrockIsaac Brock
Major-General Sir Isaac Brock KB was a British Army officer and administrator. Brock was assigned to Canada in 1802. Despite facing desertions and near-mutinies, he commanded his regiment in Upper Canada successfully for many years...
claimed that many of them influenced the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
The Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791. It was the elected legislature for the province of Upper Canada and functioned as the province's lower house in the Parliament of Upper Canada...
.
When the War broke out, several Canadians in the western districts of Upper Canada did indeed support the American army of Major General William Hull
William Hull
William Hull was an American soldier and politician. He fought in the American Revolution, was Governor of Michigan Territory, and was a general in the War of 1812, for which he is best remembered for surrendering Fort Detroit to the British.- Early life and Revolutionary War :He was born in...
when it invaded Canadian territory from Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, though not as many as the Americans had hoped. Near York, the provincial capital, many militiamen avoided duty by marching to comparatively remote settlements such as Newmarket
Newmarket, Ontario
Newmarket is a town in Southern Ontario located approximately 50 km north of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area and is connected to Toronto by freeway, and is served by three interchanges along Highway 404. It is also connected to Highway 400 via Highway 9...
, where they could avoid the authorities. Brock however, induced the Executive Council to prorogue the Legislature, which had been slow to support war measures and was sometimes obstructive, and proclaim Martial Law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
. He then won a victory over Hull at the Siege of Detroit
Siege of Detroit
The Siege of Detroit, also known as the Surrender of Detroit, or the Battle of Fort Detroit, was an early engagement in the Anglo-American War of 1812...
. No other American force successfully occupied any Canadian territory before the end of the winter. Brock's successes stiffened the resolve of many Canadians, and he was also able to issue large numbers of captured muskets to the hitherto badly-armed militia units.
Brock was killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights
Battle of Queenston Heights
The Battle of Queenston Heights was the first major battle in the War of 1812 and resulted in a British victory. It took place on 13 October 1812, near Queenston, in the present-day province of Ontario...
in October, and his successor, Major General Roger Hale Sheaffe
Roger Hale Sheaffe
General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe, 1st Baronet was an American-born General in the British Army in the first part of the 19th century.-Early career:...
, introduced harsh restrictions against American immigrants and those expressing pro-American sentiments. During the ensuing winter, although there was no longer open disaffection, many Canadians of American origin applied for permission to return to the United States. Many others crossed into America unlawfully, across the Niagara River
Niagara River
The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the Province of Ontario in Canada and New York State in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the name of the river...
or across the frozen Lake Erie
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
.
Formation
In July 1813, Joseph WillcocksJoseph Willcocks
Joseph Willcocks was a publisher, a political figure and ultimately, a traitor in Upper Canada.He was born in Palmerstown, Ireland in 1773. He came to York at the age of 27, staying initially with his second cousin once removed, William Willcocks...
, a member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada who had participated on the British side during the early days of the war (as an envoy to the Six Nations
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
), defected to the Americans. Willcocks, like others who later became prominent members of the Canadian Volunteers, was not a recent American immigrant to Upper Canada, but believed that the harsh measures taken against those considered to be disloyal by the military authorities violated natural justice and the rule of law. He was commissioned as Major in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and formed the Canadian Volunteers at Fort George
Fort George, Ontario
Fort George National Historic Site is a historic military structure at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, that was the scene of several battles during the War of 1812...
, which the Americans had captured in May.
By the autumn, the corps numbered about 120 men. During the later part of 1813, they were active as skirmishers, foragers and scouts around the Fort.
In November, the corps was reinforced by more volunteers under Benajah Mallory
Benajah Mallory
Benajah Mallory was a farmer, merchant and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in the Thirteen Colonies around 1764; he was living in Vermont at the start of the American Revolution and served with the local militia. He married Abia Dayton and settled in Burford Township in Upper Canada...
, another former member of the Upper Canada Legislature, who became second in command with the rank of Major. (Willcocks held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by this time).
Burning of Newark
With most of the garrison of Fort George having been deployed elsewhere and faced with a British advance, Brigadier General George McClure of the New York State Militia ordered the post to be abandoned. During the evacuation, an order was given to set fire to the village of NewarkNiagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a Canadian town located in Southern Ontario where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario in the Niagara Region of the southern part of the province of Ontario. It is located across the Niagara river from Youngstown, New York, USA...
. The Canadian Volunteers were the most active participants in this operation, which the British maintained was an outrage. Other houses in Queenston
Queenston, Ontario
Queenston is located 5 km north of Niagara Falls, Ontario in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The community is bordered by Highway 405 and the Niagara River; its location on the Niagara Escarpment led to the establishment of the now-defunct Queenston Quarry in the area...
were also burned down.
When the British launched a reprisal raid over the Niagara into New York, practically none of the New York State Militia turned out to defend their homes. The Canadian Volunteers were almost the only troops to offer resistance, setting fire to a bridge over the Tonawanda Creek
Tonawanda Creek
Tonawanda Creek is a small river in Western New York, in the United States. William Bright says the best that can be said of the name is that it is "probably from an Iroquoian source, but of unclear derivation".-Description:...
to halt the British advance. Some at least of the Canadian Volunteers fought in the Battle of Buffalo
Battle of Buffalo
The Battle of Buffalo took place during the War of 1812 between British Empire and the United States on December 30, 1813 in the State of New York, near the Niagara River. The British forces drove off the hastily-organized defenders and engaged in considerable plundering and destruction...
near the end of the year, when the British launched another punitive expedition across the upper part of the Niagara.
Later service
During the spring of 1814, the unit enrolled more recruits and reorganised. Abraham MarkleAbraham Markle
Abraham Markle was a businessman and political figure in Upper Canada and co-proprietor of Terre Haute, Indiana.He was born in Ulster County, New York in 1770...
, yet another former member of the Legislature, became a company commander. In May, Markle accompanied the American Raid on Port Dover
Raid on Port Dover
The Raid on Port Dover was an episode during the Anglo-American War of 1812. American troops crossed Lake Erie to capture or destroy stocks of grain, and to destroy mills which were used to provide flour for British troops stationed on the Niagara Peninsula. They also destroyed private houses and...
, in which the village was burned down. Markle witnessed the destruction of the property of Robert Nichol, who had moved for Markle's expulsion from the Legislature.
During July, the Canadian Volunteers, which was listed as a regiment but little stronger than a company, formed part of a brigade of militia volunteers commanded by Brigadier General Peter Buell Porter
Peter Buell Porter
Peter Buell Porter was an American lawyer, soldier and politician who served as United States Secretary of War from 1828 to 1829.-Life:...
in the American army on the Niagara. They fought at the Battle of Chippawa
Battle of Chippawa
The Battle of Chippawa was a victory for the United States Army in the War of 1812, during an invasion of Upper Canada along the Niagara River on July 5, 1814.-Background:...
and the Battle of Lundy's Lane
Battle of Lundy's Lane
The Battle of Lundy's Lane was a battle of the Anglo-American War of 1812, which took place on 25 July 1814, in present-day Niagara Falls, Ontario...
. The Americans subsequently withdrew to Fort Erie
Fort Erie, Ontario
Fort Erie is a town on the Niagara River in the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. It is located directly across the river from Buffalo, New York....
. During the ensuing Siege of Fort Erie
Siege of Fort Erie
The Siege of Fort Erie was one of the last and most protracted engagements between British and American forces during the Niagara campaign of the American War of 1812...
, Brigadier General Porter departed for three weeks to recruit fresh volunteers from the militia, and Lieutenant Colonel Willcocks assumed command of his brigade. He clashed with the New York militia contingent and on 4 September, he declined to take command of an attack by the brigade against a British siege battery. He accompanied the attack as a volunteer instead, and was shot in the chest and killed. Abraham Markle succeeded to command of the Canadian Volunteers.
Other Canadians in U.S. service
Other Canadian renegades, not officially part of the Canadian Volunteers, were attached to the American garrisons at AmherstburgAmherstburg, Ontario
Amherstburg is a Canadian town near the mouth of the Detroit River in Essex County, Ontario. It is approximately south of the U.S...
and Detroit. They accompanied or instigated many foraging expeditions or punitive raids against undefended Canadian settlements, and caused much hardship.
Disbandment
At the end of the war, the Canadian Volunteers were disbanded on 15 June 1815 at Batavia, New YorkBatavia (city), New York
Batavia is a city in Genesee County, Western New York, USA, located near the middle of Genesee County, entirely within the Town of Batavia. Its population as of the 2000 census was 16,256...
. As most of them were wanted for treason, it was impossible for them to return to their former properties or occupations in Upper Canada (although some at least tried to do so). All Canadians who had performed military service for the United States were indemnified by the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
for their losses, and were rewarded for their services with grants of land in the United States territory
United States territory
United States territory is any extent of region under the jurisdiction of the federal government of the United States, including all waters including all U.S. Naval carriers. The United States has traditionally proclaimed the sovereign rights for exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing its...
, in proportion to their rank.