Raid on Black Rock
Encyclopedia
The Raid on Black Rock took place during the War of 1812
between Great Britain
and the United States
on 11 July 1813, near the Niagara River
in northern New York State, U.S.A.. The British objective was to capture supplies and equipment from the U.S. military store depot at Black Rock, New York. The raid was a success but the British force suffered substantial casualties as they returned to their landing-point.
set out in the early hours of 11 July 1813, with 20 men of the Royal Artillery
, 40 of the 1st Battalion, 8th (King's) Regiment, 100 of the 1st Battalion, 41st Regiment
, 40 of the 49th Regiment and 40 of the 2nd and 3rd Regiments of Lincoln Militia. This force crossed the Niagara River, landed below Black Rock and moved "with great rapidity to the attack of that post". One hundred and fifty New York Militia under the command of a Major Adams, who had been stationed at Fort Gibson to defend Black Rock, fled and Bisshopp's men set to work. They spiked two 12-pounder and two 6-pounder guns at the batteries and made off with another 12-pounder, two 9-pounders, 177 muskets, several kegs of ammunition, quantities of round shot and canister shot, a large amount of army clothing and seven large bateaux and a scow
which were loaded with 180 barrels of provisions. They burned the blockhouse and barracks at both the batteries and the navy yard, and also a schooner.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Peter B. Porter of the New York Militia, whose own house was nearby, had gathered a force to oppose the invaders. Porter's force was composed of Captain Cummings' company of U.S. regulars, 80-90 men rallied from Major Adams' garrison, 50 Buffalo
Militia under Captain Bell, 30 Seneca
warriors allied to the United States, and a field-piece. The American force ambushed Bisshopp's column in the dark as they marched along the beach. The British force re-crossed to Canada with all of their plunder but not without significant casualties. The worst loss for the British was the "able and enterprising" Lieutenant Colonel Bisshopp, who later died of his wounds. It was said that the British withdrawal was unduly delayed to secure several hundred prized bags of salt.
returned as "wounded", although he was also taken prisoner. However, the Americans captured 17 prisoners, 4 of them wounded, which would indicate that 10 of the men who were thought to have been killed were in fact captured. The fact that the American report detailed only 4 wounded prisoners, including Captain Saunders, would indicate that one of the men returned as "wounded and missing" was captured unwounded. This gives a revised British casualty total of 3 killed, 24 wounded, 4 wounded prisoners and 13 other prisoners.
The American loss was 3 militiamen killed, 4 militiamen and 2 Seneca warriors wounded.
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...
between Great Britain
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on 11 July 1813, near 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...
in northern New York State, U.S.A.. The British objective was to capture supplies and equipment from the U.S. military store depot at Black Rock, New York. The raid was a success but the British force suffered substantial casualties as they returned to their landing-point.
The Raid
Lieutenant Colonel Cecil BisshoppCecil Bisshopp
Cecil Bisshopp was a British army officer who came to Canada in 1812.Bisshopp was designated the inspecting field officer for the militia of Upper Canada. This carried the local rank of lieutenant-colonel...
set out in the early hours of 11 July 1813, with 20 men of the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
, 40 of the 1st Battalion, 8th (King's) Regiment, 100 of the 1st Battalion, 41st Regiment
41st (Welsh) Regiment of Foot
The 41st Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1719 and amalgamated into The Welch Regiment in 1881....
, 40 of the 49th Regiment and 40 of the 2nd and 3rd Regiments of Lincoln Militia. This force crossed the Niagara River, landed below Black Rock and moved "with great rapidity to the attack of that post". One hundred and fifty New York Militia under the command of a Major Adams, who had been stationed at Fort Gibson to defend Black Rock, fled and Bisshopp's men set to work. They spiked two 12-pounder and two 6-pounder guns at the batteries and made off with another 12-pounder, two 9-pounders, 177 muskets, several kegs of ammunition, quantities of round shot and canister shot, a large amount of army clothing and seven large bateaux and a scow
Scow
A scow, in the original sense, is a flat-bottomed boat with a blunt bow, often used to haul bulk freight; cf. barge. The etymology of the word is from the Dutch schouwe, meaning such a boat.-Sailing scows:...
which were loaded with 180 barrels of provisions. They burned the blockhouse and barracks at both the batteries and the navy yard, and also a schooner.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Peter B. Porter of the New York Militia, whose own house was nearby, had gathered a force to oppose the invaders. Porter's force was composed of Captain Cummings' company of U.S. regulars, 80-90 men rallied from Major Adams' garrison, 50 Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
Militia under Captain Bell, 30 Seneca
Seneca nation
The Seneca are a group of indigenous people native to North America. They were the nation located farthest to the west within the Six Nations or Iroquois League in New York before the American Revolution. While exact population figures are unknown, approximately 15,000 to 25,000 Seneca live in...
warriors allied to the United States, and a field-piece. The American force ambushed Bisshopp's column in the dark as they marched along the beach. The British force re-crossed to Canada with all of their plunder but not without significant casualties. The worst loss for the British was the "able and enterprising" Lieutenant Colonel Bisshopp, who later died of his wounds. It was said that the British withdrawal was unduly delayed to secure several hundred prized bags of salt.
Casualties
The British official casualty return gave 13 killed, 25 wounded, 4 "wounded and missing" and 2 missing. Captain Saunders of the 41st Regiment wasreturned as "wounded", although he was also taken prisoner. However, the Americans captured 17 prisoners, 4 of them wounded, which would indicate that 10 of the men who were thought to have been killed were in fact captured. The fact that the American report detailed only 4 wounded prisoners, including Captain Saunders, would indicate that one of the men returned as "wounded and missing" was captured unwounded. This gives a revised British casualty total of 3 killed, 24 wounded, 4 wounded prisoners and 13 other prisoners.
The American loss was 3 militiamen killed, 4 militiamen and 2 Seneca warriors wounded.