|
Province House |
Parliament Buildings
| Queenston Heights
| Rideau Canal |
Inglis Grain
Elevators | Anne
of Green Gables
Site of one
of the most important battles of the war of 1812,
Queenston Heights was a true turning point in the war.
In October of 1812 the Americans invade Canada across
the Niagara River and catch the British off guard. The
objective was to establish a foothold on the Canadian
side of the river from which a build-up could take place
and a larger scale military operation could be launched.
The invasion site was the village of
Queenston and the Americans were able to quickly land
and establish their position. The British artillery in
Queenston began to establish the range of the American
boats crossing the river which were reinforcing their
position.
Isaac Brook, the
British commander, was awaken by the sound of the
artillery and quickly rushed to the sound of the battle.
The Americans were attempted to flank the British forces
and take the artillery. The artillerymen fled the scene
and Brook calling for more troops led several charges
against the Americans during which he was mortally
wounded but the attacks ultimately proved to be
successful and the Americans were pushed back across the
river. Early and easy victory in North America had been
avoided and the war promised to be a drawn out affair.
On the site of the
battlefield a large column was erected to celebrate the
British/Canadian victory over the Americans and the
salvation of British North America.
|
