When one mentions the year 1812, the thoughts of what happened in that year depend on which side of the Atlantic you live. Most people in Europe think immediately about the Festival Overture in E flat major, Op. 49, more commonly known as the 1812 Overture written by Russian composer Tchaikovsky in 1880 to commemorate Russia's defence of Moscow against Napoleon's advancing Grande Armée at the Battle of Borodino in 1812. On the American side people think of 1812 as 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 a desire for expansion into the Northwest Territory and against trade restrictions imposed by virtue of Britain's war with France. In the U.S., battles such as the Battle of New Orleans and the earlier successful defence of Baltimore (which inspired the lyrics of the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner") produced a sense of euphoria over a "second war of independence" against Britain. Canada also emerged from the war with a heightened sense of national feeling and solidarity, having repelled multiple American invasions. Canadians used battles such as the Battle of Queenston Heights as such examples. While the war is scarcely remembered in Britain today, as it was seen as a sideshow to the war against Napoleon, it welcomed an era of peaceful relations and trade with the United States
One of the largest battles in the war, was that of Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls, it took place on 25 July 1814. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the war and one of the deadliest battles ever fought on Canadian soil. Today a Red Lobster Restaurant and a Subway sandwich shop mark the site of the battle.
The main buildings within the fort walls |
One legacy of the war is the large number of Forts that dot the banks of the Niagara River, Fort Niagara, Fort Erie and Fort George. The Fort George National Historic Site is a historic military structure at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, which was the scene of several battles during the War of 1812. The fort consists of earthworks and palisades, along with internal structures, including an officer's quarters, blockhouses to accommodate other ranks and their families, and a stone powder magazine, which is the only original building on the site. Opposite Fort George, across the Niagara River, stands Fort Niagara in New York, which can be clearly seen from Fort George's ramparts. Fort George was built by the British Army 1802 and became the headquarters for the British Army and the local militia. U.S. forces captured Fort George in May 1813 at the Battle of Fort George. The British Army recaptured the fort in December. Fort George was restored as a "Make Work Project", guided by plans from the Royal Canadian Engineers, during the Great Depression of the 1930s
the British Red Coat uniforms of the 41st - the white and yellow are those of musicians |
Today, the site is a National Historic Site of Canada, maintained by Parks Canada. The fort is open to visitors from April to October. The staff maintains the image of the fort as it was during the early 19th century, with period costumes, exhibits, and displays of that time. They have volunteer staff who train in the infantry tactics and firing drills of the 41st regiment, as well as the 41st Fife and Drum Corps, who give demonstrations on how the fife and drums were played.
This day, there were several talks on the war and how people lived both in the fort and in the surrounding areas as well as live displays of musket firing and troop tactics in using the famous English Brown Bess musket, all undertaken by staff dressed in period military and civilian costume.
Having spent some 5 hours at the fort, I can say that it is well worth the $12can entrance charge, The only complaint that I have, is that there is no where to purchase food or drink other than a single soda/water vending machine. There are picnic tables available outside the fort (you can leave and go back in) if you bring your own food and assuming you know that fact in the first place. Food is available in Niagara –on – the – Lake a few minutes drive away, but as we found on this day, it was solid with cars and people, the only available parking was on the streets where parking restrictions were common and these streets were about a half mile from the town itself, so eating there was not really an option.
No comments:
Post a Comment