John Chrystie
Encyclopedia
John Chrystie was a United States Army
Lieutenant Colonel
who played a major but controversial part in the Battle of Queenston Heights
during the War of 1812
.
He joined the Regular Army
in 1808 and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the 13th U.S. Infantry
by 1812. At Queenston Heights
, he was to command the regular contingent in the initial crossing of the Niagara River
from New York State into Ontario
, but his boat crew panicked and returned to the American side of the river. Chrystie was accused of cowardice
after the incident.
He crossed over the Canadian
side of the river once a secure foothold had been established, but returned to the American bank and was absent when the U.S. troops who had crossed the river were cut off and forced to surrender. He was blamed for the American defeat by Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer
and other officers.
Chrystie died of natural causes in July 1813. There is a street named for him on the Lower East Side
of Manhattan
.
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...
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
who played a major but controversial part in 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...
during the 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...
.
He joined the Regular Army
Regular Army
The Regular Army of the United States was and is the successor to the Continental Army as the country's permanent, professional military establishment. Even in modern times the professional core of the United States Army continues to be called the Regular Army...
in 1808 and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the 13th U.S. Infantry
13th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 13th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army infantry regiment whose battalions are currently tasked as basic training battalions.- History :...
by 1812. At Queenston Heights
Queenston Heights
thumb|Brock's Monument|250px|Brock's Monument at Queenston HeightsThe Queenston Heights is a geographical feature of the Niagara Escarpment immediately above the village of Queenston, Ontario, Canada. Its geography is a promontory formed where the escarpment is divided by the Niagara River...
, he was to command the regular contingent in the initial crossing of 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...
from New York State into Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, but his boat crew panicked and returned to the American side of the river. Chrystie was accused of cowardice
Cowardice
Cowardice is the perceived failure to demonstrate sufficient mental robustness and courage in the face of a challenge. Under many military codes of justice, cowardice in the face of combat is a crime punishable by death...
after the incident.
He crossed over the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
side of the river once a secure foothold had been established, but returned to the American bank and was absent when the U.S. troops who had crossed the river were cut off and forced to surrender. He was blamed for the American defeat by Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer
Solomon Van Rensselaer
Solomon Van Vechten Van Rensselaer was a United States Representative from the state of New York, a lieutenant colonel during the War of 1812, and postmaster of Albany. He was the son of Gen...
and other officers.
Chrystie died of natural causes in July 1813. There is a street named for him on the Lower East Side
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
.