Battle of Crysler’s Farm
Written by: Trails of 1812
The Yanks are coming! Relive the battles of Crysler’s Farm
The Friends of Crysler’s Farm will be staging the 196th anniversary re-enactment of the battle that halted the last major attempt of an invasion of Canada along the St Lawrence. On November 11, 1813, close to 4,000 American troops attacked a British corps of 1,200 on the ploughed fields of John Crysler’s Farm. In fierce fighting with heavy casualties on both sides, the British troops turned the Americans away who fled back across the river.
On the weekend of July 11 and 12, re-enactors portraying American and Anglo-Canadian armies and His Majesty’s Mohawk Allies will take part in three battles on the grounds of Crysler Memorial Park and inside Upper Canada Village. Many of the units taking part are re-creations of the actual regiments that fought on John Crysler’s Farm. The rattle of musketry will be punctuated by the roar of cannons.
The largest war of 1812 re-enactment in North America
The Friends of Crysler’s Farm are honoured to have been chosen to host the 2009 War of 1812 Grand Tactical, the largest war of 1812 re-enactment in North America. The “armies” will be accompanied by civilians portraying the camp life of those who accompanied armies of the period while they were on the march. The tented camps of both armies, crafters, artisans and settlers will combine to bring the largest-ever display of living history to the area.
Upper Canada Village, immediately adjacent to the Battlefield Memorial, is a re-creation of a typical settlement along the shores of the St. Lawrence at the time of Confederation and in 2000 was named the top visitor attraction in Canada. The site also includes a memorial to the Loyalist settlers who carved the province of Upper Canada from the wilderness after having lost their homes and possessions for their loyalty to the Crown during the American Revolution.
So circle the month of July now on your calendar and watch as history comes alive at Crysler’s Farm Battlefield Memorial.
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The year is 1812. You’re far from home in the unknown wilds of Upper Canada. The place is Fort Erie and war is in the air. All around you are the exciting sights and sounds of men preparing for battle. Step back into a time of red coats, black powder and gray fortress walls. Over 200 years of living history resides within, at Old Fort Erie.
