Frontier War

 At the beginning of the American Revolution, rebels attempted to invade Quebec, as the city commanded control of the St. Lawrence and was deemed to be the key to the continent. They were driven out.

The Revolution would create two countries. The thirteen colonies would become the United States. And Loyalists would leave, going north into what was still British territory, and become Canada.

Loyalists included Richard Pierpoint, an escaped slave who joined Butler's Rangers, a force of men who fought against the Americans. After the Revolution, he went north, and fought again in the War of 1812.

Here we have weapons of both wars.

This is a model of the HMS St. Lawrence, which was sunk during the War of 1812 just outside the harbour of Kingston in Ontario. Naval weapons are also in the display case.

John Norton was a Mohawk war chief who fought in the War of 1812, including most critically at the Battle of Queenston Heights. His portrait, along with weapons, a wampum belt, and a medal, are displayed together.

First Nations peoples partnered with British regulars and Canadian militia to defend the country against multiple invasions by American forces through that war. In the end, American aims to take over the country never came to pass.

This coat dates to the Battle of Queenston Heights. This is the uniform coat the commanding general, Isaac Brock was wearing that day. He was shot by an American while rallying a charge, and killed instantly. A black hole, seen directly beneath the downturned collar, marks the spot where he was hit. His final resting place is at the base of a monument dedicated in his memory at that battlefield.

Long before her name got appropriated for a chocolate company, Laura Secord was a settler. She was also a spy for the British side, and took intelligence of an impending American attack through the woods towards British lines.

A Struggle Across The Frontier

 A portrait of John Norton, a Mohawk war chief who took part in the fight against the Americans at the Battle of Queenston Heights, is found here, along with a wampum belt and weapons.

One of the museum's prize artifacts is displayed here along with other items of the period. This is the uniform jacket of Isaac Brock, the commanding British general at Queenston Heights and one of the heroes of the War of 1812. He was killed during the battle; the jacket bears the mark of the round that killed him, with a small hole just below the downturned collar clearly visible to the museum visitor.

Laura Secord brought knowledge of American military intentions to the attention of First Nations warriors and their British allies in a timely fashion, allowing for the defeat of enemy troops at the Battle of Beaver Dams.

Here we have surgical tools similar to that of the period, along with a standard jacket. Jean-Luc Picard photo bombed me. No, wait, that's me.

Charles de Salabery is seen in this portrait with his medal set. He was a French Canadian who became a British officer, organizing and commanding a regiment during the war.

Into The Mists Of Time

I last showed you some of the sculptures here in winter. I thought I would go through these statues and busts at Plaza Bridge, called The Valiants, for a few days. They stand between the National War Memorial, the Chateau Laurier, and the Government Conference Centre, and represent figures in Canadian military history.

We start with the Comte de Frontenac, governor of New France, who defended Quebec against an English attack in 1690.

Lt. Colonel John Butler served during the American Revolution, leading a band of Loyalists called Butler's Rangers in engagements against American forces from Kentucky to New York State. The Rangers settled in the Niagara area after the Revolution.

Laura Secord lived in the Niagara region during the War Of 1812. She delivered news of an impending American attack to British officers.

Lt. Colonel Charles de Salaberry was an officer in the British army during the War of 1812, and fended off American attacks in Quebec, particularly at the Battle of Chateauguay.