Battle of Cook's Mills

Coordinates: 42°59′52″N 79°10′30″W / 42.997895°N 79.174913°W / 42.997895; -79.174913

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Battle of Cook's Mills Part of the War of 1812 The monument commemorating the battle. Date 19 October, 1814 Location Cooks Mills, Ontario, within present day Welland, Ontario Result Strategic British victory, tactical American victory Belligerents United Kingdom United States Commanders Christopher Myers George Izard Daniel Bissell Strength 750 1 cannon 1,200 Casualties and losses 1 dead, 35 wounded 12 dead, 55 wounded

v • d • e Niagara campaigns Queenston Heights – Fort George – Stoney Creek – Beaver Dams – Fort Niagara – Port Dover - 1st Fort Erie – Chippawa – Lundy's Lane – 2nd Fort Erie – Cook's Mills

The Battle of Cook's Mills was the last engagement between U.S. and British/Canadian armies fought in Niagara, and second-last (to the Battle of Malcolm's Mills) on Canadian soil during the War of 1812.

Background

General Gordon Drummond had lifted the Siege of Fort Erie on 21 September, 1814, and withdrew to a strong defensive position along Chippawa Creek. An American division under Major General George Izard had marched overland from Plattsburgh, New York to reinforce the Americans at Fort Erie (commanded by Major General Jacob Brown). Being the senior Major General, Izard took command of the combined force. The more aggressive Brown wished to attack Drummond immediately, with the combined force numbering 6,300. Izard chose not to risk the casualties of attacking a strong defensive position. Angered at Izard's lack of action, Brown left with his division (half the army's strength) and marched to Sacketts Harbor, New York, where a British attack was feared

Izard finally marched north to the Chippawa Creek. The creek was unfordable, and the bridges had been destroyed. During 16 October, his artillery enchanged fire with the British forts at the mouth of the river, without effect.

Battle

Attempting to lure Drummond from his defences, Izard sent a brigade of about 1,200 men under Brigadier General Daniel Bissell to capture a British supply depot along Lyon's Creek (a branch of Chippawa Creek) at Cook's Mills. Skirmishing on 18 October led Bissell to believe a sizable British force was opposing him across the creek. In fact, Drummond had sent about 750 men under Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Myers to protect Cook's Mills. On the morning of 19 October, Myers attacked and drove the advance American units back across Lyon's Creek. The British kept up the attack and crossed the creek. Bissell managed to hold off the attack and immediately planned a counterattack. The Americans surged across the creek and Myers retreated in orderly fashion.

Aftermath

The battle showed the effects of Izard's well trained troops. The American forces took Cook's Mills and burned about 200 bushels of wheat intended to feed Drummond's troops. Despite this minor victory, it became apparent that Drummond was not going to move from his defences. Izard also heard that British ships dominated Lake Ontario, and any American advance risked being cut off by a landing in its rear. He withdrew to Fort Erie.

The loss of the 200 bushels of wheat to the British was offset when several American provision boats crossed the Niagara unaware of Izard's retreat, and fell into British hands.^[1]

Izard later destroyed Fort Erie and returned to the U.S. side of the river. Drummond moved to the remains of the fort but chose not to rebuild it, and the fighting along the Niagara Frontier came to an end.

Notes

Sources

• Heidler, David; Heidler, Jeanne, editors Encyclopedia of the War of 1812
• War of 1812 site